Read Ezekiel 36:22-27. John 14:15-21
People that need a heart transplant are suffering from the end stage heart failure brought about by either some disease, a hereditary condition or some catalyst such as alcohol, drugs etc. Without a transplant things look grim for these people.
Spiritually speaking each and every single person needs a heart transplant. The Bible is clear that we have all suffered from terminal heart failure. Our heart towards God has failed and rather than loving God wholeheartedly as we should (see yesterday’s notes) we have loved ourselves and sought our own well being and entertainment/happiness above and beyond all other things and all other people. The Bible calls this “sin”. The Bible is equally adamant that the only cure for this heart condition is radical surgery that gives us a new heart. Without the operation, the future looks very bleak.
But God in His grace and mercy offers a heart transplant to all who would turn to Him in faith. He offers to wash you clean, to remove all the cause of heart failure and to give you a new heart. Even more so, He offers you a better heart that is actually tuned into God and actually wants to serve and love God.
God can do this through His Holy Spirit. God promises that His Holy Spirit will dwell with each and every single person who puts their faith and trust in Christ Jesus.
But what does that mean? Picture Jack. For the first time in his life he hears the truth about Jesus. He hears that Jesus came from God into our world through the virgin Mary. He hears that Jesus lived a perfect life but died on the cross for the heart failure of the world. He hears of the resurrection to eternal life on the 3rd day and the coming judgment, where all those with heart failure will receive their eternal reward. He also hears that all those who turn to Jesus in faith will be given a new heart and are adopted as God’s children and will receive not condemnation but glorious salvation.
Jack is convicted and knows deep within that he has put himself above God and has not given God the glory due to Him. Jack makes a firm decision to turn his heart and mind around. He tells God that he’s sorry for the way he’s lived his life. He asks for forgiveness and invites God into his life. He thanks God that Jesus died and rose for him personally.
The Bible is clear that at that point Jack has become a child of God. He has been forgiven for every thing in his life that has displeased or offended God. He is filled with the Holy Spirit and has turned over a new leaf, an eternal new leaf. Life for Jack can never be and will never be the same. He has had a spiritual heart transplant.
Jack attaches himself to a local church and starts to worship with other heart transplant patients in that local gathering. Over time he realises that God wants to be Lord of his finances, his work life, his family, his words and even his TV viewing habits. Jack willingly and joyfully gets rid of the things in his life that are contrary to loving God. He even starts bringing his friends and wider family to church so that they too can hear about the life saving heart transplant that he’s experienced.
Jack finds that more and more his heart is pulled towards God, away from the things in the past that used to give him pleasure. He is finding that he doesn’t want to speak like he used to or watch the things he used to watch or even to do some of the things he used to do. Jack is finding that the Spirit is moving more powerfully in his life and is calling him to adventures and projects that previously would have been impossible to even contemplate. But, having had a heart transplant not only is Jack filled with eager anticipation, he’s joyous and trusting God wholeheartedly.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Do you know people that need a spiritual heart transplant? Pray for each one now by name. Ask God to shower these people with his love and mercy and grace. Pray that God would be preparing these people for a transplant and that he would use you in the surgery.
¥ Pray that God would continue to provide for Shiloh Church Ministries in India and that he would supply all their needs in Christ Jesus.
Discussion Questions For Families and Groups
1. List the people you know that need a spiritual heart transplant.
2. What is your role and what is God’s role in their heart transplant?
3. Pray for each one today.
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