Rhapsody of Realities - Prepare Your Heart To Receive - 2015/08/12

Pastor Chris

Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked (Deuteronomy 10:16).

When the children of Israel were about to cross the Jordan, the Lord spoke to Joshua to tell the people to prepare themselves, because it was going to be a great miracle; it was going to be a different kind from what they had known in the days of Moses. Moses had to stretch forth his hand over the waters of the Red Sea, and God sent a strong wind to split the sea wide open.

But when Joshua got to the River Jordan, he didn't have to stretch his hands over the waters or reach for the rod of Moses. He sent the Priests ahead of him and all they did was to step into the water, and the Jordan opened up for the people to walk through on dry ground. It was a new day! Nevertheless, God told them to prepare.

Always, God wants us prepared. He even said, in judgment, "prepare to meet thy God" (Amos 4:12). In everything, He wants you to prepare. He doesn't just take us by surprise.

Before you attend any service in Church, for example, it's important that you prepare your heart for what the Lord is going to bless you with. Our opening verse says, "Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart." He's telling you to cultivate and condition your spirit; break up the fallow grounds; prepare your heart for the change, the glory, which the Lord is bringing to you. Prepare for the Word that's coming to you. His Word is the only material that can catapult a man from one level of glory to another. His Word is life!

For every opportunity you have to receive the Word of God, you must prepare your heart and let the message that comes to you affect your life. Receive the Word joyfully and wholeheartedly, and you'll be amazed how it'll produce result in your life. If you're the one to share God's Word with others, prayerfully and meditatively prepare your message.

PRAYER

Dear Father, thank you for the opportunity of being regularly exposed to the ministry of your Word. At every of such opportunities, my heart is set in order, fully prepared to receive the Word joyfully, without doubts or unbelief. My heart is completely available to you for the expression of your glory in my life, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Further Study: 

Jeremiah 4:3-4 For thus saith the Lord to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. 4 Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings. 

Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.

2 Chronicles 12:14 And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord.

Daily Scripture Reading

1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Romans 14:1-23-15:1-4,
Psalms 90-93

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 15:11-19,
Judges 20

EXTRACT FROM: Rhapsody of Realities