His name finally came to me this morning. Years ago, in the 70's, I had picked up a book from the library and read about 'Pistol Pete'. Peter Maravich was a basketball player and a super good one at that with lightening fast reflexes. I haven't heard his name mentioned in a long time, so I couldn't remember it until a few minutes ago. I believe you will be blessed if you will take 15 minutes to read and hear a little about this man, especially the second video in which you'll see him spin a basketball and then speak to an audience. Be sure to listen. I know you'll be blessed.
I can't think of anything better to leave behind than being remembered as being a follower of Jesus. That alone is greater than all the riches, fame, or notoriety in the universe. For the name of Jesus is above all names. Scroll this list and see that the name of Jesus is above all names.
If you are short on time, at least view the YouTube video of his testimony. (Parts 1-4) It will be the best thing you'll see today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z31E7rBNx-M
Today, I've just read and learned about Jessica Cox. A fabulous young lady who's a pilot, a piano player, with a black belt in Taekwon-do , and a motivational speaker to boot. And by the way, she has no arms. Born that way.
Watch Jessica do her thing-looks like she's having fun
But her parents taught her to live and live she has. She's an inspiration to us with two arms. For anyone thinking they're deprived or don't have enough to pick themselves up in life, and crying for whatever pathetic reason, they just need to see Jessica and they will be without a leg to stand on with their excuses to not succeed.
What I also get from knowing about Jessica Cox is she faced her fear of flying head-on. Now her 'fear' is called 'fun'. She's my new hero just knowing about her.
I certainly have been motivated this morning just knowing of this young lady. She's a class act and a true hero in my book just because of her bravery about tackling life with seemingly less to start with. She's taught me what makes the difference is perspective, attitude and determination.
And, she's really brought home the point.....the sky's the limit !
So, can YOU trust your heart to always lead you right?
I have 3 questions for YOU to answer for yourself.
1. Can you understand and decipher the message your heart communicates to your brain?
2. Could the heart message actually be your intuition or a gut reaction rather than a heart message?
3. Did the outcome and results of past heart messages always lead you in 'right directions?
I've learned my heart can't 'think' rationally.
Once my heart's been engaged, it's not easy controlling my emotions so I can think and react rationally. For me, my brain needs to be in the pilot seat so I'm not all emotional, then I need
to stop a minute, and calmly evaluate what's happening rationally, and I need to step back
for a 'view from above' to get a better grasp of the situation. I need to get instructions of how
should I proceed so that my Lord is approving and God received the glory.
The emotional creatures we are, we're usually led into relationships by feelings we perceive within our hearts, and by what we see.
When in love, a person gives and shares the very core of their being to another. There's risk in trusting and sharing one's heart to another. In a situation like this, only that person can determine if their heart lead them right or wrong.
Don't misunderstand what I'm saying.
It's not a simple thing to tabulate and formulate all information presented with in every situation required to make a good choice.
I can confidently make the comment that we each want to think
we're making the best choice(s) when we listen to our hearts for guidance in the right direction.
If you want to trust our heart to always lead you right, I think it boils down to these two things.
What is the condition of the heart? And, what's the heart truly being influencing or lead by?
He gives to us his Living Word for what's good for us and teaching that it's the heart of man that causes us to sin against Him and his holiness and righteousness. We need a Savior.
Evil is going against the holiness of God, and that which comes forth from within a person's heart
is what defiles a person.
A heart with unforgiven sin in it isn't capable to be trusted.
The heart of Jesus ought to be our guide and model for the condition of our hearts instead of depending upon our heart for guidance into fulfilling or satisfying fleshly desires or habits that are unhealthy and/or aren't in accordance with God's desire for your well-being.
And by well-being, I'm referring to your body, spirit, heart and soul.
Bible scripture, Mark 7:21 tells it's from a person's heart where all sorts of evil thoughts come forth.
Yes, a heart can be filled with evil rather than love, tenderness, mercy, and forgiveness.
It's interesting that the source of evil thoughts comes from within the heart.
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft/stealing, lying, and slander (Matthew 15:19)
Evil thoughts and deeds can be subtle and discreet, not necessarily out-and-out super evil.
In our society today, sexual immorality isn't looked upon or considered a sinful act.
Has God changed his position on what's evil?
If He doesn't like evil, there's reason it's harmful and not good for us.
If the heart is ruled by sin, it's hardened against trusting in God the Father and God the Son, so it's very, very susceptible of being influenced by the one whom I refer to as the Father of all things evil, dark, corrupt, and bad.
The heart can't be trusted to anything but what's in it.
(I'm factoring in what may be right for one person isn't necessarily right for another because
folks have different individual desires, wants and needs). What's important is do the desires and choices fall inside or outside the boundary of sin.
So, with the ever present sinful nature and humanly imperfections always in play,
only you can answer the question, 'can you always trust your heart to lead you right?' If your heart is leading you to trust it to the Lord, your heart IS leading you right. You can trust, believe and have faith that the Lord loves you unconditionally, and is forever faithful and true to you, and without question or fail has your best interest at heart. He's proven and demonstrated his love for you by sacrificing his life so that you may have life and peace with God the Father. The heart of Jesus is filled with more love for you than you can ever imagine, now and forever.
Video-Celine Dion singing, "Because you loved Me"
And this song about being loved, 'All the Way'-
The initial and always 'right' choice is to humbly, willingly and faithfully choose to invite Jesus into your heart.
This changes the condition of your heart into a beautiful, regenerated heart so it can be lead by the Holy Spirit to be influenced into godliness and righteousness.
A heart obeying the lead of the Holy Spirit is the only way and time a heart can be trusted.
So, can you always trust your heart?
I think first you should ask yourself what's the condition of your heart, and, what or who is your heart being influenced and lead by?
