Day 18: Undivided Heart.

Art by Karenee-art

Today we are reading Proverbs 18 and Psalm chapters 86-90. Before reading, pray that God reveals something new to you today!

-Read Scripture-

We've all heard that David was "a man after God's own heart." But was does that mean? I've grown up my whole life hearing that and wishing I could have that kind of heart, but never understanding how. About a year or so ago, I was reading about David in the message version of the bible and it read "...my servant David who did what I told him and lived from his undivided heart, pleasing me." 1 Kings 14:8. That is when it clicked for me! I want an undivided heart! A heart that is not divided between heaven and earth, but solely focused on God, 100%. That is what is a "man after God's own heart" looks like. Now that is something I understand and can strive for!

Since then, I've received confirmation after confirmation of this idea and principle. Let's look at Psalm 86:11 in ALL different translations.

"Teach me your way, O LORD; I will walk in your truth; Unite my heart to fear your name." NKJ

"Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness, give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." TNIV

"Train me, GOD, to walk straight; then I'll follow your true path. Put me together, one heart and mind; then, undivided, I'll worship in joyful fear." The Message

"O Eternal One, guide me along your path so that I will live in your truth. Unite my divided heart so that I will fear Your great name." The Voice

We live divided. My heart is all over the place, divided between my children, husband, family, friends, work, money, and God. It is possible to live with an undivided heart. David did it, even with all the baggage and screw-ups. We just need to take all the things that divide us and look at them through the lens of God. How can I glorify him in all these areas? See the need to seek his guidance in these different areas. Be willing to surrender all of them to him.

I try to pray everyday for God to unite my divided heart, to make it 100% focused on him. The truth is, even though I'm not sure how to accomplish this, he knows how to. And very slowly I'm seeing my focuses change. I'm able to let go of the things that divided me and my attention. I am able now to focus on the things that I know he has called me to. It's been a very rewarding journey thus far.

We all have hundreds of things that divide our hearts. Today, think about how that looks for you. Are there things that need to be cut out? Are there important issues that need to be addressed through God's filter rather than the world's? Is there something you need to surrender? Or perhaps you just need to ask God to help you maintain your life but put him front and center. Whatever this looks like for you, I pray that God gives you the next steps.

Abba, I pray you unite our hearts today. Allow us to see our lives as they truly are, divided between heaven and earth. Thank you for Christ bridging the gap and the Holy Spirit that helps us accomplish what you have for us. Show us how to refocus our hearts and minds so that we can focus on you. 100%. Show us how to work, be in school, and live our lives with you at the center. Unite our hearts with yours so that they may beat together. Make your will our will, your cause our cause, and your desires our desires.
Seriously, I mean it. :)
Amen.

Day 16: Pursue your Passions!

Today we are reading Proverbs 16 and Psalm chapters 76-80. Before starting, let's ask God to give us clear minds to receive and remember all that we read today!

-Read Scriptures-

A couple of weeks ago I was having coffee with a friend, and she asked me about "God's Will". What did I think that meant, is there just one path or are there many, some better than others, etc. That is a very good question, one that has taken me a very long time (and many different paths) to begin to understand. Notice I said begin... :)

The thought of "God's Will" for our lives can be very overwhelming and subsequently many Christians obsess over finding it. The problem with this is that many men and women sit on their behinds waiting to figure it out, when opportunity after opportunity passes them by. I feel VERY strongly that God gave us free will and the desires of our hearts for a reason!  Pursue your passions and dreams and pursue God and his wisdom in the process.

Proverbs 16:3 says, "Whatever you do, do it as service to Him, and He will guarantee your success." The Voice. 

If you seek and use the wisdom God has given you, desire to honor and serve him; then you will be in his "will." Do those things and no matter where you work, where you attend school, where you volunteer, whatever career path you choose, you will be glorifying him. However, I do think that God does have particular paths for people. I just don't think it is necessary to wait for them!

Here is the thing, if you are in his word everyday, listening to him, and seeking wisdom, he will direct you to that path. "The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD." Proverbs 16:1 TNKJ We can make plans all day long, we can day dream and desire things in our hearts, but ultimately what happens is up to God anyway. The Voice translation words it: "People go about making their plans, but the Eternal has the final word." And let me tell you, sometimes he answers and brings you opportunities you didn't even know you desired!

I can't tell you how many times I'll be on a path or in a certain direction and God clearly affirms it or blocks it. That is one of the greatest gifts I've received since daily pursuing him. His affirmation and or redirection has been instrumental in my journey. Remember that God will always provide what you need to complete the tasks he has for you.

"We plan the way we want to live, but only GOD makes us able to live it." Proverbs 16:9 The Message If you are submitting and seeking after God, he will guide you and provide for you. He will show up tangibly in ways that will excite you and spur you on!

Today in your prayer time, tell God that you are ready and willing for whatever he may have for you. Tell him the desires of your heart and ask him to use them!

Day 7: Asking for directions...

Today we are reading Proverbs 7 and Psalm chapters 31-35. Ask God to prepare your heart to receive his truth today; because today, he definitely has a truth he wants to share with you. :)

-Read Scriptures-

Before I even opened the bibles and notebooks this morning to begin writing, God gave me a word during my personal journaling time. I pray a ton for my business. I pray for God's favor, wisdom, direction, and guidance.  I want my decisions with COLORS to glorify God and his will, so he gave me some encouragement. It wasn't until I opened my notebooks to write today's study, that I realized it was for you as well!

I love in Proverbs 7 how Solomon gives us a clear picture of how temptation works. Seducing and deceiving. The young man, "had no clue his life was at stake; everything was about to change." Proverbs 7:23 The Voice.  He had no clue. Isn't that the way it usually works. Temptation never announces itself, and that it's intention is to destroy us. There is no warning is there? But there is, and we just got it.

I tend to look at life as a journey, and through this journey we have opportunities to take different roads or paths. When I pray or read the bible, this principle is constantly used. "...and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:6 "...narrow the road that leads to life." Matthew 7:14 I could go on and on and translation after translation uses these words to describe life and our decision making.
Therefore when I pray, I tend to use this vernacular: lead, guide, and direct me.

So here is the encouragement that I received this particular morning, and I believe that it's extremely relevant to our study.

"IF YOU KEEP SEEKING AFTER ME, WHOLE-HEARTILY, YOU WILL STAY ON MY COURSE. YOU CAN'T STRAY TOO FAR OFF A PATH IF YOU'RE CHECKING YOUR LOCATION EVERYDAY.  EVERY TIME WE SPEND TIME TOGETHER, IT'S A HEART CHECK, IT'S A CHARACTER CHECK. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO GET LOST IF YOU STOP.  IT'S THE PEOPLE WHO KEEP GOING, EVEN WHEN THEY ARE UNSURE, WHO GET LOST. IF UNSURE, STOP AND ASK FOR GUIDANCE. YOU'LL NEVER REGRET THAT. I PROMISE. I AM HERE FOR YOU ALWAYS." ABBA

He is SO right. I have never regretted stopping and asking for directions. You either realize you are heading the wrong way, or you get confirmation that you were heading in the right direction! And in life, I have never regretted pausing and having a heart check.

What if the young man in Proverbs had stopped and asked someone? If he had more information, would he have made a different decision? Imagine how many less bad decisions we would make if we were checking the status of our heart and character every single day? THAT is why this is so important. God promises us, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you." Psalm 32:8 TNIV 

We have all we need to succeed in this life.  Let us not be clueless, like the young man in Proverbs.

Todays application: Simply stop and ask God for directions and see what he reveals to you.