WHY OUR HEART IS WHERE GOD FOCUSES HIS ATTENTION

1/31/2021

When I look at my relationship with God, it is so abundantly clear to me that His focus is only on my heart. He cares about who I am, and how I perceive my relationship with Him. I focus a lot on self. I think about my behavior. I think about my physical needs. I think about my struggles and failures. I think about how much progress I have made in my faith and my maturity as a Christian ! I am looking for self driven goals at times. I am putting in so much work and effort to be better, less sinful, less worldly…..and I hear His voice quietly say, “Jim, what I really want is your heart. That is the whole of it. Your heart, aligned with who I Am, complete in ME ! Loving ME with all you are. Heart, Mind, Soul…..above everything else. That means surrendering yourself into ME. Once you are abiding in the GIFT of my SON, JESUS, you will be complete.

AND HE SAID TO HIM, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL. AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND. Matthew 22:37

“ I WILL GIVE YOU A NEW HEART AND PUT A NEW SPIRIT WITHIN YOU: I WILL REMOVE YOUR HEART OF STONE AND GIVE YOU A HEART OF FLESH. “ I WILL PLACE MY SPIRIT WITHIN YOU AND CAUSE YOU TO FOLLOW MY STATUTES AND CAREFULLY OBSERVE MY ORDINANCES. “ “YOU WILL LIVE IN THE LAND THAT I GAVE YOUR FATHERS ; YOU WILL BE MY PEOPLE AND I WILL BE YOUR GOD. Ezekiel 36 : 26-28

I so often find myself thinking that I can figure God out. I can figure out all the things going on in my life, and also what His plans and intentions are for our world and the future. These past few months have truly let me see that in truth, I am way behind the curve in being able to decipher what God’s ultimate plans are. I try to figure out why certain things are allowed to happen, and I find myself in a quagmire of frustration and at times confusion. Do I seriously think that my logic and understanding in it’s ultimate simplicity would have the depth to even remotely connect with the thoughts and plans of the God who created Everything ? His thoughts, His Ways, His Plans, His Depth, His Love….can I even contemplate it ? And I hear God’s voice in His Word.

O MY SON, GIVE ME YOUR HEART. MAY YOUR EYES TAKE DELIGHT IN FOLLOWING MY WAYS . Proverbs 23:26

OUR SOUL WAITS FOR THE LORD; HE IS OUR HELP AND OUR SHIELD. FOR OUR HEART IS GLAD IN HIM, BECAUSE WE TRUST IN HIS HOLY NAME. LET YOUR STEADFAST LOVE , O LORD, BE UPON US, EVEN AS WE HOPE IN YOU. Psalm 33: 20-22

All the time we spend in contemplation and deep thought, trying to use logic and emotion are not where we need to have our focus. Our focus needs to be on OPENING UP AND GIVING OUR HEARTS TO GOD ! Once we put our efforts there, we lose our fears, our doubts, and we immerse ourselves in HIS LOVE FOR US. We build trust, faith, and most importantly, RELATIONSHIP. I plan on spending the year ahead focused on Him, not what might or might not happen in our crazy world. It is a choice, but it is a Big Choice. Seek God in His Word, and in Prayer to move your heart toward HIM. Seek His Love. Seek His Son. Seek His Spirit. Seek His Restoration and Peace in your life….and do it WITH ALL YOUR HEART :)

GOD”S LOVE FOR YOU IS ETERNAL/JAA

I HAVE TOLD YOU THESE THINGS SO THAT YOU MAY HAVE PEACE IN ME. HERE ON EARTH, YOU WILL HAVE MANY TRIALS AND SORROWS. BUT TAKE HEART, FOR I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD. John 16:33