With All My Heart
1. With All Your Heart
Michael and I went to South Carolina last weekend to spend some time with our family. On Sunday we visited Lighthouse Baptist Church in Laurens, SC. The people were so friendly and we enjoyed the church services. For the morning worship service the pastor, Enoch Wilson, brought a message on "With All Your Heart". I want to begin our new devotions using part of his sermon outline, and may continue with a few more scriptures and ideas we find related to the heart. "With all my heart" I hope that these devotionals will be a blessing to you!
2. Love The Lord With All Thine Heart
The six points in Mr. Enoch Wilson's sermon were all following scriptures that used the phrase, "all thine heart". He began with Deuteronomy 6:5, "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." There are some who believe that the Old Testament was written for the Children of Israel and does not apply to Christians today. But we can turn to the New Testament and find the words of Jesus that also tell us to love the Lord with all our heart. We do not hesitate to tell those special to us that we love them with all our heart. Jesus loved us so much He died on the cross to give us the gift of eternal life. We need to tell Him from the heart, that we love Him with all our heart.
"35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 22:35-40)
3. Serve The Lord With All Thine Heart
After we truly love the Lord with all our heart, it follows that we will serve the Lord with all our heart. Moses gave this commandment with the Lord's promise in Deuteronomy 11:13-15.
"13 And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,
14 That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.
15 And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full."
Joshua also reminded the Children of Israel to serve the Lord. "But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul." (Joshua 22:5) As did the prophet Samuel in I Samuel 12:24. "Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you." When we come to the New Testament Jesus tells us that when we serve the Lord we will follow Him. The promise is greater than rain and food for our bodies. His promise is that He will be with us and God will honor us. "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour." (John 12:26) Jesus saves us because He loves us, and we serve Him because we love Him.
4. Obey The Lord With All Thine Heart
We are back in Deuteronomy for our next thought, "Obey The Lord With All Thine Heart." "This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul." (26:16) "And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;" (30:2) There are two ways that we obey the Lord. First, we obey the Lord when we obey the scriptures. We need to read God's Word, and hear preaching and teaching from the Word, so that we will know what God has said. As we hear the Word, we are to obey the Word. "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." (James 1:22) Secondly, we obey God by obeying the Holy Spirit. When we are saved the Holy Spirit dwells within us and leads us and guides us in the paths of righteousness. And just as we saw that we serve the Lord because we love Him, we also obey the Lord because we love Him. In John 14:15 we read the words of Jesus, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." Love the Lord. Serve the Lord. Obey the Lord. Incomplete obedience is disobedience. And delayed obedience is disobedience. We are to obey with all our heart.
5. Turn To The Lord With All Thine Heart
Do you have burdens too heavy to bear? Turn to the Lord with all your heart. Have you strayed away from the paths of righteousness? Turn to the Lord with all your heart. Do you feel like you are wandering alone in the wilderness? Turn to the Lord with all your heart.
"8 And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the LORD, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day.
9 And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers:
10 If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul." (Deuteronomy 30:8-10)
"12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness,..." (Joel 2:12-13)
God is merciful! "Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts." (Zechariah 1:3) John tells us, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9) I close with a verse that we all need to hear today... "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (II Chronicles 7:14)
6. Trust In The Lord With All Thine Heart
When our first son was about three years old, he went through a time when he was afraid of the dark. We had been teaching him Bible verses and he learned this one quickly, because it made a little rhyme when we used the reference, too. "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee." (Psalm 56 verse 3) We tried to teach him, even at such a youthful age, that he could trust in God. Not only does trust in the Lord relieve our fears, but we can trust Him to lead us in the right path. "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6) Trust in God also gives us joy and hope. "But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee." (Psalm 5:11) "For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth." (Psalm 71:5) "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." (Psalm 37:5) Trusting in the Lord also gives us salvation and strength. "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation." (Isaiah 12:2) I close with this verse from Nahum 1:7 which assures us that God knows those who trust in Him. "The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him."
7. Believe In The Lord With All Thine Heart
In the book of Acts the early church had multitudes saved by the preaching of the gospel. The Word of God spread from Jerusalem to the surrounding areas. Phillip preached in Samaria and people were saved and healed. (Acts 8:4-13) The angel of the Lord told Philip to go down to Gaza, and there he met one man who was seeking to know the gospel. God can save people in a growing church, preaching His Word, and He can save one lost person who believes in Him. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10) You can be saved if you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ with all your heart!
"26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea." (Acts 8:26-40)
8. David Praised The Lord With All His Heart
We have completed the outline of Preacher Enoch Wilson, but I want to continue with thoughts about the heart. Everywhere you look people are praising other people. Buildings, roads and bridges are named after people. Faces are seen on billboards, magazines, and all types of screens encouraging us to praise the elite ones in our society. Sports memorabilia and clothing manufacturers tell us to raise up teams and sports figures. But David said,"I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works." (Psalm 9:1) "I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore." Are we giving God all the praise? Do we praise God with all our heart? I believe that we are missing this in our worship of God. As Christians we believe in God, and we serve God, and we say that we don't worship idols. But God knows our thoughts and He knows if we are lifting others or things, such as our job or sports, or even other people, above Him. God alone, deserves all our praise! "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." (Hebrews 13:15)
9. Ezra Prepared His Heart
Today is the Lord's Day and many will go to church to worship the Lord. Are you prepared? I am sure that my pastor spent time in prayer and Bible study to prepare his heart for today's sermon. Sunday school teachers and singers also took time to prepare before going to church. The book of Ezra takes place years after the Children of Israel had been carried into captivity by the Babylonians. When Cyrus became king of Persia he allowed some of the Jews to return to Jerusalem. This remnant of people rebuilt the temple and Ezra returned from Babylon to teach God's Word and restore law and ritual. "For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments." (Ezra 7:10) This is a good lesson for us today. As we get ready in our Sunday "go-to-meeting" clothes we should also prepare spiritually. We can follow Ezra's example and prepare our hearts to seek God's Word, to follow it, and to teach it to others. Don't leave all the work up to the preachers and Sunday school teachers. Read your Bible and prepare your heart to seek God. Let's look at two more examples in II Chronicles. "So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess. And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD." (II Chronicles 12:13-14) Did you see that last line? "And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD." We read of Jehoshaphat in II Chronicles 19:3-4. "Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God. And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers." He prepared his heart to seek God and it was counted to him as good. We need to prepare our heart to seek God as we see in Jeremiah 29:13 "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." We also have this promise from the Lord in Matthew 7:7-8. "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
10. Daniel Purposed In His Heart
I like to read and study the book of Daniel. I even named my son, Daniel. The story of Daniel gets our attention right from the start with Daniel 1:8. “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” Daniel was one of the children carried away in the captivity to Babylon. Verse 4 describes them, “Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.” They were put in the care of the prince of the eunuchs to eat the daily provision of the king and drink his wine for three years. Then they would stand before the king. But Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself so he asked to be fed pulse and water for ten days. “And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat. Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.” (Daniel 1:15) Verse 20 tells us that the king found Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah to be “ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.” Daniel was away from home, but he purposed in his heart not to defile himself. It may be easy to stay on the right path while you are at home or at church, but there comes a time when you may be faced with the temptations of this world. Don't stray away from God. It may be hard when it seems as though everyone around you is drinking and trying new things, but make a promise to yourself and to God that you will continue to do what’s right. Purpose in your heart to follow God.
11. Mary Pondered In Her Heart
Today we are looking at a verse that we usually reserve for our Christmas celebrations. I first became a mother in November, 1980, when I was 20 years young. That first Christmas, with a newborn baby in my arms, I understood a mother's love. I "pondered" all the details about the birth of my new son. I would sit and rock in the light of the Christmas tree and think about how Mary must have felt at the birth of her new Son, the Holy Son of God. The shepherds came and found the Babe just as the angels had proclaimed and they left on their way rejoicing. "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19) Mary pondered the Lord's birth, and the visit from the angel and shepherds. Look again, when Jesus was twelve years old, and Mary and Joseph found Him in the temple "sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart." (Luke 2:46-51) There have been times that I didn't understand or know what was happening in my life. But I know the Lord. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) Just as you ponder events in your daily life, sometimes it's good to ponder in your heart all that the Lord has done for you!
12. Hannah Prayed In Her Heart
Let's go back to the book of Samuel, with the story of Hannah...
"So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth. Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad." (I Samuel 1:9-18)
I included more verses than usual to show the depth of Hannah's sorrow. She wanted a son. She prayed in her heart, moving her lips, but not speaking the words out loud and Eli thought she was drunk. She explained that she "poured out" her soul before the Lord and Eli told her that God would answer her prayer. Just as Hannah prayed from her heart, she was also able to rejoice from her heart. "And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God." (I Samuel 2:1-2) We ask the Lord to bless our food before we eat, and that is good. But, is it from the heart, or is it just repetition? Everyday I pray for my family. As I thought about Hannah's prayer I began to wonder, do I go down the list praying just from memory, or do I really pray for them from my heart? When troubles come to my life, or touches someone I love I really pour out my soul to God and pray from the depths of my heart. I need to take the time to really pray from my heart, not only in the bad times, but also in the good times. Sometimes I feel the Lord's blessing on my life so much I pray with thanksgiving from my heart. Then it seems like God blesses me even more. I want to be more like Hannah and pray from my heart.
13. Pharaoh Hardened His Heart
We have looked at several positive directions we can take from our heart. Today we see that sometimes we can move in a negative direction and harden our heart. "And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me. And Moses said, Behold, I go out from thee, and I will intreat the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, to morrow: but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD. And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD. And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one. And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go." (Exodus 8:28-32)
In the first verse of our scriptures above Pharaoh said, "I will let you go..." God sent the plague and Pharaoh made this promise to Moses and God. God took away the swarms of flies, and "Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go." How often do we make promises to the Lord, and when God brings us out of our trials, we harden our hearts and don't keep our word to the Lord? The story of Jesus feeding 5,000 with just two loaves of bread and five small fish is taught to many children in our Sunday School classes. As the night came on, Jesus sent the disciples ahead in a ship while He stayed on the mountain to pray. A terrible storm came up and Jesus walked to the disciples on the water and they were afraid. "And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened." (Mark 6:48-52) God brings us through the storms. God supplies our needs. Don't let the hard times harden your heart. Keep trusting the Lord!
14. Man's Heart Sinned And God's Heart Was Grieved
Sometimes it is very interesting to look at the first mention of a word in the Bible when you are doing a word study. To find the origin of the word "heart" we have to go all the way back to Genesis 6:5 and 6 and get the contrast of man's heart and God's heart. "And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart." Verse 5 tells us that man has a wicked heart. Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, and man's sin grew worse and worse. We also see this in the New Testament in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Genesis 6:6 tells us that God's heart is grieved because of man's sin. "And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD." (Genesis 6:6-8) Praise the Lord for grace. God loved us so much He was willing to give His only begotten Son to pay our sin-debt. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) How is your heart? The Lord can give you a clean heart. Have you prayed like David, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10)
15. Jesus Can Calm A Troubled Heart
Jesus understands a troubled heart. "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14:1-3) In the previous chapter of the book of John, Jesus had the last Passover supper with the disciples. He washed their feet to teach them that they should serve one another. Then Jesus told them that one of His chosen few was against Him. "When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake." (John 13:21-22) The disciples did not know what was about to take place, but Jesus knew, and He was troubled. Judas, one of His followers, would betray Him. Jesus knew that He was about to give His life on a cruel cross. He knew that the disciples, His friends, would be troubled, and this troubled Him. Of all the things in this world that have troubled me, none has been so great. When we look at the things that trouble our hearts, they seem so small in comparison to all the Savior endured for us. Remember the Words of our Savior when your heart is troubled. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27) Jesus can calm your troubled heart.
