The Heart Test

"1 Chronicles 29:17 near the beginning of the verse says that the Lord tests the heart and has pleasure in uprightness. This is obviously an uprightness of heart. It is not only in the outward appearance of being good but in the recesses of the heart where no one can see except the Lord Himself. Am I pure of heart? All things are open to the eyes of Him with Whom I have to do! What will He find when He looks in me? Will it be uprightness of heart? Will it please Him?"

These questions should be asked daily. The reason is that we are exposed to the pollutants of the world daily. Between the influences of the flesh, the world and the devil we are exposed to a lot! It can be overwhelming. 

The good news is that when we are upright in our hearts we can make it through. Psalm 7:10 says that God is our defense and saves the upright in heart. We can't lose when God is protecting us. 

How do we develop uprightness of heart? First of all we have to commit ourselves to the Lord's work in the heart. It starts at the point of salvation and goes on into our spiritual walk with God. We have to also guard our hearts. Jesus talked about light and darkness going in to the body through the lamp of the eye. Obviously there is more than just a physical thing going on here. We walk by faith and not by sight. So what we 'see' is very important. What are we dwelling on in our thought life? How many ungodly influences are we listening to? These are the influences that can darken our hearts. 

Instead of being influenced by the world, the flesh and the devil allow yourself to be led by God. The Bible tells us to look unto Jesus. That looking to Jesus implies that you look away from everything else in order to focus the whole of your attention to one thing. Jesus has to be your one thing. When you focus on Him you will listen to His voice, see what He is doing and do the same and you will catch His heart; an upright heart. 

Take the spiritual heart test today and ask those tough questions. As you find the results make the changes necessary to have an upright heart. God's pleasure will be on you and you will have Him as your defense! 

Day 117 - Questions on the Battlefield

Before you read this post it would be a good idea to read 2 Kings chapter 3. It tells the story of kings going to battle and running out of resources along the way. One of the Kings is a godly man and asks if there is prophet nearby so they can hear what God says about their situation. The prophet gives them instruction that, when they follow, brings them a supernatural victory. It is from this passage of scripture that the following thoughts came last year.

"What battle is there to fight? What need has risen in the fight? What is the Word of The Lord? What work can I do in the natural and believe God for in the supernatural? God came through not only with provision but also with a supernatural victory. They defeated the enemy from where they were to the enemy's own territory."

The right question can often get us to the right place. The inner contemplation of the heart will show where we are at and where we need to go. Notice the progression of the questions:

"What battle is there to fight?" There are battles worth fighting and there are battles worth passing up.

"What need has risen in the fight?" Sometimes we are blind to our own need and other times our need is screaming at us. Our need will drive us to God or to despair. The wise will go to God because they know only He can take care of our needs.

"What is the Word of the Lord?" There is no way to proceed without a Word from God. We might as well turn back and get out of the fight without it.

"What work can I do in the natural and believe God for in the supernatural?" You put in the natural and God puts in the super. Together it makes a supernatural experience. Never despise hard work or effort. God used digging trenches to bring a victory.

What questions should you be asking? Is there a next question you would add to my series?