WEDNESDAY, JULY 29
“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit”
Luke 4:1 (ESV)
SELF-CONTROL: KEEP YOUR HEART TENDER
Did you hear about the pitiful man whose fiancé broke their engagement and shredded his tender heart? He later received a letter of apology and desire for reconciliation. It read: Dearest Jimmy, No words could ever express the great unhappiness I’ve felt since breaking our engagement. Please say you’ll take me back. No one could ever take your place in my heart, so please forgive me. I love you, I love you, I love you! Yours forever, Marie. PS: Congratulations on winning the state lottery!
Poor Jimmy’s heart was shattered by someone who apparently didn’t value his heart as much as she did his money. The people and things we allow into our heart determine our direction and destination. Luke 4 teaches us that Jesus had a heart filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus was ready when Satan came to tempt Him because His heart was already filled with the Holy Spirit. He didn’t wait for the temptation to come and then start trying to be “spiritual.”
What is your heart full of? There are a variety of ways to tell. Often how we spend our money says a lot about what we love. Who or what we talk about when we have nothing else to talk about is also another indication of what our heart is full of. Ask your family or close friends who or what they think you love the most. Then ask God if you have given Him your whole heart? The result of allowing God’s Spirit to fill your heart will be a heart that’s under control.
