Our personal example of a New Beginning is the New Heart. The prophet Ezekiel promised that God would remove the heart of stone—which is hard, cold, and unresponsive—and replace it with a heart of flesh—which is soft, receptive, and alive. Our ministry cannot be done with old bitterness, old discouragement, or old habits. This new work must be birthed from the new spirit God has put in us. We must cultivate this new heart daily, allowing God to continually remove the “stone” and replace it with “flesh.”
Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV): “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Romans 12:2 (NIV): “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Psalm 51:10 (NIV): “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
The Radical Replacement A heart of stone cannot grow, love, or truly serve. God does not patch up our broken stone heart; He replaces it entirely. This is the radical nature of salvation and the starting point for effective ministry. If our personal lives are driven by the old spirit—by unforgiveness, envy, or discouragement—then our fellowship will be poisoned. The external work must flow from the internal health of our souls. We must constantly seek the renewing of our minds. This complete fresh start must be reflected in our daily reactions and choices.
Cultivating the Flesh A heart of flesh is sensitive to God’s presence and receptive to His commands. This is what allows us to “perceive” the new thing He is doing. Our commitment every day is to cultivate this new heart through prayer and the Word. When we gather, our primary goal is to ensure the health of our souls so that The New Exodus Ministry can flow from a spirit that is soft, alive, and ready to serve. If we are new creations, then our ministry will be a new creation. We must ask God daily to identify and remove the lingering “stone” that is resisting His will.
Let's Pray,
Father, remove the "heart of stone" and give me a "heart of flesh" today.
May my service and my life flow only from the new spirit You have placed within me.
Amen.