Follow And Trust Your Heart?

Cindy Beall

Um, I don't think so.

Pretty sure that is not what the Bible instructs us to do. Why?

Because our heart can really jack with stuff.

It can lead us into situations simply because it feels right especially when an old boyfriend enters the picture. It can cause us to make decisions that are not thought through completely when those new pair of boots are screamin', just screamin' at us.

Our heart can be dangerous which is why you'll find this verse in Proverbs 4:23:
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

The Hebrew word for "wellspring" is towtsa'ah. And in its simplest term means "goings out, going forth." Meaning that basically what is in our heart is where our life will lead.

I've been in that place where you battle thoughts left and right and oftentimes entertain them. And entertaining them can and usually leads to destruction, which pretty much scares the living daylights out of me.

Just being honest. So, I have really taken this to heart and am making sure that my heart is where I want my life to begin.

Make sure you guard that heart of yours and "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not in your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Cindy Beall is a Christ follower who uses her gift of exhortation by writing and mentoring women. She uses her past experiences, including the near death of her marriage, to encourage people that God truly does redeem. For more information about Cindy, log onto www.cindybeall.com

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Maintaining Divine Health

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Dr. Betty R. Price

I have spoken many times about how we need to be doers of the Word of God so that when we face our greatest challenges, all the discipline and training that went into our becoming doers of the Word will work on our behalf. But if we do not develop our most holy faith on the little issues of life when the bigger challenges arise we won't be able to stand.

What is just as important as building up our faith is maintaining it after we have faced a major attack from the devil. Too many Christians think that once God has helped them withstand such an attack, they can relax because they have won the battle. But the devil is still walking about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). If we don't remain vigilant and continue walking by faith, Satan will find some way to take advantage of our laxity.

When I was diagnosed with inoperable lymphoma back in 1990, I had to undergo major surgery just so the doctors could diagnose the condition. The results of that biopsy were the worst news one could receive. Many people receiving the same news would have given up and gone home to die!

But because of the Word, I had built up in me, and because I gave that Word precedence over all the circumstances concerning my health, God was able to work through the doctors to manifest my healing. Still, if I hadn't continued giving the Word first place in my life by confessing and acting on it, and if I hadn't changed some things in the natural to take care of my body, I might not be enjoying my divine health today.

To maintain my health in the spirit realm, I continue to confess every day that God restores health to me and heals me of all my wounds (Jeremiah 30:17). I continue to say that whatever things I ask when I pray, I believe that I receive them, and I shall have them (Mark 11:24).

I declare daily that every cell in my body is normal and that every organ is functioning properly. I praise and thank the Lord for it all. Another Scripture I confess is Psalm 103, the first five verses of which read:

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

These are wonderful verses to confess, not just when you are sick but all the time so you can keep your spiritual immune system built up.

There are also some physical things we should do along with confessing and living by God's Word. One of the things we need to do to keep our "temples" in good shape is exercise. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 4:8, For bodily exercise profits a little... and we need to take advantage of the little profit that it gives us.

Although I don't like to exercise, I like the results that come from exercising, such as feeling better, improved muscle tone, staying healthier and sleeping more soundly at night. For this reason, I purpose to do the exercise because I want to live a long and healthy life.

I exercise three times a week. After stretching I do 175 sit-up crunches, 50 side kicks and 50 back kicks for each leg, and a total of 90 arm raises with five-pound weights. Please keep in mind that whatever exercise program you choose to do, go consult with a doctor before starting the program so he can help you decide what is best for you.

Along with exercising, you have to watch what you eat. This is where I have made the most changes. Before the cancer attack, I seldom ate live fruits and vegetables. Now I make sure to do so every day-fruit in the morning, a salad at lunch and vegetables with my meal at night. I also used to drink nine cups of coffee a day and I would not drink water because I did not like the taste of water.

But we all need to drink water so we can flush the toxins out of our system. If we don't, those toxins can build up and cause all sorts of problems later on in life. Now I have only two cups of coffee a day and drink plenty of water every day.

Not long ago, I went to the doctor for a minor aliment. Upon a thorough examination the doctor said that I was in the best of health and that everything looked normal. Praise God that He says that with long life He will satisfy me (Psalm 91:16), and that He always honors His Word for those who will stand on it. I also thank God for bringing people into my path who encouraged me to take better care of my body. God definitely has a part to play in our health, but our part in keeping our temple healthy is just as important.

Time For a Check Up?

Time For a Check Up?
Alan Riley

Can you believe it? This year has gone by in a blur! It seems like just yesterday we were ringing in 2009, and now there are just nine weeks left in the year!

Our awareness of the passing of time provides us with an strong incentive to look back and evaluate where we are. Have I reached my personal, professional and spiritual goals for the year? Where am I in my development in those areas? What do I need to do differently to see more progress in these areas between now and the end of the year?

A few weeks ago I had my annual medical checkup. It's not a pleasant experience, especially for someone who just plain doesn't like going to the doctor. But I have seen the sometimes tragic results of NOT catching a medical problem early, so I choose to subject myself to the inconvenience and the discomfort of a medical examination because it is ultimately very important to my health.

Likewise, it is often not a pleasant experience to go through a spiritual checkup, either. None of us likes to take a critical look at ourselves, much less to ask trusted friends or accountability partners to tell us what they see. But I have seen far too many times the tragic results of NOT catching a spiritual problem early, so I choose to subject myself to the inconvenience and the discomfort of a "spiritual examination" because it is ultimately very important to my spiritual health and to my effectiveness as a leader.

In both of Paul's letters to the church at Corinth - a church that had its share of problems and challenges - he stresses the need for an honest self examination. In 1 Corinthians 11:28, the Apostle says that we should carefully examine our lives before we partake of the Lord's supper to be sure that we do not sin against the body and the blood of Christ and bring condemnation upon ourselves.

Then in 2 Corinthians 13:5, Paul says: "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test." (NIV)

Have you had a spiritual check up lately?

A Life Of Success

Aqualyn Toi Jones

If I had the desire (or the patience) to count the number of books on success, I’m sure the number would reach well into the thousands (and possibly hundreds of thousands). Everyone claims to know the way to success.

There’s probably a “Success for Dummies” book. Not to mention the countless number of “steps” to success. I don’t mean to negate the value or validity of such tools. I just want to bring a different question into view.

Instead of asking, “How can I become successful?” maybe we should ask ourselves, “What does it mean for me to live a life of success?” Although the two questions maybe sound similar, they are not.

You and I can be successful in a number of things: education, career, or business ventures. But a life of victory and triumph (pretty good synonyms for success) cannot be measured solely by our mental, physical, or tangible prosperity.

If we allow ourselves to be deceived, we’ll think that success is measure by material things. Becoming a homeowner, though notable, is not synonymous with success. Neither is buying a car, losing weight, purchasing a new wardrobe, or investing in the stock market. Those things are accomplishments and by-products of a successful soul.

Many people prosper financially. Many people prosper vocationally. Some are fortunate to prosper relationally. Yet, our souls are supposed to prosper as well (3 John 1:2). In this verse, John indicates that his prayer is for us to prosper in all things, just as our soul prospers. He believed that the prosperity of our souls is just as important as other things. And I believe that is the key ingredient to a life of success and not just moments of success.

It is also important for us to remember that failure is a part of the life of success. Times of weakness, pain, heartbreak, illness, and sin (yes, even sin) are all things we will experience along the way. But these should be regarded as defining moment and not defeating moments.

It’s quite simple for us to chare our own course and set goals for the next five, then, and fifteen years. With discipline we can succeed in anything we put our minds to. Let’s give an even greater amount of energy and determination to making sure our souls prosper.

As we become better individuals, better children, better spouses, better parents, and better leaders we will undoubtedly lead lives of success. It starts with the soul.

God's Way

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Pastor Paula White

I believe a life of success is built on those things that are of great value in the eyes of God. A life of success will exhibit signs of inner spiritual maturity – not outward signs of material acquisition.

The Bible repeatedly describes the behavior, beliefs, and actions that will lead to a successful life. Some of the most notable marks of spiritual maturity and a level of true success in life include:

An Ability to Love. Love is giving. Love flows from having received love and value from the Lord. Spiritually mature people are givers. They are motivated to help others succeed, even more than they want to benefit themselves.

A Joyful Outlook on Life. True joy is not rooted in the material trappings money can buy. Spiritually mature and successful people realize that, often, the “things” we think will make us happy don’t. True joy is rooted in an awareness of the greatness of God and the many blessings He showers on us on a daily basis. Joy flows from the inside out, and is not based on external things, people, or situations.

A Peaceful Spirit. Striving for “outward success” can keep us restless, always on the hunt for something to satiate our anxiety, fears, or unsatisfied yearnings of the heart. Genuine peace is a feeling of wholeness and calm that stems from knowing one is in right relationship with God. Spiritual mature people have a genuine peace that stays with them even when the world outside is falling apart.

Patience. Spiritually mature people realize that true success in anything is very rarely gained overnight. Success comes from being able to persevere, and when necessary, wait for the desired result. Spiritually mature people have learned that long-lasting fixes and cures take time, slow-cooked meals are generally far better than fast food. Rewarding relationships require patience and take time to build. Often, success is sweeter and more sustainable when it comes slowly!

Attitude of Kindness and a Humble Stance. True success carries an attitude of humility, courtesy, and respect for others. A spiritually mature person allows others to express their opinions and make their own choices -- while still being strong enough to express and make best decisions for their own good. Before God, the successful person meekly carries the attitude, “Not my will, but Your will, be done.”

Faith in God. The spiritually mature person leads a life of success by putting their trust solely in God. They realize that to trust oneself is folly, and to trust others without question is naïve. They recognize the sovereignty, wisdom, and divine direction of God, and apply His Holy Word to their life on a daily basis.

Self Control. The successful, spiritually mature person has developed willpower and restraint, seeking what is best for all involved, in the ways and times that are most beneficial and appropriate.

When we seek to develop these godly characteristics, we are well on our way to creating a life of success – God’s way!

What Are You Serving?

Pastor Marquis Boone


Most people love to eat fruit. Doctors and nutritionists say fruits are good for you. The food pyramid also states that we should have 2-4 servings of fruit every day, because they are rich in nutrients.

Many are excellent sources of vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid, and potassium. They are also low in fat and sodium and high in fiber. Just as our physical body needs fruit everyday, our spiritual body needs to serve fruit everyday.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

This scripture says "Fruit of the Spirit". This is a biblical term that sums up the nine visible attributes of a Christian life. Many have struggled with this scripture; and said that each fruit is individual but we learn from scripture that these are not individual "fruits" from which we can pick and choose.

It is essential that we understand that the inscription of true spirituality and the signs of maturity in Christian growth are found not in the gifts of the Spirit; but relatively they are found in producing the fruit of the Spirit.

“There are no short cuts to maturity. It takes years for us to grow to adulthood; and it takes a full season for fruit to mature and ripen. The same is true for the fruit of the Spirit. The development of Christ like character cannot be rushed. Spiritual growth, like physical growth, takes time. When you try to ripen fruit quickly, it loses its flavor.” - Author unknown

So what’s the secret to successful fruit growing? Preparation, preparation, and preparation! There's an old gardening adage: “spend a shilling on the plant and a pound on the ground”. Good, well-prepared soil is essential to growing any type of fruit.This involves digging deep.

Sometimes we ask ourselves will we ever have all nine characteristics. Just continue to prepare your heart which is the soil. But remember it is our job not to just bear the fruit but to serve it to others.