DAILY READING
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REFLECTION
The Heart of the Matter
by Judy Webb
"I will give you a new heart and put a new Spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26
Isn't it amazing what you can learn when you begin to dig and research a topic? The verse above was one I read many times over the years and just moved right on from there, never truly attempting to understand what it means; especially what it means for me. Verses like this one are difficult to try and apply to life, until I search myself, and admit my faults and shortcomings.
I find joy and peace when I finally admit that I was so broken at one point in time. Weren't you too? Wasn't there a season before the Jesus thing clicked? I love to refer to it as "then and now". That was then, this is now. My heart of stone was stubborn, senseless, inflexible. My mind was closed to God and shut off from anything about Him. Can you relate? Did you also have a 'heart of stone' at any time in your life? Do you have a 'that was then, this is now," story?
Our testimonies, our stories, begin when we finally obtain a heart of flesh. This heart is submissive, compliant and one that can feel, can enjoy life. Why? What has happened to cause this turnabout? It is called Spiritual Transformation, and it all begins in the heart. To understand this more, read from John 3:1-15, the story of Nicodemus. His heart of stone became a heart of flesh because of Jesus.
" Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)
PRAYER PRACTICE
Jesus, prepare me to share my journey to the foot of the cross with someone you are already preparing. My story is unique to me and crafted by You to touch hearts of stone you put in my path. How exciting to be used by you in such a manner. Thank you Jesus for loving us so much.
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