Ezra 7:1-8:20, 1 Corinthians 4, Psalms 10:1-12, Proverbs 20:28-30
What God said to me – You’ve heard the saying, “his heart was set on . . . ‘ – it could be anything from taking a certain trip to going to a game to buying a specific pair of shoes or a myriad of other things or activities or behaviors. The problem with this is the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. You can’t even know your own heart. If you want to walk in a manner worthy of your calling and please Me then you can’t let your heart set your desires, you have got to set your heart, not the other way around. Look at the example of Ezra – he set his heart to study My word and to practice it and to teach it. He had to be purposeful and disciplined to do it. It is not easy to set your mind on things above and not on earthly things. It is not easy to set your mind on spiritual things and not on fleshly things. When My Son, Jesus, was nearing the end of His earthly ministry, He set His face toward Jerusalem determined to follow My plan. You need this time with Me to help you remain steadfast. When you slack off or neglect this time it is easy to relinquish control and allow your heart to lead rather than My Spirit. Set your heart and your mind and your face toward Me.