“ALBERT EINSTEIN ONCE SAID: ‘The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.”

Hi there! I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about the wonderful and mysterious anatomy of the heart of man …

…Of all the organs of the human body I believe the heart is still the most mysterious. We’ve learned much about it, but still this organ defies human understanding as to how it works and more how it ever came into being, that is apart from the wonders of creation. 

From the moment our hearts begin beating until the moment it stops, the human heart works tirelessly. In an average lifetime, the heart beats more than two and a half billion times, without ever pausing to rest. Like a pumping machine, the heart provides the power needed for life.

This life-sustaining power has, throughout time, caused an air of mystery to surround the heart. Modern technology has removed much of the mystery, but there is still an air of fascination and curiosity.

The human heart is the most powerful organ in the human body. Yet it is a mere pear-shaped structure about the size of a man’s fist. It lies obliquely within the chest cavity just left of center, with the apex pointing downward. The heart is constructed of a special kind of muscle called myocardium or cardiac muscle, and is enclosed in a double-layered, membranous sac known as the pericardium. A wall of muscle divides the heart into two cavities: the left cavity pumps blood throughout the body, while the right cavity pumps blood only through the lungs. Each cavity is in turn divided into two chambers, the upper ones called atria, the lower ones ventricles. Venous blood from the body, containing large amounts of carbon dioxide, returns to the right atrium. It enters the right ventricle, which contracts, pumping blood through the pulmonary artery to the lungs. Oxygenated blood returns from the lungs to the left atrium and enters the left ventricle, which contracts, forcing the blood into the aorta, from which it is distributed throughout the body. In addition, the heart amazingly employs a separate vascular system to obtain blood for its own nourishment. Two major coronary arteries regulate this blood supply. Although this sounds complicated, it is a fantastic living machine that could never have evolved due to its efficiency and singular purpose.

Yet today, tens of thousands of Americans have what science calls, tired worn-out hearts. Worn-out to the extent that just walking up stairs or hills can put them at risk of a heart attack. Such heart problems come usually from abuse or neglect of the physical body. Things like smoking, sedentary lifestyles, being overweight, all of these things are what put one’s heart at risk. However, the American Heart Association tells us that the vast majority of heart attacks are preventable, if we would just take better care of our human hearts.

Well in a moment after we pause for musical refreshment, I’ll return to talk about HEART MAINTENANCE…

… Nearly 5 million Americans live with a complex condition called “heart failure.” As a result, they're always exhausted; they can't walk far without gasping for breath; and their feet and ankles are swollen with excess fluid. Treatment options for this chronic problem used to be few. But the turn of the 21^st century, heralded the first new options in years for those living with heart failure.  To begin, we must ask the simple question: “What is heart failure?” Actually, the term ‘heart failure’ is misleading. It sounds like the heart just stops beating or "fails." But in fact, heart failure is a long-lasting (chronic) condition in which the heart becomes less and less able to pump effectively. As a result, blood moves too slowly through the body, and can pool in the heart, back up in the veins, and often too little gets pumped through the lungs and out to the tissues, depriving the body of needed oxygen. This situation can cause a host of unpleasant and sometimes life-threatening symptoms. Because every cell in the body relies on a constant supply of fresh, oxygen-rich blood to function, people with heart failure may feel tired, short of breath, and debilitated. Those with mild heart failure may have these symptoms only after exerting themselves, but people with a severely damaged heart may suffer after everyday tasks (getting dressed, for example) or even when they are simply sitting quietly.

Because the heart is essentially two pumping systems -- a right side that sends blood to the lungs to be enriched with fresh oxygen and a left side that sends that oxygen-rich blood to the whole body -- the symptoms of heart failure depend on which of the pumps is weak.

Heart failure is not a disease. Rather, it's a set of symptoms or a condition brought on by any number of other underlying problems or diseases. The No. 1 culprit is -- coronary artery disease or simply, heart disease. When the arteries that carry blood to the heart muscle (coronary arteries) are blocked by deposits of fat and cholesterol, parts of the heart muscle become starved for oxygen and die. Heart attacks, a sudden and complete blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle, can lead to heart failure in much the same way. In fact, even the scar tissue left behind after a heart attack, is another leading cause of heart failure. Then there are also infections or diseases that affect the heart muscle or the valves that control blood flow through the heart that can bring on heart failure. Still there are other causes of heart failure which include severe anemia, alcohol abuse, high blood pressure (hypertension), overproduction of thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism), and a genetic condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Such facts and figures are easily obtained these days with the help of websites such as www.webMD.com and others. Yet knowing about these things doesn’t change or alleviate such conditions that affect the heart of man. Although doctors today can treat ailing hearts with new medicines and even surgery, the best treatments of all lie within the ability of the individual to accomplish themselves. Now the first thing all of us need to know is what are the symptoms of encroaching heart problems? What warning signs should we watch for, and when should we visit our doctors?

 Well the American Heart Association tells us to contact your doctor any time we notice a change in our body or our symptoms, but to be especially aware of the following signs of potential trouble:

1. Experiencing any kind of chest pain - 

Go to the emergency room immediately. Heart attacks can be especially devastating for people with heart failure, even resulting in your death.

2. EXPERIENCING Excessive weight gain. 

Be sure to report any changes in weight, especially if you’ve gain 10–20 pounds in a relatively short period of time.

3. Experiencing increasing symptoms of shortness of breath and fatigue - 

Tell your doctor if these things have become frequent in your life, especially with little to no strenuous activity.

Of course don’t wait for such symptoms to occur in your life. You should take care of your body to prevent them from happening. It is really a simple procedure of regularly monitoring your body weight, physique and lifestyle. Then where abuse or neglect is noticed – DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!  For millions of American the first things to do is,

 1.  quit smoking, NOW! 

No, it's not easy, but there are tools available today that can ease the process and help you become smoke free with little if any discomfort or anxiety.

2, BE SURE TO PARTICIPATE IN PHYSICAL EXERICSE – 

Most Americans live sedentary lives with little to none of this. Begin a regular program of physical exercise. But first, ask your doctor what's appropriate for you, and then do as much as you can. Even short walks can help strengthen your heart and reduce your symptoms.

3. Eat right and stay slim. 

A diet that's low in salt, fat, and alcohol and full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats can make a difference. Arteries clogged with cholesterol make your heart work harder. So does carrying around excess weight in the form of fat. Maintain a healthy weight and eat a variety of healthy foods to feel, and look, your best.

4. Work with your doctor. 

To get the most benefit from your health care, you need to take an active role. Visit your doctor regularly, and follow his or her advice.

5. Manage Your Stress - 

There's mounting evidence that stress and depression can make heart failure worse. If you're experiencing sustained anxiety, stress or sadness, it’s important to let your doctor know. He can help you.

Well these are some major areas you can help maintain a healthy physical heart, but do you know there is another heart within you that needs to be carefully watched and maintained? The fact is millions of people worldwide, totally neglect this heart and abuse it daily, only one day to find out that it will cost them their life, not here on earth but in eternity. Permit me to share with you what this heart is and what you need to do for it to be healthy.

Someone said: “At the heart of any human problem is the problem of the human heart.”

Now this reference is NOT to the physical heart that beats in our bodies, but a heart within the wonders of our human existence that cannot be treated by any medicine, physical exercise, or proper food diet. This heart is mentioned only in the Bible, and the Word of God speaks often about it and to it. For instance we read in Scripture,

Prov 4:23 (NIV)  Above all else, guard your “heart,” for it is the wellspring of life.

The word “heart” is the most comprehensive in the Bible. It is used to represent the human soul, spirit, mind, conscience as well as one’s total inner being. Of the many occurrences of this word in the Bible, relatively few refer to the physical organ in our bodies by the same name. In the New Testament the word for “heart” [Greek word - kardia] occurs some 155 times and its meaning is almost identical to the Old Testament usage, as it refers to the seat of our mind, emotions and will. In other words, it is the control center of a person’s life. Thus, when King Solomon wrote by divine inspiration, Proverbs 4:23, he was referring to the importance of maintaining a healthy human spirit that is the portion of man that can communicate with, and is accountable to our God and Creator. Various translations give further meaning to this verse of Scripture:

Prov 4:23 (TLB)  Above all else, guard your affections. For they influence everything else in your life.

Prov 4:23 (KJV)  Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Prov 4:23 (NASB)  Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

Prov 4:23 (NLT)  Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.

Prov 4:23 (NIV)  Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

The “heart” then in man which is not his physical organ, is a very real entity of our being. God’s Word tells us to be careful to make sure it is cared for properly to remain healthy, for an unhealthy spiritual heart is deadly to us and brings death not physically, but spiritually in eternity. The Lord Jesus Christ once spoke of this heart when he said,

Mat 15:19 (NIV)  For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

Thus, in the same way that we are to avoid abusing our physical hearts with smoking, over indulgence of wrong types of food, and a lack of exercise -- we need to avoid

those thoughts, attitudes and actions that corrupt the spiritual heart within us. King Solomon wrote a warning when he said,

“For as a man thinks in his heart so is he” (Prov. 23:7).

Millions of people worldwide never ever give one thought about this spiritual heart within them, but oh how it affects their lives and living. As Jesus said, a bad heart can bring out evil thoughts and actions, as a good heart can bring out good things and actions. In the same way as the physical heart is either fed the right foods for strength and wholeness, or the wrong foods for sickness and failure.  What are the right foods for the spiritual heart? Well they are as follows:

1. FEED YOUR SPIRITUAL HEART WITH THE WORD OF GOD – 

Yes, this is the only food that can strengthen it and make it grow healthy and pleasing to the God who created you. It is through the Word of God we grow, and are cleansed of evil and disobedience to God.

2. DO SPIRITUAL EXERCISE DAILY – 

What is this? It is to allow your spiritual heart within you to breathe and function. We do this by prayer, worship and witnessing. Yes, first of all everyone must communicate with God. But te Bible say, no one can come to God except through Jesus Christ. Scripture explicitly says in: 

John 14:6 (NIV) “Jesus said, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’”.

Prov 16:9 (NIV)  “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”  

Just as we physically exercise by walking, jogging, or going to the gym to “work out,” we too must “spiritually work out.” Reading and studying the Bible personally and collectively in a church setting; exercising your spiritual heart through regular times of personal and collective prayer; attending regular worship services, participating in them, and of course learning how to tell others about Jesus Christ. This is strenuous work for the spiritual heart, but it strengthens you if you are a Christian.

Now notice I said “if” you are a Christian. You see the Bible tells us we are all initially born with spiritual hearts that are corrupt and defective. They function only in one way – disobedience to God. They are sick and blackened with sin. But the GOOD NEWS is God wants to change that and make our spiritual heart healthy and blessed. Failure to attend to the heart will result in death, not physical death, but spiritual death in eternity when your soul and spirit will be forever separated from the life of God. The Bible says,

Rev 2:11 (NIV)  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death. This is mentioned in three verse of the Book of Revelation where we read,

Rev 20:6 (NIV)  “Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them…”.

Rev 20:14 (NIV)  “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.”

Rev 21:8 (NIV)  “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."

This phrase the 2^nd death is a literal reference to our dying. Just as physical death is the separation of our being from our physical bodies, there is coming a 2^nd death for all mankind whereby our soul and spirit will be separated from God. This is described as Hell or the final Hell is the LAKE OF FIRE ! It is an awful thing, but something that can be avoided by all who wish to. God doesn’t want anyone to go there, but He will send all who refuse to turn their spiritual hearts over to the control and care of Jesus Christ.

How’s your heart my friend? Does it love God, particularly Jesus Christ? Is your spiritual heart healthy, clean and vibrant? Or is it black with sin, failing and ailing for fear, and filled with corrupt things that dishonor God and His Word? It’s up to you to maintain it as is your physical heart. Failure and even just neglect will bring both down. Truly, the heart of man is the problem of all of man. Why even physical death came about because our first parents Adam and Eve, chose not to maintain their spiritual hearts with God. As a consequence, the curse of death came upon all humanity. We die because our hearts are born dead in trespasses and sins, and only the GREAT PHYSICIAN can treat it! But then, God He has – He sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross as a substitute payment for all our sins. This payment for sin can be applied to any sin blackened heart, if the owner of it is willing to come to Jesus confessing their sins and surrendering their weak failing heart to him. Jesus said,

John 7:37-38 (NIV)  On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

The spiritual heart has no blood, but it does have something that can flow out of it. It was made only for “living water,” a term for the very everlasting life of God. When one becomes a believer in Jesus Christ by confession of faith and trust alone in Jesus Christ, God start that spiritual heart pumping and living water flows throughout your soul and spirit, so that when you physically die, you will live on forever in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Is your spiritual heart pumping that life-changing fluid of “living water?” If not make it so today, and a new life and healthy heart will emerge in you, which we call the “born again” experience. It’s yours for the asking. So go now to God, to Jesus Christ and surrender to and receive Him and that new heart and life will be yours now and forever!