1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (CEV)… “Always be joyful and never stop praying. Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do.”

What would happen if we examined our hearts through the lens of gratitude? There are key scriptures from the Old and New Testament that can inform us on this issue. “Heart Work” is the most important work we can do as disciples of Jesus. “Heart Work” is sometimes “hard work”, but it always has an eternal impact. “Heart Work” is heavenly work, designed to advance God’s Kingdom message of love and hope.

Jesus taught most about the Kingdom of God and about having faith through salvation. In other words, Jesus’ main message was that the Kingdom of God is now at hand, and has made a way for everyone to enter into the Kingdom.

Matthew 22:36-40… “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Paul simplified the “good news” message of Jesus to this famous verse, ranked 10th on the most popular Bible verses searched for on the internet!

Romans 10:9, 10… If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Giving thanks or expressing gratitude often begins with words coming from our mouths or words written down in a card for someone to read. Jesus taught us that the “invisible things of the heart are revealed by the visible actions and audible words of a person.” We do not see into another person’s heart, but that does not mean the heart never reveals itself.

The “fruit” we produce comes from the heart. The words we use also come from the heart. Words and actions that flow out of us originate in the heart! This is why choosing to have a “give thanks, whatever happens” is more of a lifestyle and carries with it a powerful and positive witness for others to enjoy and experience!

Words matter because they flow from what is in our hearts. Our actions indicate what we value and what we believe in our hearts.

There will be moments in our lives as disciples of Jesus when our hearts will be under attack, and we need to be prepared before those moments come our way. Everything we do flows out of our hearts.

A simple “word study” on the word “heart” from the Bible…

The word “heart” is mentioned more than 800x in the scriptures.

Love = 575x; don’t be afraid = 365x; Forgive = 120x

The original language of the Old Testament is Hebrew. The word for heart in Hebrew is “lebab”. It is defined as the inner life of humankind. The invisible control center from which life’s issues proceed; thoughts, emotions, will, conscience, and spiritual perception are all in the heart.

The original language of the New Testament is Koine Greek. The word for heart in Greek is “kardia”. It is defined this way… figurative, summarizing the inner life of a person; the mind is frequently located in the heart; the center/middle.

Ways to guard or strengthen your heart to be able to “give thanks in all circumstances”. Choose to let God command your heart. (Matthew 22:34-40, Romans 10:9, 10) Allow God to inspect your heart. (Psalm 139:23, 24) Let God clean your heart. (Psalm 24:3-6; Psalm 51:10) Let God change the treasures of your heart. (Matthew 6:19-2; Mark 11:32; John 16:33)

Heart Work is the most important work you will ever do as a human being created to be in relationships with others. Allow God to work in your heart and on your heart, and you will find new life in Jesus.