Devotions Inspired by the Fresh Start BibleSample

It Starts with the Heart

By Monica Bates

The Lord has blessed my husband and me with three amazing daughters. When I was pregnant with my first daughter, my husband and I set up our first prenatal appointment with the doctor. I was so excited for this visit and had little idea of all that it was going to entail. As they celebrated with us on our pregnancy, the first thing they set out to do was to hear the baby’s heartbeat. When we saw the image of our precious child on the ultrasound screen, we listened intently to hear the rhythm of our baby’s heart. We did not even think about the child’s sex, if the baby had ten fingers and toes or two eyes, ears, legs, and arms. At that moment, we only wanted to hear the rapid cadence through the primitive ultrasound speaker. The Lord whispered to me at that moment, I care very much about the heart. That is where I start.     

In today’s reading plan the authors of Genesis, Psalms, Proverbs, and Matthew share matters of the heart with us. We read about jealousy, impatience, betrayal, trust, and rescue. These are the things that make our hearts beat out of rhythm throughout our lives as we enter into various seasons. 

What is the rhythm of your heartbeat with God? Will you allow God to align your heart with His?  

Prayer

Lord, thank You for caring about my heart. I believe that as I draw close to You, You will draw close to me. Help me to hear Your heartbeat. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Memory Verse

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28–30