Word of the Day
Beloved, when it comes to transformation, repentance is the first key, and acceptance of My complete forgiveness is just as important. After all, forgiveness is the foundation of My sacrifice. The acceptance of the fact—to know I have given you a new heart will enable the removal of all hindrances, all stones left. Removal is done line upon line, precept upon precept and glory upon glory. And it is for the here and now not just for the day you come to be with with Me. Yes, it is for you in the here and now, this glory of Mine.
Therefore, I am removing the stones from all compliant and humble hearts. I will also remove those from the incompliant, resisting hearts. It just takes a little longer as I convince them of their worth. Fear holds them back. Don’t be one who fears. If I, who gave My life for you, will not condemn you, who can? Forgive yourself as well as others and don’t go digging for stones! Leave the digging, the revealing, up to Me. I will only do so when the time is right for freedom. All you have to do is be responsive and let go. What a difference it would make if your mindset was that of a treasure hunter instead.
Remember, the longer you let the enemy rattle your jar—your heart—without a response, without fighting back, without being humble, the more gullible you become to his schemes and tactics. He is a deceiver of hearts and a robber of My glory. He comes to kill, steal and destroy but I come with abundant life (cf. John 10:10).
Make a decree and shout it to the heavens. Say, “I have a soft heart!” I promised to give new hearts and new spirits and replace stony hearts with hearts of flesh (cf. Ezekiel 11:19). When I said this I was talking about you. Accept the new heart I have given you as a fact. Your new heart holds all of Me and all of the passion of who I am. It understands line upon line. It understands glory upon glory and is not bogged down in self condemnation and fear. It is quick to repent and quick to put on its rightful identity. I have given you a new heart and you are already cleansed, only needing to wash the dust off your feet (cf. John 15:3). Your heart is My tablet and I am writing upon it today (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:3).
And I will give them one heart [a new heart] and I will put a new spirit within them; and I will take the stony [unnaturally hardened] heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh [sensitive and responsive to the touch of their God], That they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances, and do them. And they shall be My people, and I will be their God (Ezekiel 11:18-20 Amplified).
Prayer
Lord, forgive me and cleanse me of all unwillingness to walk in a repentant and humble heart. When I refuse to repent I walk in pride. You oppose pride and give grace to the humble. I receive Your grace. Help me to not get in a hurry or to be slow in responding to Your promptings. Work in my heart line upon line and precept upon precept in order to make me into a building with good foundations and strong walls. Teach me to leave the digging up to You. Open my eyes to see the treasure, to focus and hunt for treasure instead of stones. Open my eyes to see the treasure in others as well and when I do they will be edified. I acknowledge that You are contending with my enemy and all I have to do is agree with You.
I take the Word and decree it over my own heart. My heart is soft and pliable in the Lord’s hands, soft and pliable on the Lord’s potter wheel. I have a heart of soft flesh and not stone responsive to the slightest impression of the Spirit. I have a new heart and a new identity in the Lord. My heart is an open tablet and holds only the Words of the Father’s heart. Yes, Lord, continue to write upon my heart. Amen
Reflect and Journal
- Take some time to repent and ask for forgiveness for any sin in your life.
- After you have repented, forgive yourself as much as you would anyone else.
- Take time and ask Holy Spirit to bring to remembrance anyone you need to forgive.
- Have you been digging for treasure or stones in your life or the life of another? Ask Him to show you the treasure, and stones will have less power in the hands of the enemy.
- What is He writing on the tablet of your heart today?
1. How short the memory is…especially after writing about criticism yesterday. We went to the Tile store, as had to talk to our Salesman. Well, I proceeded to point out how childlike our tile man was and the difficulties we encountered. I need forgiveness a lot…..we are not perfect, but when I talk in this manner, I realize this is not a Christlike behavior.
2. I’m praying about it, along with my health problems…always something going on. I sometimes wonder how our problems relate to our health, as my latest health concern started a few days after the tile men came. Not an easy time….
3. The years pass and the memory may not be as alert, but I tried to forgive everyone who has made life difficult. This points especially to my deceased first husband who was an alcoholic, gambler and womanizer. I finally put this part of my life to rest and forgave him.
4. I’m a nitpicker along with criticizing, but I know I have a gem of a second husband. I had been questioning him about his beliefs and when sorting through papers, found a small Bible which showed my husband at the age of 13 1/3 accepting Christ as His Savior. I was elated, but my husband never has “advertised” this fact. As you and I know, this is the most important thing in our lives.
5. LOVE….what more can I say……