Let’s Spring Clean by Stephanie Way
Hymn History: Be Thou My Vision
The Duty of Attitude – Catherine Veazey
Broken and Smoking
“What is Weighing You Down?” by Angela Foca
I’ve got JOY! – Sharon Smail
You Will Do What You Believe – Jennifer Schwarz
Music: Where Is Your Heart? by Sarah Teague
Matters of the Heart
Matters of the Heart
1 Samuel 16:7 says “But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”
God does not look at a person’s skin tone, background, clothing apparel, or social status. Rather, He looks at the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” Matthew 15:8
There are many in churches today who honor God with their mouths and actions, but their hearts are far from God. Their heart – their true self – is consumed by worldly concerns.
God’s Word says the God searches the heart.
“I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:10
We can rationalize the way we are living. But God sees your true intentions.
The type of heart you have matters to God!
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts. Proverbs 21:2
You can download a printable page here:
https://charitymaeprosper.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Matters-of-the-Heart.pdf
Think On These Things: TRUE
Philippians 4:7-8 – And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Let’s begin with verse 7…
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
The Peace of God is a quiet rest that dwells in our soul. This peace keeps our hearts and minds focused on Christ. It is that peace that causes no anxiety or excessive care about things of this world when we commit wholly to the Lord.
Verse 8 gives us a list of things we are to keep our minds and hearts focused upon.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8
The first one is – TRUE.
The King James Dictionary defines TRUE as being in accordance with the actual state of things; conformable to fact; as a true relation or narration; a true history; genuine; pure; real; not counterfeit.
We can only have an effective personal relationship with Christ as a believer if we focus our eyes upon Christ. We do this through prayer, meditating on Scripture, and submitting our thoughts and imaginations to Christ. We are encouraged to yield every thought to Christ (Romans 6:13, 2 Corinthians 10:5). Let our minds dwell on Christ and not allow our hearts to control us.
Righteous living depends on keeping our minds on Christ.
When anxious thoughts begin to flood our minds, we should immediately STOP what we are doing, THINK “Is this pleasing Christ?”, and PRAY asking for God’s help. Yet too often we allow the anxious and fretful thoughts to take over and bog us down.
Let’s choose to focus our minds on things that are true. Forsake the lies of the devil and allow the Lord to control our thoughts.
Fill your mind with the truth of God’s Word.
