Ezekiel 36:26 – I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

When you accept Jesus as Savior, God purifies you from your sins. This cleansing will be followed by the impartation of new life. God will give the converted a new heart and a new spirit. In place of a heart of stone He will give you a heart of flesh. With God’s Spirit indwelling you, you will be motivated to obey His word and His commands. God’s restoration will not simply be an undoing of you sin to bring you to a state of neutrality. Rather, it will involve the positive implanting of a new nature in you that will make you righteous. What a wonderful exchange that God does in the heart of all believers. Removing the old and implanting the new. Removing the bad and filling with good. That is a true and total transformation that all believers have received from the Lord. Remember what Jesus said in Revelation 21:5 “Behold, I make all things new.” You are made new by the work of Jesus Christ.

Challenge:

As the start of the New Year is at hand, be reminded that you have been given a heart that is designed to follow after God’s purposes. A heart that is in tune with His will and His ways, because it has come directly from Him. This weeks verse shows you that God is the most gracious of givers. Speaking of the wonderful salvation and transformation that God gives to His people. To those who put their faith and trust in Him, He promises to give a new heart and indwelling spirit. David was a man after God’s own heart, and you have been given a heart to follow after God as well. Your challenge this week is to listen to your new heart as it submits to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and then respond accordingly to exactly how He leads you. Listen to what God places on your heart and then quickly act upon that leading. God’s heart is to reach all people with His love, so be a part of His plan and spread the blessing of belonging to Him with others. Be the person God made you to be, by seeking after His heart this week.