The Heart - Who Can Know It?

Jeremiah 19:9

"The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? New American Standard Bible

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? KJV

The heart is a twisted thing, not to be searched out by man: who is able to have knowledge of it? Bible in Basic English

Wesley's Notes
The heart - There is nothing so false and deceitful as the heart of man; deceitful in its apprehensions of things, in the hopes and promises which it nourishes, in the assurances that it gives us; unsearchable by others, deceitful with reference to ourselves, and abominably wicked, so that neither can a man know his own heart, nor can any other know that of his neighbor’s.

Trust in one's own heart is as foolish as in our fellow man (Pr 28:26).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
17:5-11 He who puts confidence in man, shall be like the heath in a desert, a naked tree, a sorry shrub, the product of barren ground, useless and worthless. Those who trust to their own righteousness and strength, and think they can do without Christ, make flesh their arm, and their souls cannot prosper in graces or comforts. Those who make God their Hope, shall flourish like a tree always green, whose leaf does not wither. They shall be fixed in peace and satisfaction of mind; they shall not be anxious in a year of drought. Those who make God their Hope, have enough in him to make up the want of all creature-comforts. They shall not cease from yielding fruit in holiness and good works.

The heart, the conscience of man, in his corrupt and fallen state, is deceitful above all things. It calls evil good, and good evil; and cries peace to those to whom it does not belong. Herein the heart is desperately wicked; it is deadly, it is desperate. The case is bad indeed, if the conscience, which should set right the errors of other faculties, is a leader in the delusion. We cannot know our own hearts, nor what they will do in an hour of temptation. Who can understand his errors? Much less can we know the hearts of others, or depend upon them. He that believes God's testimony in this matter, and learns to watch his own heart, will find this is a correct, though a sad picture, and learns many lessons to direct his conduct. But much in our own hearts and in the hearts of others, will remain unknown. Yet whatever wickedness there is in the heart, God sees it. Men may be imposed upon, but God cannot be deceived.

Because the wicked always have some excuse to defend their doings they show that their own lewd imaginations deceive them and bring them to these hardships: but God will examine their deeds by the malice of their hearts.

Jeremiah 17: 10
I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

I Corinthians 10:12
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! New International Version

Proverbs 23:7
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Psalm 51:17

"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Psalm 34:18

Dear God, in these last days help my heart to be right before you.

The Secret Of Creating Riches

Top picture - Timothy & Marc. Bottom Picture - Jonathon & Zack. Participants in one of our S.S. skits

"Never forget: the secret of creating riches for
oneself is to create them for others."
— Sir John Templeton:

"You know the story of Bill Gates. From a score of 1590 out of 1600 on the SAT to dropping out of Harvard. Then founding Microsoft and becoming the world’s richest man. But there’s something that’s usually forgotten about his story. He didn't climb to the summit of success alone — he carried millions of people with him. People from all walks of life who were able to prosper because of him. Find your own path — but make sure it's wide enough to handle all the lives it will change. Your Future You awaits."

As I read the quote above and the comment following it, the first thing that came to my mind was the future of my Sunday School kids. Teaching S.S. has always been my heartbeat. For a few years I was out of service in this department due to numerous reasons, my health being one of them. Now I am back and it feels so good.

After about three weeks of teaching, three children started coming up to me before and after class giving me a quick hug and saying "I love you Sis. Jolene." Oh the joy that brought to my soul. I must be doing something right. To date there are several children who now do this. :)

I was at the school the other day waiting to pick Caleb up when I hear some children yelling across the school grounds "Hi Sis. Jolene" I turn and look and there are a couple of my S.S. children just waving away at me and smiling. My heart leaped and I yelled back a hello to "my girls" and waved. Yesterday while waiting for Caleb I was attacked from behind. I felt these little arms circle me with a hug and hear this sweet little voice say "Hi Sis. Jolene" I turned to look into the eyes of one of my precious S.S. Children. This pleased me for this little guy is very shy and never says anything.

Two Sundays ago I had one young child approach me and say "Can I be your helper Sis. Jolene?" Oh for sure! You see this child is one who never sits still. Always out of his seat and never listens. He has noticed how those who help, listen, and participate in the lesson get little rewards. I now have his attention. Oh Absolutely! You most definitely can be my helper as long as you listen and participate. :) Last Sunday this child was an absolute angel! "Can I help you next week too Sis. Jolene?" You sure can! You can be my helper every Sunday if you want. I guarantee I will find something that he can do. When I first took the class I had about 5, I think it was, of these young boys that were like this. Now everyone one them are doing their best to be my helpers. They want to get a little something out of that goodies bag at the end of the class. Bribery you might say. I don't care what you call it, I have their attention during the lesson and that is all that matters to me because now they can answer the questions at the end of the lesson where before they couldn't.

If I have a child that starts to get a little out of line I don't need to yell at them or call their name out loud and draw attention to them I nonchalantly walk over to them as I am still talking and gently lay my hand on their shoulder and give a gentle squeeze and say their name and say what do you think about that? How would you feel if that happened to you? and some how I draw them back into the lesson. I make them feel a part. That is all they need is to feel a part, to feel important.

You see, I'm on a journey. I'm climbing the stairway to Heaven. That's where my path lay. My riches are not here but laid up in Heaven. So I must make sure that my path is wide enough that I can lead these children down that path with me. I have to make sure that my path is wide enough to handle all the lives it will change. Children of all walks of life who will be able to prosper spiritually because I was not afraid to share this life changing Gospel with them. Peter said it best in Acts 3:6 "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee..." What better gift could I give these children than the eternal words of God. Words that will give them hope of a better life. Words that will lead them and guide them to a glorious city that will be without sin, pain, sickness, heartache, and will forever be full of joy and happiness, love, and peace and where we will forever be with the one who saved us by His grace.

I must "Never forget: the secret of creating riches for
oneself is to create them for others."

Lovest Thou Me?

My youngest daughter says to me: "Mom, A sacrifice is not real unless it involves giving up something/someone you truly love."

I read her text and think, "You are wise beyond your years baby girl!" What a blessing to have you to encourage me at this time in my life. You are not only my daughter but my friend as well. I love you so much!"

God says to my heart 3 days later: "Lovest thou me more than these?"

Pastor preaches last night: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." Matthew 22:37

Yea Lord I love you. I love you with ALL my heart, with All my soul, with All my mind and with ALL my strength. I not only love you Lord, but I am IN love with you! You are my everything. You are my all and all and I can not live one moment without you.

Sin & Compromise VS Purity & Holiness

"But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold." Psalm 73:2 NIV

"When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me." Psalm 94:18 NIV

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works. Psalms 73:26-28

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41

The battle is raging strong between the spirit and the flesh. Can't eat! Can't sleep! Battle of the mind, heart, and spirit is raging stronger and stronger every day. Can't think straight. Find myself quickly being drawn out by the current. Losing my foothold. Can no longer focus on what is around me. Blinded by this circumstance that has come into my life. Feel smothered. Yet, not realizing what is happening to my very soul. Extremely emotional and confused. Then when on face book today Bro. Elder David Doran's Post seemed to jump off the screen at me:

When sin & compromise enter the yard of your home...you are losing ground -

When sin & compromise get on the front porch of your house you are in big trouble -

When sin & compromise enter your house, purity and holiness leave -

You can't have purity & holiness and sin & compromise at the same time, they cancel each other out. Make a choice 4 God!

Have I sinned?

"But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold."

In these last days Satan is going to come at us any way he can to destroy us. He will even use the ones we love.

I know I have quoted this scripture quite often but it is imperative that I do so again: "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

I am so thankful that "He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake."Psalm 23:3

Say What?

Caleb and I were sitting in my rocker/recliner yesterday reading together when out of the blue he stops and turns to me and says; "You know grandma, I know that what I did yesterday was wrong. I know I'm not suppose to mimic the teacher. But she was wrong too." I asked him how she was wrong and his reply was: "She didn't fill the send home note out right. She wrote down that I talked back and I didn't. She should have put down that I mimicked her. She didn't do her job right and she's a teacher. She doesn't know the difference between talking back and mimicking. If I'm gonna be in trouble then put down what I did that was wrong."

Yep, he was dead serious. He admitted what he did was wrong and he will take the punishment for that, but don't accuse him of of doing something he didn't do. Nope he just won't accept it. LOL!!! This kid is just WAY to serious sometimes.

I had to explain to him that it was just a simple mistake and that I talked to his Principal (who wasn't even aware that there was a problem) and that everything is ok. So, now we can forget about it and move on.

P.S. The principal did get a laugh out of that one. :) Only Caleb!

What Will He Say Next?

Caleb came home with a note from his teacher today saying that he was talking back to the yard duty teacher at lunch recess. Caleb told me "I wasn't talking back grandma. I was mimicking her as she walked away. They don't know the difference between talking back and mimicking and they are suppose to be teachers."

Dear Lord help me I almost lost it. It was everything in my power not to laugh out loud and keep a straight face. I thought I was going to bust a gut. Was it funny that he mimicked a teacher? Absolutely Not!!! You just have to know Caleb. He was so serious about them not knowing the difference between talking back and mimicking. It was hard to control myself as I counseled him on that one. - F Y I young man - Talking back or MIMICKING your teachers is NOT allowed. LOL!!!

What's On The Inside?

"When you squeeze an orange, orange juice comes
out - because that's what's inside. When you are
squeezed, what comes out is what is inside."
— Wayne Dyer

Sooooo......Have you ever felt that you have truly forgiven someone of a hurt that they have caused you? Then one day, Bam! Out of the blue, something happens and that old wound is opened up and you begin to feel the pain all over again? Old emotions start rising up within you and before you know it, you are reliving the hurt and agony of the situation all over again? All of a sudden you discover that there is a root of bitterness still lurking within you. You are shocked to discover that it is there and you ask yourself, Where did that come from? This cannot be! For bitterness to live within, one cannot move forward.

Once again you find yourself playing the game of Spiritual Wac-A-Mole! That ugly thing called bitterness has risen it's ugly head and you must get the Spiritual hammer and beat it back down. It must be destroyed before it destroys you. Bitterness and the very root of it MUST die lest it choke the very life out of you.

We have sung the following song as a child:

O be careful little eyes what you see
O be careful little ears what you hear
O be careful little hands what you do
O be careful little feet where you go
O be careful little mouth what you say

I would like to add:

O be careful little mind what you think

O be careful little heart what you feel
O be careful little heart what you feel
There's a Father up above
And He's looking down in love
O be careful little heart what you feel

It is said that each of us has an inner sense of what is right, or fair, or just. When that is violated a natural result is to react, to right the wrongs and correct the injustices or to become bitter. When one becomes offended or disappointed by others and allows the hurt to germinate in the heart, bitterness and resentment will take root. This is characterized by an unforgiving spirit and generally results in a negative critical attitude which is sinful and self-defeating. Such bitterness when allowed to fester, will destroy and kill.

We must recognize and identify the bitterness when we see it in our lives. We must confess and repent. Then we need to renew our mind. Forgive and depend on the Spirit of God for strength and depend on his love towards us.

"Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back." Isaiah 38:17

Dear God, Cleanse me thoroughly. Remove every inch of bitterness. Leave not even one spec of a root that can cause bitterness to rise its ugly head again. I want nothing but the fruit of your spirit to manifest in my life.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

When the pressure is on and I feel the squeeze, what comes out can not be bitterness but it must be the fruit of your spirit only.