Heart in Bloom

“The refining fire of God’s spirit performs thousands of miracles every day:

Clay is fairly inexpensive in its raw form. But in the hands of a pottery, it can be turned into very expensive pottery. Look at the free energy that’s generated by the sun. The heat and light performs thousands of miracles a day in the plant kingdom. Then think of the refining fire of God’s Holy Spirit, performing thousands of miracles a day in the spiritual realm. God our Father’s regenerating power can take the dull and ordinary things of our lives, even the burned out ashes of our past, and make them into something useful, even beautiful. With the power of God’s spirit, we can do wonderful things with our lives, and do it all to the glory of God. ‘I will rejoice in the Lord,’ proclaims the Psalmist David in Psalm 35:9.

Jesus is the source of our joy and no words can fully describe it. It is a joy ‘inexpressible and glorious,’ the Apostle Peter in Peter 1:8 writes. Christ is the answer to our world’s sadness, discouragement, and discord. One of the things that we all need to do more is find ways to praise our creator God and our redeemer Lord. ‘I will bless the Lord at all times,’ writes David. ‘His praise shall continually be in my mouth.’ (Psalms 34:1)

Right at the beginning of this Psalm, you see that David doesn’t say, ‘I’m very happy all the time.’ What he says is, ‘I bless God’ at all times. What you ought to be saying is, ‘I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.’ These aren’t the words of someone who’s always feeling on top of the world and everything is always going their way. It is the words of someone who has made up his mind to speak a blessing every chance they get, giving thanks in all things. Our christian life isn’t going to always lift us out of the boring things of life. Actually, it is going to inspire us to share the pain and misfortunes of others so we can help them in their times of need. Verse 18 of this same chapter, the Psalmist says, ‘If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there.’

Jesus began a healing ministry to the sick, the hungry, the guilty, and even the dead. It didn’t matter why anyone was in trouble, whether it was their fault or caused by someone or something else. What matters is that God is right there in the middle of our problems, and we should also be willing to be in the middle of other people’s troubles to help them. God picks up the pieces of our broken hearts and puts them back together again. That’s God’s love for us and what Jesus demonstrated in His life.

So we can confidently say, ‘Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Romans 8:39)

In more detail the Apostle Paul says, ‘For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Romans 8:38-39)

Do you bless God every chance you get? The Psalmist David had determined that he was going to speak a blessing every chance he got. He was going to be ready to give thanks for every little thing. In chapter 4 verse 5, we read, ‘I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.’

Our Christian faith doesn’t insulate us from problems or even suffering. Some of the things we see and feel will be painful or bad. That is why in verse 18 the Psalmist says, ‘The LORD is near to the brokenhearted…’

There will be times when our hearts break, but if we’re blessing God every chance we get, we’ll find the Lord beside us. David lived at a time not like what we are living in today. In these Old Testament days, there was a kind of misfortune as a sign of divine punishment, whether it was sickness, disability, poverty, or death.

Jesus in His New Testament teachings dispelled this fraudulent theology, by His healing ministry that helped the sick, the brokenhearted, the hungry, the guilty, and even the dead. So what did those touched by the healing ministry of Jesus have to do to get His help? Just to show their faith in Him.

He healed them regardless of how they got into that situation, Jesus doesn’t care why we are in trouble, whether it is our fault or the fault of someone else. We live in a society that loves to place the blame for all our problems on someone else. God doesn’t care whose fault it is. If we’re in trouble, we can be assured that He’s right there in the middle of our troubles. ‘This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles,’ writes David in chapter 34 verse 6. ‘The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!’

‘When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.’ (Psalm 34:17-18) And that is why we should bless God every chance we get! I sought the Lord and He answered me, He delivered me from all my fears.’ (Psalms 34:4)

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in trying to satisfy our wants that we neglect our needs. The things we want aren’t nearly as important as we might think they are and the things we truly need are what should really be our focus.

Paul in his letter to the Philippians tells us that God is very concerned about our needs. (Philippians 4:19) All of us have different needs and God knows what they are, and will help us satisfy them if we will only listen to what He is telling us through the power of the Holy Spirit. We don’t all get the same standard of living out of the life God has laid out for us, but we all get the same Lord who is always considering our needs.

This same God always takes us seriously, forgives us unconditionally, and loves us forever. Our wants might not always be supplied, but our needs will always be taken care of by the Lord. The Apostle Paul, in the 4th chapter of Philippians, shows us things we all need as Christians. ‘Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.’ ‘Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.’ (Philippians 4:4-5) Again why? Because it makes us feel better, and it makes others feel good too.

Being considerate of our children, our husband, wife, parents, relatives, friends, and even those we meet on a daily basis is all part of Paul’s command. Be peaceful, that’s something often hard to do when we’re worried about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this you will experience God’s power, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. (Philippians 6:7)

Paul says we need a positive attitude, ‘whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.’ (Philippians 4:8-9)

Paul learned to be happy and content, even when he had to do without things and even while he was in prison. Paul says, ‘for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.’ (Philippians 4:11-13)

The Philippians helped Paul and they were blessed because of it. ‘Not that I seek the gift,’ says Paul, ‘but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.’ (Philippians 4:11-13) All of us can be blessed if we are willing to be generous. It is part of satisfying our needs. Let God help you,’ And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.’ (Philippians 4:19-20)

‘Rejoice in the Lord always,’ ‘And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 4:4,7)”