With My Whole Heart
And thus did Hezekiah throughout all
Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the
LORD his God. 21 And in every work that he began in
the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to
seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered. 2 Chron.
31:20-21 (KJV)
1.
Hezekiah
led Israel into iconoclasm. (v 1) Religious reform and restoration of the tithe
(vv 2-19) He did these things and as a result “prospered”. (v
20-21)
2.
It
is not unusual that those who prosper are giving a 100% effort.
3.
The
only thing half hearted farmers gets is weeds.
4.
Half
measures almost always fail.
5.
This
is true of everything from marriage to ministry. They die for want of a little
more.
James 1:8 A double minded
man is unstable in all his ways.
Some Christians have just enough religion to make them miserable: they are not happy at the dance, and they do not rejoice in worship either. It's because they are trying to march to two different drummers
6.
Most
people don’t apply this truth to their relationship with God or ministry.
(Heb. 11:6; Mt. 6:33)
Ps 1:3 And he shall be
like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in
his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall
prosper.
Mr 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord
thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy
mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
7.
Definitions:
“heart” The most important or essential part: “whole” Containing all components;
complete
8.
Here
are some possible titles for Hymns in our day.
Prelude
. . . . "O, How I Like
Jesus"
First
Hymn . . "I Surrender Some"
Anthem . . . . "Give of What's Left to the Master"
Children . . . "He
is Quite a Bit to Me"
Solo . . . . . "Fill My Spoon, Lord"
Closing
Hymn . "Take My Life, Then
Let Me Be"
Rev 3:15
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or
hot.
The
truth is that most of us have trouble with half-heartedness at one time or
another.
So
what can we do about it? Here are four steps to help you on your way.
1- Make A Quality Decision To Seek God to Be Whole-hearted
Ps. 27:8 When Thou didst say, "Seek My face," my heart said
to Thee, "Thy face, O Lord, I shall seek." (NAS)
Jer. 29:13 You will seek me and find me when
you seek me with all your heart. (NIV)
1.
This is
illustrated in the story of the Prodigal Son. (Lk. 15)
2- Get Your Plans From the Master Planner
(Prayer & Bible)
Jos 1:7 Only be thou
strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the
law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand
or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate
therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is
written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou
shalt have good success.
1.
No
fear of a mistake!!!
2.
Requires
an intimate relationship!!! Let God fill you with the Holy Spirit!!!!! (Eph
5:18; Lk 11)
3- Take Action - Do Something.
Talk
before walk but don’t forget to walk!
Ec 9:10 Whatsoever thy
hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor
knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
4- Persevere Until You See the Evidence of
God’s Promised Blessings
1.
Move
consistently toward God’s Plan for your life.
Hos. 10:12 Sow for yourselves righteousness,
reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is
time to seek the LORD, until He comes and showers righteousness on you. (NIV)
Ps. 105:4 Look to the LORD and his strength;
seek His face always.
2.
Refusing
to give up when things do happen the way you expect proves true commitment!
Mt
16:24 Then said Jesus unto h\is disciples, If any man will come
after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Make
a Decision – Get Plan from God – Take Action – Persevere until
the end!
Give everything to the effort to serve God. (Hezekiah’s
commitment was personal then corporate)
Spend and be spent for the Kingdom of God, put body, soul, spirit and
strength into the effort. No man
can out give God!
I do my best only when I give my
best.
Email openarms@openarmsbaptist.com Web Site openarmsbaptist.com