Simple Devotions

Tag: walking with jesus

  • harden heart

    I once thought I understood the scene where God tells Moses “and I will harden his heart..” Ex 4:21

    I truly didn’t understand why God would say this because it seems contradictory to who He is, so in my little brain it had to mean when someone doesn’t want the presence of God near them.

    My reasoning was because God is LOVE, and where love abides it is pliable – filled with good thoughts.

    But take away Gods love and you have a heart of stone.

    After this study here’s what I understand better now, when a person keeps ignoring what they know is right ( this is what Pharaoh was doing. God knowing this is what he would do, foretold this to Moses..) because it conflicts with what they want, A hardening of the heart is something happens over time. Look at all the plagues, warning..warning..warning.

    1 Sam 6:6 repeats the lesson from Exodus which the Prophet Samuel said they didn’t learn – “Why then do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When He did mighty things among them, did they not let the people go, that they might depart?”

    He was warning them again..
    ‭

    The Word says their ability to tell right from wrong became weaker. The mind becomes darkened — Ephesians 4:18 says people can be “darkened in their understanding” when they turn from God.

    The conscience grows dull. 1 Timothy 4:2 describes a conscience that becomes “seared,” meaning it no longer responds clearly.

    The heart becomes hardened Hebrews 3:13 warns that sin can harden the heart over time.

    Separation from God follows Isaiah 59:2 says sin separates us from God.

    Put simply:

    When we repeatedly choose our desires over what we know God is asking, we slowly lose our sensitivity to truth.

    What once felt wrong no longer does, and that distance leads us away from God.

    When we ignore what God shows us is right, our hearts harden, our conscience dulls, and we begin to lose the ability to recognize truth.

    Friends – check your hearts as the Holy Spirit says: “ Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness,”
    ‭Hebrews 3:7-11

    It takes a simple step.. approach the throne of God in your heart and ask for forgiveness in Christ name, then let Him lead you through this life in a surrendered heart.

    In Christ love, amen

  • path of life

    You will show me the path of life;

    In Your presence is fullness of joy;

    At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  Psalm 16:11

    Following and abiding in Jesus will be how we grow in grace; joy and usefulness. It is by spending time with Him that we experience growth in our walk with Him. He is not only the Author, but the Finisher of our faith. He is first and last and always. If that didn’t register here’s one last fact.

    We need Him every step of the way.

    So how do we do this thing? It’s very simple.

    Pray even if you are not sure what to say. Use the Lords prayer because He gave it to us to use. Pray often, without stopping. Which also looks like talking to Him secretly in your heart. Let it be a secret place that only He is privilege to and tell Him all that you are feeling and needing. All of this matters because when we do this we are inviting Him to lead and to guide us daily. It also matters because it builds trust.

    Read His Word daily ..in small doses so you can mediate on it and learn from it, yes, reading the book from beginning to end is a good goal but it’s meant to teach us about who God is and the plan of Salvation. Like chewing our food, His Word is the bread of life, we should savor it and slow down to chew it, or we could chance missing new truths. So chew slowly and don’t rush it.

    Take what you learn and ask Him to show you His Words in action.

    Be intentionally looking for His guidance, answers and daily drops.

    And when you see Him, and you will!

    Praise Him, make it known that He is worthy to be praised!

    ” Hey I just read about this and here He is revealing more truth building my faith! God is so GOOD!”

    It’s the thing of seeds and it’s very multi-purposed when we see Him in action, it serves both you and others!

    The LORD is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works.

    May this encourage us all to walk with Him, so that we may walk on the path that leads to Heaven.

    In Christ Love, Amen