Heart's Message

OPEN YOUR HEART

Click on the links below to browse the site!

Navigating the Heart

Home

Heart’s Message

Deception’s Whisper

By Rashauna

Have you noticed that Satan rarely attacks us when we are happy or satisfied with our life? No, he waits until we feel insecure or until we face trials in our life for him to rear his ugly, deceptive head. His words are powerful, negative, and suggestive. And, unfortunately, we listen. Why? Perhaps we feel the need to justify our feelings or to understand why difficult situations are happening to us. Do you recognize any of the following? “I’m worthless.” “It’s always my fault.” “No one will love or like me.” “I’m not beautiful/handsome enough.” “I’m dumb.” “I’ve messed up so much already, God won’t forgive me anymore.” Or “I’ll never amount to anything, so why even try?”

Listen to me. Don’t pay any attention to these suggestive, deceiving lies from Satan. The devil is patient and waits to feed on our insecurities and shortcomings, always ready to remind us. We don’t have to take that from him! One of his ploys is getting us to think we are weak. Wrong. We are powerful beings. We have God and his mighty army on our side! Recognize him (the devil) for what he is and denounce him. He will flee. Once he knows that his ploys will not work, he will leave. Our best defense is surrounding ourselves with God’s protection. Along with reading and meditating his Word, strengthen yourself by reading uplifting, Christian material; speaking with other strong Christians; or praying. Since we are created in God’s image, any lie the devil whispers to us is therefore invalid. Our God is not worthless. Our God will always love us. Our God is powerful. Our God will always forgive us if we come to him with a repentant heart, and will give us another chance.

I will admit that it’s easy to agree with whatever emotion you feel when you are down. We are human. We have strong emotions. But the key is don’t stay down. “Resist the devil, and he will flee.” Recognize him and those condemning feelings for what they are… emotions. We are stronger than this. We won’t lose until we quit, so never give up. Hold your head high and smile. The next time you are having a rough day and those negative thoughts come to you, speak against them. Isaiah 30:19 states, “…How gracious he will be when you cry for help. As soon as he hears, he will answer you.” Bring your emotions and situations to God. He is the perfect source of comfort, peace, and guidance.

In Christ,

Rashauna

Christ’s Purpose

By Rashauna

Approximately 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ was born. He—as a child and as an adult—remained pure and consistent with his calling. His purpose in this life was not simple. Along with acceptance, gratitude, and praise, he would forever encounter ridicule, opposition, and persecution. These negative aspects did not hinder his drive. His purpose? Give his life to save the human race from sin and condemnation. He is accomplishing this every day.

Many times we forget that for thirty-three (33) years, our Savior felt every human emotion, including his responsibility as the Son of God. The Bible mentions how Jesus shed his blood for us, releasing us from the curse of sin. This bloodshed is literal. From his birth to shedding his blood, a new race was conceived. No longer are we separated by race, creed, or nationality. Christ died for everyone. This new race is the Christians. The requirements to become a member of this emerging, heaven-appointed race are to believe and to trust our Savior.

Christmas is the season designated to remember the glorious event that changed the world… Jesus’ birth. Gather your family and friends on this wonderful day. Worship together. Pray together. We are children of God! Our Savior was not born in vain. Millions of people have devoted their lives to Christ because their eyes were opened to the revelation that he cares, loves, and saves us. We are guaranteed a place in heaven for all eternity. We have the seal of God in our hearts, therefore, we must remember to “…let our light shine before men, that they may see our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven…” Matthew 5:16

Delicate

By Rashauna

My faith in God’s power and love was strengthened a few weeks ago. Never before had passages from the Bible seemed so real… seemed so magnificent. I realized that we are made in God’s image. He does care about our welfare and our futures. When he created us, he made us a permanent investment; therefore, he is constantly involved in our lives. He is constantly blessing us even when we seem to be at our worst. Imagine the worst day of your life. Now imagine that day without being under God’s protection. God remains with us even when he allows us to make our own decisions.

The experience that made me realize what an awesome, creative God we serve was watching a surgical procedure. Clothed in surgical scrubs and standing a mere few feet away from the operating table, I watched how fragile life is and how physical appearances are truly only a few inches deep. Our bodies are only a material covering, a temporary persona. Life is not confined to our physical bodies. We are made in the image of God… this refers to our spirits/souls, not our physique. Look around. No one is physically exactly the same. Yet, we all share a spirit linked to the same God.

Remember in Genesis when God created Adam from the dust and breathed into him the breath of life? Believe me… creating a living, breathing being is not a simple task. Remember while Adam slept, God removed a rib from his side and created Eve? Until that day in the operating room, I hadn’t really pondered the impact of those few verses. I watched the surgeon remove a rib from a man’s side. The actual rib was about the length of an adult hand, its width about the width of a thumb. My point is that God took a rib and created an entire person from it. Amazing. Our God is creative, innovation, and skillful. Next time you read your Bible… really think about what you are reading.

Holy Spirit's Power

By Rashauna

While working on the issues for this month, I searched deep within my heart for a topic. Unfortunately, I came up with nothing. Then two dear friends of mine sent articles that touched my heart, renewed my soul, and reminded me of God's promises for me.

Throughout the years, I have relinquished control over my writing and just let Him write through me. This is necessary because I cannot force the articles to come. Writing for me is a gradual revelation. I've learned that I cannot rush God. His timing is perfect. He knows what someone else needs to read so I must give Him full control. I'm just His child, trying my best to be obedient. I rely on God to provide the text. When the Holy Spirit takes control, my fingers flow across the computer keyboard and I literally read the articles as they are written. Whew. What an experience!

Jesus is alive. He wants to be active in our lives if we only allow him. My challenge to you (and to myself) is to let him lead. He has a purpose for us. He knows the direction we should take. He will speak through us when we are faced with obstacles. He will give us favor. When others challenge us, he will radiate from within us. "Let your light shine before men" has become one of my mottos. Sometimes it is not necessary to say a word, yet others around you will feel the peace flowing from you. That's Jesus' presence. Because he understands each one of us and because he feels our triumphs and struggles, he uses those around us to uplift and encourage us. Never underestimate the power of a kind word.

We are children of the King. Our faith and trust in God will sustain us. God is waiting to bless us and to bestow upon us everything we need. Because of our free will, He wants us to admit that we need Him. We become more powerful when we do this. As a child listening to the instruction of our parents, we must hearken and obey to our Heavenly Father. We must claim our inheritance. Living for God is not difficult. Living for Him is very rewarding-in this life and in for eternity. Satan is determined to distract us, to discourage us, and to destroy us. But he will not win. God is the ultimate victor. By Christ's stripes, we are healed.

Please continue to have faith. Please continue to trust God in every aspect of your life. Regardless of your earthly parents, God is a father who will never neglect you, never hurt you, and will always love you. You are in my prayers.

In Christ,

Rashauna

Will You Trust Me?

By Rashauna

Trust me.

These two small words contain a powerful meaning. In order to trust someone, regardless the magnitude, you must believe that person will honor their word and that they care about your welfare. Gaining someone else’s trust is a privilege that is easily broken, and must be earned either through time or through necessity. When you choose to trust someone, you have unspoken faith in that person.

Why does it seem difficult to trust God to lead our lives, totally and unconditionally? Is it because we cannot see His face and read His expression? Is it because we doubt whether His best interest for us will not meet our own expectations?

If we cannot completely trust the God, who created us for a specific purpose and can do no wrong, to guide and protect us, how can we even begin to consider trusting our well-intentioned fellow man?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Search within yourself and consult your Bible to discover His purpose for your life. Relinquish yourself to Him and I promise you will not regret your decision. Everything with God is better than anything without God. Satan will attempt to make your life difficult by distracting and discouraging you. If this happens, you are doing something right! You will emerge stronger and wiser because God is on your side.

Lean not unto your own understanding. No matter how much we plan and prepare, we cannot foresee everything. God can. Listen to His gentle, yet powerful voice. After you learn to trust Him, begin to obey Him and strive to follow His will. Always know that whatever He tells you to do or whatever request He describes in the Bible, He is not trying to make your life boring and uneventful. His guidelines are really few and attainable.

In all your ways acknowledge him. Give God credit for the successes and accomplishments in your life. Including Him and giving Him recognition will enhance your life. God is THE Originator of every creative and beautiful thing on this earth because “…every good and perfect gift comes from above…” In his time, our creative God reveals to those who are willing to listen and follow His instructions about how to manipulate the earth’s resources. Men and women are being constantly inspired to create inventions and technologies that enhance (or hinder if misused) our lives. As I write this article, I give all credit to God and the Holy Spirit within me. These words are not my own. I am simply a person, one of God’s many messengers, willing to let Him use the gift of writing He has given me. To God, we give all honor, glory and praise.

He shall direct your path. He knew you before you were born. When you were placed on this earth, regardless of location and ethnicity, you were given a gift to further his divine plan. It is never too late to let Him use you. Whether or not you detour from what He desires for you, you are influencing someone by your words and by your actions.

Not everyone will be gifted with a charismatic spirit. Not everyone will have public influence, prestige, and power to stir multitudes of people.

That’s all right.

God knew what He was doing when He created you, even though there are times when you may feel out of place or different. Because there are many parts of the spiritual body, each person must contribute by using their individual talents to accomplish one goal: spreading God’s word to those around us so that we can unite as one under Christ.

You are what you are for a reason. Trust God to use you. I’m sure He already has and will continue to do so. You can touch one person’s life, causing a dynamic chain reaction, and never know it.

Trusting requires believing. Believing takes faith. As you listen to the person who asks you to “trust me”, pray for guidance and discernment. He will place people in your path to help you as you travel through life. As you face the day, He will guide your steps if you will only trust in Him and give Him full control. Your Heavenly Father wants you to enjoy life. He will never leave you alone.

Trust me.

In Christ,

Rashauna

God DOES Give Rewards

by Rashauna

God is amazing.

If we wait on Him and trust in Him, He will reward us. We have to have faith in Him that He will supply all our needs. He works through other people, circumstances, and situations.

God is our Father and wants only the absolute best for us. Sometimes we think we want something but we really do not need it. God knows our desires and loves to reward His children. However, He tests us with small things to see if we will listen to His voice. If we follow Him, he will reward us with great and mighty blessings.

At times, we think we should do something to “help God out”, but that is not what He asked. Not only will we have to backtrack because of this mistake, we might miss our opportunity for success. When God rewards, you will not complain. He operates at speeds we cannot comprehend. Whether He blesses us with a car, a house, a family, or a new heart, He is the One who rewards those who diligently seek him.

Never Too Late

~By Rashauna

esus used many parables when teaching the people and his disciples. He knew that the people would not understand his point if he did not code his messages in a parable, or if used lightly, a story. One such parable is the Prodigal son and is found in Luke 15:11-24.

A wealthy man had two sons, both of whom he gave an inheritance. The younger son left his family to wander around the country. While living in sin, he spent his fortune and had to work with a herd of pigs. Instead of continuing to live in poverty and shame, he returned home to his father to ask for forgiveness. His father welcomed him back, just as he was.

I believe the meaning of this story is that no matter what situation we are in, or no matter how much we’ve sinned, God is loving, gracious, and merciful enough to forgive us and welcome us back. An important element is admitting what we have done and repenting enough to change our ways. We can verbally promise, “I will never do that sin again,” but continue to think about how not to get caught the next time. That will never work because God knows our hearts.

Until we take our last breath, it is never too late to call on God or to ask him to forgive us. His love for us is indescribable. He proved his love for us by giving up his only son 2,000 years ago. While God already knew that Jesus would die a horrible death, Jesus sacrificed his life to save us from eternal torment by paying the price for our sin.

Text Box: It’s never too late to call on GOD!! God has a plan for human life. He’s creating a Bride for his son, Jesus. Jesus’ Bride is the church [the believers in Christ] and will be a masterpiece, sculpted by the hands of God.

It is not God’s will for anyone to perish. When he created us, he gave us a will to choose whom we will serve. He wants us to choose him. It is never too late to cry out to God.

A portion of the inheritance God gives his children are different talents. He wants us to use the gifts he’s given us for his glory. Many of us decide to use our talents in ways that do not glorify God and end up losing that gift. When we do what God wants, we can never lose.

Always remember that God will never forsake you and like the father in Jesus’ parable, God is our Heavenly father who will forgive us and welcome us back home.

Armed in Prayer

By Rashauna

e here at Open Your Heart are praying for you and your family. We are praying for security and unity in your life. We are also praying that you will continue to discover God’s peace and purpose for you. Don’t let the devil take hold in your life and destroy your joy.

We are entering into a very different and difficult time in our country. Not only are we involved in a physical war, but also we are involved in a spiritual war. It is easy to forget that there are unseen forces working with and against us. What should be our response?

Prayer.

Prayer is a valuable and powerful tool that is sometimes belittled because it seems like a relatively simple action. Remember Queen Esther in the Bible. She was faced with a decision that could get her and her people killed; yet she and her people knew the power of prayer. They fasted and prayed for God’s favor for three days. The outcome? Victory.

Why is prayer a powerful necessity today? The reason is that Satan knows that time is running out. The body of Christ is becoming stronger and bolder, and people are discovering the everlasting love and mercy of their Heavenly Father, the Creator of all things.

Chaos is erupting in our world—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I’m not talking just about the war overseas… I’m talking about a battle we are facing everyday. We are in a never-ending battle with ourselves and with those around us, regardless of how subtle it is. Just as those fighting for our country are armed and ready, so should we.

God has given us our armor and its description in Ephesians 6:10. We are warned that the battle is not one of the flesh, but of the spirit. No human alone can fight against the spirit realm. Only Christ’s power within us can fight this.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world; against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

After we are clothed in God’s armor and our prayers, reach out to others. We must perfect our family ties as well as our other relationships. The family is being divided with mother against daughter; sisters against brothers; and father against son. Guess who’s grinning at this? Yep. The devil. He knows that a family divided cannot stand the pressures of the outside world. Stop the unnecessary bickering. Listen with respect to each other. Show your love for your family. Stand by them and show them that Jesus is indeed shining through you.

Jesus loves you. No matter what you are going through, remember that Jesus sticks closer than a brother.

In Christ,

Rashauna

God’s Gift

By Rashauna

he greatest of the gifts God has given us is His son, Jesus Christ, in the form of the Holy Spirit. Jesus has been sent to earth to redeem us from our sins by being born of a woman and dying at the hands of man (1st Timothy 1:15). His gift to us is eternal life with him and his father in heaven. It is our choice to accept this gift of unconditional love. This gift is free because Christ paid the price with his life.

Our heavenly Father loves us so much that He created us with a specific gift. Sometimes it is easy to become intimidated with our gift because we feel inadequate, but God will always provide. Do not worry if you are having a difficult time recognizing your gift because He will reveal it to you as you continue to seek Him. All He expects from you is that you glorify Him as you do your best.

Although it takes time to cultivate our faith and our gift, we must do something today. Others should see God shining through our lives even if we are silent. Our influence among our peers may appear subtle, but it is in fact very powerful (Hebrews 4). We serve the great I AM who is the God of the past, the present, and the future.

Compliment someone else on the gift(s) that God gave them because we all need encouragement, guidance, and support. Be thankful that God has specifically given you a way to serve and glorify him. He will never forsake you nor stop loving you because he is a gracious, merciful God. Two of his gifts to us were Jesus and our talent(s), both of which are free. Are you using your gift today?

Thankful Gift

By Rashauna

(all scriptures from NIV)

e should not only be thankful for the special gifts/talents that God has given each of us, but we must be careful about comparing our gifts with others. God made us unique individuals with a specific purpose on this earth. James 1:17 reminds that “every good and perfect gift is from above”. The reason I believe that we must seek God concerning our gift is that our gift translates us into our purpose in life. There are many examples in the bible where people used (or did not use) their gift and the consequences of their actions that followed.

Think of Moses. His purpose was leading the children of Israel out of Egypt and into freedom. In Exodus 3:2, “The angel of the LORD appeared to [Moses] in flames of fire from within a bush” and described to Moses how he would lead the Israelites out of slavery. Moses was afraid that he could not do the job because he had slow speech so God provided ways to assist Moses (Exodus 4:10). When it seems as if we are unable to use our talent, we must completely trust God to supply us with the necessities. While in the wilderness, Moses struck a rock to produce water for the people, but neglected to glorify God. As a result, he did not enter the Promised Land (Numbers 20). Once we recognize our gift, we must use it for HIS glory and honor.

Think of Jonah. His gift was ministering to those around him and sharing God’s word. God gave him the assignment of traveling to Nineveh to warn the people of God’s wrath unless they repented of their sins. Instead of doing this, Jonah tried to bring judgment upon them because he did not think the people of Nineveh deserved to be saved. God is the only one who can truly provide judgment because along with his judgment, he gives mercy. God wants everyone to have a chance and a choice to choose him because it is not his will that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). Jonah’s disobedience proved that our actions really do affect those around us. The shipmates who were on the ship with Jonah almost drowned because of him, and the people of Nineveh would have been destroyed.

One of the greatest examples of someone using God’s gift is Jesus Christ. Besides being the Son of God, his gift was preaching, saving sinners, and performing miracles. He knew the entire time that he would be murdered for obeying his Father, yet he still followed through with God’s plan. Think of what would have happened to us had Jesus lifted his powerful hand against his persecutors and had not died for our sins. Scary. Because he knew the consequences of rejecting God’s plan, Jesus obeyed and proved that he loved all of mankind. He provided a way out of eternal damnation by allowing us the choice of choosing him and everlasting life (John 3:16).

Be thankful for your talent because there is no one quite like you who can perform it. I challenge you this Thanksgiving to write down every gift that God has given you. After you’ve identified your gift, then submit to God and allow Him to express Himself through you to those around you. “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). When He created you, He knew that you would be able to do this job. God believes in you and will never forsake you. Use your gift for His glory and thank Him for all of His blessings.

God’s Peace

by Rashauna

od understands us because He created us in His image, and He doesn’t want us to go through life without His companionship. He loves us and will lead us in our lives if we just allow Him to do His work. We cannot limit God and His power by being narrow-minded toward what He is trying to reveal to us. We should not be anxious about the situations in our lives, but we should release everything to God (Philippians 4:6). Like an architect who sees the entire viewpoint of his designs, God is the same way. He sees what we cannot see and wants to warn us about the dangers ahead. Sometimes when we fall into trouble, we were not listening to Him and to His warnings. In everything we do, we must pray and ask for His help and guidance. Instead of begging and demanding for our way, we must approach God with thankful hearts. Think of everything He has already done for us. We could have died at various times in our lives, but by God’s grace we have survived. When we present our requests to God, we must know that He is willing to fulfill our needs. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23) and He knows what is best for us.

Like the Roman army captain who told Jesus to just say the word and his servant would be healed, we must possess a similar faith and recognize God’s authority (Matthew 8:8). It is difficult to have that kind of unwavering faith, but we must learn not to doubt God’s power. A peace from God is a beautiful thing to experience. We can be in the midst of chaos and difficulties, yet we feel a serene presence in our midst. God is that serene presence. He will give us confidence, peace, and assurance in whatever we are facing. Always by our side, He lifts us up and leads us through us troubles.

Once we realize that God is in control, we can enter into an arena of His peace. He is our teacher, our father, and our protector. His peace is above all human understanding, but we can tap into that understanding through praying and seeking His will for our lives. In the process of His peace guarding our hearts and our minds, we relax and focus on what we need to accomplish. Give everything to Jesus because He always wins.

As we develop a hunger for God, we will want to search for more understanding in His Word and in Him. He will reveal things to us that we have overlooked. Like any relationship, we have to work with God to keep the communication lines open. We might misunderstand Him, falsely accuse Him for the difficulties in our life, or forget to include Him in our daily activities; but UNLIKE human companions, God will never abandon us or forget us. He cannot do that because He is love. He is peace. He is our maker. He has sent his angels to watch over us (Psalms 91). These angels are our bodyguards and they are at war every day with our ever-present enemy: Satan and his demons.

Until you take your last breath, it is never too late to ask God to forgive you. Come to Him and let Him shower you with his everlasting love. Do not worry about tomorrow, because He has everything planned (Matthew 6:34). When things discourage you from reaching your goal, look to God and cry out to Him for strength and love. Include Him in your life and remember that He is with you wherever you go. Jesus has given us a hope and a future in heaven with him and his father. All we must do is accept Him into our life. He died on the cross so that we might live eternally. Remember to spend time with God and to give your desires and problems to God. His peace will guard your heart and your mind as you face tomorrow.

The Time Is Coming

By Rashauna

e have come to a time in history when it is very important for us to know who we are in Christ. It is amazing how God is bringing us into a new age of Enlightenment. Therefore, the time has come for us to release God’s power from within us. We want to know His thoughts. Let us not underestimate His power and move throughout the earth. He knows everything about us because He created us and loves us. He will never forsake us.

Habakkuk 2:3 says, “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie; though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” God has a certain time for when He will reveal His perfect plan for our lives, so we must wait patiently. Once His plan is enacted, everything will fall into place and it will not tarry. Obstacles may arise which try to keep us from reaching the goal, but we will reach the goal if we persevere and lean on Him.

This world is filled with pain and sorrow because of sin. As Christians, we can rise above our adversary and be victorious in the final battle. This is true, but what about now? What can we do to ease our hurt and suffering right now? We must hope; we must have faith; and we must uplift and pray for each other. The Lord is carrying us in His loving arms, and shares our joy and our pain. Our reason and purpose to live in this world is to spread God’s word. Though difficult situations arise, we must not ever lose our hope or our faith because without hope and faith, we may never see the light. Please be encouraged and always remember that someone is praying for you.

The Prayer Room | Gabriel's Links | Subscribe to E-zine | View Message Board | Email Open Your Heart

Last updated December 2003

View the Message Board

Thanks for visiting! Come back soon!

This page was created by:

Gabriel Communication Network