The Centrality of the Heart!

The Centrality of the Heart in the Life of the Believer!

The Heart, the Cross of Christ, and the Word of God are the most important factors in one’s relationship to the Lord. It is in the heart where the Word of God is honored, and nourished by prayer, praise, and worship as well as hungering and thirsting after the Master. 

It is in the heart where the application of the Cross crucifies the flesh and purifies the believer. All three – heart, cross, and Word work in tandem to keep the follower of Christ close to Him. Therefore, let us briefly focus on the heart since it is the centrality of the believer.  (See picture above).

It is in the heart where the character of the person is formed.  It is in the heart where a deep and abiding relationship with Jesus is developed and matured.  It is in the heart where faith is sowed, grows, and applied. It is in the heart where compassion is planted by Christ and to be shared with others.

It is in the heart where joy and gladness come forth.  It is in the heart where God deposits His wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and discernment. It is in the heart where truth, righteousness, and integrity reside.

It is in the heart where the Holy Spirit moves, enlightens, reveals, and convicts. It is in the heart where forgiveness resides.  It is in the heart where hope is cultivated and springs up to life eternal.  It is in the heart where the destiny of the person is determined.

Therefore, the Lord is most concerned about the condition of the heart because it is the primary governing force in the life of the individual. If the mind is out of alignment with the Lord, then the heart is also misaligned with the Word of God. When the Word of God is hidden solidly in the heart, the mind will think right, and the tongue will speak what is right and truthful. Jesus reminds us,

But whatever

comes out of the mouth

comes from the heart,

and

this is what makes a man

unclean and defiles [him].

Matthew 15:18 (AMP)

In other words, the heart directs the mind and if the heart is “unclean and defiled,” possesses unforgiveness, lust, hate, unbelief, rebellion, pride, idolatry, or any number of sins, then the mind will reflect the same and cause the person to stumble and fall away in their relationship with the Lord.

 An unclean heart leads to unclean mind, and both reveal a walk in the flesh. On the other hand, His Light/Word in the heart leads to His Light/Word in the mind and reveals a walk in the Spirit.

An unclean heart and unclean mind leads to a walk in darkness while a clean heart and clean mind leads to a walk in His Light. May we continually walk and live in His Light in a world filled with utter darkness and utter corruption.

As I finished writing the above, I felt the Lord say to me this personal word and to those reading this word that there is change coming in our relationship to Him if our heart is clean before Him.

The Word in your heart,

 brings forth

My power 

for you to

 overcome the temptations

 which attempt to pull you

 away from Me.

My power 

operates through the Word

deep within you

which

sanctifies

and

 keeps you pure from sin.

My power

 works through the Word

to

bring you the Light of Christ 

to take to those you are called

 to release His Light

upon their souls.

When you release the Light

you are releasing

 the Word

and

 when you release

the Word

you will release the

My fire that the Word

has birthed in you.

Let My Word set you on fire

for what I am showing you

and

what is to come.

Release the things

which

attempt to divide your heart

and

cause you to question

My calling to you.

 There is a shift in your calling

which I am going

to bring to you.

But know that this shift is

moving you into

 greater areas

of responsibility

in My Kingdom.

But it will require a much greater

heart commitment and sacrifice

I will be doing in your life.

The word ended here.

Thank You Jesus for Your Word.  Let it consume my heart and totally guide and direct me in Your prepared paths You want me to walk on.  O Jesus, I want to know You more and more each passing day. Set my heart on fire and keep it on fire bringing light and truth to me and those I interact with daily.  Let this word also touch those who read it and desire to have further revelation of how it would apply to them. So be it, Lord Jesus!

Rich Arnold

311 Adelaide Ave SW

Hartville, Ohio 44632

330-704-9306

richarnold3@gmail.com