Monday, January 18, 2016

Is Jesus Living in Your Heart?


Into my heart, into my heart. Come into my heart Lord Jesus

Come in today, Come in to stay.  Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.   

                                                                                              Harry Dudley Clarke (1888-1957)

Almost a year ago I began thinking on the truth of Christ living in our hearts. And a few months later I came across a book by Dennis and Dr. Jen Clarke, Deep Relief Now (Healed, Free,Whole). While reading one summer day I was sitting in a park surrounded by the squeals of children in the distance when the author said to stop reading and to practice sitting in the Presence of Jesus, who lives in our heart. So I did!

I said, “Lord, You are as close to me as my heart and You can't get any closer than that!” And as I sat there quietly I felt His presence close to me. How precious that time was as I had fellowship with my Lord. Tears from my eyes, praise from my lips, but most importantly, sweet communion with my Savior. Jen puts it this way, “A change occurred from talking to God to simply experiencing His Presence and enjoying fellowship with Him.” Col 1:27 Christ in you, the hope of glory.

One day recently I was driving down the road in my empty school bus when my mind went to a man I know who is suffering with cancer and perhaps not going to live long. I wondered if he is a Christian and imagined myself asking him about his spiritual well being. I didn't want to ask, “Are you a Christian” because that is different things to different people. So I framed a question in my mind, “Have you invited Jesus into your heart to be your Savior?” And the light bulb in my mind went off! We often use this phrase, “Invite Jesus into your heart” and then forget - that is where He lives, forever.

So this truth I have been mediating upon for over a year came full circle with this question!

Eph 3:16 . . . according to the riches of His glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being. 17. That Christ may make his home in your hearts by faith, that you, being rooted and grounded in love may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Phil 3:10 AMP . . .That I may know Him (that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly.)

This leads to intimate prayer. “Prayer is not a long distance call to a God far away in heaven, but if we have given our heart to Christ, He isn't “way out there” but rather “right in here – in our heart!” - Jen Clark. She also says, “Whether we realize it or not, we are His constant delight. Every time we draw close to Him, it ravishes His heart because He loves us that much.” Zeph 3:17, The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, A Savior (who Saves)!, he will rejoice over you with joy; he will rest (in silent satisfaction) and in His love He will be silent and make no mention (of past sins or even recall them); he will exult over you with singing. AMP version

The same door we open to Jesus to come into our heart at salvation is the same door we must open for Him in our daily lives, allowing Him access to us. My prayer is that you realize how close Christ is to you as a believer and that you cultivate an awareness of His presence within you.

Does Jesus live in your heart?

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