Something Needs to Change?

“Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts and see if there is any wicked way within me…” Psalms 139:23-24

When we pray this prayer it is usually when we know something needs to change at the heart level.  No real change occurs outside of trust and relationship, for these are two of the most important functions of the heart.  In a relationship with another, you must be willing to change and trust that God will work in the other person by showing them what needs to change.

The rules that govern the heart are established early in life. Like hinges and locks on a door need to be changed because they get rusty and affect how the door opens and closes, the rules that open and close the doors of the heart need to be looked at and changed so the door of the heart can open freely again.

Is there someone who you have shut out by closing the door of your heart?  Is the Lord pressing upon you to change your attitude by opening the door and fellowshipping with them again?  Or, is there someone in your life who you will crack the door open just enough to say, “What do you want?” It may be the time to open the door and say, “I am sorry I was wrong for locking you out of my life, please come over and let’s talk things out.” Change is possible when your turn to God and ask Him to create within you a pure and clean heart, removing all the rust of resentment so the door of your heart will open to those you love.

“Search me Lord, and know my heart,”

Love Never Fails

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God…” (John 4:7)

Letting someone know how much you love and appreciate them is the key to a meaningful relationship.  Everyone needs to know they are loved; love is the motivating force behind most of our feelings and actions. When you do not think you are loved you shut down, but when you know you are loved, you feel encouraged and motivated and your spirit is awakened.

The need for love is as essential as the need for water. You can not live very long without water and you cannot live without love. When water is being poured out it flows. Love is much the same way when it is poured out there is a flow, and you will notice a distinct flow in a relationship where love is present.

In a marriage there has to be a connection or bond for the love to flow.  If either the husband or the wife does not know how to bond then it will be hard to have a flow in the relationship. A bond is like a pipeline that connects the two people together.  In your home you know you have a leak in the pipes if you turn on the shower and only a few drops come out. The same is true in a marriage if you start a conversation and only get a few drops are heard, you have a problem.

Other signs that love is not flowing:

  • Every conversation ends in a misunderstanding
  • Every conversation ends with someone hurt
  • Every conversation requires one to be defensive
  • Every conversation end up with only one doing all the talking

Because love is as essential for life as water, many marriages are drying up like a dessert waste land. The main plant that can live in a desert is a cactus. If you have ever tried to get close to a cactus you will know they are unlovable and are not very huggable. A marriage can get to this point without the flow of love on a daily basis. If you realize your marriage has become a desert, and your relationship is not growing, it is time to water it.  Begin showing love again, love never fails.

Written by Denise Boggs.