"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (Proverbs 4:23).


I have periodically mentioned our dog Roxie in this series. She's a rescued mutt that has grown very attached to our family, especially Brooksyne. One issue we have been advised to look out for is heart worms.  One of the products available to prevent heart worms is known as Heartguard, which claims to prevent these worms with just one tablet a month.

It would be great if there was a tablet we could take once a month to guard our hearts in the way the daily verse describes! The verse is surely not primarily referring to the physical heart, although it is sound advice in that regard as well.

I believe when wise Solomon wrote these words he was primarily referring to the spiritual heart, our inner person.  We have a personal responsibility to guard our heart.  It must be a primary focus in life as Solomon emphasized, "Above all else." Other versions state "with all diligence."

Guarding our heart is an imperative because our heart "is the wellspring of life."  This is true both physically and spiritually. Jesus shared  a similar teaching when He stated, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander" (Matthew 15:19).

As I prepared today's message I paused to read up on some contemporary issues and am again reminded of the great deception and powerful delusion that is sweeping our world and am even more convinced of the absolute importance of guarding my heart with all diligence.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's prayer: Jesus, You made my heart to be the life-giving source for my physical existence and You also made my heart to be the life-giving source for spiritual existence.  Create in me a pure and contrite heart, O God, and establish a steadfast spirit within me.  It is only in the power of Your Holy Spirit that I can faithfully guard my heart from the follies of the world.  Fill me with the abundance of Your goodness so that it overflows into the lives of others as my conversation and conduct reflect Your presence in my life.  Jesus, help me I pray.  Amen.

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Technical note: I continue to have email problems with the server that hosts the site. They claim it is now fixed. Since Friday I suspect email intended for me was not delivered.  This also includes messages using the webform on the comments page, which actually delivers the messages to me using email.