A Matter of the Heart

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. -Ephesians 1:18-19, NASB

I tend to be a rather fearful, timid person. I am definitely lacking in the self-confidence area.  These verses are for people like me.  People who need to be reminded about who we are and who we belong to.

I find it interesting that Paul prays for the enlightenment of our hearts.  Not our minds, but our hearts.  It makes me think of that verse, "for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks," or as the NASB says, "for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart."  (Luke 6:45b)  I think that with our minds we store knowledge but it is in our hearts that wisdom grows.  It is in my heart where fear starts to grip me.  When I let that fear have reign, when I let it drive my decisions, I make choices that keep me from being the woman God wants me to be.  Imagine how different my heart would look if instead of all those fears and doubts it was flooded with an understanding of the greatness of God's power.  Imagine what a different course my life could take if I met each day confident of who I was in Christ rather than feeling like I have little worth.

This is a work that must be done from the inside out.  It is exciting to think about.  It might even lead a very shy, insecure person like me to step out and lead a Bible study.  (And that is exactly what I have done.)

Be blessed,
Deb

Ephesians 1:8b-12

In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to the administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.  In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.-Ephesians 1:8b-12 NASB

From start to finish God has had this plan; a plan that looks to the future. A plan where everything is summed up in Christ.  All things in heaven and on earth are going to come together under his Headship- His authority and rule.  To that end, we who hope in Christ will be to the praise of His glory.  We who hope in Christ have been chosen to be a part of this incredible plan that God thought up before He even formed the world.  Knowing from beginning to end what would happen I am amazed that God would even form the earth, form man.  He put this great plan into action knowing beforehand that we would be a rebellious, sinful lot.  And that He loves us—I am amazed, I am beyond amazed, if there is a word for that.

Be Blessed,

Deb