Above All Else
Message Summary: In the book of Proverbs, God has given us words of wisdom. God has told us in Proverbs to “guard our hearts.” Today’s culture doesn’t value what God values and speaks one thing about us that’s not what God is saying about us. Heart in this scripture is referring to our inner being or thought life. We must choose to guard our hearts from the negativity of today’s culture. On a regular basis, we must assess and replace our thoughts. We must guard our thoughts because they impact our actions. We can replace negative thoughts with words that reflect God’s words and thoughts about us. We need to make sure what we say speaks life to ourselves and others. Be intentional and remind yourself about the good things of others and yourself. Jesus spoke life into others.
Being connected to other Christ followers will help encourage and speak life into you. Value those relationships you make within the church. Isolation is detrimental to us, as well as, comparing ourselves to others or filling our minds with regretful thoughts.
Finally, “fix your eyes on Jesus.” Jesus is not just an idea, concept, or historical figure. He’s a person we can speak to all the time. Make Jesus the center of your thoughts, words, and life. Ask Jesus questions about your life. He’s waiting for you to talk to Him so He can change your heart.
- In what ways do you regularly speak life into others?
- What makes it easy or difficult to speak life into yourself?
- Who are you connected to in your Christian walk?
- Which way are you looking (toward culture or the word of God)?
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) – Guard your heart above all else for it determines the course of your life.
Proverbs 23:7 (NIV) – As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is.
Proverbs 18:21 (NIV) – The tongue can bring death or life, those who love talk will reap the consequences.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV) – Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…