IS YOUR HEART FOCUSED ON GOD ?
5/7/2020
It is vitally important that we continually do a check up on exactly where our heart is in terms of our relationship with God. The condition of our heart in terms of our life focus has a huge impact in how we live, our purpose, our desires, our communication with God, and also our entire future from an eternal point of view. Our pastor at Brave Church ( check out Ministries we support :) ) did an amazing job of putting this in perspective in his online sermon this past Sunday. Jeff used the parable of the sower ( Mark 4: 1-20 ) that Jesus shared with his disciples to bring home the point of how the Gospel can impact different people according to the condition of their heart. It is God’s desire to open our hearts to have relationship with Him, and His Word gives us a clear picture of what is required as citizens of His Kingdom.
YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME WHEN YOU SEEK ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART. Jeremiah 29:13
TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING; IN ALL YOUR WAYS SUBMIT TO HIM, AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT. Proverbs 3: 5-6
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO KEEP HIS STATUTES AND SEEK HIM WITH ALL THEIR HEART. Psalm 119:2
It is so clear that God the Father wants us to seek Him with all our heart, and that if we do, we will be blessed and find a clearness of path and purpose in our life. The parable of the sower gives a clear picture of how mankind responds to God’s invitation to be in relationship with Him, and the responses are best understood by what condition your heart is in. I can’t emphasize how important it is to take a really hard look at yourself and come to a conclusion about where you are, and most importantly, where you want to be.
And the seed fell upon HARD GROUND : A Heart that is Hard. No interest in God. Rejection of God. Willful unbelief in God. Nothing of God takes root in your life. You don’t need or want Him.
And the seed fell upon ROCKY SOIL : A Heart that is Shallow. A quick and emotional excitement for God, but commitment never takes root. Upon mocking by others, persecution and challenges, God is rejected. No faith is built, no repentance embraced, and the relationship was simply temporary then gone. From “all in to all out”.
And the seed fell among SOIL WITH WEEDS AND THORNS : A Heart that is Worldly. Hear the Word of God, believe it, embrace it, perhaps in many ways live it and participate religiously…but the World chokes it out and destroys it. The World, Worries, Wealth and desire for Self Control overrules God. No true desire for or trust in the Will of God. Personal pleasure, control of circumstances produce a continual desire for more, and an “ all about me “ focus on life. No true Repentance, Change, Eternal Focus, Fruitfulness or Relationship with Jesus. NOT REALLY SAVED….
And the seed fell upon GOOD SOIL : A Heart that is Regenerate. Made alive in Jesus ! Receive, Believe, Repent, Align, Surrender, Change. Take up the Cross and never look back. 100 % Commitment. Presence of Holy Spirit Magnifies Christ In Your Life ! Blessed, Saved, Complete, Free for Eternity. A citizen of God’s Kingdom.
Take a good long time to contemplate your heart, and understand exactly where you are, and exactly what future awaits you. The truth here is that for the people who reside in a place of a Hardened Heart, or a Shallow Heart, your future is unfortunately separation from God forever, and eternal suffering….in Hell. Sad and also avoidable with a Change of Heart. Perhaps even worse is the agony of a Worldly Heart. A place where you lie to yourself about your belief, your faith, and your relationship with Jesus. Just can’t give up self need, pleasure, and control. You are a Fake, and deep inside you know it. The worst part of this is that almost ALL CHRISTIANS WILL FIND THEMSELVES IN THIS STRUGGLE. We all sin ! The difference is when YOU MAKE A PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO REPENT AND CHANGE ! The great and exciting news is that God can help you to the place of a Regenerative Heart. Seek Him, Pray, Wrestle, Struggle, but you must surrender and change. Repent and Grow. Abide in Jesus, and Him in you. Bear Fruit for Him. Build that personal relationship and GO DEEP ! Share Him with others. Share the Gospel, make disciples and start LIVING AND WALKING WITH JESUS :) Your life can be full of the Joy and Hope that only comes from God. Pick up your Cross and deny yourself. The reward is sweet….being with Jesus every day here on earth, and knowing you will be with him as you walk into Eternity… Loved and truly His forever. A Heart For Him/JAA
YOU MAKE KNOWN TO ME THE PATH OF LIFE; IN YOUR PRESENCE THERE IS FULLNESS OF JOY; AT YOUR RIGHT HAND ARE PLEASURES FOREVERMORE. Psalm 16:11