> THE CONDITION OF THE HEART
>
> But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the
> word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.
> -- LUKE 8:15
>
> At any time, the receptiveness of your heart will determine your response
to
> God's word (Luke 8:5-18). If your heart is like the trampled ground,
> hardened by the sin of bitterness and unforgiveness, you will be unable to
> accept a message from God. Though you hear the words of the message, you
> will remain unchanged. If your heart is like the shallow soil on top of a
> rock, you will accept God's word in your mind, but the truth will not
> penetrate your heart to make a difference in your actions. A heart like
> thorny soil is a life that is distracted by the cares of the world; the
> pursuit of earthly pleasures prevents God's word from taking hold and
> producing righteousness. The heart that is like good sod receives a word
> from God, applies it, and brings forth fruit in due time. This is the
heart
> that Jesus desires in us, for the fruit will be a Christlike life. Any
time
> you hear a word from God, whether through Bible reading, prayer, or
worship,
> the way you respond will depend on how you have cultivated your heart
> (Hos.10:12). How do you develop a heart that is like good sod? Repent of
any
> bitterness, anger, or unforgiveness that is hardening your heart. Meditate
> on God's word until it enters deep into your heart and not just your mind.
> When you read or hear a word from God, apply it to your life and let God
> bring His word into reality in your life (Gal. 6:9). Protect your
lifestyle.
> See that you don't devote all of your energy to worldly concerns, rather
> than to pursuing your relationship with God. The condition of your heart
> will vary, depending on how you cultivate it. If it was receptive to a
word
> from God yesterday, this does not guarantee it is receptive today. Daily
> prepare your heart for the word God has for you!
>

Pastor Tai