(by pastor Jean)

According to The Passion Translation, Proverbs 4:23 reads, “So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life.” (See also John 4:13-14 for New Testament equivalent). This verse is not referring to the physical organ in our chest that is called the heart and which pumps the life blood to all parts of our bodies. You could talk to any cardiologist and find out how to take care of your physical heart. What we are talking about here is the very core of our being, where all our deepest thoughts and emotions come from. The heart is also the part of you that appreciates beauty, God’s creation for example. Most importantly, the heart is where God’s love comes from. So, how do you “guard your heart”? What you put into your heart determines what comes out of it, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt 12:34; MEV). If you read Playboy magazine, watch porn and R rated movies you are not guarding your heart but if you do what Phil 4:8 says and meditate on good, pure and uplifting things – which would include the word, then you are guarding your heart. Do what Colossians 3 verses 1 and 2 say and set your affections on God. God created our physical hearts to keep pumping blood for at least 70-100 years as long as the arteries don’t get plugged up with plaque. Similarly, the “innermost being” will stay healthy as long as we don’t allow plaque to build up there (strife, unforgiveness, bitterness etc.) So, guard your heart diligently and you will reflect the glory of God (2 Cor 3:18).

(by pastor Norman)

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16-17; NKJV). Sounds like God’s word in our Bible is our handbook for a successful Christian life. The word convicts’ people of their need for Jesus (Rom 1:16) and opens the door for eternal life with God (John 6:68). God’s word is truth (John 17:17) and life (John 6:63) and that truth will set us free from all the sin that beset us in our former life without Christ (John 8:32). We are to build our lives on the solid foundation or rock of Jesus’ words (Matt 7:24). God’s word is powerful exposing our very thoughts (Heb 4:12) so we can change and grow in the life He has for us and do all He requires of us (John 10:10 b, Josh 1:8). Faith to walk according to his word comes by hearing the word of God (Rom 10:17). We are assured that God’s word will never pass away (Matt 24:35). We are exhorted to, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (Col 3: 16a; NKJV), to hide it in our hearts (Ps 119:11) and hold firmly to the word of life (Phil 2:16). We obviously need to make time in our Bible a real priority. In the early church there was no Bible but the Christians “continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship” (Acts 2:42a; NKJV). We must not only immerse in the word but live it and do it! (James 1:22). Are we really steadfast in studying, living and doing the word?

(by pastor Jean)

The Bible tells us that, “In Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). Everything we have and do in this life is “in Him.” According to the apostle Paul we are blessed, “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph 1:3; MEV). This is our position and it means all of Christ’s authority, power and blessing He shares with us. It is “in Him that we have redemption through His blood and the forgiveness of sins” (Eph 1:7; MEV). It is also “in Him that we have an inheritance” (Eph 1:11) and are “sealed with the Holy Spirit” (Eph 1:13). Because we are “in Christ” we have been made “new creatures” (2 Cor 5:17) and we have also been made righteous (2 Cor 5:21). We triumph “in Christ” (2 Cor 2:14) and therefore we are, “more than conquerors” (Rom 8:37). “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Eph 2:19; MEV) and it is in Him that we have “boldness of faith” (Eph 3:12). Because we are “in Him” God can do amazing things through us (Eph 3:20). In addition to all this God has given us His name (Mark 16:17) and also His armour (Eph 6:10) to put the devil to flight when we are under attack. Make sure you know what belongs to you because you are “in Him” and then you can walk in authority and confidence as His child.

(by pastor Jean)

In Proverbs chapter 4 and verses 20 and 21 we are given some very specific instructions regarding the word of God. Firstly, we are to “attend” to it. To attend means to pay attention to, to mark well. In other words, to focus on it. Next, we must, “incline our ear” to it or as some translations say, “listen closely” or “listen carefully.” Then, verse 21 tells us to “not let them depart from your eyes.” So, even if you know the Bible by heart, you must still read it. Finally, in verse 21, we are to keep the word “in the midst of your heart.” How do we do that? By meditating on it, rehearsing it and speaking it. To me, all of this tells me that we have to give the word of God priority in our lives, remembering that Jesus is the word (John 1:1). The more time we spend in the word, the more like Jesus we will become. However, that is not all because verse 22 says that God’s word brings us life and health. The word for health there is “marpe” and it also means healing, cure or medicine. So, every time you read your Bible you are taking your spiritual medicine which according to Proverbs 4:22 can bring physical healing. When dealing with physical health challenges that is a good time to gather up all the scriptures on healing and take them like medicine – meditate on them and speak them twice a day for as long as needed, no side effects!