In what ways can we remove our "heart of stone" today? God’s Promise of Heart Surgery • “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26) • The Lord alone performs the miracle—salvation is His decisive act. • A new heart is both an immediate gift at conversion and an ongoing work of sanctification. Our Response of Faith • Repent and believe: “Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away.” (Acts 3:19) • Receive the Spirit’s indwelling: “Having believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” (Ephesians 1:13) • Yield daily: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) Daily Practices That Soften the Heart • Immerse in Scripture – Regular, prayerful reading (Psalm 119:11) – Memorize and meditate to guard against hardness (Proverbs 4:23) • Confess quickly – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive.” (1 John 1:9) – Keep short accounts with God and people; bitterness calcifies the heart. • Cultivate worship – Praise redirects focus from self to God’s greatness (Psalm 95:1–3). – Singing truth engages both mind and emotions, softening resistance. • Practice obedience – “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” (James 1:22) – Small steps of obedience train the heart toward tenderness. • Embrace fellowship – “Let us consider how to spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together.” (Hebrews 10:24-25) – Transparent community exposes hidden stone pockets and encourages change. • Submit under trials – Hard seasons chip away pride and self-reliance (Romans 5:3-4). – View discipline as loving chiseling rather than punishment (Hebrews 12:10-11). Scriptures to Keep Close • Psalm 139:23-24 – Invite God’s searching light. • Jeremiah 31:33 – God writes His law on tender hearts. • Hebrews 3:15 – “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” • Romans 12:2 – Renewed minds foster pliable hearts. Encouragement for Daily Walk The stony heart is no match for the Spirit’s persistent grace. Keep turning toward Christ, keep your Bible open, stay honest in community, and trust that the One who began this heart-transplant will perfect it “until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). |
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