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Episode 118 - A Heart Posture

Episode 118 - A Heart Posture

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 Saturday is Valentine's Day! Whether you celebrate it or not, we want to talk about our heart posture. First, some history: It is around 265A.D. and the Roman Emperor Claudius has made it a law that young men are not to marry. He believes that they will fight with more abandon in war if they don’t have a wife and family to worry about. This results in a culture that becomes more and more vile. Polygamy runs rampant. What is a young Christian person who wants to “tie the knot” supposed to do? This is where the true history behind St. Valentine comes from. St. Valentine secretly married and ministered to couples in discrete locations so the Roman soldiers would not find out. He put his life on the line to help unite men and women in marriage and keep them away from sinful lifestyles. He did this for years, all hidden from the eye of Emperor Claudius. Unfortunately, he was found out. Claudius demanded that he recant his beliefs and become a loyal Roman citizen, but Valentine stood strong and because of that was put to death. Before he died, he sent letters out to his friends, many of which he had the chance to secretly marry, and asked them to pray for him and all the Christians in Rome. He urged them to keep their marriages sacred and focused on Christ. He closed each letter with these words, “Remember your Valentine or Your secret Valentine.” He was killed on the 14th of February in 270A.D. This is why we celebrate each year on that day What an example of a life devoted to others and the sanctity of marriage! In Absolute Surrender, Andrew Murray writes: When I am brought to such a state that the more a man hates and speaks evil of me—the more unlikable and unlovable a man is the more I will love him. When I am brought to such a state that the more obstacles, hatred, and ingratitude surround me, the more the power of love can triumph in me. We often look at our heart posture, our love for self and others as a me thing, a feeling, something that is very self centered. When in reality, we as believers are commanded to love very differently. Scripture says: ‘Love the Lord your God with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, and with every thought that is within you.’ This is the great and supreme commandment. And the second is like it in importance: ‘You must love your friend in the same way you love yourself.’ Contained within these commandments to love you will find all the meaning of the Law and the Prophets.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭37‬-‭40‬ So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 So, what is your heart posture? What do you spend yourself on - make a list of how you spend your time, talent, your money, your energy and your thoughts. Does anything need to shift when it comes to loving and serving others? How do you respond to others who have hurt you? How do you behave when you are in pain (physically or emotionally)? I know we have said it before, but when you fix your focus up on Him and the out toward others, you’ll find a deep abiding love of God in you. 'Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes. ' Isaiah 58:10-12 Heart posture is the internal position we carry before God, before others, and even before ourselves. It’s not about behavior first; it’s about alignment. You can do the right things externally and still be misaligned internally. God looks at the heart—not performance, not titles, not outcomes. Our heart posture is revealed in how we respond under pressure, how we handle correction, and how we wait when prayers feel unanswered. A surrendered heart posture says, ‘Lord, I trust You—even when I don’t understand the process.’ A hardened heart posture says, ‘I’ll obey as long as it makes sense to me.’ Scripture reminds us in Proverbs to guard our hearts, for everything we do flows from it. That tells us the heart is not neutral—it is directional. Where your heart is positioned determines how you see people, how you steward your calling, and how you move through seasons of transition. A healthy heart posture is humble, teachable, and responsive. It allows God to refine us without resisting Him. It keeps us soft in a world that tries to make us cynical, guarded, or self-reliant. Pause and ask: What is the posture of my heart right now? Am I open—or armored? Am I trusting—or striving? Am I surrendered—or controlling? Because when our ...
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