“for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. Luke 6:45
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. Psalms 110:130,131
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path! Ps. 119:105
For of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. Being intentional with my mornings and evenings have become priority for me. Intentionally awakening with praise on my lips and a song in my heart. My mornings for me begin by straightening, fluffing my pillows, and making the bed. I then head to the kitchen and begin the process of grinding my coffee beans for my morning cup of joe.
Continuing with a heart posture of worship and praise unto my Savior and my Redeemer. While coffee is brewing, our dog Millie and I head outside to get our morning sun. I sit bare feet in the grass and get some grounding in while I spend the next moments welcoming and ushering in the presence of God into my day and this earth. Intentionality.
The Psalmist David spoke of this very thing in the book of Psalms –
“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” Psalms 5:3
and
“Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.” Psalms 143:8
After the quiet and peaceful moments of being outside in the presence of God, we come back inside and after making my morning cup of coffee. I begin morning Bible study. An older man in our church years ago said something that has stuck with me all of these years. Every time before he would read the Bible, he would always pray that God would lead him, guide him and help him understand what he would read. This stuck with me. In addition, I have since found helpful verses to pray as well in the book of Psalms. Praying the Word over the Word. There’s power in that!
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Psalms 119:133
Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
Psalms 119:154
“for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”
This morning I was led through a study on the thoughts of the heart. This was unintentional on my part, but intentional I believe by God! I will read about 3 or 4 chapters every morning as I read through the Bible in the year. Sometimes it will turn into a study time as well or I will use other times throughout the day to study. But this morning, it was different! I hadn’t even made it to my daily Bible reading just yet.
(The study Bible that I have is The Thompson Chain- Reference Bible. This is such a good Bible. If you want to study more and deeper into the Word of God- get this Bible!)
Let me take you along as His Word was lighting my path in this.
Proverbs 15:11- Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? (emphasis mine)
Jeremiah 20:12- But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart,… (emphasis mine)
Matthew 12:25- And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: (emphasis mine)
What I found interesting was the fact that the Old Testament was referring to the Lord knowing “the hearts”.
According to Strong’s definition of the word heart-
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything: – + care for, comfortably, consent, X considered, courag [-eous], friend [-ly], ([broken-], [hard-], [merry-], [stiff-], [stout-], double) heart ([-ed]), X heed, X I, kindly, midst, mind (-ed), X regard ([-ed)], X themselves, X unawares, understanding, X well, willingly, wisdom.
We do see in the Strong’s definition for the word heart is of the feelings and “mind”. So the Old Testament emphasized the heart and Jesus in the New Testament began to emphasize the “thoughts”. How many times have we heard it said about having a “broken heart”?
A broken heart.
We don’t literally have a heart that’s broke, but our emotions are connected with the heart, which is connected to our thoughts, right? Man this struck me! Knowing God knows my heart and my thoughts- how many times have I had a thought I shouldn’t have?? At the same time, my heart is crying out for the more of God! I love Him and desire to love Him the way He loves me! I long to take up my cross and to follow Him! All at the same time having a check going on within me- “Yeah, but what about those thoughts of yours?”
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. Proverbs 21:2
But Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path! (Ps. 119:105)
His Word has been a lamp unto my feet here and a light unto my path! Boy was He lighting this up!
I feel like Paul here- Oh wretched man (woman) that I am! There is no man righteous, no not one! How then Lord, can anyone be saved?! David said again in Psalms- Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. (Ps. 51:10-11)
It is only WITH GOD AND BY GOD that we are able to have a clean heart! Through God we are able to live an overcoming life, holy and righteous life! With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. (Mark 10:27). We are overcomers by the blood of the Lamb, and by the words of our testimony!
After such conviction to my heart and just basking in His presence on all of this, I then began my daily reading for today. It began in 1 Corinthians 13. Man, was God talking to me today! One of the things that was illuminated in my path today was verse 11.
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Going deeper.
It is time we (I) put away childish things. As a believer, there comes a point where we are to always grow, to go deeper. This is true for even mature Christians. Deep calls unto deep, to continue in the faith. “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” (Rom. 1:17) From faith to faith. There’s more revelations of knowing God’s righteousness when we grow from faith to faith. He’s calling me to grow- He’s calling me to go even deeper in Him!
For of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. What are the secrets of your heart today? Tarry in God’s presence today. Allow Him to reveal to you those things that would be a hindrance to the continual presence of God in your life. Allow Him to show you those things that hinder a life of true holiness and righteousness!
All our righteousness is as filthy rags. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God!
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10) For of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
The prayer of the upright is his delight!
I challenge you today to spend time tarrying in the presence of God and allow Him to speak to you! I challenge you to grow in Him! Love Him as He loves you! Stir up the gift of God that is within you! Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2Timothy 2:15
