G’morning All!
As you know, I’ve been enduring tests over the last week – week ½. This morning, I woke up and was planning to go downstairs to my prayer room to pray. Instead of going downstairs, I wound up sitting up and praying right where I was at. I began to ask God for forgiveness for inadvertently allowing my circumstances to shift my priorities and affect my attitude. I had seen myself beginning to fall into the trap many Christians fall into, which is doing the work of the Lord while leaving Him out of it. Oh, c’mon, you know what I’m talking about. They are the ones who are always stay busy “doing the work of the Lord” and are involved in a series of church functions; however, their spirit doesn’t reflect the spirit of Christ and their tongues are razor sharp. Their busy serving on various committees, but their hearts are far away from the Lord.
In my case, I was busy preparing for teaching Bible Study this coming Thursday, working on the development my church’s new website, working on my businesses and ministries, taking care of the house, dinner, filing taxes, etc and etc. During the last few days, because my days were so jam packed, my time with God grew short. I have the desire to serve God with all that I have, which is only all that He’s given me. My intentions are well, HOWEVER, I can not give what I don’t have. I cannot minister, not EFFECTIVELY, if I haven’t spent my time with God. Everything I teach starts with me first learning it and applying it to my own life.
I may have mentioned this in one of my earlier entries, but I refuse to be one of those Jesus spoke about in Matthew 7:22-23, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Neither do I want to be guilty of the same offense made by the church of Ephesus, “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.”
Either of the two could happen to anyone – even the best of the best. I believe one way to prevent this is by doing frequent “heart checks.” The Bible tells us to “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23 NASB). It is so easy to allow the burdens of life and things other than Christ to dwell in your heart, a lot of times without even knowing it, though your mind tells you you’re doing the work of Christ. You’re thinking you’re doing the will of God by your many activities in the church, but by whose standards are you doing these works, yours or Christ’s?
Doing a heart check forces you to do 2 things: 1) look in your heart to see what’s in there and 2) look at your life to see if it lines up with what’s in your heart and more importantly the Word of God. In order for this test to be effective, you must be very honest with yourself. You have to ask yourself questions such as:
· Is Christ truly in my heart? Have I made Him the focus and center of my life?
· Does my life reflect the love of Christ in my heart and does it line up with the Word of God?
· Am I crucifying my flesh daily so I can live a Spirit-led life?
· Am I seeking God with my whole heart?
· Am I secretly harboring unforgiveness, resentment, bitterness and/or strife in my heart?
· Are my works done for my glory or to the glory of God?
· Are my works effective or in vain?
· Are the fruits of the Spirit evident in my life?
There are many more questions, but those are just a few. The Holy Spirit will show you which areas you need to question and work on in your life; you just have to listen and obey His voice. The heart check is not always easy; however, it is what is needed because it is so easy to get off track. I find it interesting that the passage following a very popular and often-quoted Scripture, Romans 12:1-2, that Paul warns us not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought. The entire Scripture, Romans 12:1-3 (NIV) reads,
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Not thinking more highly of yourself doesn’t mean that you live putting yourself down, NO, but it means look at yourself in truthful light. This morning I did just that and realized that I had been letting “stuff” replace time with God. I needed to change that so I repented, and after receiving God’s forgiveness, God blessed me with His presence. My goodness, there is nothing like the presence of God, for in His presence is fullness of joy! He took me out of the dry land I had been in for about a week and replenished me. My goodness, there’s nothing like it. All of this happened before my feet touched the floor this morning, as I never made it downstairs to pray but instead was sitting at the edge of my bed praying. I consider myself fortunate to serve a God who meets me where I am, and Who is more concerned about the inside, that is the condition and sincerity of my heart, rather than what’s displayed on the outside.
HAVE YOU HAD A HEART CHECK LATELY?
© 2009, Naima Williams. All rights reserved.
