30
Oct '24
A Heart for God
30
Oct '24
Introduction: Do you have a heart for the Lord? Are you hungry for truth? By the way, not just to know the truth, but rather do you know it and obey it? Paul mentioned to Timothy that people would always be learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. How can we tell if you have a heart for God?
Several ways listed:
1. A Heart that is thirsty for God! (Psa 42:1) – “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.”
The picture here is of a deer running through the woods, being chased on a hot day. His tongue is parched and loosely hanging out of his mouth, longing for a cool drink of water at the brook. In like manner, every believer ought to be thirsty for God. Are you thirsty?
2. A Heart that turns from evil but toward the Lord! (Psa 1:1,2) – “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
Think about it. It is not just what we are turning from; i.e., mind-altering drugs, but also what we are turning to, namely Jesus. Are you turning from some things, people, and turning toward Jesus?
3. A Heart that desires to be clean! (Matt 5:8) – “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
Only the blood of Jesus can purify the heart. Is your heart clean?
4. A Heart that is broken over sin! (Psa 34:18) – “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
A broken and contrite spirit means teachable, correctable. Do you get mad when corrected?
5. A Focused heart! (Matt 6:19-21) – “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
It does not take long to see where a person’s heart is, and consequently their treasure. Just listen to them speak for five minutes. It is a giveaway.
6. A whole heart! (Prov 3:5,6) – “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Jesus deserves our whole heart. Does He have yours?
7. A heart that meditates on God! (Psa 19:14) – “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”
Our mindset and meditation determine our actions and decisions. What is on your mind these days?
Conclusion: Having a heart for God is commendable. But make no mistake about it, it takes deliberate intentions on the part of the individual. Will you deliberately decide to have a heart for God? If so, Lord bless!
Love y’all,
Pastor Randy Reese