Dancing in the Light

I John 1:7 "If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin."

Name:
Location: North Platte, Nebraska, United States

I am a christian wife, mother and grandmother. I am a licensed Social worker and a licensed Christian counselor. I am most proud of the relationships I have with God, my family and friends all over the world. I have been blessed beyond my dreams.

Thursday, August 09, 2007

The Guards

I was rereading the story of the crucifixion and the resurrection. As I read, I began thinking about the guards and their role in the salvation story. I thought about how the temple guards came to arrest the Innocent Messenger. I thought about the guards who were responsible for watching the Prophetic Prisoner and I thought about the Roman guards assigned the most impossible of tasks---- make sure the Dead Messiah stayed dead. Each guard was given a job--a very specific job. That assignment was their focus of the day. Theoretically, it was the only thing on their minds. They were not to be thinking about dinner, vacation or the long walk home. They were to focus only on the prisoner and each knew that guarding Him was a matter of life and death.
I also thought about the most famous guards of our time--the guards at Buckingham Palace. Much has been made over the discipline and unwavering single-mindedness of these guards. These guards stand in their crisp, full-dress red uniforms with their red tunics and bearskins. Countless visitors come to see the palace and many make it their goal to distract the palace guards. They try to make them laugh, flinch, move, smile, etc. I would imagine a few are successful. But I have been told that these guards are so focused on the job of guarding the sovereign that it is extremely difficult to distract them. These men are more than ceremonial figureheads, they are true soldiers, known for their bravery and valor and they are charged with but one task, protect the Queen.
We also are assigned the role of guard. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life." Our responsibility is just as sobering as that of the guards mentioned above. We are to be single-mindedly focused on protecting our heart. We are to let nothing by us that might be detrimental to our hearts. This would include what television and movies we watch, which cd's and radio stations we listen to, how much gossip we soak up, how much joking and coarse jesting we participate in and how many immoral or ungodly thoughts we entertain. Our task is huge, but it truly is a matter of life and death. The wise king reminds us that our heart is the wellspring of life. If a wellspring is tainted it no longer brings forth life but sickness and death. The New Testament admonishes us that it is our heart that determines our character. We are told that as a man thinketh so is he and that out of our heart our words flow. It does not take but a drop of poison in a gallon of water to make one ill. Likewise, "just a little bit" of sin will contaminate the soul.
We have been given a task, a job, an assignment. We are to be alert, stand watch over, guard and protect our hearts. We must hold unswervingly to our task--guard our hearts. It truly is a matter of life and death!

Peace
Neva

22 Comments:

Blogger Monalea said...

Preach the Word! You are so right about guarding our hearts. Funny thing, sometimes I forget what trashes out the heart. Thanks for the reminder.

Monalea

7:33 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great post! We forget that guarding our hearts is job 1

Carlos

7:48 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Neva,
This is the perfect post for today's Christian. Satan is pulling out all the stops to contaminate and poison our hearts.
One of your best!

Pat

8:02 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Guarding my heart and protecting it is something I have been working on for quite some time. Some days are easier than others. I know how necessary it is so I pray for endurance. Thanks for the reminder.

Lyndsay

8:10 AM  
Blogger Liz Moore said...

Thanks for such a powerful post. As the scripture says, "above all else, guard your heart". But I don't think we place it that high up on the priority list. We tend to have the mind set of "oh it's just one small thing, it won't matter that much." But those little things add up and soon our hearts are filled with things they shouldn't be filled with. Whatever our heart is filled with, is what will ultimately flow out. Thanks again! Blessings!

9:33 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Very insightful post-our willingness to dabble in or taste or expereince everything the world has to offer can destroy us.

Dan

12:23 PM  
Blogger The Preacher's Household: said...

I have been preaching and teaching the principles for some time preyy regularly. But, the illustration of the guards at Buckingham Palace is very powerful.
James

12:43 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree with James, what a powerful post. I remember going to London and seeing the guards. I watched as they stoically withstood all the shenanigans of the tourists. It earned my respect to see how in your words, "single mindedly focused" they were. They were all about the business of guarding the royals. You painted a very good picture.
In Him
Georgia

12:55 PM  
Blogger preacherman said...

Great post Neva! We must gaurd our heart at all time.

2:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great analogy. Guarding our heart is one area of our christian walk we often neglect.

Shari

5:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Satan is so crafty, he sneaks sin in and if we are not on guard we will be lost. Thank you for this post.

Carol

6:45 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Neva dear,
your insight never ceases to amaze me. Your posts are always very thoughtful and inspiring. I appreciate your words very much. I always look forward to reading your blog. Today you present another excellent post.

Corinne

7:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am so glad I found your blog. This is just the reminder I needed today. Thank you

Glynnis

9:12 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That'll preach sister--good job

Interested Bystander

9:41 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is a great post---I don't think we hear enough sermons on just how vulnerable our heart is. Thank you for yours,

Jeneane

6:22 AM  
Blogger TREY MORGAN said...

Happy Birthday today Neva ... Still looking and feeling good at 29. Blessings!!!!

6:58 AM  
Blogger Monalea said...

Happy birthday sweet friend!

Monalea

8:59 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Neva!

9:55 AM  
Blogger Dawn's Thoughts said...

Have a blessed birthday!!

11:14 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is such a needful reminder, Neva. Thank you! I am blessed every time I stop by here. I pray all is well with you and your family. In my most recent post, I also speak to matters of the heart.

God Bless You Always!
Scotti

5:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NEVA!!!

7:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A big order, guarding our hearts. Especially when satan pulls out all the stops to get it.

Great post today.

Yvonne

12:44 PM  

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