I love this Valentine and keep sending it each year as the message is timeless and the graphics so true.
The cynic might say Valentine’s Day is the day for florists, candy and card makers to earn a great deal of money. I walked into a local supermarket yesterday, and I was overwhelmed by the amount of flowers, cards and candy that were on display. On the love side, Valentine’s Day is a day when we can express our love for one another freely and not be thought of as sentimental or mushy. How about God? How does God express His love for us? Here is a familiar verse that gets right to the heart of God.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that who ever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For He did not sent his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17
How much more love could God show towards us than sacrificing His only Son on our behalf? He loved us that much. He sent Him so that through faith in Jesus we could be saved and not condemned. Only sinless Jesus could erase our sin and present us whole and perfectly clean before our Holy God.
When you say ‘thank you’ today for a Valentine gift you receive, a card, note, flowers or someone simply saying ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’, think about thanking God too. Thank Him for sending Jesus. Thank Him for making a way for your salvation and eternal life with Him. That is the best Valentine I can think of that is filled with all of God’s love for now throughout eternity.
Colossians 3:15-16“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.“
Paul was writing to Colossians about their attitudes towards one another. In verses 12-15 he describes what their behavior should look like towards one another that would be pleasing to God. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” If we are behaving as Paul describes, then we just need to relax and let Christ rule in our hearts bringing peace and unity to our gatherings. Because of the message of Christ, we can worship together and praise God in one accord with extreme gratitude in our hearts.
What if this is not what our homes, families, and churches look like? Then we need to seek God’s help. Hebrews 4:16 “ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our timeofneed.” God will seek to use us to bring harmony and peace to where we are. He promises His peace to indwell us and knowing that promise we can indeed be thankful. At this opportune time of the year, let us express our thanks to God and to let others know that our THANKFULNESS comes from GOD! Remember, Psalm 107:2 “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble.”
A truth to claim with thanksgiving: I am forgiven. You might wonder why I chose this truth for today’s scripture. As my remember my own sin, it brings great thankfulness for God’s forgiveness. I can look at others as ones loved by God who also stand in need of forgiveness. I am reminded of Romans 5:8“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God loved me and sent Christ to die for me. That is the center of my thankfulness and heart of gratitude towards God and others. Here are a few other verses about forgiveness: Colossians 1:12-14 “and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Micah 7:18-19 is one of my favorites to claim with hope and thanks, “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. 19 You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” Thank you Jesus, my sins are gone!
I also love the image given to us in Isaiah 38:17 “Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.”
Let your forgiven heart be open to the needs of others and seek to make peace at your Thanksgiving table. Remember you have His peace within you and can testify to the wonders of His Name.
My friend Laureen has chosen Colossian 3:23 as her favorite verse. This verse comes after Paul has given standards for conduct for husbands, wives, children, Fathers and slaves. (Colossians 3:18-22) Verse 23 begins Paul’s summary of why we do what we do. He explains more fully in Colossians 3:23-25.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.
Paul’s reminder of why we need to act with submission, love, respect and obedience towards those we are in relationships with is so that we can reflect Christ in our actions and show the nature of our heart. Our hearts motivate us into action for good if based on our love for Christ or not if centered in ourselves. All of our actions should seek to reflect the love of Christ because we love Him for all He has done for us. Not only are we redeemed and forgiven but will live with Him for eternity. Our purpose is to reflect Him in all we say and do so that He will be glorified. God promises rewards – an inheritance which includes a home in heaven and a relationship with Him. Our inheritance brings us into His family and makes us an heir with Christ. So knowing all this, Paul reminds us to remember who we are serving and that those who choose not to serve Him will receive a different kind of reward. The last line states that God shows no favorites. He loves you and me equally and desires that all should come to repentance! 2 Peter 3:9 reveals God’s heart and promise, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
How does this effect me today? Examine your own heart and motives. Do you do things for the Lord, to bring glory to Him? Or do you do things for self-gain, pride or greed? Are you working 100% for the Lord or are you only giving less than 100% effort and holding back? Each day we need look at our motives and be sure we are speaking, doing things and interacting with people through godly motives. You can ask yourself, Am it reflecting Christ in what I say and do? Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you discern your motives and help you to align them and your heart with Christ so that He may be glorified in your life.
Thanks Laureen for pointing me to this group of verses to better understand how I am to act and react towards others and hold right motives in my heart.
My friend Greg is a thoughtful and dedicated believer who seeks to continually examine his walk and relationship with the Lord. It does not surprise me that one of his favorite passages in Isaiah 58:6-12. Take a close look at these verses with me and see why Greg receives insight, challenges and reassurance for his walk with Christ. I have chosen the NLT as it makes it easier to understand.
“No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. 7 Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. God was speaking to the Israelites through the prophet Isaiah. They were fasting and proclaiming their ‘religiosity’ before men without having their hearts dedicated to the Lord. God is telling them, and us, that He desires true dedication and devotion that is evident in our lives by the things we do. Do we see to the needs of others? Seek to help the less fortunate? When was the last time you worked at a soup kitchen, gave to the homeless or sought to uplift a suffering friend? Food for thought and action.
What a wonderful promise from God!
God told them if they did these things and had a right heart for others then they would be truly rewarded. 8 “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. 9 Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply. Seeing to the needs of others leads to blessings and a deeper walk with God. Here Isaiah mentions- salvation, godliness, protection and answered prayer as benefits of being a humble servant.
I love this is a promise from God of His continual care.
“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors! 10 Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. 11 The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. 12 Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.
In this last section, Isaiah continues with instructions for not gossiping or putting down others but challenges us to be about feeding the hungry and seeing to the needs of others. Then we will find that the Lord guides, restores and strengthens us like a well-watered garden! Verse 12 reminds us that all of us are not called to do the same thing. God has many ways for us to show ourselves to be His humble servants. It is a challenge with confirmation. Pray and seek God’s guidance of where He has for you to serve and to whom He has for you to give a helping hand.
Thanks Greg for challenging us with this wonderful passage. May we all be more open and receptive to His guidance and may we receive the benefits of His blessings with praise and thanksgiving in our hearts.
For our final Sunday of Lent, #5, before Palm Sunday and the Easter, I want to look at the last verses of Psalm139: 23-24. These verses speak to my heart because they tell me to who God is and why I need Him.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
God is omniscient, all-knowing so He knows what is in my heart and what my heart desires. If it is not good- then God knows it. If it is good or partially good, God knows it. He can and does use my thoughts to guide and challenge my thinking. I am His and all of me belongs to Him. He can seek out and reveal to me things I have done wrong, attitudes that need refining or redirecting and through His searching He can cleanse me from the inside out! Praise our magnificent, merciful and loving God.
One thing I’ve noticed about favorite verses. Some are ones you cling to as a life line for a lifetime, others are tailored to specific seasons of our lives. All are good and remind us that God’s Word will always sustain and encourage us in our walk with Him.
Today’s verse comes from my friend Patty. She chose Proverbs 4:20-22. and I added verse 23. I chose the New Living Translation.
My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. 21 Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, 22 for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
These verses call for us to look into God’s Word diligently and listen to His directions for living. We are to meditate upon them and let them sink deep into our hearts. The promise is that in doing so, we will find life and healing for our whole body- heart, mind, and soul. We are admonished to guard, hold fast, protect, our hearts for where our hearts lead us determines our life’s direction. Jesus taught this same principle in Matthew 6:20-21 “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
The questions for us today are:Am I listening to God when I pray, worship and read His Word? Acts 16:14 gives the story and attitude of Lydia. Is this you? “One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. She was open to God and was ready to listen and respond. Am I listening with a heart that is ready to respond to what God has for me?
Am I letting His Word penetrate my life and guide my actions and words?Psalm 119:9 and 11 “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? Byliving according to your word. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” God’s Word needs to be internalized to help us live and think biblically.
Am I praying and studying God’s Word with the expectation of healing and guidance? Psalm 143:1 “Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. and James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayerofarighteous person is powerful and effective.” Am I praying like Paul for the things Christ has for me, Colossians 1:9 “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,”
Am I taking steps daily to guard my heart? Philippians 4:6-7 tells us how“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Pray with a thankful heart and submit to Him. He will guard your heart. I love the promise in 2 Timothy 1:14 “Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the HolySpirit who lives in us.”
This is our blessed assurance: we do not have to do all of these things in our own power and strength. 1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the powerof God.” Check your power source. Recharge with prayer and the Word. Then ‘just do it!’ for the Lord!! He is always with you and will guide your steps.
As we look towards Lent beginning in a few days, I need to ask myself what does God desire of my heart? In my heart search in Psalms I found new facets and attitudes of our hearts showing what God desires. He desires that we have a bold, teachable, repentant and seeking heart in our interactions and responses towards Him.
God desires that we take a ‘No Fear’ stance in life that depends upon God and not ourselves. Psalm 112:7 “They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” Be bold for Him.
God desires that we are open to teaching and examination of our motives.Psalm 26:2 “Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;” Psalm 139:23 “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.”Be teachable by Him.
God desires a repentant heart, one that is sorrowing over sin, the Bible also describes this as a contrite heart.Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” Isaiahalso speaks of our need to have a contrite heart inIsaiah 57:15 ” The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this:“I live in the high and holy placewith those whose spirits are contrite and humble.I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.” God desires us to be repentant so He can restore and dwell with us. We have to come humbly before Him. Since living with Him is not just when we die, we need to deal with the sin in our lives. God living with us is being indwelt by His Holy Spirit begins when Jesus enters our hearts and lives. Jesus gives cleansing from sin when we come before Him with a contrite heart and ask for forgiveness and restoration. Be repentant or contrite towards our sin.
God desires that I have a seeking heart towards Him. Psalm 119:10 “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.” Psalm 22:26 “The afflicted (meek) shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever!” Be a seeker of Him.
What is the temperament of your heart today? Are you trusting, open to teaching, repentant and seeking restoration? Would God describe your heart as contrite? Do you sorrow over your sins and desire to walk with Jesus each day? The opposite of each of the above would be one who is fearful, close-minded, rejecting, proud and arrogant over their sins. I pray that none of those describe your heart and that you seek to please God. Micah describes it this way: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
May this be the attitude of our hearts as we walk with Him today.
Proverbs has a lot to say about the heart. Sometimes the truth is given directly like in Proverbs 24:1-2 “Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, 2 for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble” and Proverbs 6:14 describes a wicked man’s heart, “with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord.” Very often the proverbs are given with a contrast between the good heart and the bad and seeks to teach or instruct us about our hearts. Proverbs 28:14 “Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity. “ The writer of Proverbs was wise and desired us to know how God views the heart of man and that God would not just be an observer in our lives. Proverbs 21:2 “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.” Proverbs 17:3 “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.”
Proverbs also teaches how our hearts can and do show our emotions. Proverbs 15:13-15 speaks of the cheerful, seeking heart and how a sorrow can crush the spirit of our heart. “A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. 14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,but the mouths of fools feed on folly. 15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.” Proverbs 14:30 speaks of the effects of calm and envy on the heart. “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.”
In Proverbs 6:16-19 we are given a list of things God hates that really displease Him. “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, 19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”
How do these ‘heart’ proverbs speak to you today? Is your heart cheerful and calm or do you have times when you feel discord, disharmony or evil? Because of the root of sin in our hearts, we need to continually submit our hearts to the Lord for His continual transformation. I love Proverbs 22:11 “He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.” I do want King Jesus as my friend so I need to submit to daily cleansing at His feet in prayer. Won’t you join me today?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you know the true nature of my heart. Root out the evil ways in me and replace them with your love, grace and mercy. Give me compassion and love for others that comes out of a grateful heart. Create in me a clean heart that desires to please you. Amen.
Psalms is filled with images of the heart. Today think about some of these and see if you can identify and claim them for your own heart towards God.
A heart filled with Praise and Thanksgiving, Psalm 9:1 “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.”
A heart filled with Confidence, especially in times of adversity,Psalm 27:3 “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.”
A heart filled with JOY because of God’s Word, Psalm 119:111 “Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.”
A heart that is willing to wait upon the Lord, Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
A heart that is unafraid to call upon the Lord for help,Psalm 119:145 “With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord! I will keep your statutes.”
A heart that yearns for God’s presence,Psalm 84:2 “My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.”
A heart filled with Praise and Gratitude,Psalm 138:1 “I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise”
Our heart attitude needs to begin and end with praise and thanksgiving each day. God’s Word is so descriptive and really points to the true needs of our hearts in relationship to and towards God. Do you see confidence in Him? Joy in His Word? A willingness to wait upon Him? Fearlessness in talking to God about your problems? A yearning for God in your heart? Let His Word be your guide today as you examine your heart before Him.
Two heart verses spoke to me this morning. Knowing our hearts are deceitful and driven by original sin, God promises to do a work in our hearts that is amazing. Proverbs 3:5-6is a well quoted verse that speaks of God’s power to lead and guide if we will trust and acknowledge Him in our lives. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” God is the one with the transforming power in our lives if we will seek to know and trust Him.
My second verse is found in Psalm 34:17-18, The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. David wrote these words during a very difficult time in his life. He knew God. He knew God would hear his cries for help. David knew God would and could rescue him. He knew from experience that God was near to him when his heart was broken and his spirit crushed. David knew God and had experienced His love and care during times of great need.
God knows our hearts and sees what we need even before we ask for help. God knows our desire for guidance and He alone has the power to mend our broken hearts and crushed spirit. Seek Him like David did and lay your sorrows, hurts and needs before Him. He promises that those who seek Him will find Him. Moses told the children of Israel just before they entered the Promised Land, “But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29 God promises to be found if we seek with an open heart. Seek Him today and tell Him about your broken heart, your crushed spirit or your desire to be guided by Him. God can and will answer your prayers, just as He promised.
Seeking His comfort and clinging to His promise as I walk with Him daily,
Fearless Living 