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."

Are You a Member?

Are You a Member?

    Many country clubs are very exclusive places. One must be a member to enjoy the facilities. One of my daughters is currently a hostess at a country club. Because of an unfortunate incident with a deer one night while driving home, she found herself in need of a ride to work for her next shift.

    As we turned into the facility and I took in the beautiful surroundings, she advised me to keep driving. We drove through the lot, right past the front doors, and almost all the way around the lot. Just before the edge of the lot, she said it was okay to pull in to let her out. She explained that the workers needed to park the furthest away, and that she needed to enter through the back. Members enter through the front; help enter through the back; members enjoy the amenities at the facility; workers provide those amenities.

    While this is of course typical protocol, the concept made me think about my relationship with the Lord. Jesus reassured his disciples with the following words from John 14: 1-4, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many room; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."

    Forgive me for using a country club for the sake of comparison, 

but let's explore this.

     I can't get into a country club because I haven't paid the dues; I can get into heaven because Jesus paid my dues with his sacrifice on the cross. Not only that, but Jesus says there is a room prepared for me. I don't have to park at the outskirts of the lot; I don't have to enter through the back door.

    I can freely and confidently walk through the doors knowing that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for me. As if that weren't enough, but Jesus also promises to be there with us. 

    Maybe we have the same question as Thomas had when hearing Jesus' words. We aren't told whether Thomas boldly asked Jesus this question or whether he pulled Jesus aside and whispered the words, but the conversation continues in John 14:5-6. "Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?' Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"

    Today, since I am not a member of a country club, I can not walk in to enjoy the beautiful atmosphere, but I can be assured by Jesus' own words. I have a better place waiting for me if I put my faith in Jesus.

Prayer: Dear Father, I trust in you and in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I desire to live with you now and into eternity. I surrender my life to you, Lord. In Jesus' Name. Amen.