Open Hearts

Open Hearts

What is the best way for “hearts to be open” to receive from the Lord?

¹⁴ One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. Acts 16:14 NIV

An open heart toward spiritual information is both the work of the Lord and a cooperation of the person.  However, our responsibility is to pray for the Lord to open their heart.  We are to seek the Lord often that he would provide the right circumstances for their heart to be in the right condition to receive the word.

In Acts 16:14 Paul is preaching, but the Lord opens Lydia’s heart to pay attention.  Wow! We need God to open hearts so that the words that are being spoken on Sunday can penetrate into the hearts of people, so they have a desire to respond.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood before the people and told them that they had killed the Lord and Messiah, but God had raised him from the dead.  The Bible records that the people were “cut to the heart”.  The words of Peter were used by the Holy Spirit to penetrate to the very core of their being.  They could see exactly their condition before God as one of great need.  Their reply is evidence of their new understanding, “What must we do to be saved?”

Miracles and signs by themselves are not enough to bring open hearts. Jesus miraculously fed 5000 people with just a little bread and fish.  Afterwards he walks on water to his disciples and fear grips them.  Mark adds this commentary.  ⁵¹ And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, ⁵² for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. Mark 6:51-52 NIV.  In other words, they had just participated in one of the greatest miracles ever and yet because of their hardened hearts they could not see Jesus for who He really is.  Miracles and signs are very important, but they must be accompanied with explanation from the word of God pointing people to the need for Jesus.

Hebrews 4:12-13 ¹² For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³ And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. The word of God has the ability to penetrate to the very core of a persons heart.  When sharing with a person try to include as many scriptures in the conversation as possible.  Make them a natural part of the conversation,  But it is the word of God alone that penetrates.

When a person is feeling unloved…Say well here is some good news, the bible says that God so loves you right at this moment that he sent his son Jesus to the world so that you could believe in him and know God’s love.

When a person is feeling lonely…There is a wonderful promise found in the Bible for those who are followers of Jesus.  He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us…never will he leave us as orphans.

When a person feels hopeless.  In God there is always hope…His word says that they hope He gives will never disappoint us.  For God desires good for us, not to harm us, but to give us a hope and a future.

Using Scripture helps plow up the hardened ground of the heart. 

God will also use tough situations to prepare hearts.  When a loved one dies, the heart is open to thinking about eternal things.  Many are searching during this time for the true meaning of life.  The sermon at the funeral may or may not be “preachy”.  But there are hearts that are sensitive to questions like, “will I ever see this person again?”  “Life is short, what does this mean?”

Understand that we can pray and ask the Lord to open the hearts of those who are hearing the word.  Ask the Holy Spirit to talk with the individual who is lost often.  Ask Holy Spirit to bring forth questions in their lives that only God has the answer to.

Father, we need you to soften our hearts so that we can be responsive to you.  Our pride keeps our hearts hardened to your love and help.  Forgive us.  Give us that heart of flesh that you told about in Ezekiel.  Help us to be very responsive to your words and wisdom for us.  In Jesus name, Amen.