Thursday, February 27, 2014

Help for a Heart Attack


“If not for the Bible, the bullets would have gone right through his heart.”

An innocent bus driver in Dayton, Ohio noticed that his bus was having problems so he decided to pull over and investigate. As he exited the bus, a barrage of bullets assaulted him. Two hit him in the chest and one landed in his leg. As the bus driver was being attacked, he grabbed an aluminum pen and retaliated causing the young assailants to drop their weapon and flee. He got stabbed in the arm but also managed to stab one of his attackers in the leg before they broke loose.

When the paramedics arrived, the bus driver was alive. Saved by a New Testament version of The Message bible. Lodged between its pages are two bullets that were purposed for his heart.

I believe that one of the most vulnerable parts of the human body is the heart. Frequently it is attacked with bullets called anger, bitterness, self-hate, fear, and more.  Our best protection against heart attack is the Word of God.

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts.” (MSG)

The verse is admonishing us to not only keep our hearts from experiencing danger but also expressing deceit. When we consume large amounts of God’s word, we are in essence wrapping our hearts in His love. God’s Word provides, protects, and pushes us to attain more from life. When we are distant, it leaves us exposed and vulnerable to attack.

The bible also reminds us that what we say is a direct result of what is in our hearts. (Luke 6:45).  So, fill your heart with good things. 

Here are four ways to protect yourself against/during a heart attack:

  1. Get involved in a good bible study that challenges you to read the scriptures. There is strength in numbers. Matthew 18:19-20 (NLT)  “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
  2. Listen and sing encouraging music that uplifts your soul and points to God. Colossians 3:16 (NLT)  "Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts
  3. Take everything to God and let him confirm its validity. 1 John 4:1 (NLT) "Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.
  4. Pray. Stay in contact with the master physician and creator of your heart. Philippians 4:6 "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done."

There are many times that the bullets of life should have taken you out - but God…

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