EXAMINE MY HEART, LORD

There are 4 kinds of (spiritual) heart conditions:

(1)  A Greedy Heart - This is the heart of "a taker"...a person who wants it all for themselves and doesn't want to share or give any of it away.

(2)  A Grieving Heart - They don't want to lose anything.  This person's heart resents when others receive who they don't believe deserve it or haven't earned it.

(3)  A Generous Heart - A person who gives liberally to others.

(4)  A Grateful Heart - A person who receives with deep gratitude.

The first two operate out of wrong motives:  Their blood is septic and there are blockages that stop the flow.  The second two operate out of right motives:  No blockages and a pure blood stream that flows to-and-fro...willing to take in and flow out.

Are you willing to allow the Lord to examine your heart?  If so, will you pray this prayer with me today:

Examine me, O Lord  Shine Your Light into the dark areas of my heart where I cannot see.  Therefore, if there be anything hidden therein that needs to be removed or repaired--I ask You to reveal it to me.  If there be any sin within, I ask You to forgive me.  I give You permission to remove any blockages that stop the flow.  Purify any septic sin that has polluted my body or damaged my heart.  Cleanse and heal my heart, Lord.  Amen.

[Psalm 26:2; I Corinthians 11:28; Galatians 6:4]

WALK BY FAITH

The Lord will take you as far as your FAITH is willing to go.  Believe and receive what He has promised you by exercising your faith.

Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

How do we obtain FAITH?

Romans 10:17 - So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of God.

Obedience to His word is also a requirement.

Psalm 37:23 - The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.

But it's up to you to walk in FAITH!

James 1:22 - Be a doer of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

FAITH requires action!  It requires your participation.  In order to obtain all that He has promised you, you must do what He's told you to do (be obedient to His word).

IT'S SUPPERTIME!

When we were children, my brother and I would be playing outside and we'd hear mom yell, "It's suppertime!"  Often times we'd just ignore her 1st call--but, by the time she called again, we knew we'd better get home!  So we'd scurry inside and rush to the table.  Then she'd tell us to "go and wash our hands."   We'd come to the table in our dirty play clothes.  Mother, however, always set time aside before dinner to bathe and put on a clean garment (dress).

Usually my brother would say something sarcastic to me, and then I'd retaliate.  Next we'd start complaining about the food:  "Do we have to eat THIS...I don't like THAT!"  Finally, father would raise his voice and tell us, "That's enough!  Be quiet and eat your dinner!  You're being disrespectful!"

The meal had been prepared for us--it had been paid for--all we had to do was COME TO THE TABLE and eat! 

Isn't this a picture of the church today?  We're asked to COME TO THE TABLE (The Communion Table).  We're invited to partake of the BREAD and the WINE.  But many will not come...many will not hear the call, "It's SUPPERTIME!"

At the LAST SUPPER, Jesus said:  "Do this in remembrance of Me."  The BREAD represents His body (which was given for us)...the WINE represents His blood (which was shed for us).

What if this were your LAST SUPPER?  How would you COME TO THE TABLE?

[I Corinthians 12:23-30]