Our Hearts

Tom and I just finished a Precept course on I Kings 15 - II Kings 1 along with II Chronicles 14-20. It was entitled "God Searches For A Heart That Is Fully His". Precept is an inductive study method that takes you book by book and verse by verse. It is the best Bible study method for studying your Bible in my opinion. You simply use the text (Bible) and let the Holy Spirit be your guide. Precept study has changed my life and my relationship with God. Oh and this method is not knowledge that "puffs" one up, but on the contrary it humbles one to understand the mighty God we serve. It stirs a passion for Him and a hunger to follow after Him. To check it out to go to www.precept.org .
Like I said we studied Kings and Chronicles. It begs the question throughout: "How strong is God's Kingdom in my heart?" Does my life reflect a heart that is fully His?"

II Chronicles 16:9 "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His..."

Why would I want to give him my whole heart?
What does a heart that is completely God's look like?
How can I give my heart completely to God?
What will this produce in my life?

These were the challenging questions answered for me during the course of this study. I was reminded that my life is not my own. I have a Creator who put me here to honor Him and not to pursue my own personal agenda. We are His!
Ephesians 1:14 ...and that He has purchased us to be His own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify Him.
I have so many plans, so many thoughts on what I want in life. It is easy for me to go on in pursuit of those things. I don't get too far before I remember my life is not my own. Thank goodness because record shows I make a mess when I try to be in control.

Jehoshaphat was a man who sought God. Over and over in our study we saw him seeking God for direction, seeking God when he was afraid, and seeking God for deliverance. My favorite verse in this study was II Chronicles 20:12 when Jehoshaphat says, "O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You."
His heart showed where his dependence lied. He acknowledged his weakness before the LORD. In his humility, he sought God for answers. I don't know what your "multitude" may be. Maybe it is sickness, loss of a loved one, marriage problems, parenting issues. Fear is my latest multitude and God has been doing a marvelous work in me, but there are still times when it comes a knockin'. I am powerless. But when my eyes get fixed on Him and His Word, I am loosed from it. I find peace.
The book of Proverbs says to "guard your heart because it is the wellspring of life...". Guarding my heart has been the greatest weapon against the enemy. For me guarding my heart is about knowing God and His ways and following after them. The pull of this world is strong...very strong. I have watched myself so easily get sucked into the pressures of it. Before I was saved and surrendered to the LORD, my life was messy. It was full of shame and disobedience. I did what Misty wanted to do, when Misty wanted to do it, and how Misty wanted it done. I am forgiven even though there is still whispers of consequence from living life my way. I still stand amazed at what He has done in my life and thank goodness He keeps on working. I have never known joy and peace as I do today. Do problems and struggles still come? You bet! But now I find hope in the midst of them.

Here is what I can know as I strive to have a heart that is fully God's:
"But you be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work."
Even without the reward, I owe Him my life!!

Because His Word is the greatest way the LORD carries me I am thinking about leading a Precept course. I want to be obedient and act in His timing. My heart desires to introduce others to His Word through a Precept study. It really is life changing. Please keep this in prayer.