A Daily Devotional with Pastor Doug Crouse July 5, 2018 The Heart Connection Scripture Reading – Psalm 19:14 (NLT)"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." 

I am so thankful that I came from a home where honoring the Lord on His day and attending His house, with His body, was not a hit and miss occasion, but rather a weekly practice. I remember so well one of the benedictions/prayers that would be spoken over the congregation was today's text which points out, 'The Heart Connection' between what we say and what we are thinking about in our hearts and minds.

God we are told does not look on the outward things in our lives, but He sees us from the inside out. He is able to see the heart intention and communication even when the words that one may be speaking may indicate something else.What a beautiful prayer for those of us who belong to Christ Jesus. He has given us a new heart, and the mind of Christ. As we allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate our deepest intentions - then the supernatural course of events is that our words will match up with the One Who has changed our hearts and lives.

For Jesus Christ has redeemed us, saved us from having to live at the base levels of human communication to a higher way of both thinking, living and loving that will point other people to the fact that there really is a living God who loves them too.

As we anchor our thoughts in the purposes of God, the supernatural result is that others will also be touched by the love of God in Christ Jesus. The most important thing of all is that our words will be pleasing to the One who has so completely loved us also. 

Prayer Father, I do realize the heart connection between what I say, think and do. Truly may each and every word that I speak bring honor, glory and praise to You. I ask these mercies through Jesus Christ my Lord. 

Memory Verse:  2 John 1:3a NLT"______, _______, and _______, which ______ from God the Father and from Jesus Christ – the Son of the Father…”