Cross My Heart Ministry

“They are to teach my people the difference between
the holy and the common
and show them how to distinguish between
the unclean and the clean.”
Ezekiel 44:23

God gave clear instructions to the priests so they, in turn, could teach the people what He required. The Old Testament requirements were tedious and challenging – and (with the perspective of this side of the Cross) clearly point to our need for a Savior.

The rituals and laws put forth in the Old Testament were not negated by Christ’s coming but fulfilled by Him. Jesus said of Himself:

“Do not think that I have come to abolish
the Law or the Prophets;
I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
Matthew 5:17

What a joy for those of us who abide in Christ to obey God’s good laws in love and truth, rather than legalism and compulsion.

Because we love God, we naturally want to obey Him and live for Him. Because we are redeemed by our Savior, Jesus, and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, perhaps there is no longer a difference between the holy and the common.

Exercise becomes praise time. Cooking and washing become an opportunity for intercession. Driving from Point A to Point B is time for thanksgiving. As our hearts and minds are engaged, each task of life prompts praise to the Giver of life.

As we walk in worship, even the common can be transformed into holy as we live and do all things for His glory!

How might God be calling you and me to transform the common, everyday things of life into holy ones?

This past week marked the launch of our 10-week Bible study in I Kings. I would love for you to join us for this amazing Old Testament study! I hope you’ll view the Intro Teaching video (below) and then come back to watch each week, as we examine the historical period when the kingdom of Israel was divided between Israel in the north and Judah in the south. We will see how God’s covenant plan for His people was fulfilled during the reign of godly rulers — including King Solomon — and evil ones like Ahab and Jezebel … and we’ll learn what lessons the book of I Kings holds for us today.

Please visit the Cross My Heart YouTube channel to subscribe — it’s free, of course! — and click the ‘bell” to receive a notification when we post a new video.

If you are interested in getting a copy of the I Kings study guide or in joining a Zoom group (beginning September 1) to study with other women, please email me for details!

Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still;
teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.
Proverbs 9:9

From an early age, I prayed my children would be teachable. Now, whenever they ask my advice (as young adults), I give praise to God for answered prayers!

I’m certainly not suggesting that I have it all figured out or that I should be the authority they seek out. I’m simply saying this: I’m honored when my adult children acknowledge that my years of living on this planet mean I’ve learned a thing or two!

No matter how wise or righteous we are, there never cease to be things we can learn and areas where we can grow. And whenever we learn a truth, we can rest assured that there will be opportunities to apply that truth in new circumstances and situations. Life is a classroom — and a lab!

Perhaps being teachable and willing to learn is what actually makes one wise. The prideful and arrogant either do not seek counsel, do not seek it from wise and righteous mentors, or do not heed the instruction offered.

Our brother James cautions: “Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22

Are you teachable? Are you wise? Ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I receive correction and instruction well?
2. Do I actively seek out wisdom – from the Word of God, from Godly teachers, and from wise mentors?
3. Do I follow through in obedience to heed the advice and counsel received?

Here’s another interesting indicator that you are teachable and growing wiser: you have regrets.

The world might tell us we need not have regrets:  I’m okay, you’re okay. Do your own thing.

But as a woman of God, I do have regrets. If I could go back and begin again, there are many decisions and choices in my marriage, my parenting, my relationships, and my ministry that I would do differently.

Several years ago, as I lamented to God about poor choices with my child raising, He kindly spoke to my heart and mind:

Laura, if I would miraculously turn back the hands of time for you, nothing would change because you would not know all you know now. Living brings learning. You did the best you could with what you knew then.

What a comfort that was to me! The Laura of 2021 is wiser and more mature than the 1990s Laura who was raising her children. The regret I experience now is reassurance that I have grown and changed. Having no regrets would be a sign that I learned nothing in the past several decades!

But those regrets need not consume me … and yours need not consume you. All sins of omission and commission are nailed to the Cross and covered by the blood of Christ when we seek His forgiveness.

I am forgiven. And if you know my Jesus, you are, too.

If you do not know Him, I would love to introduce you. If you find yourself looking around at the world and the culture and finding frustration, confusion, and disappointment, maybe it’s time for you to look up — look to Him.

My friend, Jesus loves you. He died for you. You need not carry the weight of regret and past choices. I invite you to come to Him now. Would you pray with me:

Jesus, if you are real — and I hope you are — I’m ready to give my life to You. I am a mess and I’ve made a mess. I can’t clean myself up, but I believe You can. Forgive my many sins, against you and others. Come into my life and change me. I believe You are the Son of God who died to cover my sin. From this day forward, I choose to live for You.

If you prayed that prayer — or if you think you want to, but have questions about what it means — I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to email me!

Laura’s most recent teaching video considers the words Jesus spoke  to His disciples in Luke 12:11-12. In these verses, He instructs them not to worry about what to say when brought before authorities, because the Holy Spirit will provide the words they need. Here is that video for those who may not have had an opportunity to watch:

“Fix” only has three letters, but we use the word in many settings and contexts. We fix breakfast. We fix a loose cabinet handle, a misspelled word, or a missing button. We fix our eyes on the sunset. And, for those of us who live in the South, we even use it describe what we are thinking about doing: I’m fixin’ to fix breakfast.

Mr. Webster provides shades and nuances for understanding the little word, fix:

: AFFIX, ATTACH
: to set or place definitely
: ESTABLISH

Our Creator used the word fix in Deuteronomy 11:18-19. instructs us on what to do with His Word:

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds;
tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Teach them to your children,
talking about them when you sit at home and
when you walk along the road,
when you lie down and
when you get up.

Is God’s Word fixed in your heart and mind? Is it attached, set, and established there?

God instructs us to:

1. Fix His words in our hearts and minds.
2. Tie them as symbols on our hands and bind them on our foreheads.
3. Teach them to our children.

Our hearts and our minds control our thoughts, attitudes, actions, motivations, and behaviors. If our hearts and minds are saturated with the Word of God, it will naturally flow forth to impact every part of our lives and those around us.

While some take the phrase about symbols literally — as in the Jewish practice of rolling and tying written scriptures on the wrist and forehead — most believers embrace a more figurative interpretation. One certainly would not forget something that is tied to the wrist or put on the forehead.

Perhaps it also suggests that if God’s Word is on our foreheads, it will shine forth and light our way and if it’s on our hands, it colors every act of love and kindness extended to others. Seeing it this way prompts me to pray that others see Jesus in the steps I make, and the actions I take.

The final instruction in the passage is to teach God’s word. Note the order here. We must first own it ourselves before we can hope to teach it to our children.

Note also that God even provides the proper pedagogy for doing the teaching: it’s on-the-job training or as-you-go teaching.

This method is both lifestyle and lecture. It is as you go (at home and on the road) and it’s all day long (when you lie down and rise up). You teach it by speaking it and by doing it.

Christianity is always one generation away from extinction. We must be faithful. Truth has never perished from the Earth. There has always been a remnant in existence to share with the next generation. And it must not stop on our watch!

It may be your own children or grandchildren. Perhaps it’s the young adults living next door. Maybe it’s a niece, nephew, or even young ones at your church. Whoever God has brought into your life to teach, I urge you to love them enough to fix God’s Word on your heart and mind first, so that you are ready to teach them (and model to them) the Word of God.

Laura’s latest teaching video features insights on how the words of I Kings 8:35-36 — part of King Solomon’s prayer as he dedicated the Temple — applies to modern-day living. We hope you’ll take a few moments to listen!

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