I dont wanna!

GOD KNOWS MY HEART

Have you ever heard anyone say this? I've heard this numerous times in my lifetime. Its usually a statement made for one of two reasons: 1) A person is steadfastly holding onto something that they don't want to give up. Therefore, by someone trying to point out to them the error of their ways, the following statement is made, "Don't judge me. Just because you wouldn't do the things I do, and just because God has told you not to do certain things, it certainly doesn't mean he wants me to abstain from those things too. God knows my heart." 2) A person has been found out by God and the Lord himself is pricking their heart and He wants them to make sacrifice to attain a closer walk with Him. Thus, the person is then forced to do one of two things; either make the sacrifice God has called them to do or force a half-hearted confirmation to anyone who will hear, hoping they might fool God..."God knows my heart". If you have ever been in this position, or if you are in this very position right now, rest assured, God does know your heart. You would do well to give some serious thought to what you are saying before you utter these words that are sure to doom your soul. Jeremiah 17:9 says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Only God can know the heart. He knows the thoughts and devices which we imagine against him (Job 21:27). You cannot fool God. You may be able to talk yourself into being in right standing with God. You may even be able to fool man with your "God knows my heart" routine but you will not, nor cannot, fool God. He will always be able to see through your facade. You're so right. God does know your heart. For that, you should be very worried if you are not in the place where He wants you.

YOU WANT ME TO GIVE YOU WHAT?!

I was recently reminded of a story that I heard a couple years ago. It made an impact on me that I will never forget. A father, who was very wealthy, decided that he wanted to give his only daughter a very special gift for her fifth birthday. He purchased a very valuable necklace. A pearl necklace. This wasn't a gift you would normally give a small child but he wanted to make an indelible impression on the girl. She meant the world to the father so he just couldn't help himself. The little girls birthday came and the father couldn't wait for his daughter to open the gift. She was overjoyed and elated. She showered her father with hugs and kisses and the father knew that the necklace was a hit. Exactly what he was hoping for. The father decided to test the girl and her love. Not only for the necklace, but for him. Every night the father would go into pray with the little girl. When they were finished praying, the father would ask, "sweetheart, do you love me?" The little girl would answer, "yes daddy. You know I do." "Then give me the necklace", the father would say. The little girl, quite surprised at the father would say, "no daddy. Its my necklace. You gave it to me for my birthday." The father would kiss her and then say goodnight and the girl would fall asleep. This went on for a number of nights. Every night the father would ask for the necklace and every night the little girl would say no. Finally, one night, the father finished praying with the little girl. Just like he had done for so many nights before, he asked her for the necklace. This time though, the little girl, with huge tears streaming down her face, took her prized little birthday present and gave it to her father. The fathers eyes welled up with tears and he was bursting out with pride at what his daughter had done. He could barely speak but he mustered up just enough strength to say, "my sweet little baby. Daddy doesn't really want your necklace, I just wanted to see if you would give it to me." You see, God may not want us to give up our prized possessions. He only wants to know that we would if He asked us to. We cant be tied to any one thing. We must hold loosely to the fleeting things of this life. It is the only way God will ever be able to truly use us the way He sees fit. God knows your heart. He knows if you are truly ready to let go at a moments notice, or if you are gripping tightly the very things that He wants you to give Him. I hope we are all ready to give God the pearl necklace if He asks us for it. God bless you this July 4th weekend. Stay safe.

LW