Apprentice 2 Jesus

The battle is for the heart. Jesus came to give life and give it more abundantly. Satan only comes ti kill, steal and destroy. Our hearts, the innermost being of who we are, have two places to live: in the abundance of Christ or the barrenness of the enemy. When we live with the abundance of Christ we will face battles. Our outlook and ability to cope is VASTLY different, however.

Our hearts, through Christ, are changed hearts. They are transformed by his grace. This allows us to live in the abundance promised by Christ. It is a place of contentment, knowing his presence and power even in the most difficult circumstances.

Through changed hearts we are then admonished to GUARD our hearts. The heart is the wellspring of life. Everything flows from the heart. I think this is what Augustine sensed. Our hearts really are restless until they are changed by Christ. Then, they find their rest. A guarded heart is one that has the guidance of the Spirit. It is a heart that listens to the Spirit and does not allow the junk of life to clutter the space as much as it used to.

We also need TRAINED hearts. We can LEARN Christ. We LEARN his ways through the Word and through the Church. We can LEARN how to walk in newness of life.