LEARNING DAILY

My focus for the past few days is making sure God has the place in my heart (and yours) that He not only desires but deserves. The question is how to do this and make sure I keep Him there. I hope that the following verses with some comments will help me and whoever needs the encouragement to do so.

Matthew 22:37, Jesus said to Him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

Jesus does not hesitate to answer a question asked Him about which is the greatest commandment. He answers directly from Deuteronomy 6:5. God wants every believer to place Him first and foremost in their heart and love Him with every part of their being. His answer includes our emotions, our actions, and our thoughts. Walking with Him on the narrow way is a daily commitment to loving Him and doing His will.

Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.”

It is important to put this verse in the proper context in order to put God in the right place in our heart. This is not about an endless supply of material blessings being given to us; it is about God supplying our daily needs. It is about trusting our heavenly Father to provide because He loves us – even when we do not know where our next meal might come from. By putting God first, by seeking Him first, that we pursue righteousness. In Matthew 5:6 we are told we are blessed when we hunger and thirst after righteousness! The motives Believers have in seeking God matter! Walk the narrow way, living in accordance to biblical teaching, admit the wrongful thing done, thought, and said being thankful for His forgiveness and he will provide what is necessary to live for Him.

1 John 5:21, Little children, keep yourself from idols. Amen

This refers to what has been written in the last few pages of the blog. Idols may refer to people and/or things Believers place before God. It could include one’s work or any form of activity. Keep from idols and concentrate on walking the narrow way with the Lord following and obeying Him.

Follow Romans 11:36, For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen

Paul writes an important statement – all things belong to God. This world we live in, this universe is God’s. Believers are only living in it! Paul writes that everything in it comes from God; He is the source of everything and holds it all together. He continues in his writing that everything that exists is for God and His glory. That includes every Believer! Because of that He demands to have His rightful place in their heart giving Him glory through every aspect of their life.

I continue to be a work in progress!