Day 14: A Heart of Stone: The heart of the problem is that we have a heart problem.

Watch the Video Above: A Heart of Stone - Jelecia

Overview: According to Paul in Ephesians 4:21-24, God took the initiative to take care of our greatest problem – a deceptive and wicked heart. Many of us can fall into the lie that Hollywood likes to sell us on – that we are good people and we can be “good enough” to earn our way to heaven. The truth is, and this can seem hard to swallow, that because of what is in our hearts – because of our sinful nature – we are not “good enough.” But the good news is, by God’s grace, and our faith in Jesus Christ, that our old heart (our old self) is restored and we become a new creation in Him.

“If you would know the heart of your sin then you must know the sins of your heart!”

– William Secker

Scripture:

Jeremiah 17:9-10

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? 10 But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”

Ezekiel 36:26

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.

Luke 6:45

A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.

Practical Guide: Today, during my quiet time, I will ask God to reveal any broken or wicked things that may be in my heart right now. What situation or person has my heart been hardened towards? Is there bitterness or unforgiveness in my heart towards someone? Then I will ask God to soften and change my heart in this area of my life. I confess my sinful nature and receive a new heart. I will have a conversation with God about any next steps I may need to do to clean up, forgive or restore this broken situation or relationship.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for loving me through all of my faults and failures, in spite of my wicked heart. Lord, help bring to light any dark and sinful areas in my heart right now so that with your help, I can begin the work of cleansing my heart. Help soften my heart with people that I need to be more loving and gracious to. Lord, fill me with more of you and less of me and allow me to love others with all of my heart. Thank you for your unconditional love for me. In Jesus name, amen.

Quiet Time Moment: For the next 60 seconds, sit quietly (without distractions), embrace the presence of the Lord and seek to hear His voice.