Encouragement, In the news, Issues of the Day

Mass Shootings, Suffering, Evil and the World We Live In II

images-7If the answer to the question of why there is evil in the world is found in the fall of man recorded in Genesis chapter three, then what could possibly change our evil heart? Jeremiah wrote, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (17:9) Wow, “beyond cure” and who could possibly “understand it?” That could make us feel that we are without hope and our heart will forever be deceitful. But wait, there is an answer because, “…the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts.” (I Chronicles 28:9) And the Psalmist, David, prayed, “Create in me a pure heart, O God…” Could that be possible and if so, how?

First, it is extremely important to recognize that, “…a man’s heart reflects the man.” (Proverbs 27:19) [Be truthful with your self.] Then, imagine this, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26) [Notice, Who will do this.] Further, John reveals to us that God is greater than our very hearts. [It takes a Source outside our heart.] The heart of the Father in the heart of His Son is literally the purifier of our heart. [There is no self-purification; no self-enlightenment and there is no self-actualization.] But, there is what Acts 15 calls, “faith” when it states that God will purify our hearts by faith. And, where does that faith begin?images-5

 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (Romans 10:9-10)

Only Jesus can change a heart. Have you asked Jesus to come into your heart and reveal His?

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2 thoughts on “Mass Shootings, Suffering, Evil and the World We Live In II

  1. michelle janis says:

    Wow Steve, This is amazing truth. Thanks for sharing this. I have just been realizing I have had a heart of stone as I have been getting personal prayer for healing and deliverance by my new pastor and her daughter. They do not counsel but do this prayer time where they ask the Holy Spirit to come reveal what he wants to heal. As you know I have been deeply wounded by Doug and my own family has rejected me my whole life. I have sined aginst so many as well and hurt Dick and Laura and you. Please forgive me. I make no excuses for my own part of what we, Doug and I did to the church and leaders in Dove. I had been walking in sin and so being deceived I also deceived those I loved the most. I’m so sorry. I am just now beginning to heal and seeing the real condition of my own heart. Your words are truly coming at a good time now as I examine my heart. I did when I first left him and came clean with the church but did not my own heart. I don’t think I have ever really known who I am in Jesus. But as I open up and just try to let the Lord into the deepest wounds I see the heart of stone and walls of what I thought was protection from hurts has kept God out. I am trying to let Him in but find the walls go back up when I begin to feel pain and love. Please b pray for me as even this weekend I go to our churches confera nice on intimacy with the Lord. I could not find a Dove church here but a Vineyard church that is very much seeking after holiness and righteousness crying out for Revival. God knew I was seeking to be in safe place but wanted to lay it all down to follow him. Anyway I want the heart of stone gone and a revelation of who God really is to be released in me. Thanks again for listening to the Lord and sharing this. Michelle Janis

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