Reflections, August 2nd, 2009

Sunday, August 2nd, 2009

Reflections: It’s What’s In The Heart That Counts

“Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repented him of the evil.” Joel 2:12,13

Scripture reading for this week: Joel 2, Haggai 1,2, Psalm 65, Jeremiah 33...

Houses of worship are filled with many people lifting up there voices, raising their hands, preaching a sermon, doing their dutiful duty by helping those less fortunate, and those that contribute more than there ten percent tithes. Yet God says that they are empty. That their hearts are unrepentant and filled with malice. They have the appearance of godliness, but in all truth, they are miles apart from who God is, and what He desires.

It is my humble prayer that this week’s Reflection will find you with a heart that is seeking after righteousness. May it bring you words of encouragement and inspire you to search your heart and see what it is that God sees. May your heart, mind, and body be fit for the Kingdom of God, and the race that we find ourselves in. Remembering that, the race is not given to the swift nor the strong, but to those that endure.

Why do we try to fake God out? I mean, He knows us. He knows the truth. There is not one thing about us that Father does not know. Yet we feign righteousness when we are in the presence of others; hoping that no one around us really knows the secret sins that we carry, or the façade that we have been living.

We even try to fool God. We act as though everything is well. That we are pleased to be serving the Lord, and that whatever comes our way, we are counting it all joy. What a fantastic lie many of us tell ourselves. When the truth is, we have grown weary, and our hearts are no longer in serving God. Now we just do it out of habit, or because someone is watching. But we forget that God is watching. He is right there to witness all that we do and do not do. And the only one to suffer is us.

The enemy is great at deceiving us. He will whisper in our ear that God is not looking. That God really isn’t concerned about what we feel inside. That as long as we keep going to church, being good to people, serving on the various committees and boards we will be fine. Sound familiar? That’s how he got Eve; by twisting the word of God.

It is true that God desires us to be workers in the vineyard. To serve others as we serve Him. Yet, He requires that it be done with a clean heart, a righteous spirit, as unto Him. It is truly our heart that the Father is looking closely at. He desires to abide in our hearts. Because when He resides within our heart, He can lead us in the paths of righteousness, and from this path we receive the fulfillment and joy of serving the Lord through any kind of situation.

Proverbs 8:17-21

“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is than gold, yea, fine gold; and my revenue is choice silver. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance*; and I will fill their treasures**.” ( wealth, treasuries)

More than anything the Father loves you, and desires that it is reciprocated. When you love the Lord, and truly want to please Him, you will find yourself seeking the Lord early and frequently. There is nothing greater than being in the presence of God. To sit in His presence and receive of Him.

Many miss the opportunity to have their prayers answered and their needs met, simply because they do not take the time to seek out the Lord, and allow your heart to be filled with all that God is.

We walk around pious and haughty. We act as though we are doing well because we drive fine cars, live in beautiful homes, serve on church committees and hand out baskets and clothing to the poor. But the Father says that the true riches and honor are with Him. We work and toil for what can be taken away at anytime; when what the Father offers is durable; it lasts. It won’t run out or expire, and His righteousness takes precedence in our lives; our hearts.

The Lord knows our hearts. He is not into the theatrics and the rending of our garments when it is our hearts that need rending. He is not into the lip service. Nor is He impressed by how much you can give or out-give someone else. It is our heart, and what lives in it.

Does Christ live in your heart today? Has the Holy Spirit taken up residence in your heart? Is Jesus sitting on the throne of your heart? Or, has God been left out, knocking, waiting for you to invite Him in? It doesn’t matter what title you hold. It doesn’t matter what kind of degree you have. It doesn’t matter what position you hold in the church. It doesn’t mater how well you can sing—even if it’s like an angel. It doesn’t matter how much money you give. It doesn’t matter how moral you behave. What does matter is if God is on the throne of your heart.

If within in you resides the seed of righteousness. That your walk is holy, righteous and acceptable unto God. That’s what counts.

Do you believe that people can see your heart? I do. If you are a person that truly loves the Lord, and you desire to please the Father, then what you do begins to come from a place within your heart. Accolades do not concern you; just that whatever needs to be done gets done. Recognition by man does not stir you; but a Word from the Lord moves you.

When you operate from a heart that has been rendered unto God; made meet for the Master’s use; love becomes your way of life. It goes beyond Agape love. Your heart is filled with God, and there is no longer any room for backbiting, lying, gossiping, jealousy, fear, intimidation, forwardness, fakeness, or complaining. Righteousness becomes your muse, and the desire to please God and see the lost saved.

God leads in righteousness, and in order to hear Him, follow Him, to be like Him, you must walk in righteousness. And in order to walk in righteousness, your heart must be sold out to the King, and filled with who He is—righteousness. The Father says that He will cause those that love Him to inherit wealth, and He will fill their treasuries.

Make no mistake; God knows your heart. He knows why you do what you do. Even if no one else knows your motives; know that God does. He has an inside track into you. After all, He created you. When all is said and done, only you can stand before God for you. Only you can answer for the choices you make, and the condition of your heart.

I pray that you allow the heavenly Father to do reconstruct your heart, and fill you with His presence. Allow the Lord to be the King upon the throne of your heart, and lead you in the paths of righteousness for His namesake. May the spirit of peace and prosperity find rest in your: spiritual, physical, emotional, mental, social, and financial lives. Give your heart to God completely. Honor Him with all your heart, soul, and might. And He will honor you. Be Blessed.

©2009 Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.