The issues of life flow out of our heart through our mouths, actions and attitudes. Whatever is in our hearts in abundance has a profound way of impacting our circumstances as well as other things around us. It seems like the prophecies of our life can be found in the substance of what is in our hearts. The nature of our hearts is a combination of what is in our spirits and souls. Our conscious acceptance or rejection of mentalities, ideas and orientations all go a long way to determine many things in our lives. "Above all else guard your heart for it affects everything you do."

Proverbs 4:23. Older translation says, "out of it proceeds the issues of life." Death and life lie in the power of the tongue and the tongue speaks out of the abundance of the heart, so the heart is the carrier of issues of life and death. The man Jeroboam is a classic example of one who missed out on God’s will for His life due to many circumstances surrounding his life. The chief issue that affected him were the issues of his heart. In 1 Kings 11:28-39, we read of the qualities of the man and God’s Word to him. We need to take time to read the wonderful covenant -Words spoken by God to this man in verses 37-39. It is interesting to note that God gave conditions for the fulfillment of the prophecy. God operates by His covenants and whatever goes out of His mouth can be established as a covenant if the receiver will mix it with expectancy and commitment to fulfill its conditions. Such was the opportunity this man had.

The sure mercies of David would have been his. David’s house was missing it in the plan and purposes of God and the opportunity came for this man to step in to play a good part for God’s will to be done but he also goofed. The man in chapter 12 verses 25-33, wanted to carry out an agenda that was different from God’s plans. He used other means to keep the people from going to Jerusalem to worship least they return to the house of David. He played right into Satan's will through the issues in his heart. It is amazing how much of suchlike is happening in the present day to people with "genuine calls" from God. Let us itemize some food for thought here: The issues in our heart need constant examination as our insecurities can ever so often take over our prior convictions as we seek to execute God’s will for our lives.

When we have rebellion or revenge in our hearts, we are open to Satan's onslaught to destroy whatever we have of God in us. We can cover these issues in our hearts with stories that justify our actions. God sees and soon we play right into the hands of the enemy if we don’t repent.

We easily tend to take our focus from God when we feel threatened. We tend to use natural means to fulfill spiritual purposes. Our focus and motives should be directed towards God not allowing our flesh to seek any pity or indulgence.

When our activities weaken our intimacy with God then we end up doing whatever is in our hearts that will be cunningly devised by us to achieve selfish ends.

Allowing God's methods can be unpopular, slow and seem foolish sometimes but he sees the hearts and knows how to do His things. All He wants is that we trust in Him absolutely.

The issues of greed, selfishness and seeking fame for ourselves are so imbedded in us that it takes God to show us the wickedness in our hearts. God is able and faithful and He will see us through as we strive to remain transparent, humble and sincere before him. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Because of Calvary, you and I don’t need to go down that route. We can come clean and be willing to let go and let God do whatever he wants to in us.

Rev Kola Ewuosho