❤️🔥A Heart Longs for Its Master
by Jennifer Greene-Sullivan
So many moments in life are defined by a heartbeat.
When an embryo has a heartbeat, it becomes a fetus—a life growing and taking shape. On the other hand, when the heart ceases to beat, life on this earth comes to an end. Between that first beat and the last, what the heart treasures will be revealed.
People often say, “My heart hurts,” when they are deeply wounded, and I have heard others say, “The heart wants what the heart wants.” This idea that our hearts hold our desires, our thoughts, and our priorities is not only true in a metaphorical sense but also deeply biblical. The condition of our heart determines the course of our spiritual journey.
A Heart Given to Jesus ❤️✝️
When we surrender our hearts to Jesus, they become redeemed, transformed, and renewed. Our hearts should hold what is most valuable—our salvation, our devotion, and our love for our Savior. When we are fully in love with Jesus, every single person, desire, and worldly possession fades in comparison.
But what happens when our hearts treasure something more than God?
Cracks begin to form.
The Danger of Cracks in the Heart 💔
The enemy loves those cracks. They become entry points for sin, deception, and spiritual destruction. When our passion for Jesus is replaced by anything else, we become vulnerable.
A perfect example of this tragic reality is found in the life of Judas Iscariot.
Judas walked with Jesus. He saw the miracles. He heard the teachings. He was part of the Twelve, yet something had already taken root in his heart—greed. The love of money crept into a crack in his devotion to Jesus, and that loophole allowed Satan to enter in.
The Bible tells us that on the night of the Last Supper, Jesus looked at Judas and said, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” (John 13:27). The crack in Judas’ heart left him defenseless against the enemy’s schemes, and in that moment, he was lost.
But here’s the most heartbreaking part:
Jesus never stopped loving Judas.
Jesus Wants Your Whole Heart 💙
In The Chosen, there is a powerful scene where Jesus speaks to Judas, saying He wants his heart. Judas physically pulls away—an outward sign of his inward condition. His heart was already set on something other than Jesus, and it led to his downfall.
But it is not too late for you.
Judas had a choice—and he made the wrong one.
You have a choice today:
Will you love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength? (Mark 12:30)
Or will you allow something else to take His place?
A Call to Examine Your Heart 🔍
Ask yourself today:
🔹 What is competing for my heart’s devotion?
🔹 Are there cracks that I have ignored?
🔹 Do I treasure Jesus above all else?
Jesus knows your heart. He knows what you hold dear, what you are afraid to let go of, and what is fighting for your attention. He lovingly corrects those who belong to Him. The question is: Will you listen? Will you surrender?
Prayer for the Heart🙏
Father, search my heart today. If there are cracks that allow sin, fear, or doubt to take root, cleanse me. I want my heart to be filled with love for You—nothing else. Let me treasure only You, above all things. Let me not be swayed by the distractions and temptations of this world. Keep me from the fate of Judas, who valued silver over salvation. Instead, shape me into a follower who loves You with everything I am. Thank You for loving me, for calling me, and for always drawing me back to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Deeper Reflection & Application 👑🔥
I have come to a defining moment in my journey with Jesus. This defining moment has come up in my spirit in the last few weeks, especially today. It’s not enough for Him to just be my Savior or my Friend—He must be my King.
Jesus is already the King of the Universe, the Lord of all Creation, and the Sovereign over Heaven and Earth—but have I crowned Him King of my life? Have I fully surrendered every desire, every plan, and every longing to His reign?
When I crown Jesus as King of my life, He becomes more than a figure I worship on Sundays or call upon in hard times. He becomes everything—my breath, my purpose, my reason for being. He is not just the center of my life; He is my life.
As I’ve been meditating on this, the song “Total Eclipse of the Heart” played in my mind. That intense, unwavering devotion described in the song is exactly the kind of passion I need to have for Jesus—a love that eclipses all others.
🔥 Loving Him with a fervent passion is the minimum He deserves.
🔥 Loving Him with total surrender is the least I can give.
🔥 Loving Him as King of my life is my highest calling.
Application: Making Jesus King
As you reflect on your walk with Christ, ask yourself:
👑 Have I truly crowned Jesus as King over every area of my life?
❤️ Do I love Him with an all-consuming passion, or are there distractions in my heart?
🛐 What is one thing I need to surrender today to make Him my true King?
Challenge for the Week
🔥 Spend intentional time in worship, prayer, and reflection each day, declaring Jesus as King over your life.
🔥 Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas where you’ve been holding back from full surrender.
🔥 Let your love for Jesus be so evident that it eclipses all else!
Prayer 🙏
King Jesus, I lay down my life before You. You are not just my Savior, but my Lord, my King, my Everything. Forgive me for holding onto anything that keeps me from fully surrendering to You. Fill my heart with an unquenchable passion for You—a love that surpasses all earthly desires. Rule in my life, reign in my heart, and let my every step be guided by Your wisdom. I choose You, Jesus. I crown You King of my life today and forever. Amen.
💬 Where is Jesus in your life today? Is He just a Savior, or is He your King? Let’s talk in the comments!
📖 #JesusIsKing #CrownHimLord #FaithJourney #SpiritualGrowth #TotalSurrender
Scripture References: What Does the Heart Treasure? ❤️📖
1. Your Heart Follows What You Treasure
🔹 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:21 (NIV)
💬 What do you value most? Your heart will always follow your greatest love.
2. Guard Your Heart Above All Else
🔹 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
💬 The condition of your heart affects every part of your life—what are you allowing in?
3. Love the Lord with ALL Your Heart
🔹 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” — Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV)
💬 Is your love for Jesus complete, or is your heart divided?
4. Out of the Heart, the Mouth Speaks
🔹 “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” — Luke 6:45 (NIV)
💬 What you say and do reveals the true condition of your heart.
5. God Searches and Knows Every Heart
🔹 “I, the Lord, search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” — Jeremiah 17:10 (NIV)
💬 You can’t hide your heart from God—He knows your deepest thoughts and desires.
6. The Greatest Commandment is a Heart Devoted to God
🔹 “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” — Matthew 22:37 (NIV)
💬 God desires all of your heart, not just a portion of it.
7. Trust in the Lord, Not Your Own Heart
🔹 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” — Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)
💬 Your heart can be deceived—trust in God’s wisdom over your own.
8. A Hardened Heart Leads to Destruction
🔹 “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” — Hebrews 3:15 (NIV)
💬 A hardened heart resists God’s call—soften your heart and listen.
9. The Heart Can Be Deceitful
🔹 “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” — Jeremiah 17:9 (NIV)
💬 Be cautious—your heart can lead you astray if not aligned with God.
10. The Pure in Heart Will See God
🔹 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” — Matthew 5:8 (NIV)
💬 When your heart is fully devoted to God, you will see Him move in your life.
💡 What does your heart truly treasure? Let these scriptures guide your reflection.
📖 #GuardYourHeart #FaithFirst #JesusAboveAll #SpiritualGrowth #HeartCheck
Scripture References for Crowning Jesus as King 👑📖
1. Jesus is the King of Kings
🔹 “On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” — Revelation 19:16 (NIV)
💬 Jesus reigns over all. Have you made Him King of your heart?
2. Loving God with All Your Heart
🔹 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” — Mark 12:30 (NIV)
💬 Is your heart fully surrendered to Jesus, or is something else competing for your devotion?
3. Seeking First His Kingdom
🔹 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” — Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
💬 Prioritize Jesus as King, and trust Him to provide for every need.
4. The Heart Determines Our Devotion
🔹 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:21 (NIV)
💬 What do you treasure most? If it’s not Jesus, it’s time to re-align your heart.
5. We Must Decrease So He Can Increase
🔹 “He must become greater; I must become less.” — John 3:30 (NIV)
💬 Crowning Jesus as King means letting go of control and exalting Him above all.
6. Dying to Self and Following Christ
🔹 “Then He said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’” — Luke 9:23 (NIV)
💬 Following Jesus means surrendering our desires and making Him the true King of our lives.
7. Jesus’ Call to Wholehearted Devotion
🔹 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” — Matthew 6:24 (NIV)
💬 Are there areas of your life where you are trying to serve both Jesus and the world?
8. The Lord Searches Our Hearts
🔹 “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)
💬 Jesus sees the true condition of your heart—have you fully given it to Him?
9. Jesus’ Love for Even the Betrayer
🔹 “Jesus replied, ‘Do what you came for, friend.’ Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested Him.” — Matthew 26:50 (NIV)
💬 Jesus called Judas ‘friend’ even in betrayal. His love is steadfast, but we must choose Him.
10. The Cost of Loving the World Over Jesus
🔹 “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” — Mark 8:36 (NIV)
💬 Judas chose money over Jesus—what are you choosing?
💡 Let these scriptures be a guide as you reflect on crowning Jesus as King over your life.
📖 #CrownHimKing #JesusFirst #FaithOverFear #TotalSurrender #SpiritualGrowth
The Aging English Major 