Morning Moments

Mark 8:17 (KJV)
17 And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?

1 Samuel 6:6 (KJV)
6 Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?

Psalm 95:8 (KJV)
8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

Hebrews 3:8 (KJV)
8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

Hebrews 3:15 (KJV)
15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

Hebrews 4:7 (KJV)
7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Have we gotten the picture yet? For Israel and for us, the hardening of the heart is a dangerous thing. It doesn't come at once, but gradually because someone, be it God or man has said something, done something, or didn't say or do something that rubbed us the wrong way.

I am responsible for my own heart and actions, and so are you. Sometimes are words and actions are misguided - the intent is honorable but the expression may seen hostile or harsh, which may cause another to pull away from us. We may never know why, but suddenly the other person is cool, distant, evasive. When that happens it is a golden opportunity for hardening the heart. It can happen with the offender or the offended. One reacts to an action which causes a change reaction and the other sees what is happening and rather than being compassionate and clarify, the attitude becomes one of, "who cares? If they are that sensitive, let them go."

Honestly, what is the difference? By seek to justify themselves. Paul said that our ministry is one of reconciliation. If either is not willing to be reconciled, there will be no reconciliation. At first the reconciliation comes between the party offended and the party offending. Then between both parties and God.

A wife may feel as though she is justified in not loving her husband or vice versa, but God commands us to love and to forgive because we love. When we honestly and willing forgive, the love increases and the offence vanishes. If the offence does not vanish, the offence remains unforgiven. If we will not forgive others their trespasses, we shall not be forgive ours.

This is where true faith is demonstrated. Love conquers all! It is forgiving! Forgiving hearts are loving and compassionate hearts. Unforgiving hearts are hard and when that happens, only God can break that hardened heart. The problem is that if one continues to harden the heart, the God, as he did with Pharaoh will harden it and there is nothing left.

BLESSINGS!