Psalm 119:1 "Happy are those who live pure lives, who follow the Lord’s teachings."
Would you say you have a good heart? Not physically, but in other aspects. You show love to your family, you are polite to those around you, you smile at strangers. You're probably an honest person, you keep all the commandments and follow Jesus.
Let me ask you this. How deep does your patience go before you get upset at that one driver on the freeway, those punk kids who listen to the headbanging music. How much love can you give that unruly neighbor or friend who stabbed you in the back? Have you even snapped at someone because you're tired or short fused? Are you always truthful or has a little white lie gotten you past those pesky bill collectors? How have you dealt with this last year in all the politics, racial issues, this pandemic? How well do you take criticism, rebuke, gossip?
Let's face it, we've all been there, myself included. We're not perfect, we mess up, we slip, we fall into temptations. It's how we come out the other side of it that truly shows our hearts.
So, if we're all human and by no means perfect, how is it David was called a man after God's own heart? God's heart is perfect, untouched by this world. David is the only man mentioned over 1,000 times in the Bible, his name is not shared by anyone, and God claimed him a man like himself. Well, we know David wasn't perfect, he too sinned. So, what is it about him?
Remember when God told Samuel to look on the inside and not judge David from his outer appearance? Not because David was ugly but more because of David's heart. Although David had sins like you and me, he showed a love and passion for others like no one else. His obedience was like God’s. He never thought himself perfect enough to be king, yet trusted God's decisions fully and surrendered to God's leading. David tried to always be wise in his decisions listening to all sides. David listened to what others had to say and tried to learn from others. David was humble and accepted rebuke when it was given. David had an unwavering faith in his God and trusted all of God's decisions. David was hungry for God, he sought after God, he had a passion for spiritual things, he tried to please God despite his failures. David was a God chaser.
Did David fall, absolutely. Was he perfect? Most definitely not. But David kept Deuteronomy 6:5 in all he did. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.”
To completely surrender to Jesus is difficult especially in the world we've been raised in. Even though we probably will never measure up to David we can be assured that what's important to Jesus is our inner value not what's on the outside. Even though we lose patience, struggle to love everyone like God does, snap at others, grumble and complain, when you are striving to become more Christlike and are working on not being that person you have been, you will be growing your heart to be more like Jesus. Did you know when you're right on the inside, your outside will change? Daily try your best to be the same on the inside and outside, that who others see is the person you are completely, not just when you’re behind closed doors.
I'm going to leave you with this thought I heard from a pastor. The world is preoccupied with the outside and about making a good showing. God wants to know what's on the inside.
People judge a family by what kind of house they live in, God wants to know what kind of family lives in the house.
At all of those premieres, at Hollywood events, where everyone looks at the dress the woman wears, God could care less about the dress the woman wears. God cares about the woman that wears the dress.
A man always wants a high-powered car, look at me look at this car. God wants to know what kind of man drives the car.
God's wanting to know, who are you really? He's asking, “do I have your heart, do you belong to Me? Are you willing to be made new, be a new creature and be spirit filled?”
What profit is it if you gain the whole world but lose your soul? David, while in the hills tending the sheep made his decision that nothing could be more important than God. Knowing God, serving God, loving God. -Doug Bachelor
What about you? What is most important to you? Does God have your heart completely, with all your heart, soul, and mind? Really examine yourself and your life and pray to have a heart like Jesus and to love like Jesus. Pray that Jesus too can say, “Your name, is a person after my own heart.”
I hope you have found some extra time in your days to join me as we've been reading through Colossians. There is so much we can learn from God's Word and so much we can gain in our lives to help us through our days. Today we will be finishing Colossians as we read chapter four. There is a link that follows that you can find a short study to help guide you along or you can read the chapter and let the Holy Spirit lead. Just reading the Bible daily can help us grow deeper in Jesus and help us grow to be more like Him.
Colossians Chapter Four- https://www.docdroid.net/xO8sQ5U/colossians-chapter-four-docx
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