Steps to a Whole Heart — ————————Dec 18, 2024 If there is no change & progress, then God’s Word does not have a proper place in your heart. Mark 4:24 amp And He said to them, Be careful WHAT you are hearing. The measure[of thought and study] YOU GIVE [to the truth you hear] will be the measure[of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you—and more [besides] will be given to you who hear. Luke 8:18 Therefore take heed HOW you hear.... 1 Thess 2:13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.

you are [counterfeits] disapproved on trial and rejected?

Choose – make decisions that will cause you to grown & mature as a Christian. Take action concerning re-adjusting your priorities. Jos 24:14-15 ( msg ) "So now: Fear GOD. Worship him in total commitment. Get rid of the gods your ancestors worshiped on the far side of The River (the Euphrates) and in Egypt. You, worship GOD. vs 14

"If you decide that it's a bad thing to worship GOD, then choose a god you'd rather serve--and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you're now living. As for me and my family, we'll worship GOD." Vs 15

  1. Confess – confess your sins to release what is bad. Prov 28:13 ( NKJ ) He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. 1 Jn 1:9 ( NKJ ) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. What you confess & forsake, you are free from; what you don’t confess, you will remain bound to. ( Jm 5:16 ) Confess the Word of God to receive what is good. ( Mk 11:23 )
  2. Focus – learn to think on God’s Word. Col 3:1-3 ( amp ) IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. vs 1

And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. vs 2

For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. vs 3 Ps 1:1-3 ( NKJ ) Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. vs 2

He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. Learn to think from God`s perspective . If you don't control your thoughts you will not have a whole heart.

Relationships – build relationships with strong Christians who will sharpen you in a positive lifestyle. Prov 27:17 Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Ps 68:6 God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a dry land. vs 6 Acts 4:23 ( KJV ) And being let go, they went to their own company… Ps 92:13-14 ( NKJ ) Those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. vs 13 They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, vs 14

  1. Protect – guard your heart from old thoughts and behavior patterns.

Prov 4:23 Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you. vs 24 Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you. vs 25 Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. vs 26 Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil. vs 27

(eg) Stay away from places, activities & relationships that will pull you back to former habits.

Pg 7

  1. Endure – stay with it, you will see results if you don’t quit. Isa 41:9-16 ( amp ) You whom I [the Lord] have taken from the ends of the earth and have called from the corners of it, and said to you, You are My servant--I have chosen you and not cast you off [even though you are exiled]. vs 9 Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. vs 10 Behold, all they who are enraged and inflamed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; they who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. vs 11 You shall seek those who contend with you but shall not find them; they who war

against you shall be as nothing, as nothing at all. vs 12 For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you! vs13 Jude vs 24 ( amp ) Now to Him Who is able to keep you without stumbling or slipping or falling, and to present [you] unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the presence of His glory in triumphant joy and exultation [with unspeakable, ecstatic delight]--

Col 1:23 ( amp ) [And this He will do] provided that you continue to stay with and in the faith [in Christ], well-grounded and settled and steadfast, not shifting or moving away from the hope [which rests on and is inspired by] the glad tidings (the Gospel), which you heard and which has been preached [as being designed for and offered without restrictions] to every person under heaven, and of which [Gospel] I, Paul, became a minister.

Gal 6:9 ( NKJ ) And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.