It's All About the Heart (3 of 3)

No one could ever question where Jesus' heart was, and David certainly lived as a "man after God's own heart." But where are we? Or more importantly, where is our heart?

Many scriptures caution us to be on our guard in regards to our heart:

Proverbs 4:20-22

"My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.

Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; 

for they are life to those who find them and health to one's whole body."

Proverbs 4:23

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

When David wanted to be forgiven and restored to a right relationship with God, he wrote the following in Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

Why do we need a heart for the Lord? Scripture answers this question as well.

Luke 6:45

"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."

We need a heart that is not hardened. If we have allowed our hearts to be hardened by the world and our experiences, we need to pray and believe God's word when he stated in Ezekiel 36:26. "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."

With our "new heart" and a desire to commune with the Lord, we will be better able to follow Jesus' command in the New Testament: "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 22:37-39

Once our heart is right, we are able to fully love. 

Jesus also leaves us with this promise in Philippians 4:7, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

God is in the business of hearts, and he wants us to have a clean, healthy heart that is softened and in tune to Him and His love for us. Once we realize this, we will be better able to turn our love to others.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for my heart. "Create in me a clean heart, O God." Help me to live my life walking with You and growing closer to you. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

It's All About the Heart (2 of 3)

When thinking back to Sunday School days, David was a regular figure discussed. David watching his sheep; David playing the harp; David facing the giant Goliath with only a slingshot and stones.

The Bible certainly depicts David as a fearless warrior for the Lord.

And he certainly was a warrior for the Lord, but David's heroic actions weren't rooted in his slingshot. They were rooted in his heart. 

Scripture records the following in regards to David:

Acts 13:22, "After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'"

While David did use his bravery and his brawn to defend the honor of the Lord, he also used his words to convey the passion in his heart for the Lord.

David is noted as the author to as many as half of the Psalms, and each of them reveal David's love for and communion with the Lord. They show that David truly did have a heart for the Lord God.

"My heart, O God, is steadfast; 

I will sing and make music with all my soul." Psalm 108:1

"How precious to me are your thoughts, God!

How vast is the sum of them!

Were I to count them,'

they would outnumber the grains of sand--

when I awake, I am still with you."   Psalm 139:17-18

Let us seek to have our own hearts set on our God. Let us commit ourselves to serving the Lord our God.

Father, thank you for being our Almighty and Faithful God. Thank you for the witness and example of others who have lived for you. Help us to seek to truly know you in our hearts. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

It's All About the Heart (1 of 3)

It's All About the Heart 

Image by InspiredImages from Pixabay 

We hear it said of athletes, "That girl is all heart." We hear it of performers, "He really put his whole heart into that performance." We say it about ourselves when finishing a huge project, "My heart and soul went into that." Can we also see our heart in our spiritual lives? 

Jesus revealed His heart when just a young boy. 

It is recorded in Luke that when Jesus was just 12 years old, the family traveled to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When it was time to depart, Jesus did not leave with everyone, Luke 2 records the rest, "After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers." 

When Mary and Joseph expressed their worry, v. 49 reveals Jesus' response, 

"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house."

Some versions state this as "about my Father's business." Jesus' heart was about his Father's business, and it showed in his actions and his knowledge.

Let us follow the lead of a young, yet wise Jesus and set our own hearts and minds on things above.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Help me to leave the swirling distractions around me for the peace and wisdom of Your Presence. I surrender my heart to You, Lord. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Proverbs 4:23

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.'

2 Thessalonians 3:5

"May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance."