Miniature Eden

We are members of a broken world. It has always been broken, and it always will be. Take the events that took place on Friday in Newtown, CT. Many innocent children as well as men and women lost their lives at a date and time when they least expected it. We, as a country, are mourning for these people and many are throwing out ideas about gun control as ways to prevent events like this from happening again. But here is the reality, and I want you to understand this: It will happen again. As much as we try to interfere, we cannot prevent others' sins. Tonight at service, our pastor explained how we must always remember that

Man cannot solve what is wrong with man. 

It's impossible. How can imperfection solve imperfection? How can sin and hate estinguish hate and sin? Our hearts are hardened and made of stone. That's what the Bible describes a Godless heart as: stoney. 

But the great news is that we have the oportunity to be given new hearts. God offers us Divine surgery in which He willingly gives us a whole new heart. Take Ezekiel 11:19-- 

"And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their bodies and give them a heart of flesh."

When you accept Christ, he transforms you. Your heart is now tender, awake, sealed with Divine empathy...it runs to the spiritually thirsty with open arms, and most of all it is ferocious in wanting more of Christ. 

But God doesn't only transform your heart...He also transforms your mind. In Luke 24:25, Jesus says that when you come to Him, your mind is awakened. 

You can't truly pursue Christ unless your mind and heart are new. There are so many people who call themselves Christians, but in reality, don't know anything about Christianity. There are so many people who collect Bible verses and can recite the Bible backwards and forewards, but they do not know God. 

The new heart God gives us is extremely powerful. It WANTS to go into the dark places of the world in order to give light. It gives us the compassion we need in order to be true disciples. This new heart is a miniature Eden for those who are lost. It's the glimpse of God that others see when you preach to them. It is what draws others to Him. 

Is your heart made of flesh? Or, more importantly, have you invited God to transform it? He is willing to if you would only accept. 

Song: "Forever Reign" by Hillsong

Shoutout to my best friend Caroline! Having to take finals while being sick..... Good luck babe! :*