It has been said by many, and it is true, life is a journey and it\u2019s what we learn during this journey
that shapes our lives. No two lives are exactly alike and no two people walk the exact same journey
but many of the challenges we face are birthed out of similar reasons. By this I mean we all face the
like fears of, doubt, frustration, a sense of hopelessness, and the will to carry on. The situations that
bring forward these emotions may be different but the answers to facing these all have the same
source. That source being an unshakable faith in the one and only true God.

Being the mortal beings we are; our faith is not always as unshakable as it should be. So what hope do we have? That hope comes in the form of grace, God's sustaining power that picks us up, dusts us off and sets us back on the right path. It is by that same grace that God allows us to approach Him with confidence and learn what His true nature is.

As you read on I trust that what He has shown to me will also encourage you and help you in the
journey that is your life. No matter where you find yourself along life's path I know that your Father
wants nothing more than to be there in the center of all you do.

I can think of no better place to start but at the heart. Much in scripture is said about the heart. It is the center of all our emotions and from out of the heart that the mouth speaks. When Samuel came to Jesse's house to anoint the new king God instructed him not to consider the outward appearance because it's in the heart that God is truly interested.

Why does the Father place so much importance on our heart? For it's from here our intents can truly
be seen. Anyone can learn to do what is considered to be right or good but only one with a pure
heart can do it for the right reasons. If our heart is not right then we will waver and we can easily be
lead astray. This can not only happen during times of hardship or trial but also when things are
going well. Look at how easily we fall in and out of love with those around us, or how easily our
allegiances can change when it suits us. These are all signs of how fickle our heart can be.

So what is it that He seeks in our heart? I believe he seeks a heart that is open to His leadings. One that is supple and easily molded. This is a heart that is grounded in His ways and not easily shifted. This is one that while being malleable is also steadfast and strong. It is not one that is self seeking but one is God seeking.

Let us go back to Samuel's fateful visit to Jesse's house. When Samuel arrived all the sons bar one were waiting his arrival. They were not tending to their normal duties for something, to them, more important was about to happen. Whereas, David, was in the field, doing what he normally did, tend the sheep. He did not go seeking more than he thought was his due. David had no desire to promote himself and was secure in who he was. His heart was continually open to his Father and he spent many hours in His company. He knew who Samuel was and his importance to his people, yet he did not go seeking his favour.

As Samuel went along the line of men before him he could see those who would fit the stature of a king but one after one God rebutted him. In the end it was not their physique or lack there of that made a difference, it was simply their hearts. It wouldn't have mattered if David was the biggest or the smallest, the youngest or the oldest it was simply his heart.

Where is your heart today? A heart that is in the Father's hands is a heart that is at peace. It is one
that does not need to seek reassurance for it has all the assurance it needs in Him. Sometimes I feel I
need more and it is then that He comes to me and asks, \u201caren't I enough for you?\u201d Is He enough for
you today? When he asks me that my heart breaks and I realise how short-sighted and self seeking I
can be. Then when I turn back to Him I know it's only in Him I can truly find peace.

So if it is peace that you seek then put your heart in His hands and leave it there. Let Him place into
it the desires that He would have you seek. Then through your obedience and faith see Him bring
those desires to life. He will astound you not only by His ability to make the seemingly impossible a
reality but also by the depth of His grace.

Many people if asked, what is the number one enemy of the heart might be prompted to say Satan. While it is true Satan does not want to see God's will worked out in our lives, the major enemy is found in us. For Satan can put thoughts in your mind, it is up to you to act on those thoughts. It is not a sin to be tempted but to give into temptation is. It's the strength of our will that will make the difference.

There are many ways Satan can try and deceive you. That's right all he can do is to try and deceive you. He can not force you, for he has no right in you or over you. He will bring back past failures, place doubt in your mind, get you to question if you really deserve it, try to put a jealous spirit in you, or even ask you, who you think you are. Remember these are all deceptions and encountering these thoughts does not mean you are out of God's will or in sin. All of us find ourselves in these situations regularly. It's what you do with those thoughts that matters.

In Hebrews 3, the author spends quite sometime referring back to the time God was first preparing His children to enter into the Promised Land. At the time God told Moses that they would cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land Moses made his first mistake. Instead of taking the lead he allowed the people talk him into sending out a scouting party. This seemed like a fair thing for him to do at the time but the problem was that only two of the party truly believed what their God was capable of. The other ten came back with an evil report. The people then had a choice to make, between the report of bountiful blessings or the one of a land inhabited by giants. The people chose the latter and because of this choice God said they had an evil heart of disbelief. It was for this reason that they did not enter into the Promised Land.

God had for them a land overflowing in His goodness but only two got a chance to taste those
blessings, all because they believed the voice that shouted the loudest. In the end they had no one to
blame but themselves.

We serve that very same God and He has not changed. Before each of us there is our own promised
land which we each have to step over into. God will make the way, he will go before us but we have
to have the faith to enter in. The deceiver will come but who will you listen to? Remember just
because the land is already occupied does not mean its not rightfully yours.

The challenge is before each of us. Personally I know there have been times where I have accepted
that challenge and times I have run from it but never once when I stepped up did my Father let me
down. I can only encourage you also to accept the challenges God puts before you, for He will
never put before you anything that together you can not achieve. He only wants what is best for you
and the body. So let a heart of faith be found in you and not an evil heart of disbelief.