Proverbs 27:19 “Just as water mirrors your face, so your face mirrors your heart”.

 Proverbs 27:19 “Just as water mirrors your face, so your face mirrors your heart”.

 Here is a simple simile, a comparison made by “like” or “as.” In the way a man can see his face and know its features by reflection in water, so a man can know and understand other men through having a similar heart. Your experiences in life should give you the discernment and understanding to help others when they face similar circumstances.

 Just as gazing into the mirror-like qualities of a still water-pool reflect the detailed features of a man's face, so the standards and qualities residing deep within a heart, reflect a man's character and display the innermost caliber of his soul. Face express the same.

 Too often we are quick to identify the qualities, or criticize the defects we see reflected in the life of a fellow believer, but often we are not as swift to identify areas in our own hearts that need to be critically analyzed and spiritually evaluated as unholy or detrimental to our spiritual growth, offered-up to the Lord, and purged. 

 God alone knows a man's heart and can read the secret thoughts in the inner depths of his soul, but it is the outworking of those concealed attributes, which are demonstrated through words, actions, and attitudes, that manifests a man's true identity to his fellow-man.

 Reverence and respect towards our heavenly Father, a Christlike love towards others, and inner peace, is often identified through the godly works, pure thoughts, and sound speech, that flows through our daily life. It is the inner heart that identifies a life that is walking in spirit and truth. It is careless speech, a critical attitude, thoughtless behavior, and an unrighteous lifestyle that warns us that we have fallen from grace and strayed from the path of peace. Corrupt hearts breed corruption, while a sanctified heart exhibits Christ-likeness.

 

Man's countenance is frequently an index of his thoughts, and the fruit of his attitude of mind is often displayed in his words, his ways, his will, and his walk. As a man thinks so is he, and whatever becomes the central focus of that man's mind, influences his attitude of heart and is displayed in the out-working of his life, "As water reflects the face, so the heart of man reflects that man's character."

 

Ambitions and emotions, temptations and trials, hope and fear, inner thoughts and expectations, together with spiritual strengths and weaknesses, can all be reflected in the face and mirrored in the expression of the eyes. It is often as we openly gaze into the reflection of our own face, through the mirror of God's Word, that we can identify areas that need spiritual adjustment and God's forgiveness. 

 

How important to examine our own heart and scrutinize our inner thoughts, through the mirror-like qualities of a still water-pool and to reflect whatever is good, and pure, and wholesome, and holy.

 

The Word of God is the truthful mirror into which we should look carefully. The Bible is the still water-pool in which to gaze day by day - for the face of Christ is the reflection upon which our hearts should rest.

 

May we preach this truth to our own hearts and be doers of the Word as well as hearers of God's truth. May we all... with unveiled faces, gaze at the glory of the Lord... as beholding HIM in the mirror, so that we may be transformed into His glorious image, from glory to glory - through the power of the indwelling Spirit of the Lord - as we die to self and live for Him.

 

My Prayer

Blessed Lord and Father, what wonderful truths are contained within Your Word. I pray that I may learn to keep the eyes of my heart fixed upon Christ, and to daily search the Scriptures more faithfully, so that I may learn more of You and increasingly reflect the Lord Jesus in all I say and do.

 

I pray that my life may be a mirror-image of Him, that I may only say the things that He has taught me, and only do those things that honor Him, so that His grace, and love, and care, and beauty, may be seen in me and flow out to others. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.

 

God bless you

 

 

ACTIONS ARE THE MIRROR THAT REFLECTS THE SOUL (OURSLEVES)

 

ACTIONS ARE THE MIRROR THAT REFLECTS THE SOUL (OURSLEVES)

 

Nothing goes out first without going through our mind. We are the product of our mind. Our words reveal about ourselves how we live our life, Our thinking, our life style as well as our interests. A person’s actions reveal his thinking. Powerful and benevolent thoughts produce actions within ourselves. If our thoughts are confused or selfish, our actions will be the same, and the results will be ineffectual or cause sorrow. A famous quote indicates: -

“Our Thoughts Become Words, Our Words Become Actions, Our Actions Become Habits, Our Habits Become Character, Our Character Becomes our Destiny”.

Paul in Romans 12:2 says, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” And 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “Take every thought captive.” When you correctly apply biblical truth, our thought life will change and you will be able to accomplish more than you imagine.

We must understand that we are made by God and if we go to Him then only can live quality of life but generally we go to the world /people of the world and try to get the things which make us happy but that is temporary and without any quality of life. The things of this world can never make us happy and the world of God also say the friendship with the world is enmity with God. Thus we get bad to worse and it goes on lime this.

No matter how much we claim that we are strong, if our actions are weak and indecisive, no one will believe us as we would not be able to live quality of life. Merely understanding something intellectually, without having an experience of it, is like sitting at home and imagining that we are very clever. However, if our knowledge and intelligence are not applied in the correct way at the right time, who will regard us as clever? It is our actions that prove our worth.

Most people try to hide their weaknesses from others. Some speak of their shortcomings but are unaware of the roots, or the seeds they have germinated from. They only have a superficial awareness of it. The result is that they rid themselves of the external forms of the weakness, and for a while feel as though they have become completely free of it. However, since the seed is still there, the weakness crops up again after some time.

 

Proverbs 4:23 says “Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life”.  Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. "Eat and drink!" he says to you, But his heart is not with you”. 

 

Something similar happens with physical ailments, which are often not cured permanently because doctors do not know the root of the illness. The illness gets suppressed, but is not fully cured.

Spiritual weaknesses can be eradicated only by destroying the seed. Sometimes people know where a weakness stems from, but they are casual about it and say, “Yes, it will be removed one day. It cannot be finished in one go, it takes time!” Instead of being strong and determined in this regard, they resort to clever arguments. Knowledge is a power, but they do not use it as such and get power of the same.

 

The first requirement for self-improvement is not to hide or gloss over one’s defects. Being casual about them or trying to rationalize them is also not a good idea. To bring about the change we want to see, we need to use our knowledge, discernment and other powers in a practical way.

 

When that change is visible in our actions, we are able to inspire others. Even though it is true that actions are gross and thoughts are subtle, it is easier for most people to recognize the value of virtues and spiritual powers when they are demonstrated in action. Serving others by creating an elevated atmosphere with our positive thoughts and pure feelings is a great act of charity, but it is important to give expression to our vision and principles through our actions.

 

“Our Thoughts Become Words, Our Words Become Actions, Our Actions Become Habits, Our Habits Become Character, Our Character Becomes our Destiny”.

A small thought can decide our destiny -------> where we would live in eternity. Let us apply Roman 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will”. 

So let us know His perfect will and live accordingly while living in this world so as to be with Him when we leave this world.

 

God bless you

9 Proper Ways to Get an Answer from God

                         9 Proper Ways to Get an Answer from God

 

Our God is a living God and when we pray about something, we hope to receive an answer from Him. However, since we cannot hear Him speak audibly, we could miss it if we are not attentive. Therefore, if we want to get an answer from the Lord, we have to make sure that we are ready to receive the response we hope for.

Many people do not know the proper ways to receive God’s answer but we can follow these steps:

 

1. Seek confirmation through the Bible.

The first thing you need to do to get an answer to your prayer is by searching for it in God’s Word. The Bible contains instructions and nuggets of wisdom that are still applicable to everyday situations faced by people. If you can find the answer in the Bible, then you do not have to wait for supernatural confirmations anymore.

Of course, if you are seeking an answer through the Scripture, you need the guidance of the Holy Spirit. For this reason, you have to pray earnestly before opening your Bible. Then, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to the right passage related to your concern.

 

2. Make sure what you are asking for is God’s will.

If you are hoping for a “yes” as an answer, see to it that your prayer is according to the will of God. 1 John 5:14 says, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

How will you know if what you are asking for is God’s will? You will have to go back to the Bible. First, look for the Scripture that relates to your issue. Then, study it carefully to know if what you want is in accordance with it or not.

 

3. Pray for wisdom.

To understand God’s response to your prayer, you need His wisdom to open your mind. Sometimes, you would not get the exact answer you want to your prayer. Unless you have God’s wisdom, it might discourage you from trusting the Lord again. However, if you are spiritually mature, you would understand that God has a better plan, and you just need to have faith.

Therefore, ask God for wisdom to receive whatever His answer is wholehearted. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

4. Consult with spiritually mature people.

Another way to confirm God’s answer to your prayer is by consulting spiritually mature and knowledgeable people. For example, you can consult your pastor, ministry leader, or Bible study leader about your prayer. With biblical wisdom, they can guide you in seeking and understanding God’s will in your situation.

One good thing about being surrounded by mature believers is that you have people who can help you abide by God’s will. They help you study the Bible and determine what pleases God and not. With them, you are more likely to come up with desires and prayers according to the Lord’s will.  Moreover, they can pray with you as well.

 

5. Prepare your heart to receive His answer.

If you are waiting for God to answer your prayer, you must make sure that your heart is ready to receive His response. If you are too preoccupied with other stuff, you might not be aware that the Lord has already answered your prayer.

So, how should you prepare your heart?

First, see to it that it is pure before the Lord.

Then, get rid of the sins that make your heart calloused to God’s Word.

Also, you need to understand that the Lord’s answer may be different from what you are expecting.

It is possible to receive a “no”, and you need to be prepared for it.

After all, He is still sovereign, and humans have no right to demand from Him.

 

6. Search your heart for whatever hinders you from hearing God.

In connection to no. 5, it is necessary to purify your heart so that you can hear God more clearly. Therefore, if you think God has been silent to you for a long while now, you need to evaluate yourself. Is there any sin that you have to confess and repent from?

If you are unsure, you should ask God to reveal any sin you are unaware of. Even King David asked the Lord to help him recognize his transgression. It says in Psalm 139: 23-24, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

 

7. Do not insist on what you want.

What if God’s answer is a “no”? Are you willing to accept it, or are you going to rebel against Him? If you do not want to take “no” for an answer, then maybe it is the reason why God does not reveal His will to you. He is aware that your heart is not ready to receive His answer.

Please understand that God is not your genie. He does not exist to make your wishes come true. On the other hand, we exist to fulfill His purposes. For this reason, you should trust His will in everything, even if it is contrary to your original desire. However, if you align your decisions and to His directions, you will discover that He has the best plans all along.

 

8. Go for prayer and fasting.  

If you are really eager to know God’s answer to your prayer, you can also pray and fast. You can decide to skip a meal or two a day and devote those moments to prayer. If for health reasons you cannot fast on food, there are other ways to fast. You can fast on social media or other stuff that is usually part of your daily routine.

Just to make things clear, though. Fasting is not done to bribe or force God to give you what you want. It is done to give more time to prayer and make your spirit stronger than your body. You do this so you can be more sensitive to God’s will.

 

9. Patiently wait for God’s timetable.

Be patient when waiting for God’s answer. Please know that His timetable is different from yours. He will answer you at the right time according to His will—not according to yours. Do not accuse God of being delayed or uncaring. Instead, use the waiting season to strengthen your faith in Him.

While waiting for your prayer to be answered, work out your relationships with the Lord. Seek more of His presence, fellowship with other believers, and study the Bible with hunger. Furthermore, devote more time to prayer and strive to live a blameless life to glorify Him.

 

We must come to Him searching every thing in our life, with a repenting heart, regret for all wrong done, setting aside all bitterness, hatred, resolving all grudges towards self and others with a clean heart etc. with a desire to get answer and He is a living and loving God and will answer our prayers. The above are just very few things addressed and we can also seek guidance through the Holy Spirit who is perfect guide to lead us to Christ and receive answer from Him

 

God bless you

 

All Christians wrestle against sin ?

 

All Christians wrestle with sin?

Every Christian in the world wrestles with sin every single day of his or her life. Even the apostle Paul complained, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (Romans 7:15).

None of us is conformed to the image of Christ overnight. Sanctification is a moment-by-moment challenge. It’s a process that won’t be complete until we leave this world and see the Lord face to face. Until then, our responsibility is to trust God and walk with His Spirit (Galatians 5:16).

Because of the sin nature that dwells within us, there is a very real sense in which we often sin against our own wills (Romans 7). In other words, every sin is “wilful sin.” If it was not then we would not be responsible; and if we are not responsible for our own actions, sin cannot be sin at all. As James says, “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death” (James 1:14-15).

So, if every sin is wilful sin, it does not make sense to say that “wilful sin” causes us to lose our salvation. What hope would there be for any of us?! No, the apostle John assures us of something quite different and encouraging:

If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:7-9 ).

Again, it is a day-by-day, moment-by-moment process.

So, what about deliberate sin?

Hebrews 10:26-31. Let’s start with what the passage says:

For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there is no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses.  How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” ³¹ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Heb.10:31)

As we see it, there is good reason to suppose that the “deliberate sin” of verse 26 is the same as the “unforgiveable sin” that Jesus mentions in Matthew 12:31. To be specific, it is the sin of rejecting Christ altogether (otherwise known as blasphemy of the Holy Spirit).

We could also call this the sin of persistent self-hardening. It is the process where an individual sears his conscience (ignores the voice of the Holy Spirit) and stiffens his neck against God.

If it goes on long enough, the person eventually reaches the point where genuine repentance is impossible.

How is your heart?

If someone is determined to live an unchristian life even after “receiving the knowledge of the truth” (Hebrews 10:26), we might assume that they never really accepted Christ in the first place. If they wilfully commit the same sin over and over again without remorse and without showing any evidence of genuine desire to change, we would have every reason to doubt the sincerity of their faith.

That person is like the demons mentioned in James 2:19: They “believe” the truth but refuse to give it their personal devotion. In a case like this, it is absolutely true to say that “there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” (Hebrews 10:26) because Jesus Himself is that sacrifice.

Considering all these things, it is possible to argue that Hebrews 10:26-31 does not refer to struggling Christians like yourself at all. The passage might be aimed at hardened, bitter people who only seem to be Christians.

“Yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things — things that belong to salvation” (Hebrews 6:9). The fact that you are wrestling with doubts and fears about your standing with God leads us to think that you cannot be guilty of rejecting Christ. If you were, you would not be worried about it.

Walk in Christ ..Satan is at work

 To the true believers:-

Satan and his team are looking to destroy the True Christians, and those who will be converted, through seeds of doubt, through fleshly temptation, through  sending ungodly people in your life, through intense Spiritual Warfare and through various methods of warfare in the natural realm which we sometimes do not understand.

We who are awake know and understand what this is, know the word of God and also know how to fight it with the word of God cannot lose. 

Don't get lost in the battle. Keep focused on the finish line. 

Do not allow unwanted things,circumstances, worng decision and people in your life ...

Keep your eyes fixed on our Lord Jesus who is victorious on all the above and do not turn right and lift so that He can take us in that victory which he has already achieved 2000 years back.

God Knows Your Heart

 God Knows Your Heart

A person’s innermost desires are oftentimes difficult to decipher. Yet, it’s no secret that God knows your heart, but what do we really mean when we say that? Let’s explore this very interesting topic.

• 1.What Does the Bible Say About God Knowing Your Heart?

• 2.God Knows Your Heart Meaning

o 2.1 God knows our hearts and thoughts

• 3.God judges the intent of the heart

1.What Does the Bible Say About God Knowing Your Heart?

The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself to mankind. Yet throughout the centuries, human beings have continuously tried to design a god for themselves. Interestingly, none of the things we do come as a surprise to God who knows our hearts.

Over and over again, He shows us that we cannot hide from Him. The verses below offer just a glimpse into the miraculous fact that God knows the heart. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart. Proverbs 21:2 

And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:27. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, Acts 15:8 

Would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart. Psalm 44:21 

And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. Luke 16:15 

2.God Knows Your Heart Meaning

Usually, when someone says “God knows your heart” the speaker is thinking of one of these two verses:

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 

1 Samuel 16:7 .

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” Jeremiah 17:9-10. 

These passages of Scripture teach us that God looks at things a little differently than we do. People tend to look at the surface: how a person looks, acts, or dresses. We look at a person’s qualifications, accomplishments, or possessions and think we know their character.

2.1 God knows our hearts and thoughts

Jeremiah 17:9 tells us that the heart is deceitful and that no one can know it. But God, through the prophet, goes on to say He understands the heart. Let’s spend a little time unpacking Jeremiah 17:9-10 to see if we can get a better understanding of this seemingly contradictory statement.

The word translated as the heart is also used figuratively to represent feelings, will, and even one’s intellect. The l heart is considered to be the centre of anything.

If we think about that for a second, we would see that it is the truth. The heart is often hard to figure out.  Just think about those times when what you wanted was so hidden you couldn’t figure it out. Or maybe you can remember a time when someone’s intentions towards you were so hidden it came as a complete surprise when they were finally revealed. We don’t know the heart, but God does. Let’s look at the second verse that we are unpacking.

“But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” Jeremiah 19:10.

But God knows the desires of your heart. Not only that, God knows our hearts better than we do.

3.God judges the intent of the heart

Sometimes, because we know that our desires are hidden from people (or because we have done such a great job of not acknowledging them to ourselves). we think no one can figure out our secret intentions.

The truth is that even if no one ever figured it out, God knows your heart. He knows the things you keep hidden, the things you hope no one ever finds out. Not only that, but He also judges the intent of your heart.

He understands your motivation and why you want what you want. He also knows what you would do if you got all that you wanted. Now that can be a scary thought, especially if you have some less than admirable desires and intentions.

But my friend, you don’t have to be scared because God knows your heart. You can ask Him to create new desires in you. God is capable of changing your heart. We can pray, as David did, for God to create a clean heart in us. We can ask Him to renew our spirits (Psalm 51:10).

Let’s is pray: -

Father, you know our hearts. You know those secret things that we keep hidden from everyone and even those things we don’t want to admit to ourselves. Remove anything that is unlike You. Restore Your image in us and give us the desires of Your heart. Create in us clean hearts and renew right spirits within us for we ask it in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

God knows your heart. As a Christian, that’s a reason to celebrate. He knows everything about you and still, He chose to send His Son to die for you.

Be Careful about drifting: -

 Be Careful about drifting: -

====================

Hebrews 2:1 says, “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.”

Even if huge ships ,if do not have anchor, can drift away: -

God has a “plan” for us that is to develop us into mature disciples, people of power and faith. His “place” for us is in his perfect will. His “purpose” in us is to make us like Christ, and make us to be a blessing to others.

But we need to realize, as Christians, we can drift away from God when we are not careful: -

If this is you, you may not realize you are drifting. A person drifts away from God a little at a time. He starts missing one of the main services of the church each week, then he starts neglecting his daily Bible study and prayer, then the offering use to pay. He/she turns towards the world/the people of the world and starts learning and doing things to have their acceptance so that do feel not isolated/neglected. The he/she begins to feel and use to obey old self from were lifted away by the grace of God. And at last happiness of the world and worldly things absorb him or her in itself.  That is the stage of drifting away because we have left the anchor of our life Jesus Christ. It is difficult to understand to the one drifted away at this stage.

Have you noticed that one always drifts downward? No one ever drifts up the river or against the tide. Jonah went “down” toward Joppa, “down” into the ship, “down” into the sea, “down” into the fish. Drifting is also easy – no worry required. It also looks better somewhere else.

To have a successful Christian walk with the Lord calls for paddling upstream. As long as we have the old flesh to deal with, you will be tempted to drift and relax. You must not do it! Be on your guard, stay fresh in the word.

Also, when we find that we have drifted, we realize we have drifted further than we meant to go. The prodigal son reached the bottom and was feeding pigs before he realized he needed to go back to his father (Luke 15:18) and repent and humbly submit himself to his father.

So, have you drifted? If so, return to God’s plan and place and purpose for your life. Don’t wait until the new year to make a turnaround or else slipped like rich man (Luke 16:23). That me be very late and the one would not an opportunity to repent, as repentance in hades has not purpose.

 He (Jesus) was God in the flesh, born of a virgin, grew up a sinless life and gave himself as the ultimate sacrifice on a cross for your sin and mine. He died but three days later he rose again from the dead to give us eternal life to whomever puts their faith and trust in him (1 Peter 1:3). 

Dear brothers and sisters be careful not to drift away as Jesus came for you, died on the cross and also rose from the dead to make you walk like the living as He is.

God bless you.