Matthew 12:34 – “But you who are known as the Pharisees are rotten to the core like venomous snakes. How can your words be good if you are rotten within? For what has been stored up in your hearts will be heard in the overflow of your words!” 

What a day!  This is the day the Lord has made, and we have a multitude of reasons to rejoice and be glad.   The old song, “Count Your Many Blessings,” is ringing in my heart, and when I come to the part, “Name them one by one,” I realize the impossibility of that challenge.

When you ask how they are, some say, “I’m blessed.”   I applaud if that is more than a cliché that makes them sound and feel pious.   That is different if it is simply a phrase, they have grown accustomed to saying without thought and meaning.  Our words have meaning, but the words that get into and come from the heart have power! 

Words from the heart have the power to transform and create!   No, we are not God.  He is the Living God, the Creator of All Things, but when His Words are in our hearts and flow out in faith, the Power of God backs them up with all that Heaven has. 

Jesus said that we are to abide IN Him, and His words are to abide IN us.    One translation renders the words of Jesus, “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.”   The overflow, I like that!   What fills our hearts is expressed in our words and actions.  Where our treasure is, our heart is also there.   The heart is the seat of who we are, and what we are is expressed from it. 

I’ve heard people say, “Oops, that slipped out.”  NOPE!   It may not have been what you intended, and you let it slip past your guard, but it was there in the heart and came to the surface in your words.     We need to guard our hearts and allow the Holy Spirit to guard our lips, helping us say what God says and do what Jesus did and does. 

My prayer today is, “LORD, create in us a clean heart (washed in the Blood of Jesus and purified with His Grace).  Renew in us a steadfast, fully committed, 100% surrendered spirit.  Let us learn to dwell in Your presence all the time, walking in the Spirit.  Fill us daily with Your Holy Spirit and teach us to listen to His voice and follow His guidance.  Restore to us the overflowing unequaled Joy of Salvation, and help us always have a willing heart, mind, soul, and spirit.  Let it be sustained in us.  Out of that condition, we can and will teach transgressors Your ways and see them converted to You.  Out of that condition, we will reap the Harvest!  We will manifest and represent You!   We seek You and Your Kingdom!  Amen!’

Have a fantastic day in Jesus, and keep looking up; our redemption is coming soon!