Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
At every visit to the doctor, we can be confident the following will happen, they will check our temperature and blood pressure and listen to our lungs and heart. They may even do an electrocardiogram to determine our heart’s health further. Doctors are so concerned about our hearts because its operation is vital to our health. It pumps blood through our bodies which carry needed oxygen and nutrients. It also carries away used stuff like carbon dioxide and waste. We also are protective of our hearts by eating healthy foods and exercising regularly.
We think of the heart as being our souls--it is an essential function of our lives. Like everyone has a heart, we all have souls, and we need to treat them with the same care. Like the heart, its health can be affected by what we put in it. When we sin, we are putting bad stuff in, and it deteriorates the condition of our soul's operation. Think about sin as a diet of double bacon cheeseburgers with fries; it may taste good at the time but not a healthy choice. To have a healthy soul, we need a healthy diet of the Word, and our exercise is regular prayer and meditation and acts of love towards our neighbors.
God, who intricately knitted us in our mother’s womb, we give you thanks. We marvel at the inner workings of your creation. Yet, we confess we do not always care for our bodies and souls as we should. Forgive us; we pray and help us to treat with more care these physical and spiritual gifts. Help us to be healthy so that the things we do for others reflect your glory. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
