Whether it is money in a bank or third base in a game … we go to great extremes to protect what is important to us. God knows that to be true, that’s why He asks us to make guarding our heart a priority.

Scripture

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. 

Proverbs 4:23-26

Reflect

Above all else guard your heart.  Our heart is the source of the life we live, not just the blood pumping heart in our body, but the Christ Centered heart in our spirit.  It is important to Him and He wants it to be important to us.   He asks us to do so and then quickly gives us specific ways to guard our hearts.  

It’s as if He is saying, “behind this locked door is treasure that you cannot fathom.  It is so very important and this is how I want you to guard it…

1. Watch your words. They are the overflow of your heart (Prov. 4:27) but also be very very careful as to what words you let dwell in your heart.   Let the true and life giving words Jesus tells us be the ones filling your heart … you are loved, you are forgiven, God has a plan for you, God is with you … and so many more.
2. Look towards God.  If we spend all of our time watching America’s Got Talent … then AGT will become our filter and reference point for all things! If we spend all of our time looking towards God … then He will become our filter and reference point for all things!  It’s obvious which one will be more life giving.  A dancing dog won’t give us much help when we look to make small or big decisions in our lives.
3. Pay attention to where you are going.  You would never walk through the Grand Canyon blind folded or go on a roller coaster right after heart surgery.  Nope.  You would pay attention to where you are going and what your heart is ready to take on.  The same with our heavenly heart.  Pay attention to where you are going, who you are hanging out with, what will be good for your heart.  These things will protect you and your heart.

Camper Corner

Together, name five things good and helpful to protect your heart.  Now think how you can find or do those this week … in your car, in your home, in your schedule.  Encourage each other and celebrate as your family does them together.