God offers us a new heart...Today's scripture:
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26
A beating heart is a sign of life. Physically, your heart beats regularly. But spiritually, until you get to know God firsthand, your heart is flat-lining. God promised the prophet Ezekiel (along with everyone who chooses to follow God) the ultimate heart transplant-replacing stone with flesh. This "flesh" is humanity as God originally created it, which is more than simply being human. It is the promise of being fully alive-physically, emotionally, and spiritually-in both this life and the next.
The people of Israel believed a person's "heart" reveals who a person really is. The heart cannot put on airs or be something it is not. It is the emotional and spiritual center of every individual.
When God's Spirit becomes the center of people's lives, the Bible says that they are "born again."
Along with a new heart comes a new start.
However, this heart transplant is possible only through the power of God's Spirit. Trying to become more loving, generous, and kind through self-effort can never bring a heart of stone to life. Only God's gift of his presence can jump-start a heart into permanent change. God's Spirit at work in you and I enables us to hear God's voice as he guides our decisions, to see his hand as he moves through circumstances, and to fulfill his plans for you and I to become the persons he created us to be.
Selah people' and friends through God's words to Ezekiel, you are given a beautiful metaphor to help you understand what happens when God's Spirit comes into your life you are fully alive for the very first time. I'm so thankful God has given me this new life and the opportunity to serve with others like you to spread His Love to all whom we come in contact with.
"Peace be with you as you allow God to open your new heart up to share with others"
Your pastor,
Rev Muston (PreacherPatrick)
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