Soften My Heart

Give Me Faith
Elevation Worship

Verse:
I need You to soften my heart,
To break me apart.
I need You to open my eyes,
To see that You’re shaping my life.

Pre-Chorus:
All I am,
I surrender.

Chorus:
Give me faith to trust what You say
That You’re good, and Your love is great.
I’m broken inside, I give You my life.

Verse 2:
I need You to soften my heart,
To break me apart.
I need You to pierce through the dark
And cleanse every part of me.

Bridge:
I may be weak, but
Your Spirit’s strong in me.
My flesh may fail, but
My God You never will.

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What does this prayer mean? What does softening your heart have to do with breaking “me” apart? Opening eyes? Cleansing? Surrender?

Psalm 51:17 … The (acceptable)sacrifices of God are a broken(humble, surrendered) spirit; A broken and a contrite(repentant) heart, O God, You will not despise(reject).

Psalm 51:7-13 NASB … Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness, Let the bones which You have broken rejoice. 9 Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You.

What is the opposite of a soft, humble, surrendered heart? Isn’t it a hard heart?

Mark 8:17-18 NASB … And Jesus, aware of this, *said to them, “Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet see or understand? Do you have a hardened heart? 18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?

Symptoms of hard heart = unable to see(perceive), unable to understand, unable to hear, and unable to remember. A hard heart – this is what must be broken apart.

Philippians 1:9-11 NKJV … And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

The strong’s word – heilikrines [1506] for sincere in this prayer is very interesting. It means pure, sincere, unsullied. Looking more closely at this word, we see it is actually a compound word. The first part comes from heile (the sun’s ray), the second from krino (to judge). So the two parts together mean to be found pure when unfolded and examined by the sun’s light!

What a beautiful picture of a sincere/pure (soft)heart!

The heart of one with a “sincere” devotion to the Lord will be found pure when examined and judged by the Son, the light of the world. It will be a heart that has willingly submitted to Lord’s searching and cleansing.

From NetBbible Phil 1:10

• *sincere – heilikrines[1506] = pure, unsullied
  *found pure when unfolded and examined by the sun’s light
  *from heile (the sun’s ray) and [2919]; judged by sunlight, i.e. tested as genuine (figuratively):-pure, sincere.

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Psalm 139:23-24 … Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

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Related:
Pure Sincere Hearts{prayer}

Break Every Chain

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Break Every Chain

There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus

To break every chain
Break every chain
Break every chain

All sufficient sacrifice
So freely given
Such a price
Bought our redemption
Heaven’s gates swing wide

There’s an army rising up
There’s an army rising up
There’s an army rising up

To break every chain
Break every chain
Break every chain
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2Timothy 2:1-3,8-10 NKJV … Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. …
… 8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, 9 for which I[Paul] suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

We are enlisted in the army of the Lord
Engaged in warfare as a soldier; a faithful witness
Whose sole purpose is to please our commander Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ the seed of David
Raised from the dead
Shows both His humanity and deity
His worthiness as the Lamb(1Cor 5:7) and only divine mediator(1Tim 2:5).

Paul as a good soldier suffered
Even to the point of chains(Eph 6:10-20)
That others might obtain salvation.

The good news is that the word of God is not chained!
But breaks every chain(Jn 1:1,14)
– even the last chain of death(1Cor 15:17,26-27).

There is power in the name of Jesus!(Phil 2:9-11;Acts 4:12)

Psalm 107:14 NKJV … He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their chains in pieces.

Isaiah 61:1-3 NKJV … The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, 3 To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

John 8:31-32 NASB … [Jesus says] “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV … Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Acts 4:12 NKJV … Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

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Paul’s Prayer:
Ephesians 6:19-20 … Pray for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

 

Keep Walking THROUGH

Isaiah 43:1-3 … But now, this is what the Lord says – he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
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The Lord enables His children to walk through things that they would not be able to walk through on their own!

Psalm 73:26 … My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

=> Trust the Lord! He will enable you to walk THROUGH in His strength!

=> It’s through the fire that faith is refined and made strong!

Image from wallpaper cave.com

1 Peter 1:6-7 NASB … In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Walk in Delight

Psalm 1:1-2,6 … How blessed is the one who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law they meditate day and night. … 6 the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Delight in the fear of the Lord!

Blessed is the one who delights in obedience to the Lord –Ps 112:1
Who uses His word as a lamp to their feet
And a light to their path. –Ps 119:105

Trust in the Lord and do good –Ps 37:3
Bow before Him
With a humble, soft, pliable heart. –Ps 37:4

Blessed is the one who surrenders and trusts Him 
They walk in tender hearted delight! –2Ki 22:19
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John 8:12 … Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

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The Lord takes pleasure in those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy and loving-kindness. –Psam 147:11

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Word Study . From NetBible Ps 1:1-2 *  To “walk in the counsel of the wicked” means to allow their evil advice to impact and determine one’s behavior. * “Path” here refers to the lifestyle of sinners. To “stand in the pathway of/with sinners” means to closely associate with them in their sinful behavior. * The Hebrew word “scoffers” refers to arrogant individuals (Pro 21:24) who love conflict (Pro 22:10) and reject wisdom/correction (Pro 1:22; 9:7-8; 13:1; 15:12). To “sit in the assembly” of such people means to completely identify with them in their proud, sinful plans and behavior. * The sequence “walk–stand–sit” envisions a progression from relatively casual association with the wicked to complete identification with them. * delight in meditation in order to obey . Psalm 37:3-4 … Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. From NetBible Ps 37:4 Delight[06026] = to be soft{pliable}, be delicate, be dainty Desires[04862] = request, petition, prayers *Faith and obedience (v. 3) will bring divine blessing (v. 4). 2 Kings 22:18-19 … Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to enquire of the LORD, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard: Because your heart was tender, and you have humbled yourself before the Lord, when you heard what I spoke against this place . . . I also have heard you, says the Lord. From NetBible 2Ki 22:19 Tender[07401] = to be soft, sensitive, responsive, penitent Humbled[03665] = to be brought into subjection * two key references Lev 26:41 & 2 Chron 7:14 indicate that so long as a person, or nation, is arrogant or self sufficient, God can do nothing for them

Psalm 22-23-24=> Past-Present-Future

From: http://www.holyhelps.com/documents/textSermons/Psalms/Psalm_23.pdf
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In Psalm 22 we have the Good Shepherd laying down His life for the sheep(Jn 10:11-18); in Psalm 23, the Great Shepherd in resurrection life is guiding His people through the wilderness of this world(He 13:20-21), and in Psalm 24, the Chief Shepherd is coming again in power and glory to bring in everlasting blessing(1Pe 5:1-4).
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PSALM 22	PSALM 23	PSALM 24
GOOD SHEPHERD	GREAT SHEPHERD	CHIEF SHEPHERD
Cross	Crook	Crown
Spear	Staff	Scepter
Substitute	Shepherd	Sovereign
Crucifixion	Consolation	Coronation
Yesterday	Today	Forever
Grace	Guidance	Glory
Past Ministry	Present Ministry	Future Ministry

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@Khollandsblog Tweets: The Good Shepherd(Ps 22)-The Great Shepherd(Ps 23)-The Chief Shepherd(Ps 24)=>Past-Present-Future! https://t.co/6YalklCfg3

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The Shepherd

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The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. –Ps 23:1

Jesus the good shepherd lays down His life for His sheep

[Jesus]I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep –Jn 10:14-15

Jesus is the great Shepherd raised from the dead who equips through the blood right now

Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, 21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. –He 13:20-21

Jesus the Chief Shepherd will return and His sheep will receive the unfading crown of glory

Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. –1Pe 5:1-4

Lord, save Your people and bless Your heritage; nourish and shepherd them; Carry them in your arms forever. –Ps 28:9

Hand in Hand – Hold

When the Lord delights in our way{upright way}
Our steps are made firm{ordered, established} by the LORD
Though we stumble, we will not fall
=> for the LORD holds the upright by the hand. –Ps 37:23-24

Psalm 1:6 AMPC … For the Lord knows and is fully acquainted with the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly [those living outside God’s will] shall perish (end in ruin and come to nought).

From NetBible Ps 1:6

• * the LORD knows{guards, watches over, protect} the way of the righteous

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@Khollandsblog Tweets: Tho the upright stumble-They won’t fall=>If we confess our sins-He is faithful to forgive us-The upright are upheld! https://t.co/rOKgryFPbr

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1John 1:5-10 … This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

The Hope of Christ Rises

Jesus Light of the world –Jn 8:12
Hope in the dark
Pierces the night –Jn 1:5
Bright and morning star –Rev 22:16
Appearing before dawn
The hope of Christ
The brightness of the glory of God
Seen in the face of Jesus Christ –2Cor 4:6
Rises in believing hearts. –2Pe 1:19

2Peter 1:19 … We have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

2Corinthians 4:6 … For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made us understand that this light is the brightness{knowledge} of the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

Keep Moving Forward

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Proverbs 4:25-27 AMPC … Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you. 26 Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. 27 Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil.

Job 17:9 … The righteous will move onward and forward{will hold to their ways}, and those with pure hearts{clean hands} will become stronger and stronger.

Keep your eyes open and focussed
Keep your hearts pure and your hands clean –Ps 24:4
Don’t give up

Rely on the Lord{wait and hope in Him}; Be of good courage, and He will strengthen your heart –Ps 27:14

Keep moving forward
In His strength.  –Phil 4:13

Proverbs 10:29 … The way of the LORD is strength for the upright …

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@Khollandsblog Tweets: Keep Ur eyes open & focussed-Keep Ur hearts pure& Ur hands clean-Don’t give up-Keep moving forward-In His strength! . The upright{pure hearts & clean hands} will move forward becoming stronger & stronger -Job 17:9 #KeepMovingForward https://t.co/q0MKjwFus7

Your Heart Affects All!

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Proverbs 4:20-27 AMPC
20 My son{child}, attend to my words{incline your ear}; consent and submit to my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh.
23 Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.
24 Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you.
25 Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you.
26 Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright.
27 Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil.

Above all – keep and guard your heart => it affects everything you do!
Use your ears to hear{consent and submit} My words

*Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. –Ro 10:17

Keep My words in the center of your heart

*Your word I have treasured{hidden, stored up} in my heart, that I may not sin against You. –Ps 119:11

Keep your mouth from false and dishonest speech

*He who loves purity of heart and whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend. –Pro 22:11
*Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and he who speaks right is loved. –Pro 16:13
*The good person out of the good treasury of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasury produces evil, for his mouth speaks from what fills his heart. –Lk 6:45

Keep your eyes focussed – your gaze straight ahead

*Keep my commands and you will live; guard{obey} my teachings as the apple of your eye{most prized possession. }. –Pro 7:2
*The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear{true, single focus, healthy}, your whole body will be full of light. 23 but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! –Mt 6:22-23

Consider the path of your feet; Keep your feet from evil

*Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. –Ps 119:105
*I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your word. –Ps 119:101