I have a heart condition. It's called mitro valve prolapse. It's not really a big deal. Basically, one of the valves in my heart is sluggish. It lags behind the other valve in pumping blood through the chambers in my heart. I do have to take care and watch out for certain risks. For one, I'm not supposed to do high impact aerobics...oh, darn! (That was a sarcastic 'darn'. Dancing with the kids on Sunday mornings isn't high impact...I took high impact aerobics once upon a time - NEVER, EVER AGAIN!) I also am at greater risk of infection to settle around the membrane of my heart. Therefore, if I have any surgical, medical, or dental procedures done, I have to take antibiotics for 24 hours prior to and during the procedure. I am also prone to medication induced tachacardia - mostly caused by migraine medications. Other than this, I'm pretty normal. Though there are risk factors that I must watch out for, I don't let it hinder my life or serving Christ. I still dare to dream big for the life God has planned.
So, what is your heart condition? Did you know that if you want to achieve your Big Dream that you must first have a healthy heart? According to Bruce Wilkenson, the author of the Prayer of Jabez, The Dream Giver, and Beyond Jabez, there are two heart conditions that we must possess in order for us to be a conduit for God's power.
The first condition of the heart is humility. In order to achieve the big dream, we must be humble. What is humility? Humility IS NOT putting yourself down or counting yourself out. It is not thinking of yourself as totally worthless. Humilty IS looking out for the interests of God and others first. Humility is having a true perspective of yourself, acknowledging your identity in Christ, being greatly loved as His masterful creation. Humility is serving others. Humility is looking to the interest of others, not just your own interests. Paul gives us a wonderful description of Christ-like humility. "Don't be selfish, don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too." Phillippians 2:3-4.
The second condition of the heart is focus. In order to acheive the big dream God has planned for us, we need to be focused. We need to drown out the cares of this world that keep us from accomplishing this dream. The enemy, Satan, loves to distract us. How? Through entertainment, video games, movies, the radio, through family conflict, anxiety, worry, greed, pride, busyness, ...you name it, he'll use it to distract your focus. Our focus needs to be first on Christ, seeking His will and guidance. Our efforts reflect our focus. If our focus is on ourselves, it'll show. We'll not achieve the big dream God has for us. Focus on Christ. Do not take your eyes off of him. Remember Peter? The night Jesus walked on water. Peter wanted to join Him. As long as Peter looked upon Christ, he was fine. He walked on the water. The moment his focus shifted off Christ and he began to fear, he started to sink - to drown.
"Then Peter called to him, 'Lord, if it's really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.' 'Yes, Come,' Jesus said. So Peter went ove the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. 'Save me, Lord!' he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. 'You have so little faith,' Jesus said, 'Why did you doubt me?'" Matthew 14: 27 - 31
Keep your focus on The One who will give you the ability to walk on water. Keep your eyes fixed on The One who will accomplish that big dream through you.
Though Wilkenson mentioned two conditions of the heart, I'd like to add two additional conditions that I believe we need to accomplish God's big dream for us. The third condition of the heart that we need is obedience. We must have obedient hearts. We can not accomplish anything for Christ if we are not obedient! We need to submit to Christ DAILY. It is through our obedience that we show the true condition of our heart. Jesus said, "If you love me, obey my commandments." John 14:15
Finally, I believe the fourth condition of the heart that we need is faith. We must have a heart of faith in order for God to use us in achieving His big plans. Without faith, we are inept in doing anything for Christ. The disciples learned this when they attempted to cast out a demon from a man and failed. In response to this dilemma, Jesus pointed out that it was their lack of faith. He further expounded on this saying, "'I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.'" Matthew 17:20-21 What's the mountain standing in the way of your big dream? Have you asked God to move it? Do you have faith that He will?
So, do you have a healthy heart? Do you have the four heart conditions needed to accomplish the big dream God has set before you? If not, ask Him to search your heart and reveal the unhealthy conditions that keep you from experiencing the joy of living for Him. Repent and ask for His forgiveness. Ask for humilty, focus, faith, and help in obeying Him. Then brace yourself. He may need perform 'surgery' on your heart to get you ready for that big dream.
Take care, friends. He loves you so very much and desires to see you succeed! May we honor and glorify Him today!
In His Love, Cathy
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