Heart Conditions: Open Hearts
Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.
Acts 16:14 (NKJV)
O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open.
2 Corinthians 6:11 (NKJV)
But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.
Luke 8:15 (NKJV)
Little children are born with open hearts. They’re yielding, faithful, and full of wonder. In their wide eyes, all things are possible.
When my first grandson, Jack, was turning four, he watched the films Toy Story 1 and 2. My daughter asked Jack what he learned. His sweetest answer? 'When we go away, our toys come alive.'
God expects this same logic-defying, miracle-believing faith… from adults!
But as we grow up, sweet faith can be hard. Nevertheless, it’s what God ORDERS:
Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven' (Matthew 18:3).
Perhaps our King’s most quoted parable is The Parable of the Sower. With 42 Verses in three Gospels, it's about the condition of our hearts: wayward, rocky, thorny, or pliable.
A pliable heart is an open heart. An open heart receives the Word of God, and it produces a wondrous harvest!
'He who received Seed on the good ground is he who hears the Word and understands It, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty' (Matthew 13:23): who 'Being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God' (Philippians 1:11).
HERE’S THE PAYOFF: Hearts open to God’s lead aren’t just healthy, joyful, and nourishing to their owners, but their fruit is so vast and abundant… that it flows over into OTHER lives.
That's evangelism: the fulfillment of the Great Commission!
Heart Conditions: Open Hearts (Part 11)
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.