FINDING the Heart of God.

2CHRONICLES 16:9 "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him."

NB: A perfect does not mean sinless, or sinless Perfection, or sinless perfection; It implies Whole-heartedness, Single Mindedness and Sincerity. The person whose heart is perfect before God is the person whose heart, mind, will, desires, and aspirations have merged with God. (The two have become one)

Greek Lexicon:
The Greek word for heart is “Kardia” which means: The soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavours.
Hebrew Lexicon:
1. The Hebrew word for heart is “ Leb” which means: The inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding, mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory, inclination, resolution, determination (of will) and conscience.
The English dictionary:
The heart regarded as the center of a person's thoughts and emotions, esp. love or compassion. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY CONCERNING MATTERS OF THE HEART?

1 Samuel 16:1-13
KEY BIBLE VERSE: The LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t make decisions the way you do! People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions. (1 Samuel 16:7)

GOD’S PRIMARY CONCERN IS WITH THE HEART. - Saul was tall and handsome; he was an impressive-looking man. Samuel may have been trying to find someone who looked like Saul to be Israel’s next king, but God warned him against judging by appearance alone. When people judge by outward appearance, they may overlook quality individuals who lack the particular physical qualities society currently admires. Appearance doesn’t reveal what people are really like or their true value.

Fortunately, God judges by faith and character, not appearances. And because only God can see on the inside, only he can accurately judge people. Most people spend hours each week maintaining their outward appearance; they should do even more to develop their inner character. While everyone can see your face, only you and God know what your heart really looks like. What steps are you taking to improve your heart’s attitude?

Psalm 51:1-19
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

OUR HEART IS UNCLEAN AND IN NEED OF CLEANSING. - Because we are born as sinners (Psalms 51:5), our natural inclination is to please ourselves rather than God. David followed that inclination when he took another man’s wife. We also follow it when we sin in any way. Like David, we must ask God to cleanse us from within (Psalms 51:7), clearing our hearts and spirits for new thoughts and desires. Right conduct can come only from a clean heart and spirit. Ask God to create a pure heart and spirit in you.

1 John 3:11-24
KEY BIBLE VERSE: It is by our actions that we know we are living in the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before the Lord, even if our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. (1 John 3:19-20)

OUR HEART NEEDS TO BE SUBJECT TO GOD’S WORD. - Many are afraid that they don’t love others as they should. They feel guilty because they think they are not doing enough to show proper love to Christ. Their consciences bother them. John has these people in mind in this letter. How do we escape the gnawing accusations of our consciences? Not by ignoring them or rationalizing our behavior, but by setting our hearts on God’s love. When we feel guilty, we should remind ourselves that God knows our motives as well as our actions. His voice of assurance is stronger than the accusing voice of our conscience. If we are in Christ, he will not condemn us (Romans 8:1; Hebrews 9:14-15). So if you are living for the Lord but feeling that you are not good enough, remind yourself that God is greater than your conscience.

A HEART FOCUSED ON GOD WILL EXPERIENCE GREAT POWER IN PRAYER. - If your conscience is clear, you can come to God without fear, confident that your requests will be heard. John reaffirms Jesus’ promise that whatever we ask for will be given to us (Matthew 7:7; see also Matthew 21:22; John 9:31; 15:7). You will receive if you obey and do what pleases him because you will then be asking in line with God’s will. Of course this does not mean that you can have anything you want, like instant riches. If you are truly seeking God’s will, there are some requests you will not make.

Romans 6:1-23
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you have obeyed with all your heart the new teaching God has given you. (Romans 6:17)

OUR COMMITMENT TO GOD SHOULD BE WHOLEHEARTED. - To obey “with all your heart” means to give yourself fully to God, to love him “with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). And yet so often our efforts to know and obey God’s commands can best be described as “halfhearted.” How do you rate your heart’s obedience? God wants to give you the power to obey him with all your heart.
WHAT KIND OF HEART DOES GOD DESIRE FOR ME? - 2 Kings 23:25 . . . Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses.

God desires a devoted, obedient heart. - 1 Chronicles 29:17 . . . I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously.

God desires a godly heart, a heart of integrity. - Psalm 51:6, 10, 17 . . . You desire honesty from the heart, so you can teach me to be wise in my inmost being. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise.

God desires an honest, clean, repentant heart. - Psalm 86:11 . . . Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, that I may honor you. Matthew 5:8 . . . God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.

God desires a pure heart.
HOW CAN CHANGE MY HEART THE WAY GOD WANTS IT? - 2 Chronicles 12:7 . . . When the Lord saw their change of heart, he gave this message to Shemaiah: “Since the people have humbled themselves, I will not completely destroy them and will soon give them some relief.”
Humble yourself before God.

Ezekiel 18:31 . . . Put all your rebellion behind you, and get for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.
Turn away from all sin, rebellion against God, and rejection of God-and turn to God.

Ezekiel 36:26 . . . I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart.

Let God give you a new heart in tune with him. - Hebrews 9:14 . . . Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our hearts from deeds that lead to death so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.

Let Christ’s sacrifice purify your heart.
HOW DO I GUARD AND PROTECT MY HEART? - Proverbs 4:23 . . . Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.
2 Chronicles 19:9 . . . These were his instructions to them: “You must always act in the fear of the Lord, with integrity and with undivided hearts.”

Proverbs 23:19 . . . My child, listen and be wise. Keep your heart on the right course.

1 John 5:21 . . . Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.

Ephesians 3:17 . . . I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love.

Keeping God at the center of your heart prevents anything else from invading it.
HOW DO I RECOVER FROM A BROKEN HEART? - Psalm 61:2 . . . From the ends of the earth, I will cry to you for help, for my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety.

2 Corinthians 6:10 . . . Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

John 16:33 . . . I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

Only the presence of God in your heart can help you mend your broken heart.
PROMISE FROM GOD: Proverbs 4:23 . . . Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.

God Bless you!!!

Word of Life!!

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and Lo! I am with you always till the end of the world." AMEN! Matthew 20:19-20

This is the greatest commandment that we have ever been given. "Go ye therefore..." When you got saved, you were not taken to heaven directly, that's why you are here so that you can help someone else know the truth just as someone else helped you and you came to the light. Many of us think that this call is just for the people in the five-fold ministry just as I used to think, but Jesus was speaking to you and Me. We have no excuse of not going out there to share the love of Christ to the nations. Jesus said, the fields are white and ready for harvest, but the labourers are few. Once you and I avail ourselves to go and be part of the labourers, we will fill out the empty pews in the church and the devils kingdom will be on the losing end.

Word of Life - is a site that is geared to equip you daily with the word of God and encourage you to fulfill the mission and purpose that God has called you to do here on earth. I don't want us when we reach heaven to be told that... you had this soul to bring to the kingdom and now it is perishing.... NO!!! I want a situation whereby, we will all be commended by God for a work well done "Good and faithful servant...." That will be my joy when we will all be gathered together to celebrate our Victory.

This is a call I am making to you who is reading this blog, don't just benefit yourself alone, inform your friends, family, your pastor and everyone and let us help each other in this journey of faith till we reach our heavenly home.

Yours in Christ's vineyard,
Dennis.