My Son, Give Me Your Heart

My Son, Give Me Your Heart (Prov. 23:26)

We live in a day when it is common to hear that someone had their heart broken because their beloved team lost a close game. Or perhaps someone fell out of love with someone and had their heart broken. Every week we can see episodes where people give their heart to a new lover in a TV dramatic series. Recently, Frank Gifford gave his heart to his mistress and had every detail splashed over the pages of a tabloid for the world to see infuriating his wife Kathy Lee Gifford. Whoever has one’s heart controls that person.

Which biblical character’s spiritual journey most resembles your own?

David—"I love the Lord, but I’ve failed him.": 48%

Esther—"So that’s why God put me here!": 13%

Jonah—"I’ve been known to run away from God.": 11%

Martha—"Lord, look at all this work I’m doing!": 10%

Paul—"God blindsided me when I least expected it.": 7%

Jabez—"God has truly ’expanded my territory.’: 6%

The Rich Young Ruler—"I’ve got to give up what?": 3%

Peter—"Jesus? Who are you talking about?": 2%

Total number: 1,083

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However, the Lord wants us to give Him our heart as the one we love, worship and obey above all others. The heart is the seat of worship, commitment and affection. Whoever we give our heart to determines our primary allegiance. The following are some guidelines for giving your heart completely to the Lord:

Song: Take my heart Oh God. Make it ever new. Take my heart Oh God. Let me be like You. You are the Potter. I am the clay. Mold me and make me. This is what I pray.

1. PRAISE GOD FOR HIS ATTRIBUTES - Praise the Lord for His love, fulfillment and full satisfaction. David wrote, "In your presence is fullness of joy and in your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psa 16:9-11) The more we praise God for His grace, joy, and satisfying presence the more our heart will fall in love with Him.

2. GIVE THANKS - Thank God that He heals the brokenhearted and sets the captives free. (Isa 61:1,2) Make a list of all the many wonderful things God gives you: your redemption, love, forgiveness, faith, purpose, plans, provisions, prospects, protection, hope, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. Be thankful for the good things you have the good things you have are for many just a dream. So be thankful for the good things that you have.

3. MEMORIZE AND MEDITATE - Hide God’s word in your heart. The Psalmist wrote, "How can a young man keep his way pure, by keeping it according to your word. Your word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against you." (Psa 119:9,11) Meditate on God’s word by memorizing it, reflect on it and apply it to your life in all ways.

4. GUARD YOUR HEART - Guard your heart with all diligence for out of it flows the issues of life. (Prov. 4:23) Learn to hate what is evil and cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love giving preference to one another in honor. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer. Know that the devil and all that is evil seeks to steal, slaughter, kill and destroy your heart but only Jesus can give you life abundantly. (John 10:10) Take up the full armor of God so you can stand in the evil day. Put on the breastplate of righteousness to guard your heart. (Eph. 6:10-18)

5. BE HAPPY - A happy heart makes the face cheerful but heartache crushes the spirit. (Prov. 15:13) Be happy in the Lord by singing songs and taking a walk so you can meditate, pray and worship the Lord with your whole heart, soul, strength and mind. Make a conscious effort to rejoice in the Lord always. Remember that the joy of the Lord is your health, strength and recharger of your heart. (Neh. 8:10)

6. SEEK DISCERNMENT. "The discerning heart seeks knowledge but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly." (Prov. 15:14) Gain discerning knowledge by listening to Godly people and putting into practice what you are learning. "But solid food is for the mature who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil." (Heb. 5:14)

7. UNDERSTAND THE TENDENCIES OF YOUR HEART - Know that the heart is subtle, deceitful and full of deadly wickedness. (Jer 17:9) Do not trust your heart, but only God and His word. Many people who try to trust their own intution, feelings and heart felt emotions are led into self-destructive practices, thinking and attitudes.

8. REMEMBER SOLOMON’S TRAGIC MISTAKE - "As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God as the heart of David his father had been." (I Kings 11:4) The older we get the more we have to continue to press on for the upward call in Christ Jesus and fight the good fight of faith as Paul did. Otherwise, we all tend to fall into complacency and drift into whatever is comfortable.