Greetings Brethren,

Heart disease is the leading cause of "natural" death in the United States. In fact, it has been that way every year since 1900, apart from 1918 (the leading cause that year being influenza). On average, over 600,000 people die from some form of heart disorder each year, in the United States alone. The term heart disease covers hundreds of different infirmities including heart infections, congenital heart defects, and heart rhythm problems. Since these illnesses are such a common thing, millions of dollars are spent researching and caring for this epidemic. In rough averages, about 50 percent of diagnosed cases are genetic, meaning it is outside the control of a person whether they develop a complication or not. The other half of cases are caused by lifestyle issues. In either case, all these examples represent the diagnosis of a physical ailment.

There exists another heart condition that is present in the entire population of the world. We might call this "spiritual heart disease." God lamented this malady in His chosen people, the Israelites. "Oh that they had such a heart in them that they might fear me and always keep all my commandments that it may be well with them and with their children forever" (Deuteronomy 5:29). What God bemoaned was rooted in His desire that the Israelites would engage in a proper relationship with Him and live their lives according to His instructions. God's intent for all of mankind is that they have peace, hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

What God described in Deuteronomy is a condition that affects all of mankind (save one). Our carnal minds are at odds with God's and prevent us from loving as God does (Romans 8:7). This is the core of our ailment. We are created incomplete and as result we cannot please God (Romans 8:7). This left Ancient Israel, as well as every other person, without the means to correct their lives. God had a plan to correct this issue and the solution was the pouring out of His Spirit into the heart of an individual (Romans 5:5; Romans 8:9). The gift of God's Spirit represents the cure to our syndrome. By using God's Spirit, we have been given the ability to partake of "all things that pertain to life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3-9).

We, as God's Church, should give thanks for the cure to our Spiritual heart condition - His Holy Spirit. Even more so, this realization should give us the motivation to be ever zealous to grow in spiritual fruit, and to never forget the wonderful blessings God has given to us.  In addition, we look forward to the time that God will pour out His spirit on all mankind, and everyone will have their chance to live and grow in the way of life God intended (Joel 2:29).

Let's never forget that through the sacrifice of His Son, we have access to the cure for our otherwise incurable flaw. Wish you all a wonderful Sabbath, filled with reflection on the manifold blessings of God.