What does an Open Heart look like?

As we finish our thoughts on this Easter and how our heart responds, lets first review”

The Biased Heart...intends! 

* The Biased Heart does not care about right or wrong, just a personal agenda!

* The Biased Heart sets out to prove what it already believes.

* The Biased Heart side steps truth and looks for ways to attack.

* The Biased Heart will try and create proof.

* The Biased Heart has an unwillingness to accept Truth.

The Pressured Heart Reacts

* Reaction was based on Reputation

* Reaction was based on Rationalization

* Reaction was based on Fear

As I share the final two hearts, I am so appreciative of how the Holy Spirit works with the Word of God to convict, confirm and encourage our hearts. As I am writing this, it is at a time in my and my wife’s life where we are facing an unknown future concerning ministry, and a time of endeavoring to restore our relationship, which has undergone some real stress in the past few years. As I ponder those years which include many great times and correct decisions, it also includes mistakes and bad decisions. These passages both confirm the conviction of where I made bad choices and bring encouragement of reminding me what right choices bring.

First we look at Peter: Who had an “Unprepared Heart,” which trips!

Matthew 26:69–75 Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.” But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”  Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said.  A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.” Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.

Luke 22:61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, "Before a cock crows today, you will deny Me three times."

The moment we forget that we are in a spiritual war 24/7 our heart becomes unprepared for what the enemy is seeking to accomplish, and before we know it, we have tripped or run into sin. I am sure when the Lord’s eyes connected to Peter’s, he stood in awe wondering how he ended up where he was at that moment. This passage really convicts my heart at this season. I look back over the last few years and wonder, “Nate, why did you do that?” or “Nate what are saying…or not saying?” I realize now I had failed to remain vigilant in my walk and sensitive to the Lord’s voice.

Don’t worry, I did not do anything immoral, but I did ignore God’s voice in areas of my life, which in the end hurts the Lord, my wife and myself. So I identify with Peter, BUT, praise be to God, we know the whole story with Peter, which leads me to our last heart, the one Peter experienced, the one I have experienced many times in my life and because He is faithful, this Truth that can encourage any believer, no matter how down they may feel…even if they had denied the Lord, right in front of His face!

The Open Heart Responds!

No matter where life has you this Easter season, the fact and reality of His resurrection should cause you hope, that if you will open your heart, you will see God do miraculous things in your life!

Context: John 9:1-3 And as He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?"  Jesus answered, "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was in order that the works of God might be displayed in him

The Open Heart Responds to reality

John 9:13-15 They brought to the Pharisees him who was formerly blind. Now it was a Sabbath on the day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. Again, therefore, the Pharisees also were asking him how he received his sight. And he said to them, "He applied clay to my eyes, and I washed, and I see.”

The open heart does not allow fear to control, the way Peter did or I did. We may not understand it all, and not see the complete picture that God does, but when God does what He does, His way, instead of resisting or giving into fear, we just accept the reality. This blind man was under major intimidation from the Pharisees and their self-righteous attitude, yet just told them what had happened. No self defense or trying to protect himself, he just stated what God had done.

The Open Heart Responds to possibility

John 9:17 They said therefore to the blind man again, "What do you say about Him, since He opened your eyes?" And he said, "He is a prophet."

The open heart allows for the God of possible to be Who He is! No matter how deep the pit, if your heart is open, you will respond with hope in the midst of the worst circumstances because you know that God is God!

The Open Heart Responds with no assumptions

John 9:24-25 So a second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, "Give glory to God; we know that this man is a sinner." He therefore answered, "Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see."

What a beautiful example! He did not appoint himself as the authority on anything, he just knew what had happen. When we believe that God is Sovereign the open heart does not need to understand it all, so we make no assumptions! Peter forgot that, and when I began to realize that this disease I had might require me to leave the ministry I love, I assumed God would never ask that. That kind of thinking places your heart on the wrong path.

The Open Heart Responds with courage

John 9:29-33 "We know that God has spoken to Moses; but as for this man, we do not know where He is from." The man answered and said to them, "Well, here is an amazing thing, that you do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes. "We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing, and does His will, He hears him. "Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. "If this man were not from God, He could do nothing."

These leaders looked at this man with disdain, because they possessed so much knowledge and he was a "mere" blind man. Yet, because his heart was open, God supplied the courage he needed to stand firm in his conviction of Who God is, even though he had not met Him yet! How tragic for Peter, and how convicting for me! We both have walked with Him and know intellectually that He will always supply what we need. This past month my heart has wrestled with that reality, and even though I have moments of emotion that “scream” fearful things at me, my heart has reopened to the knowledge and experience of Who my God is!

The Open Heart Responds to Light and that creates Faith

John 9:35-38 Jesus heard that they had put him out; and finding him, He said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" He answered and said, "And who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?" Jesus said to him, "You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you." And he said, "Lord, I believe." And he worshiped Him.

When our heart is open, it responds to His light, which always creates faith! Peter discovered that, after a time in the wilderness. I am discovering that and I want to encourage you if this Easter your circumstances are difficult, no matter the reason. Open your heart and watch what God will do! If you are living in joy and peace with Him right now, be affirmed by this man’s example and remain alert to keep your heart open!

Meditation: What is one specific sin you are dealing with in your life right now? Are you open to hear God guide you away from it? What was the last promptings you heard from the Lord for your life? Are you open to seek and do?