What's In Your Heart?

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Posted by Martha Wilson, November 7, 2023

“Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs 3:3

“Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck.” Proverbs 6:21

All dressed and ready to go, I reached for the same necklace I usually wore with the outfit. I typically want to spend less time thinking about the accessories and just getting going. But, a different heart necklace sparkled beneath the others, and I changed it up a bit.

As it hung around my neck, I remembered the day my friend invited me for coffee and creating. She had inherited a large inventory of jewelry items and wanted to share them with me. I was encouraged to choose any locket I wanted and then fill it with tiny treasures that made me smile. I chose a clear heart locket trimmed with silver and a filigree background. Within, I placed a small blue heart, a pink flower, a cross, and my initial M or W. I wore it proudly, remembering the fun day I spent with my friend.

But it seemed that the necklace was no longer just a happy memory and lovely gift; it began to talk to me. If you know me, you will understand that it is not crazy because almost everything in my life becomes a visual, a teaching, a spiritual lesson. I felt the question rise in my thoughts. “What’s in your heart, Martha? You are responsible for what is within your heart. You allow and are responsible for what goes on in your heart. You better pay attention to its contents.”

Proverbs 4:23 immediately came to mind.

“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.”

Another translation says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” This truth sounds very serious because it is critical to our lives. What’s going on in my heart will affect all of my life.

“Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you. “ Psalm 119:11

I’m guessing that you live in a hurry like most people. Who has time to carefully consider the accessories you wear or the condition of your heart? Besides, a heart search takes honesty and authenticity. It can be painful and humbling.

This past weekend, as I spoke for a women’s retreat, the necklace hung around my neck. I talked about some of the things we might find in our hearts. I wonder if any of these resonate with you? Take hold of your heart and ask God to show you what is within, remembering that all of life flows out of what you find in your heart.

A few things that God brought to our attention were: Pride, Fear, Anxiety, Disappointment, Judgment, Unbelief, Offense, Bitterness, Rejection, and Unforgiveness

God longs to fill our hearts with His love, peace, and joy, but when cluttered with these and many other things, we can’t receive His lavish love, nor can we be carriers of His love. Yet John 13:35 says, “By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”

After speaking, many women clutched my necklace in their hands. They wanted to see what I had placed in the locket, and they admired the beauty of it. Honestly, it was a great visual for us to “guard” our genuine hearts.

Unlike my necklace, we can easily hide what is within our hearts. We can say beautiful, kind words and even do many acts of kindness. We can respond the right way. We can smile and pretend to others and even to ourselves. But, God knows my heart!

So what do we do with these cluttered and messy hearts? We surrender them to God. We quickly agree with Him when He shows us what is really there. We don’t argue with Him or compare our hearts with someone else. We hold our hearts up to Him and ask Him to forgive and cleanse us. And He is always faithful to answer that prayer.

“Please, Lord Jesus, come search this heart and change me from the inside out. Cleanse me, O Lord, and purify my heart. Fill me with Your word and Your love and shine Your light through me to a dark, lonely world.”

Martha Wilson is a writer, speaker, blogger and co-host of “A Burst of Hope” weekly podcast. She is the founder and director of Touching Hearts Ministries for women. She has led women to pursue an intimate relationship with Jesus for most of her adult life. She is bold, tender, and transparent as she teaches women to embrace powerful Biblical truths. Martha and her husband, Ed, live in Fayetteville, Georgia, and enjoy their blended family of five children, eight grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. You can connect with Martha at: Facebook and Instagram @TouchingHeartsMinistries or listen to the A Burst of Hope Podcast.

There's A Hole In My Heart

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Posted by Annette Burrell, November 1, 2023

Have you ever hit a pothole that made your car sound like it had just exploded? It seems like potholes are everywhere. There is one such hole about a mile away from my house that keeps getting bigger, and I avoid it like the plague. If I hit that thing again, I’m sure I’ll need to take my car in for an alignment.

If you think about it, most holes cause more harm than good. They cause damage, like the pothole I just mentioned. I have some pesky chipmunks in my yard, and they are digging little holes and underground tunnels in my front yard. An armadillo took care of tearing up my backyard with big holes. Now, the front yard is under attack.

I feel like my yard & my whole life is under attack. Those little pests are digging into my heart and soul to distract me from God’s plan. The problem is, at times, I forget to put on my armor so that I am prepared to face the enemy’s attacks.

Ephesians 6:11 (NIV) says, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

When you get dressed to go out for the day, do you forget to put on your shoes? No. Why, then, do we forget to suit up in the armor of God? That’s our protection. Our battle is not against the literal pests. It’s “against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (vs.12) Verses 13-18 explain why we need each piece of armor.

About 14 years ago, my husband and I were at the hospital welcoming our fourth grandson into the world. The nurse came in and asked, “Is he still sleeping?” Our daughter told her he had been asleep a little while and thought she might have even heard him snoring.

The nurse quickly whisked him away and told us she’d return shortly. Not too long after that, the doctor came in and told us our grandson had a hole in his heart. He was explaining everything and telling Mom and Dad that, typically, this hole would close on its own. He also said he would be referring them to a pediatric cardiologist who would keep a close eye on it. If the hole didn’t close by the time he turned 12 or so, surgery would be necessary; otherwise, he could develop lung issues.

Fourteen years later and the hole is still there. Last week, our daughter told us that he was going to require open heart surgery. You can imagine hearing that was hard. A 14-year-old never wants to hear anything like that. To say that he is scared would be an understatement.

Philippians 4:6 (NIV) says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

God, in his infinite wisdom, asks us to come to Him. He’ll take our burdens upon himself and help us to rest.

Matthew 11:28 (NIV) says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

I was diagnosed with a heart condition known as LBBB (Left Bundle Branch Blockage) about the time our grandson was about 7 years old. Fear for my health crept in on me for the first time. I received a text from our daughter with a message from our grandson telling me everything was going to be ok. He said he had a hole in his heart, and he was sure I would find a good heart doctor who would take care of me too. That is the heart of a 7-year-old.

We all have holes in our hearts. Some are in the form of poor health. Some come from hurtful words that are spoken to us. The grief of a loved one may cause other holes. God wants us to know He is in the alignment business. When we are faced with issues that hurt our hearts, He will take care of and repair us. He promises us that in His word.

Psalm 147:3 (NIV) says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

You may be experiencing a “hole in your heart” right now. There’s a hole in my heart. I want to encourage you to take it to the Lord. Give your fear and worry to Him. Lay it at His feet and ask him to hear what’s on your heart.

Annette Burrell is an author, speaker, and singer/songwriter. Through Annette’s years of being a public servant, and her devotion to studying the Bible, God has equipped her to lead women into His presence, and share with them how they can grow in Christ. Her passion is learning, sharing about the Heavenly realms, and God’s plan of protection for us as believers.

Beneath The Soil

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Posted by Karen Kinnaird, October 25, 2023

Are you minding your mouth? Do you gossip? Talk too much? Catch yourself complaining? Too often, I sense conviction the moment something comes out of my mouth! The Bible sets a very high standard for our speech and teaches that how we use our tongues, whether for good or evil, affects our entire life.

In the book Conversation Peace, author Mary Kassian shares the story of her sick African violet. The leaves were dark, curled and jelly-like. The flowers had died. Assuming insects were to blame, she sprayed the plant with bug killer. A few days later, the violet looked worse. It was her mother who quickly diagnosed the problem - root rot. Root rot is caused by fungi that infest the soil and attack the roots of plants. As the disease progresses, the leaves begin to rot. Kassian had an inverted perspective on what was causing the problem. Thinking the problem was the leaves, it was the roots.

We too can have an inverted perspective on our words. We may think the words coming out of our mouths are to blame when it’s the heart buried underneath that contains the root of contamination. The flow of contamination goes from the heart to the mouth. Communication problems are truly spiritual problems requiring spiritual solutions. Fortunately, we don’t have to muster up the effort to attain godly speech in our own strength. The good news is our speech can be transformed by relying on God’s power to transform our hearts from the inside out.

...for out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Matthew 12:34

In the book Faithful, Kelly Minter writes, “God does so much of His best work beneath the soil.” The soil of our hearts must be filled with the truth of God and His Word. What’s underneath the surface will eventually come up - in one way or another. James 1 says “Humbly accept the Word planted in us and if we have the Word in us and obey it, we’ll be blessed. It’s the Word that produces right living and right speech.”

One of my favorite teachings of Conversation Peace is the P-4-8 test. Kassian teaches that Philippians 4:8 can be used as a filter to test the goodness of the seeds of thoughts, beliefs, and words. Are the seeds pure, right, admirable, and true? After shaking them through the P-4-8 filter, should they be thrown out or planted?

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Allowing God to transform the quiet hidden place of our hearts is a life-long process.

But, what a gift! We’ll find ourselves being quick to listen, pacing ourselves when we speak, and only speaking what builds each other up. Let's be mature believers and allow God’s Word to do its transforming work deep in our hearts.

“If we sow excellent seeds into our hearts, we will reap a harvest of excellence from our lips. The more generously we sow, the more generously we reap.” (Mary Kassian)

Karen Kinnaird brings the vast experience of having served as a ministry wife for nearly 38 years. Her husband has served as a church planter, senior pastor, state denominational leader, agency specialist at NAMB, and Associational Missionary Strategist. Karen currently serves as the Executive Assistant for Forgiving Forward, a ministry dedicated to helping people experience the freedom of the Gospel through the power of forgiveness. Karen and Jimmy, also known as Gigi and Poppy, have 3 children and 3 grandchildren.