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Bible Reading: Luke 24:30-35, 2 Corinthians 5:7, 11:28-29
When Jesus appeared to his disciples after His resurrection on the road to Emmaus, they did not recognize Him. Later, when He broke bread with them, they knew Him. Then they remembered that their heart had "burned within them" when they talked with Jesus on the road. Paul had a burning heart, a compassion for the weak and faltering, that came from his faith in Jesus.
A popular religious body teaches that new converts can tell that their doctrine is correct if they pray for a "burning in the bosom". Note that the disciples had this feeling but it was not enough to substantiate their faith. They needed an encounter with the living Word.
Moment of Meditation: Not feelings, but faith in the Living Word brings salvation.
A Talk with Jesus: Living Word, engraft yourself in my heart. Amen.
Bible Reading: Luke 10:27; Romans 5:5
The media is full of what it calls "love", although most of it is selfish lust. The characters that we see have lives full of conflict, self-centeredness and unhappiness. Almost every couple ends up in the bedroom, but most are not married. We have no enduring images of true love.
The Bible tells us that God has poured His love into the believer's heart by His Spirit. This love is giving, selfless and full of joy. We cannot find or experience this love by watching the media. We need to seek it in God's love letter to us - His Word.
Moment of Meditation: Love's mirror is not the media, but God's Word.
A Talk with Jesus: Jesus, teach me about Your love and let it flow from my heart to others. Amen.
Bible Reading: John 12:27; 14:1; 27
Fear, worry and strife are familiar emotions in our world. Troubled hearts are more common than peaceful ones. We look to our leaders for answers, but they are just as confused as we are. Is there any cure for the troubled heart?
When Jesus was ready to leave this earth, He knew that his followers were troubled. His answer was to trust in God. That solution still holds true today. God is in control. He brings us peace and security. Don't let your heart be troubled. Let Jesus fill you with peace.
Moment of Meditation: Fear is the legacy of trusting in man, faith the result of a heart that trusts God.
A Talk with Jesus: Lord Jesus, I offer you the troubles of my heart. Replace them with Your Peace. AMEN.
Bible Reading: Acts 11:20-23, 14:21-22
It's easy to serve God when you are first born-again. All you can think about is how wonderful Jesus is. But then the glow dies down and reality sets in: we still live in a sinful world, and satan is still trying to defeat us.
How can we remain true to the Lord with all our hearts? We must be fully committed to the Lord Jesus Christ and make time in our daily lives to commune with Him. We must guard against satan's doubts and fears. We can't coast our way to Heaven; we have to labor to remain true to our Lord.
Moment of Meditation: A true heart is shown by commitment and daily fellowship with the Lord.
A Talk with Jesus: Lord, encourage me by your Spirit to remain true to you in all things. Amen.
Bible Reading: I Chronicles 29:17-19; John 16:13; II Thessalonians 3:2-5
Do you ever feel that you stand alone against the demonic deluge that has overtaken our land? Have wicked and evil men tried to ensnare you and destroy your faith? Does the evil one seem too strong for you?
Our prayer is that the Lord will direct your heart into God's love and into Christ's perseverance. From that vantage point, you will be able to see the tide turning against the evil one and his followers. You will be safe, protected and confident of victory. Refuse doubt and fear; direct your heart towards God.
Moment of Meditation: A heart directed towards God is stable and secure.
A Talk with Jesus: Dear Father, when I get overwhelmed, remind me to direct my heart towards your love and Christ's perseverance.
Bible Reading: Joshua 24:23-24; I Kings 8:58; Proverbs 23:26
Americans are a proud and stubborn people. We glory in our independence and believe that we bow to no man. Yet, every day, we yield ourselves to sins and temptations that have enslaved us. We are no longer free, but are bound to the gods of materialism, lust, and fear of not being accepted.
The only way to escape is to yield your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ, to serve and obey Him. It is said that we are all slaves to something. Isn't it better to be a slave to God's love than to the lust and fear of man?
Moment of Meditation: The yielded heart serves and obeys the Lord Jesus.
A Talk with Jesus: Father, show me where I have yielded my heart to false things and teach me how to serve and obey only You. Amen.
Bible Reading: I Samuel 10:26; Psalm 33:16-19; I Thessalonians 3:13; II Thessalonians 2:16-17
True courage does not come from weapons, because there will always be someone who has bigger weapons. It does not come from physical strength, because there will always be someone stronger. It does not come from vast numbers of soldiers or military strategy. True courage comes from the valiant heart of God.
If you feel weak-willed and timid, if you know you are no match for the enemies that surround you, let God strengthen your heart. His encouragement is eternal. You will not suffer defeat, and will be blameless and holy when He returns to take you home.
Moment of Meditation: Victory begins with a strong heart.
A Talk with Jesus: Lord, strengthen my heart with Your eternal encouragement. Amen.
Bible Reading: II Samuel 15:6; Roman 16:17-18
King David was the mightiest King Israel ever had, but in his old age, his son Absalom conspired against him. Absalom curried the favor of all those seeking justice from his father, and "so he stole the hearts of the men of Israel".
Satan is trying to steal your heart from God today. He is whispering in your ear, telling you that God is unjust and that if you only serve him, he will see to it that you get a fair hearing. Like Absalom, he is lying, and will destroy you. Don't let satan steal your heart. Always trust in God.
Moment of Meditation: An obedient heart cannot be stolen.
A Talk with Jesus: Father, keep me from satan's destructive lies that attempt to steal my heart from You. Amen.
Bible Reading: I Kings 8:39; II Chronicles 6:30; Luke 16:15; Romans 8:27; I Corinthians 4:5
When we do wrong, we somehow believe that we can hide it from God, who knows and sees everything. We carry around the burden of guilt and shame until it weighs us down with despair and depression.
God knows our hearts. We cannot hide anything from Him. When we sin, He does not want us to be burdened down with condemnation. He wants us to come to Him, let Him search our hearts and bring us forgiveness and cleansing. Submit to His search today, and let Him set you free.
Moment of Meditation: Man will strip your soul of dignity; God's search will set you free.
A Talk with Jesus: Search my heart, O God, reveal to me the secret motives and set me free to do Your will. Amen.
Bible Reading: I Kings 8:61; Jeremiah 24:7; 2 Timothy 1:12
Society is short on commitments today. Marriage on the rocks? Get a divorce! Can pay your bills? File bankruptcy! Find a contract hard to fulfill? Break it! Don't want to be bothered with raising a child? Abort it! Above all, don't do anything to cause yourself pain or inconvenience.
A full commitment of the heart to God brings benefits in this life and reaps eternal rewards for all eternity. But it will at times bring inconvenience, pain, and even suffering. Society doesn't think that serving God is worth it. What do you think?
Moment of Meditation: Full heart commitment to God brings benefits now and later.
A Talk with Jesus: Lord, I commit my heart fully to you. Amen.
Bible Reading: I Kings 18:37; Luke 1:17
The "soaps" are chock full of seemingly intelligent, beautiful, well-dressed people who commit adultery, theft, and even murder, and never seem to be sorry or to "pay" for their sins.
When God's Spirit begins to turn your heart away from your sin, you are led to repent. Repentance acknowledges that your way is wrong and that God's way is right. It also says that you cannot please God by following man's rules and that you cannot serve God without His help. The attitude of the "soaps" will not cleanse your heart, only repentance will.
Moment of Meditation: Following man's rules is not repentance.
A Talk with Jesus: Jesus, I am truly sorry for my sins. Forgive me and turn me around in the right direction. Amen.
Bible Reading: I Chronicles 29:18; Psalm 78:35-37
Roy Rogers had his loyal Indian friend, Tonto; Timmy had Lassie; Abott had Costello; Charlie Brown has Snoopy: we have often celebrated the value of a loyal heart. God also values a loyal heart. He has promised untold rewards to those that are faithful to Him.
Loyalty is a virtue almost forgotten in our country today. We must greatly desire to be faithful to the Lord, and must trust in His help to do so, with all of the distractions that surround us. Pray that God will give you a loyal heart.
Moment of Meditation: Loyalty to God is disloyalty to the devil.
A Talk with Jesus: Jesus, I want to be a loyal and faithful servant to You. Amen.
Bible Reading: Jeremiah 4:14; Mark 7:18-23
TV commercials and ads in magazines focus on the outward appearance: what you wear, how you smell, how your hair is arranged, what your body looks like. But even the most beautiful exterior can hide an evil heart.
The Bible says that evil thoughts, immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed and all sorts of wickedness comes from the heart that rejects God. The world says to focus on the outside; the Bible says, look inside. If the heart is evil, eventually it will surface and no cosmetic can hide it. What kind of heart do you possess?
Moment of Meditation: Rejection of God is the first impulse of an evil heart.
A Talk with Jesus: Lord, give me a heart that seeks Your will and is cleansed of all evil. Amen.
Bible Reading: Psalm 24:4-5; Matthew 5:8; Acts 15:8-9; James 4:8
Did you ever do something wrong, and it made you feel dirty inside? Do you have difficulty with evil thoughts and impure desires? Do you long to have the innocence you once possessed as a child? Only God can purify the heart.
Submit yourself to God and determine to be single-minded in your devotion to Him. Turn from your sin. Resist the devil and the devil will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. With your purified heart, you will receive blessing from God your savior.
Moment of Meditation: Not from self-effort, only God's cleansing can bring purity of heart.
A Talk with Jesus: Lord, I submit my heart to You for purification. Cleanse me and help me to defeat sin. Amen.
Bible Reading: Psalms 49:3; Psalms 119:34; Acts 28:27
I've heard people say that they don't read the Bible because it's just too hard to understand. They don't seem to have the same difficulty with the daily newspaper, supermarket tabloids or true confession magazines. What about the Bible is so different?
The Bible is probably the only book in the world that requires that you have a personal relationship with the Author to really understand it. The good news is, this Author is easy to get to know. Just lift your heart in prayer and He will give you the ability to understand His Word. As an added bonus, an understanding heart brings healing.
Moment of Meditation: The Author of understanding in the heart is Jesus.
A Talk with Jesus: Jesus, open my heart to understand You and Your Word and bring healing as I turn to You. Amen.
Bible Reading: II Chronicles 11:16; Colossians 3:1-2
Wishy-washy is a term we use to describe a person who vacillates between opinions. One minute he is hot, the next he is cold. Well, maybe he will, and maybe he won't.
The kingdom of God needs subjects who have set their hearts on things above, on things of the Lord. Citizens of Heaven cannot let earthly things deter them from serving the Lord. We can't be on fire for God one minute, and then try to please men the next minute. Set your heart on seeking God.
Moment of Meditation: The heart best suited for life below is set on things above.
A Talk with Jesus: Lord, I set my heart on You, on seeking out Your treasures, on living for Your kingdom. Amen.
Bible Reading: II Chronicles 29:31, Matthew 23:37; 1 Timothy 6:18; 1 Peter 5:2
The world is full of armchair philosophers who will gladly spend hours telling you what is wrong with the Church, even quoting Scriptures to prove it. They are also experts at getting the job done, as long as they can sit back in their easy chairs to do it.
It's one thing to talk about what needs to be done, and quite another to roll up your sleeves and get to work. We need less philosophizing, and more men and women with willing hearts, who will serve God in Word and in deed. Ask God to give you a willing heart to serve Him today.
Moment of Meditation: There are those who talk and those who do; which are you?
A Talk with Jesus: Father, give me a willing heart to listen and do Your Word, serving You by serving others. Amen.
Bible Reading: Psalm 33:21-22; Isaiah 65:14
If your heart is not joyful today, perhaps it is because you have put your hope in the wrong things. If you are looking to another person, be it a spouse, an employer, a child or a friend, to make you happy, you are setting yourself up for disappointment.
Those that place their hope in the Lord Jesus Christ are standing on a firm foundation. He is a trustworthy help in the time of need, and a secure source of happiness in this life and the life to come. Put your hope in Him and He will give you a rejoicing heart.
Moment of Meditation: Eternal, ever-flowing heartfelt joy comes only from Jesus.
A Talk with Jesus: Lord, I confess I have been looking to earthly things for joy. Fill my heart with Your rejoicing. Amen.
Bible Reading: Psalms 42:4-5; 62:5-8; 142:1-2; Lamentations 2:18-19
Did you ever have an ache inside that you needed to share, but couldn't find anyone who had the time to listen? Do you have problems that seem to have no solution? Do you feel restless and shaken, hopeless and alone?
Only God can give you the peace and rest you need. He will not allow you to be shaken or defeated. He has the solutions to all of your problems and always has time to listen to you. Pour your heart out to Him. You can trust in Him at all times.
Moment of Meditation: Troubles retained harden the heart.
A Talk with Jesus: Lord, I pour out my heart to You, for You and You alone can hear and solve those things that try to defeat me. Thank you for Your peace. Amen.
Bible Reading: Proverbs 28:14; Mark 3:5; 6:52; 8:17-21; Ephesians 4:18; Hebrews 3:8-11
The Word of God, Jesus said, is like seed sown onto the ground of the heart. If the Word falls on good ground, fertile and plowed up, it will take root and grow and produce a harvest. If the ground of the heart is hard, the seed cannot take root.
How does a heart get hard? Mostly, by a stubborn refusal to listen to God and to trust in Him. Some people cannot admit that they are wrong and make mistakes. And they more they refuse to seek forgiveness, the harder their hearts become. Keep the soil of your heart pliable and fertile. Listen to God's Word.
Moment of Meditation: Seed bounces off stone.
A Talk with Jesus: Lord, help me to be obedience and always keep the soil of my heart soft, to receive the seed of the Word and produce a harvest. Amen.
Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 33:26-27; Psalm 93:2; Ecclesiastes 3:11
In the trauma and tension of every day life, we often lose our eternal perspective. Bills need to be paid, work needs to get done. We have to deal with problems at home and at work. It's easy to get overwhelmed.
But God wants us to look at things from an eternal viewpoint. He has set eternity in our hearts, and given us the capability to live above the tensions and problems that flood over us. Our foremost goal in life should be to prepare for an everlasting existence. Everything else is secondary.
Moment of Meditation: Our hearts long for the eternal, but try to feed on the temporary.
A Talk with Jesus: Father, thank you that you have put an eternal longing in my heart that will never be satisfied with anything but You. Amen.
Bible Reading: Psalms 20:4; Psalms 37:4; Isaiah 26:8
We used to be told, "If it feels good, don't do it". Now, we are told, "If it feels good, do it, and be quick about it". It's difficult to know what desires are right to fulfill, and which desires should be resisted.
Happily, we don't have to depend on the uncertain morals of the world to decide what is right to do. If we walk in the way of God's law and wait upon Him, He will guide us. Above all, the desire of our hearts should be to uplift and magnify His Name. Anything that dishonors God should be put aside.
Moment of Meditation: God's Word purifies the desires of our hearts.
A Talk with Jesus: Lord, let honoring Your Name be the first desire of my heart. Amen.
Bible Reading: Isaiah 29:13; Jeremiah 12:2; Matthew 15:8-9, Mark 7:6-7
How far is your heart from the Lord? Do you honor Him with your lips, and come near Him with your mouth, but have your mind on other things? You may follow the rules and traditions of men, and even receive their approval, but God knows where your heart is.
How far is your heart from the Lord? Are you far, far away, too far to hear His gentle whispers of love? Could you hear Him if He shouted? The things that draw you away will vanish like the mist. Come close, bring your heart near to the Lord.
Moment of Meditation: Distance from God diminishes His direction.
A Talk with Jesus: Father, forgive me when I let my heart be occupied with other things. Bring me near to You. Amen.
Bible Reading: Isaiah 35:3-4; I John 4:16-18; Romans 8:15
Fear and doubt are the atomic weapons in satan's arsenal. If he can implant either one of these in your heart, he can blow you away. If he can get you to doubt that God loves you, then you will be afraid of God's judgment and of everything else.
How can you cast the fear out of your heart? Let God fill you with His perfect love. You no longer have to fear God's judgement, because you are now living under His mercy. There will be no room in your heart for fear and doubt. God's love will drive them out.
Moment of Meditation: God's love blows satan out of the water.
A Talk with Jesus: Jesus, take away my fear and doubt and replace them with Your perfect love and security. Amen.
Bible Reading: Proverbs 23:26; John 14:27; Romans 10:9-10
Giving your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ is the best business deal you'll ever make. In exchange for your sins, you'll receive forgiveness. For darkness, you obtain light. Instead of guilt, you will have a clear conscience. In exchange for bondage, you get freedom. Instead of a spirit of condemnation, you receive adoption as a Son of God. No longer doomed, you are given all good things freely to enjoy. On top of all that, you exchange an uncertain future for everlasting life. What a deal!
Moment of Meditation: To receive a new heart, give up the old one.
A Talk with Jesus: Jesus, I give you all of my heart. Take the sin, darkness, guilt, slavery and condemnation and give me forgiveness, light, peace, freedom, adoption, and eternal life. Thank you for the best deal in the universe! Amen.
Bible Reading: Psalms 28:7; 30:12; Zephaniah 3:14; Ephesians 5:19
The Bible is full of singing and joy. The presence of God brings deliverance from every bondage, and makes the heart rejoice with singing. There are times when believers even dance for joy.
If your religion does not set your heart to singing and your feet to dancing, maybe it's time you rediscovered the God of Joy who loves you and gave Himself for you. If the God you are serving does not make you happy, maybe you aren't serving the God of Joy that the Bible reveals.
Moment of Meditation: A singing heart has room only for joy.
A Talk with Jesus: Jesus, my heart breaks forth into singing. Thank you for Your many blessings. I rejoice in You! Amen.
Bible Reading: Psalms 139:23-24; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Hosea 10:2.
Have you ever said something mean to someone and then regretted it? We often do things we really don't want to do, and don't know why we did it. The prophet Jeremiah once said, "The heart is deceitful above all things ... Who can understand it?"
The answer is that God searches the heart and knows us. In spite of that, He still loves us. If we give Him our hearts, He will cleanse and purify us, instilling His love into us. And the love in our hearts will overflow into our daily speech.
Moment of Meditation: God knows our deceits.
A Talk with Jesus: Father, search my heart to see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Let my speech reflect my heart. Amen.
Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 15:15, 19:3; Jeremiah 29:13; Matthew 7:7
Is religion a dull, dead thing to you? Is it merely a habit, a form, a duty? Do you drag to Church on Sunday, and drag back home, feeling just as bad as you did when you left?
God said that if you seek Him eagerly, with all of your heart, you will find Him. If your heart is not in it, stay home. The nap will do you good. But if you really desire to know God, seek Him with all of your heart. Seek Him, not only in Church, but in His Word, in your everyday life, in your hopes, in your dreams. Seek Him eagerly, and restore joy to your heart.
Moment of Meditation: Seeking God brightens your whole heart.
A Talk with Jesus: Jesus, I seek you with my whole heart. I long for a closer walk with You. Amen
Bible Reading: Psalms 86:11; Ezekiel 11:19
Advertisements may often be entertaining, but never forget that they have one purpose - to sell you something, be it toilet bowl cleaner, a brand of beer, or an idea. All of these manipulations sink into our hearts, and sometimes influence us to do things we otherwise would not do.
To serve God, we must have an undivided heart. Only He is wise to the ways of the world and is free from manipulations. If we seek His wisdom, we will not be pulled in the wrong direction. Ask God to give you an undivided heart today.
Moment of Meditation: Advertisements seed your heart for their own ends.
A Talk with Jesus: Father God, give me an undivided heart that I may not be manipulated by the world. Amen.
Bible Reading: Proverbs 14:30; John 14:27, 16:33; Colossians 3:15
I speak to many people whose hearts are full of conflict, anguish and pain. They are afraid and have no hope. Even Christians feel torn, tossed about by the storms of life. The daily news proclaims that there is no peace in the world. There's always a war that has just ended, or is in the process, or is about to begin. And the conflict without causes our bodies to be under stress and to become diseased.
How in the midst of all these things can a person find peace? Jesus says to take heart, because He has overcome the world. Even more than this, He has left His peace with us, the peace that passes all understanding, the peace that is a comfort and a hope in the darkest of situations. We as Christians must let that peace rule us, not what we see on the daily news.
Moment of Meditation: Peace is not profitable for the media.
A Talk with Jesus: Jesus, I receive Your peace right now. Let it rule my heart. Let it push out all the fear, the uncertainty, the pain, the conflict, the anguish. Let Your peace rule my heart and flow out to those around me. Peace, be still, in Jesus Name. Amen.
