Value God's Heart

"Are we commending ourselves to you again?

No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us,

so you can answer those who brag

about having a spectacular ministry

rather than having a sincere heart."

2 Corinthians 5:12 NLT

He didn't look at the outward appearance, choosing the most obvious brother who seemed more kingly.  Instead, God chose the boy who hadn't yet grown into a man.  He anointed David as the next king of Israel because the shepherd boy was to be known as a man after God's own heart.  (1 Samuel 16:7, Acts 13:22)

I have to admit, I am impressed with spectacular ministries that boast large numbers of converts, or that make a large impact, changing whole communities, or who can boast of much growth.  God, however, is impressed with an obedient heart who is devoted to pleasing Him and doing as He has called, even if it means I will never see the impact in this lifetime.

Since God values my heart, I should value His as well.

Loving the Lost

His flock was large; 99 strong.  Still, the thought of that one who had gone astray constantly weighed on His heart.  He couldn't just leave His beloved own wandering around aimlessly, searching for the truth.  He must pursue. (Luke 15:3-7)

This is the heart of God.  He is a tracker, a hunter, a finder of the lost.  How do I respond to the lost who God has placed all around me?  There is the surly old man who flings insults at me as I try to strike up a conversation, or the angry teenager who constantly gets himself into trouble, or the lonely woman who drowns her sorrows in a bottle.

God never gives up on the lost, so neither should I.

Mercy on the Estranged

The boy wanted his own way.  He couldn't wait to taste life to the fullest by trying new foods, experiencing new cultures and embracing the affections of many women.  Thinking he was ready to strike out on his own, he begged his father for his inheritance now.  Reluctantly, the father let his son have his way.  Inside, though, he mourned for what could have been.

Like God, this father loved his son enough to let him go until such a time as he would see his need for his father.  When the son realized the error of his decision as he saw that even the pigs had it better than he, he was ready to turn back to his father.  Why should he starve when there was a father who loved him and who always provided?  Sure enough, his father welcomed him with open arms, looking beyond the hurt of the past and accepting him as a beloved son. (Luke 15:11-32)

This is the heart of God.  He has mercy on the estranged, compassion on those who are separated, and sympathy for the alienated.  How do I respond to those around me who are reaping what they have sown?  Perhaps they made some poor decisions and are now drowning in a sea of debt, or they lived a life of selfishness and now find themselves all alone, or their choices were based on ignorance rather than wisdom and now they are in a world of hurt.

God's mercy never runs out, so neither should mine.

Forgiving the Debtor

His servant owed Him millions of dollars.  The master didn't really have a choice but to sell the man's wife and his children to pay for the debt.  There was no other way.  When He brought the servant before Him, however, the man fell down at His feet, begging for mercy.  The Master's heart was filled with compassion and He forgave the debt on the spot, releasing him from this heavy burden. (Matthew 18:21-27)

This is the heart of God.  Through the blood of Jesus, He is able to forgive me of all my sins, not holding my transgressions against me.  I am released from the heavy burden my sins place on me.  For this reason, I hold the power to let go of the hurts others cause me.  Unlike the servant in the above story who refused to forgive another of a small debt, I am called to be an expert in forgiveness.

Who needs my forgiveness today?  It could be the close friend who snubbed me in a hurtful way, or the family member who routinely leaves me out of important decisions, or the coworker who refuses to acknowledge my existence.

God forgives me so I can forgive others.

God is all about the heart.  Learning about His heart gives me a clue as to how to live my life as His child.  Loving the lost, showing mercy to the estranged, and living to forgive are some attributes of God's heart.  If I value His heart, I will follow suit and let Him do the same through me.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will value God's heart.

How do I withhold mercy from those who I judge as not worthy or deserving?

When do I overlook the lost?

Live for Jesus

"But my people have exchanged their Glory

for worthless idols."

Jeremiah 2:11

"For Christ's love compels us, 

because we are convinced that one died for all,

and therefore all died.

And he died for all,

that those who live should no longer live for themselves

but for him who died for them

and was raised again."

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Easter is a busy time for American families.  We rush from activity to activity, straining to take it all in and to not miss a single thing.  We want it all; meaning. . .fun. . .significance. . .enjoyment. . tradition. . .it's all a part of the season.  We do what we do out of a sense of obligation, or guilt, or ambition.

Where does God fit into the madness?  Where is God when I'm serving on the food line at the local soup kitchen?  Is God a part of the mad dash for candy-laden Easter eggs?  Can God tag along when I'm shopping for the perfect dress for Sunday morning service?

I am made for God.  He created me in His likeness.  As such, He deserves my undivided attention, devotion and reverence.  It's funny, then, how easily I can change it around to God being there for me.  My flesh being the most visible while none of His attributes shine through.  Me thinking that I deserve all the best there is to be found. 

Me and my self-interest all too easily become an idol that steals glory from God.  He does not idly stand by while I live for myself.  He will not sugar coat the truth.  He will do what He has to do in order to recapture my heart!

Get My Attention

The house suddenly is destroyed by fire.  What was once good health takes a turn for the worse.  A car accident totals the car.  A steady job is abruptly snatched away.  


These are difficulties common to life in this world.  Each one is a tragedy that no one wants to relive but from which few are immune.  Disasters, while seemingly random and by chance, can be tools used by God to get my attention.


God gave the prophet Ezekiel a message that illustrated just this point.  He said, "The people of Israel have set up idols in their hearts and fallen into sin, and then they go to a prophet asking for a message.  So I, the LORD, will give them the kind of answer their great idolatry deserves.  I will do this to capture the minds and hearts of all my people who have turned from me to worship their detestable idols."  (Ezekiel 14:4-5 NLT)


Sometimes the answer I am looking for is not the Truth that I need.  I am not always receptive to the Truth, especially when my life is not right before God.  When my desires have replaced God's desires.  Or when obedience to God has been exchanged for my comfort.  Or the times when my pleasure has traded places with pleasing God.  Everything is topsy-turvy and Jesus is not Lord of my life. . . I am lord of my life.


Consequently, God pulls out the big guns to catch my interest.  In my state of emergency, I am open to the Truth and see how my life has become all about me instead of all about my Savior.


When hard times come my way, it is likely that God is trying to get my attention and recapture my heart so that I will live for Jesus.

Prune

I recently started growing roses and undertook the task of pruning them back before the spring growth appeared.  While observing the sticks left standing after the job, I felt sick at the thought of all that I had cut off!  It seemed so drastic!  But a few weeks later, the fruit of my labor was evident.  Dozens of buds had formed on the new growth stimulated by the pruning.  

Jesus talks about this process in John 15.  He explains that in order for me to produce fruit, I must be a part of the vine.  Just as a rose cannot grow apart from the bush, my life cannot exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness or self control apart from Jesus. (Galatians 5:22-23)  

There are many times I drift away from Jesus, thinking I can do things in my own strength.  I believe I am pretty self-sufficient and gifted in areas that make me well-suited for a certain task, ministry or job.  Soon, I find myself in a state of burn-out, frustration and grumpiness.  What happened?

I was trying to grow apart from my source of life. No matter how hard I try,  for instance, I can't show patience to others the way Jesus waits for me to come around.  People can be as mean as an injured dog backed into a corner.  Others are stubborn and don't want to hear any advice.  Many just want some encouragement. 

But I can't figure out who needs what and when they need it.  Instead, I must let Him love others through me by giving up my will for His.  Then He can have His way in that area of my life.  In other words, I need to stop thinking I have all the answers and let Him have the problem instead.

Just as I cut off some perfectly good branches on those roses in order to encourage new growth, Jesus will take away what I think are acceptable parts of my life so that I can have a better chance of producing some of His fruit.

When it's time for me to let go of one part of my life, I can be assured that it is so fruit that glorifies God will replace it.

Love

"All we need is love. . . " I've heard the song and believed the premise behind the lyrics.  But humans have no concept of real love.  God loves in a way that can't be reciprocated.  No matter how much I am devoted to God, it will pale in comparison to the way God loves me.

His love is patient, kind, not envious or boastful, it's humble and not rude or self-seeking.  God's love is not easily angered and doesn't keep a tally of all my past wrongs.  It jumps for joy when it recognizes the truth, protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres and never fails.  (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) This is the kind of love that draws me back to Himself.  

On the other hand, my attempts at love expect results now, are discontent with circumstances and pushy, thinking I can fix a problem quickly.  It's all about me and getting the job done in a timely manner no matter whose toes I step on.  My brand of love remembers what others have done. . . just in case they do it again I can't complain that I wasn't forewarned!  In other words, the way I love is not really love at all.

Jesus loves me in such a way that He was willing to pay the ultimate price for my sins so that my relationship with God could be restored and I could avoid the penalty of eternal death.  Jesus taught that I am not to just horde up His love for myself, but to pass it on to others so that they may experience it as well.  

In order for this to happen, however, I must sacrifice my life in much the same way Jesus did.  I must give up my self-centered priorities, my self-interest, my selfish comfort, my desire to protect my reputation. . . everything that points to me must die. 

As I love others in a self-sacrificing way, as Jesus did, I will find that the world will hate me.  A kind word will be thanked with a sneering glance.  A thoughtful gesture will be cast away with disdain.  Time dedicated in selfless service will go unnoticed by others.  But I can't take it personally the way I naturally do.  

Jesus warned me it would be so.  He said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world."  (John 16:33)

God loves me with an everlasting love that constantly seeks to restore my relationship with Him.  As His follower, He calls me to love in the same sacrificial way.  But as I allow His love to flow through me, others will sneer at His Spirit which is within me.  

Easter is a busy time when It is easy for my life to get out of kilter and something else ends up holding the position of highest importance instead of God.  But when this happens, God will get my attention, do some pruning, and continue to love me as His precious daughter.

Then I can truly celebrate Easter as a time of new life and begin to live for Jesus!

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I can recognize the tools God uses to bring my life back into alignment with Him.

How do I fight God's attention getting tactics by falling into self-pity?

What has God been pruning out of my life so more of His love will show through?

Jesus

"But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

each of us has turned to his own way;

and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all."

Isaiah 53:5-6

Easter is approaching fast and many of our minds are turning to thoughts of Easter bunnies, Easter bonnets, Easter dresses, Easter Eggs or the delicious Easter buffet.  All of these things have the power to distract from the Truth that is central to the holiday.  

What is the Truth?  I need a Savior to mend my broken relationship with my Father.  I need a Savior to deliver me from the punishment my sins deserve.  I need a Savior to save me from myself.

"God made him who had no sin to be a sin offering for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."  (2 Corinthians 5:21)  

Jesus Christ is my Savior, and He is who I celebrate this Easter.

In All Things

Eggs are a symbol of new life.  As such, it seems appropriate to include them in my celebration of the new life I now enjoy through faith in Jesus Christ.  

Dying eggs, hiding them for a neighborhood Easter egg hunt or giving them as gifts to my loved ones all are appropriate ways of celebrating Jesus' death and resurrection.  An egg is a perfect window of opportunity to teach the gospel to others. 

In the same way that a baby chick can burst forth from an egg, beginning it's new life, God can break me out of my old life of sin and into a new life of righteousness when I appoint Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.  This is done through faith, not by anything I do.  Salvation is a free gift offered by a loving God.  

I don't have to do away with secular traditions as long as I bring my faith into them.  Meaning can be given to any custom in order to use it as a vehicle to point to Christ.   

Through All Things

Life came through Jesus, both the physical and the spiritual.  John 1:3 says that, "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."  I would never have been born from my mother's womb if it wasn't for Jesus.  

Likewise, I would not have been born again into a new spiritual life if it wasn't for the sacrifice Jesus made in dying on the cross.  Through His death, I have been offered life.

As I prepare for Easter, I can continually turn my thoughts toward the One through whom all things are given life.  

For all Things  

I like to think this world exists for my sake.  My pride encourages me to think that God made me  so that I can live to please myself, worship myself and focus on myself.  After all, He wants me to be happy, to fulfill my desires and to take care of myself, doesn't He?

Colossians 1:16 reminds me that, "all things were created by him and for him."  I am here for Jesus' sake, not for my own.  As Pastor Rick Warren begins the message of his book The Purpose Drive Life, "It's not about you."

This means that He wants everything I do to point to Him, to fulfill His desires and to rely on Him for my physical, emotional and spiritual needs.  

Easter is the perfect time to do all things for my Savior instead of for myself.

There are many things to distract me from the central truth of Easter.  But I don't have to let these diversions turn me away from the unspeakable sacrifice Jesus made for me.  I can make Him a part of all things, I can constantly remember all things come through Him, and I can do everything for Him.  

Then I will truly be celebrating Easter!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep my eyes on Jesus.

What distracts me from Jesus, especially at Easter time?

How can I dedicate this Easter solely to my Savior?

For the Love of God

"For Christ’s love compels us,

because we are convinced that one died for all,

and therefore all died.

And he died for all,

that those who live should no longer live for themselves

but for him who died for them and was raised again."

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Do I really know God?  Or do I simply know of Him?  Do I enjoy a relationship with my Father in heaven, or do I only acknowledge what He has done for me?

God is jealous for me.  He created me to be in relationship with Him.  Not to simply read about Him as I learn about a character in a book or to talk about Him as some kind of cosmic force who is incapable of connecting with those He created in His own image.  He understands me more than I understand myself and He has promised that when I seek Him. . . strive to know Him with all my heart. . . I will find Him.

The One True God is a relational God.  Do I really know God?

Live for Him

The daughter of a reigning king does not live for herself.  If she loves her father and his kingdom, then every decision she makes is influenced by that love.  Her highest priority is in bringing honor and glory to her father and doing what is best for his kingdom.

As a daughter of the King, I can either live for myself, or live for my Father.  Whatever my decision, if it is not propelled by love for God, I will grow resentful.  I will become angry that I cannot do things the way I want to do things but am bound to His way.

The truth is that I always have a choice.  My Father is not a bully who forces me to live for Him.  He is a loving Father who waits for me to choose to live for Him. . . .out of love for Him.  When I surrender out of love, all trace of bitterness is gone and I become like the apostle Paul in today's passage, being compelled by the love of Christ.

Loving God means living for God.

Please Him

When I look into the eyes of my dog, I see a genuine desire to please me as his master.  I can only describe that look as a combination of affection and worship.  He simply adores me and would do anything for me.  Ah, the loyalty and devotion of a dog!

It is my desire to hold that same intensity of adoration and devotion for my Father, to long to please Him and Him alone.  I can take the advice of the Apostle Paul when he said, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,  since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." (Colossians 3:23-24)

When I am devoted to my Lord and Savior Christ Jesus, I want Him to hold the highest position in my list of priorities and in my heart.  For it is said that, "the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love." (Psalm 147:11)

Loving God means striving to please God.

Share Him

When I make a delicious batch of ooey-gooey chocolate chip cookies, it is my natural inclination to keep them for myself and my family.  I want to enjoy them as long as I can and, being naturally selfish, it's not surprising that I would think this way.

As a follower of Christ, He calls me to share all the good things I experience, including my precious baked goods!  But the most important thing to share is the amazing love He has for me.  I can't keep that to myself.  As one who has experienced an intimate relationship with my Creator, I must let everyone I meet in on the possibility of sharing in that connection.  They too can enter into a life-changing relationship with their Creator through faith in Jesus Christ.

Loving God means sharing God through Jesus my Savior.

As you listen to "What do I know of Holy?" by Addison Road, meditate on the powerful message written by Allison Rogers and Jennifer Ann Simmons. 

To move beyond simply knowing of God or knowing about Him, I must enter into a relationship with Him and experience His love for me, which fosters a love for Him in my heart.  As I love Him, I will live for Him, desire to please Him and share Him with others.  And my love will grow!

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will grow in my love for God, not just in the disciplines or in my character.

Has my love for God grown cold, propelling me into a cycle of living only for myself and my family?

How can I share the love that God has for us to all those around me instead of hording it for myself?