January 3rd, 2023
January 3, 2023
Rev. Craig Groeschel
Life Church
And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh
-Ezekiel 11:19
If I’ve learned one thing from working out, it’s what happens when I stop for a while. Usually because of injury, and sometimes when my schedule gets too busy, I’m forced to skip the gym. But I can always tell the difference when I return.
Without exercise, our muscles atrophy. They become weaker and get stiffer at the same time. Without the benefit of regular exercise, our muscles deteriorate until they can no longer support us or perform the regular functions they once maintained. To be healthy, we must keep moving, stimulating our muscles in order for them to grow stronger.
Our heart muscles work the same way, both literally and figuratively. When we’re not praying, giving, serving, and loving on a daily basis, it becomes harder and harder to feel connected to God, to relate to other people, and to feel the joy that comes from serving them.
Stone hearts don’t harden overnight. They gradually atrophy until we find ourselves with a heart as cold as granite. Regular exercise allows us to love more deeply and serve more humbly. It keeps our hearts tender and compassionate, alive and grateful.
Pray: Dear Lord, I want my heart to be alive and tender, not hard and cold. Even when it’s painful, help me to be sensitive to the needs of others.
Rev. Craig Groeschel
Life Church
And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh
-Ezekiel 11:19
If I’ve learned one thing from working out, it’s what happens when I stop for a while. Usually because of injury, and sometimes when my schedule gets too busy, I’m forced to skip the gym. But I can always tell the difference when I return.
Without exercise, our muscles atrophy. They become weaker and get stiffer at the same time. Without the benefit of regular exercise, our muscles deteriorate until they can no longer support us or perform the regular functions they once maintained. To be healthy, we must keep moving, stimulating our muscles in order for them to grow stronger.
Our heart muscles work the same way, both literally and figuratively. When we’re not praying, giving, serving, and loving on a daily basis, it becomes harder and harder to feel connected to God, to relate to other people, and to feel the joy that comes from serving them.
Stone hearts don’t harden overnight. They gradually atrophy until we find ourselves with a heart as cold as granite. Regular exercise allows us to love more deeply and serve more humbly. It keeps our hearts tender and compassionate, alive and grateful.
Pray: Dear Lord, I want my heart to be alive and tender, not hard and cold. Even when it’s painful, help me to be sensitive to the needs of others.
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2023
January
Daily PowerOur Heart MusclesBlessing Our NeighborsStay in the FightTime to ChangeWell, this is Practical!Keep it to YourselfHumility in FastingSupernatural WisdomMore of YouThese Crazy PeopleCrazy PeopleConvictionOverwhelmedAs Legitimate as Porcelain PieHunger For MoreLove the LightA Fulfillment that DeliversSatisfactionContent With What IsHow Great is Our GodEnough
February
The Goodness of GodDaring God's GoodnessParadox of GraceThe God Who Knows It AllDo Good for the Right ReasonsLet Down Your NetWhy Not Me?His Gift is FreeIntegrity Matters to GodThe Gate is NarrowDoes the End Justify the Means?Point to HimWhat is Right is Not Always EasyDying to SelfPricelessAwake, Sleeper!Sunday BurnMake Me HolyAbove All Else Put On LoveSearch Me, Lord
March
Turning EvilForgive But Not Forget?You Can Only Love God As Much...It's Not All About YouOpen HandsAre we giving God what is rightfully His?A Cheerful GiverGod is Pretty SpecificThe Known GodHumble, Not ProudJesus Changes EverythingIt is DifferentCut Me Some SlackFully KnownGood at ExhortationQuenching the SpiritGrace and TruthLife is Not FairGet Back Up AgainAllowancesOrdinary PeopleAt The Feet of JesusThe Throne of Grace
April
Hosanna!The Last StrawEyes Wide OpenSunday's ComingStay the CourseNot EnoughSpeaking BoldlyJesus is AliveDeath's StingEyes to SeeUninvitedThey're Always Together!Fruit ImpressionsToo Many TabsMessy GraceNoticed the UnnoticeableThree PromisesMutually EncouragedLife is not TriedPatiently, With Confidence
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