16th. July. 2022. Daily Devotions.

Proverbs 4:23

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

In English the “heart” is where we experience emotion and through which we express things like love and commitment. In Hebrew “heart” refers to our mind, will, intentions, understanding, and emotions. The “heart” thus encompasses all our inner selves, not just our emotions. That’s why we must guard our hearts. “Everything you do flows from it,” says Solomon in verse 23. In Matthew 15:18, Jesus pointed to the dangerous “spill over” of what’s in our heart. He said it was “the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.”

In our humanity, our hearts have been prone to sin; we naturally veer toward folly and wickedness, allowing sin to enter our lives and grow. Since we know that our tendency is to allow sin, we must actively guard our hearts, filling them instead with righteousness and holiness.

What ways can we guard our hearts? Consider the things you allow to enter and set up residence in your life. Ask God to reveal anything you have let into the gates of your life that should be removed. In addition, ask Him to protect your heart.

Father, some of us tend toward legalism, while others fall into worldliness. Remind us that You have called us neither to regulations nor total liberty, but to holiness. Guard our hearts from evil and give us a craving for righteousness. Amen.

Grant us grace, O God, to be interpreters of your beauty, narrators of your glory, confessors of your purpose, preachers of your mind and teachers of your works; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
~ Odes of Solomon (1st century)

Jesus, guest, and host may our tables be safe spaces where everyone feels at home. Jesus, friend, and brother, help us to practise the hospitality we teach. Jesus, who washed the feet of the disciples, teach us afresh the sacrament of service. Jesus, generous giver, show us the abundance of love where we see only scarcity. Jesus, in whose name is found salvation, help us rejoice in the kingdom banquet prepared for all. Jesus, you prayed that we might be one,
just as you and the Father are one, we pray for the unity of your Church, of all communities, of all creation and of all things in you. Amen.

Celtic Prayer

As the hand is made for holding and the eye for seeing, you have fashioned me, O Lord, for joy. Share with me the vision to find that joy everywhere: in the wild violet’s beauty, in the lark’s melody, in the face of a steadfast man, in a child’s smile, in a mother’s love, in the purity of Jesus Amen

To Be Grateful

Lord God, may we be grateful for our lot, and compassionate toward all those who are suffering every kind of distress at this difficult time. May we hold back nothing and hasten to be the ministers of prayer and mercy, like the disciples of Him who went about doing good in times of need. Amen

Benediction

May I go in peace, with God and with his other children, and may we love one another as Christ taught us. May I follow the example of good men of old and may God comfort and help me and all who believe in Him, both in this world and in the world which is to come. Amen.