Draw Near With and From the Heart

This morning I was led to the book of Hebrews and reminded of a sermon series titled, “Jesus is Better”. This was the series that was being delivered when I first began my dedication to studying God’s Word and sharing my learning through my writing.

“19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God,22let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” – Hebrews 10:19 – 22 (ESV)

In the verses above I was reminded that “Jesus is Better” in that He gave all of Himself in death for me. He provided the way for me to commune directly with Him and not through another. That He is the High Priest. And that I have the opportunity to draw near to Him because of it.

Here is the catch, cause as we all know there is always a catch. I come and draw near to Jesus from my heart. Not with platitudes or sayings for the world to see and hear. Not just showing up on Sunday mornings or at Christmas and Easter. Not simply through my words. But I draw near to Jesus our LORD with and from my heart that is filled with Him and where I am led by the Holy Spirit.

The title of the passage in my ESV Bible where I am in this morning is “The Full Assurance of Faith”. Not the temporary assurance. Not the assurance for now, but the “full” assurance. I know in my heart and from my heart that Jesus died in my place and that because of that, I have the chance to draw near to Him. In that chance, I am assured that He is there when I come. I know without a doubt that He is waiting for me. I am confident that He is their waiting for me with His arms wide ready to comfort and protect me from any and all. I draw near to Him with and from my heart. Jesus is Better than any and all that came before or come after.

How are you coming to Jesus? Are you coming to Him from the surface of your life? What if you were to look in your heart and find the one who is better, Jesus, and draw near to Him with and from your heart?

God’s Word Discerns the Heart

“12For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)

Yes, we lead our lives from the heart and yes, the Holy Spirit is guiding our lives from our heart. And how is it that we understand our heart and that which God has for us, we utilize His Word.

I have been doing my daily bible study and writing for almost 10 years. And over that time I know that I have grown and have found more direction. I know that today I have a better idea of my role with the LORD and the spreading of His Word, but even still I know that I am not done.

I take direction from the Holy Spirit in when and where I am to go. I may not be making impacts in the world that the world recognizes, but I am making impacts that the LORD recognizes. This is the direction that I know I am to go, and I can say without question this is due to my study of God’s Word each day.

Without God’s Word, I am not sure that I would understand the Holy Spirit’s direction means to me. I would be headed blindly ahead and just doing as I am told. Where that is, to some degree, a good thing to be that obedient, it is a bit short sighted in not understanding the why and impacts of the work being done.

Take my Bible study and writing. I am diligent and dedicated to the actions, and therefor am fulfilling that which the LORD has for me. Even still, I do not know those who are impacted. I post here and yet receive little feedback as to who and how the work I am doing is fulfilling God’s plan. Yet, I know that the LORD is using me in the way He would have me to reach even one, and that one may be the reason I am here. So, I carry on understanding that God’s Word is my why and that the LORD is using His Word to direct my heart.

How are you discerning that which is in your heart? Are you using end results to impact your next move? What if you were to lean on the LORD and His Word to provide the direction of your heart and know that direction is making the impact that He would have for you?

Maturity From the Heart

We are too often corrupted. Not even by things that are overtly corrupting. It comes from those things that are meant for in more youthful times. We are to seek maturity and not chase after our youth and those things that of our youthful time.

“22So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” – 2 Timothy 2:22 (ESV)

When young, we seek things of youth. We look for fun and enjoyment in the moment. And when the moment passes, we move on to the next moment. We are limited in responsibility and therefore, those moments get in the way less often than when we are in a more mature season of life. Don’t get me wrong, we should be seeking enjoyment and joy in our lives. I am not advocating for no fun or living in the moment. We should however be grounded in maturity and seeking more sustainable joy and enjoyment.

As we see in the verse above, Paul guides Timothy to those joys and enjoyment that are of a more mature way. “Righteousness, faith, love, and peace” are where we should be seeking that joy and enjoyment. These are the more mature attributes, and we will find stability and comfort in them. There is more depth to them and more thought that comes with them. They are found deep inside us and are guided from, yes you guessed it, the heart. It is from our heart, where the LORD dwells, that we find the more lasting and mature things in life.

As we grow, we not only grow in size and age, but we should be growing in maturity as well. We should be pursuing those things that come with maturity such as those listed by Paul to Timothy. We are to grow up find the LORD in our heart and allow Him to guides us forward through the Holy Spirit. We are to find our joy and enjoyment in seeking the LORD and all that He has to offer in our lives.

And for those who ask what about the fun of our youth, where does that fit. Well, it still fits and should be a part of our lives, only we are not to seek after them and if/when they taking over our focus, we are to run from them. The word Paul uses above is to “flee” or run away from those things that are not building us up in the LORD. We will find ourselves in moments of youthful fun, and we should enjoy our time in those moments, yet they should be just that in our lives, just moments. As we grow in maturity, those moments are no longer “passions” but just moments of enjoyment that we find along our path with the LORD.

Where are you spending your time? Are you seeking out continually the passions of your youth? What if you were to flee from those and sought out the maturity that comes from the LORD, righteousness, faith, love, and peace that He has in your heart where He abides?

All Service From the Heart

How often is it that we take on tasks and just work to complete them without a clear motivation or purpose? I believe this is the case a good amount of the time. The thing is this is not the proper way to approach things according to God’s Word.

“5Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. 9Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.” – Ephesians 6:5-9 (ESV)

In the above passage we find Paul’s instruction to the church at Ephesus as relates to those serving others and those they are serving. We find that regardless of the position we are in, whether bondservant or master, we are to approach the work from the heart as we would in our service of the LORD.

I have studied this passage a number of times and each time the learning for me is about the service itself and that we are picked for the service where we are and that work is God centered. But this morning I see the work is to be both of those things and yet it comes from the heart. I am to commit to the work for the my LORD and savior as well as my earthly master in the same way, from the heart and fully devout to that work. Even as the earthly master, we are to commit the work from the heart and for the glory of the LORD and not for our own reward.

I think that too often we look at “work” in the world as that thing that is to be done, and not really enjoyed, when according to the Word of God, we are to do the work from the heart with the same intensity that we do work for the LORD. We are to devote to the work from our heart regardless of who that work is for in the moment.

I know that when I am focused of doing work, I find that time moves quickly and when I reach the end, there is a sense of satisfaction with the work. All to say that when I am concerned with who assigned the work or what is in it for others and carry animosity for the work, it seems that time stands still and the work never ends.

The approach we should have is one of doing the work from our heart to ultimately bring glory to God. Yes, we do have to engage in actions that positively impact others and less so for ourselves. But, those actions, when conducted from the heart are a gift to others and will be rewarded in heaven as we are recognized as good and faithful servants of the LORD.

Where does your attitude for work come from? Are you doing the work with animosity and anger as others seem to benefit from it? What if you approached the work with love from the heart knowing that your reward is coming in our forever home, heaven?

Love and Sing from From the Heart

I have studied the passage I was led to this morning, many times. I have even written about my study in the passage in my study of other words from the concordance in my bible. This morning I was brought here as I continue studying the word “heart”.

“19addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” – Ephesians 5:19-20 (ESV)

I was struck this morning reading Paul’s words to sing “to the Lord with your heart”. I am an emotional person even as I do not always display a lot of emotion to outsiders. When I am singing I have challenges with keeping my composure in that I am overcome with feelings that flow from my heart. I almost have to just look a singing as a task to complete and that I am reading words and the words have no meaning when I am singing publicly. This morning I ask myself why check myself to not let the emotion flow.

God’s Word tells us above to sing from the heart and allow the emotion to flow. In the same way, we are to love from the heart. We are to give everything to the LORD and let everyone know He is filling our heart. The world needs to know that the LORD is in our heart and that He guides our love. God is what fills us and where we sing from.

I commit this morning to expressing myself from the heart. As is my nature to be more even and less emotional to the public, it will be a struggle and subtle, but I will be praying for and working to act more from the heart for the world to see (even if the world is only those closest to me). I will sing and love from the heart to show them that it is filled with the Lord Jesus Christ.

What is it that drives your love and singing? Are you demonstrating based on those things that are on the surface and not really from your heart? What if you were let the LORD spill from your heart in your song and in your love for the world to see that your heart is filled with/by Him?

Defend the Heart over the Flesh

The LORD has armed us to defend. He has given us His Armor. We put it on daily. This morning in my continued study of the word “heart” I was brought to Paul’s second letter to the Corinthian church and the passage titled in my bible “The Ministry of Reconciliation”. Where I have been in this passage before, again, the LORD points me to another realization.

“12We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart.” – 2 Corinthians 5:12 (ESV)

When we are defending, we are to focus on the heart. You see, out there in the world there are many that make claims to be of Christ. They are outward (public) Christians and want everyone to know it. And where it is great to be so bold for Christ in the public square, it is in the heart where our true allegiance to Him is found.

I do not know the heart of others as it is not my place. Yet, it is my role to defend the heart for Christ and not just the outward declarations. I have to take people at their word and then utilize the Armor of God to defend Christ and my heart for Him. I have to be aware and on guard for those who are only boasting on the outside and may not have accepted Christ in the heart. Again, I do not know their heart, but I can and should still defend Christ who is in mine.

It is hard, I know. And there is a balance that must be struck. But, when we are defend the heart, we should be determined and steadfast. We are to defend with vigor. We are to stand firm in Christ and know that as we are doing work for Him, He is actively defending, guarding, and protecting us. Be bold for Christ who is in your heart and know that the LORD is with you every step of the way.

What are you defending? Is it the actions that we see on the outside? What if you were to look inward to your heart and defend Christ who has found a home there in you?

Judgment by the LORD to Disclose the Heart

As a Christian, I am not judged by the world. I am judged by the LORD. I was reminded of this in my bible study this morning in Paul’s 1st letter to the Church at Corinth.

“4For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.” – 1 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV)

You see, I am aware of my life and that which I have done, although, like Paul, I am not aware of anything that is against me at this time. I am sure that there are things that I done that are not in fullness of the example of Christ, yet those fall into that of the unknown to me. For those I pray daily for forgiveness and have the comfort that the LORD will grant that forgiveness to me. I answer to Him and Him alone for those sins, not the world.

“5Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.” – 1 Corinthians 4:5 (ESV)

But there is more to it. As I am judged by the LORD, His judgment discloses that which is in my heart. You see, when the time comes for the LORD to judge my actions and work for Him, He will show the world what is in my heart. I can only do that which I know to do in bringing honor and glory to the LORD. I know that I am failing daily in that work for I am a sinner and will continue to be until the day I am called home. But, the LORD knows what is in my heart and His judgment will bring that to the world to be on full display.

I am not overly concerned with what the world thinks of my actions. It is the LORD where my concern lives. I choose to do that which is in accord with His will as it is made known to me. Sometimes that will go against the world view and that is okay. I am judged by savior, and not by the world view. My heart will be disclosed to the world in my day of judgment and for that I am grateful.

Who do you consider the judge of your life and actions? Are you of the view that the world dictates your heart? What if you were to concern yourself with the only judge we should, the LORD, and allow Him to disclose to the world your heart?

The Mouth Reveals the Heart

This morning I am led to the 5th verse in the Roman Road to salvation, Romans 10:9 for my continued study on the word “heart”. This verse is enlightening yet it is verse 10 that captured me this morning as to my learning for the day.

“9because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” – Romans 10:9-10 (ESV)

Yes, we believe in our heart and confess with our mouth. Here is how I was struck this morning. The mouth of the believer reveals our heart’s belief. It is something that cannot be forgotten or set aside. Our belief is not to be kept to ourselves. We are to declare our belief in the LORD for the world to know. We are to believe and declare.

Our heart is the vessel where the LORD resides in us. It is vital that we allow Him to take up residence in our heart. But those around us cannot see our heart and that He does indeed reside there. So we need a way to show the LORD to the world. The first way for that is to declare Him to the world by our mouth. We are to speak of the LORD. We are to sing of and to the LORD. We are to announce His presence in our lives and for all the world to see and take hold of Him, and that is done with our mouth.

I know what you may be thinking, but aren’t we to demonstrate the LORD to the world through our actions. The answer is yes, but look at how I indicated we declare the LORD to the world, “first” is with our mouth after we have believed with and in our hearts. Then we live our lives continuing to speak of the LORD and acting as He intends us to act to fulfill the work He has for us.

I am not great at either of these by some standards. I have work to do in being more and more like Christ would have me be. But one thing I do know is that those who are around me most do know that Jesus is LORD as I have declared my heart’s belief in Him with my mouth.

What is your process in declaring the LORD? Are you relying solely on your actions to speak for your beliefs? Where actions are important, what if you were to confess with your mouth that the LORD indeed resides in your heart?

Inward to Outward

We are to live a life with Christ beginning inward at the heart and stream outward in our actions.

“29But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.” “13For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.” – Romans 2:29 & 13-14 (ESV)

Paul speaks here of Jews and Gentiles. He shows that it is not just the actions or the heart that make one a follower of Christ. It is the combination of the two. Starting with the heart, we internalize the Spirit to give us the guide to our movements in the world. As a result of that guidance, we take action that demonstrates our following of the LORD.

Too often, I believe there is too much put on the actions of individuals as the demonstration of their Christianity. The Christian is to be compassionate and giving and loving. But I also see the world looking only at those actions as the indicator of the Christian, and when the Christian stands up in opposition of anything, they are seen as combative and unforgiving and frankly as mean awful people, when in truth, they are acting from the heart and guidance of the Spirit.

“7You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:

‘8This people honors me with their lips,

but their heart is far from me;

9in vain do they worship me,

teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

— Matthew 15:7-9 (ESV)

Jesus says and I believe that this world view of Christians is shaping the heart and actions of new Christians, and this is not new. Where yes, we are to be compassionate and giving and loving, we are also to oppose those things that are not of Christ. That is the true heart of Christ. We are to live for Christ in all topics and not just on those that make us look good.

So here it is, we are to embrace the LORD in our heart and then, by the guidance provided by the Holy Spirit, we are demonstrate the LORD in our actions to the world. Those actions are to be in love, compassion, and giving, but also in full concert with the LORD and His will.

What is your view of your actions? Are you doing things for the world to see to make you look a certain way? What if you were to take action based on the guidance of the Holy Spirit on your heart to bring glory to God?

We Speak From the Heart

It is true, when we truly speak we speak from the heart. We have to remember that we are emotional creatures and as such, we speak with emotion. Even in calculated speaking, we end up speaking from the heart.

“34You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.” – Matthew 12:34-35 (ESV)

Jesus is speaking in the synagogue here and is being constantly challenged by the Pharisees and scribes. He points out that where there seems to be speaking from a place of reverence, the hypocrisy in the Pharisees and scribes it known. He is pointing out that where there is speech to the law and the good, the actions speak a different story. The true self is displayed whether good or evil, as that is what is found in the heart.

What does this mean for you and me? Well, I see this as the chance for us to get right in the heart that what comes from us will be that of good and not evil. We are to be speaking good and the way for that to manifest is for us to be filled with good to that good flows from us.

“37for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” – Matthew 12:37 (ESV)

When it comes down to our judgment at the feet of Jesus, we will be judged as to the words we speak and the actions we take. We have to remember that people are listening and watching. When they hear, they take note and then the see if/when the actions match or not and from there they take things on for themselves based on that they witness. The Pharisees and scribes were known for saying one thing and doing another, and therefor were not as trustworthy as one might think. Would we be the same as them?

We are to fill our hearts with the good of the LORD and then allow that good to flow from us. We are to say and then do to ensure that those around us are witnessing the same goodness from both ends. When we do, we will be doing the work of the LORD and bringing about His glory to the world. We will be judged by that which flows from us, I am working to choose good from the heart, both in deeds and in speech.

What is coming from your heart? Are you saying one thing and then doing another? What if you were to fill your heart with the LORD and allow Him to flow from you, the goodness that He is?