The Bible talks about people with different kinds of hearts.
FAINT HEART ---which is contagious Deuteronomy 20:8
"The officers shall speak further to the people, and say, 'What man is
there who is fearful and FAINTHEARTED? Let him go and return to his house, lest
the HEART of his brethren FAINT like his HEART. HARD HEART---has some side effects. Hebrews 3:8,13,15 Do not HARDEN your HEARTS as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness, but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be HARDENED through the deceitfulness of sin. while it is said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not HARDEN your HEARTS as in the rebellion."
STOUT HEART--- unrighteousness Isaiah 46:9-13 Remember the
former things of old, For I AM GOD, and there is no other; I AM GOD, and there
is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times
things that are not yet done, Saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do
all My pleasure,' Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My
counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to
pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it. "Listen to Me, you
STOUT-HEARTED, Who are far from righteousness: I bring My righteousness near,
it shall not be far off; My salvation shall not linger. And I will place
salvation in Zion, For Israel My glory.
STONY HEART---Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26 "Then I will give
them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the STONY
HEART out of their flesh, and give them a HEART of FLESH, " 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."
BROKEN HEARTED-Presence of GOD---Psalm 34:18 The Lord is
near to those who have a BROKEN HEART, And saves such as have a contrite
spirit. Luke 4:18 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has
anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the
BROKENHEARTED, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the
blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
TENDER HEART--GOD will hear 2 Chronicles 34:27 "because
your HEART was TENDER, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His
words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself
before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard
you," says the Lord. WILLING HEART---Always gives Exodus 35:5,21,22 'Take from among you an offering to the Lord. Whoever is of a WILLING HEART, let him bring it as an offering to the Lord: gold, silver, and bronze; Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the Lord's offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments. They came, both men and women, as many as had a WILLING HEART.
WISE HEART--God works through them Exodus 36:1 "And Bezalel and Aholiab, and every WISE HEARTED artisan in whom the Lord has put wisdom and understanding, to know how to do all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, shall do according to all that the Lord has commanded." Written by the Faith, Hope and Love Ministry
We just got back from a week trip to the northern part of California. Our goal was to meet with four missionaries scattered in different places home on furlough. We were encouraged listening to their stories of seeing people groups come from a faint, stout or stoney heart to a place of brokenness after hearing the gospel to a place of a tender, willing and wise heart. It matters not your location for the gospel to penetrate a heart. It matter greatly the condition of our hearts whether we allow God to use us.
How often my heart is not broken for the lost. If my focus is pleasing Betty or getting the latest stuff out there or even just being lazy my heart will not beat for the lost around me.
Can I ask, what does your heart beat for?
Loved the post Betty. I really like Bob Pierce's quote: "Break my heart with the things that break the heart of God." I want to live my life that way.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love Bob quote too. We always are encouraged and challenged after meeting with missionaries. Just knowing how much sacrifice it takes to get the gospel to remote villages and yet we still have some lost in our own family. My brother talked to my husband when we were home last about his funeral. They all want Ace to preach their funerals. Not sure if my brother is saved. He has a vague memory of being in reform school at about 15 and there was a preacher who came and shared. But we have never seen any evidence of salvation. He is the one who is still bitter over the things my Dad did to us. He came to Ace sister memorial and heard a clear gospel so there is hope. We have share before with him but he always cut us off. He seems to be listening more, getting softer in his old age. Thanks for the visit Bill.
ReplyDeletePray there will be fruit from you message this Sunday.
I've never seen all the type of "hearts" in scripture mentioned in one lesson. Very interesting. It really is all about the heart, "For God sees the heart."
ReplyDeleteToo often my heart is for selfish objectives, but when I draw nigh unto my Father my heart breaks and yearns for what His does. Excellent message and post. I put my name in that last sentence... Powerful. Convicting. Needed. Thanks, sister.
Floyd...thanks for your reply. You know I have been working on this post for a while, thinking I needed to tweak it to my way of writing. After our trip I sit at my computer trying to put into words the work God did on my heart during our visit. This article I had gathered long ago jumped into my mind. It has certainly convicted my heart which was a good enough reason to post these heart issues. The more understanding I gain of His love for me and others makes my heart willing to seek wisdom in all I do. So very thankful He loves to work with us in our frailty.
ReplyDeleteHow I pray to have a tender, willing, and wise heart. Thanks for giving us a detailed look at the attributes assigned to attitudes of the heart. Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my site Deb. Having it written out like that gave me more understanding also about the issues of the heart. From reading your post its easy to tell you are a wise hearted woman. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteBetty this is such a lovely study on the types of hearts. I hope you keep this and use it for your next opportunity to speak perhaps to a ladies group.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if there is such a thing as a lazy heart, because at times I find that I would prefer to write instead of vacumn my floors.
:-)
Hazel you are funny...writing is not something a lazy person would do. I often find it mentally stressful until I am finished. Then I want to vacuum my floors.
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Good advice, think I will put it in my file. Everytime I read through it though it the Lord opens other scriptures that gives a fuller picture of our hearts. So thankful His heart is never stout, stony or faint. On His heart we can depend on. Thanks Hazel for visiting my site.
Betty-
ReplyDeleteI love your hard work on this article and it does make one think--"where do I fit in?"
Your heart is one that keeps me hungering to learn more about BETTY. Love flows from your heart dear friend and its the real deal!!! I can't begin to tell you how many times you have sent Pure Beautiful Love flying my way--giving me courage to keep sharing my journey of Chronic Pain- I am the lucky one for being able to call you my cherished COF Friend for life!! Love forever, martha
Martha it was my privilege to put your story out there on my blog. I know you have gained some prayers.
ReplyDeleteYou are always kind to me, encouraging my soul.
Was wondering how the pain injections went, did the help, sure hope so. Betty
I found your post enlightening with all the references on the heart. A lot to think about in there.
ReplyDeleteTo change my heart into a soft heart of flesh~my prayer.
Blessings,
Janis
Janis thanks for visiting my site. Blessings
ReplyDeleteHi Betty,
ReplyDeleteI imagine it was nice to be meet with those missionary couples and to hear what God is doing around the world.
It was a treat for us to connect with the followers of Jesus in France, and to learn from them, and so nice too to be able to get to know our new Muslim friends as well.
Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com
Jennifer, sometimes we get in our own little Christian bubble. I think each time we meet with someone who sacrifices to live their live to those who need Him our little bubble breaks. So good to read about how God is using you and your husband. Blessing my wise hearted sister.
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