How to Grow a Big Heart Like Jesus

Meet Teeny Heart and Giant Heart

Meet “Teeny Heart” and her “Big Bruh Giant Heart”! Both have earned the names tender hearts and growing hearts. Why? Not because of any physical changes, but because their hearts are sensitive to God’s Spirit, love, and Word after asking JESUS to take over every aspect of their lives.

Hear the words of the writer of Psalms:

Psalm 119:7-11

I will praise YOU with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned YOUR righteous judgments. I will keep GOD’s statutes: O, forsake me not utterly. How shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed to God’s Word. With my whole heart I have been seeking YOU: O, let me not wander from YOUR commandments. YOUR Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against YOU.

Psalm 119:146

I cried unto YOU; save me, and I shall keep YOUR testimonies.

Hearts That Grow

Both Teeny and her brother know their hearts could be mean, impatient, hurtful, and sad from time to time. However, since they have asked Jesus to live there, they desire Him to be at home, comfortable, and pleased to call their hearts His home.

With the help, strength, and guidance of God’s Spirit, these two have hearts that are no longer totally self-focused, thinking only about their desires. They often help serve others now.

Teeny has learned to tie her shoes and can often be seen bending down to teach her friends how to do the same. She will also tie Grandpa’s shoes if he forgets.

Giant Heart quickly gathers Grandma’s loaded bags when she visits (packed with special items, for sure). He’s not just carrying them because he remembers the many gifts she brought during her last visit. He now knows how important it is to honor, love, respect, and help his Grandma. He reads it in his Bible and is eager to live this in real time.

God desires that we grow in His way of living. He is the One Who puts this yearning in our hearts, causing us to grow bigger hearts. After He plants “the want to,” we must water it.

Psalm 119:32

I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

God’s Huge Heart

We stand in awe of God’s HUGE heart! His willingness, capacity, and delight to love His whole world is, for the most part, difficult to understand. This truth helps us want to grow more like Him.

The LORD turns hearts away from what is rotten, then He guides us to His righteous paths.

From ROTTEN to RIGHTEOUS

GOD ALMIGHTY is teaching us His wisdom for making choices that will please and honor Him, give us peace and pleasure along the way, and help us obey Him!

Psalm 119:34-35, 104-105, 160

Give me understanding, and I shall keep YOUR law; YES, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of YOUR commandments; for therein do I delight.

Through YOUR precepts I get understanding: therefore, I hate every false way. Thy Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.

Your word is true from the beginning: and every one of Your righteous judgments endureth forever.

Prayer

Thank you, dear LORD! We love You, GOD. You are giving us Your heart. You heard our cry, then came near us! O Lord, You are giving us understanding as we read, study, and listen to Your Word.

We pray, saying to You: Your Word is true from the beginning, and every one of Your righteous judgments lasts forever.

Amen.

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