A Clean Heart and a Renewed Spirit

Deuteronomy 6:5 commands us to love God with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind. In order to accomplish this awesome task we, like the Psalmist, must petition God to create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us, for he indeed knows the secrets of our heart. What does it mean to “love God with all your heart”?

Consider putting absolutely nothing before God by giving him your complete trust, respect, devotion and faithfulness. For most of us that requires growth and maturity, plus learning to prioritize where to place our loyalties. If we get bogged down with worldly cares, then God will renew a right spirit within us.

God does not leave us to ourselves in committing our entire being into his care. He provides his unconditional love plus the gift of faith to all who accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. We then have peace and security as anchors for life. What a wonderful blessing!                             

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My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

~Psalm 51:17 New International Version

 

Whoever conceals their sins, does not prosper; but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

~Proverbs 28:13 New International Version

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Pervasiveness of Evil: Guard Your Heart - Part 1

God is gracious and kind and has clearly chosen to reveal himself in Christ Jesus. Each person then chooses to open their heart and soul to Christ Jesus to be rescued from the consequences of their sins. God’s word reveals that Jesus is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, who sustains all things by his word.

Balaam believed that God had spoken to him personally. Nevertheless, for ulterior hidden motives, he refused give up old beliefs and idol worship. He would speak for God when confronted to do so but refused to obey God if a chance existed to profit monetarily.

Listen to Balaam’s understanding of God. "God is not a man that he should lie, or change his mind. Does he speak and not act?  Does God promise and not fulfill?" Balaam's heart was corrupted and could not apply God’s revelation to himself. God reveals himself to us so we can choose to love him with all our heart, soul, and mind. God bless you in this New Year.   

Allow Obstacles to Build Your Faith - Part 3

Have you ever approached a crossroads where you knew the decision you would make was out of compliance with God's will and your conscience? Also that dire consequences hung in the balance for yourself and others? Balaam, an Old Testament sorcerer, would cast curses on people for a price. Amazingly, he actually had begun his work as a true prophet of God.

At a transitional crossroads he became a minister for evil. Numbers 22 identifies Balaam being hired to cast a curse on the Hebrew people, who were on their way to the Promised Land. If successful, he could name his own price for his evil deed. God, however, commanded Balaam to abstain from his evil exploits.

The con man within Balaam tried to balance God’s command with own his greed and desire for wealth. He found justification for choosing financial security. He let ambition overrule the admonition to love God with all his heart so God could provide eternal security. The best choice is to always honor and obey God's commands.