THINK IT: How Is Your Heart Inclined?- Prayer

By Dan

Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for Your Son YESHUA, my Lord and Savior! I am so grateful for Your Companionship Father through Lord King Jesus. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit Who dwells in me to glorify the Lord King Jesus in me. Thank You that You made me the Righteousness Of God in Christ Jesus and that I am the redeemed of the Lord. It’s all by Your goodness Father! Father I ask that You by Your Spirit cause me to incline my heart to perform Your statutes forever, even to the end as the pslamist says in Ps. 119:112. For Father You said in Phil. 2:13: Not in your own strength for it is You Who is all the while effectually at work in me [energizing and creating in me the power and desire], both to will and to work for Your good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

I want this Father, for You said in 1John 5:21: Little children, keep yourselves from idols (false gods)–[from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God, from any sort of substitute for Him that would take first place in your life]. I desire this Father. I don’t want the anxieties and cares of this world to rule my heart. I want the Lord King Jesus and Him only to be the Lord of my life. Deal with me according to Your mercy and lovingkindness and teach me Your statutes.

I am Your child, give me understanding, discernment and comprehension that I may know, discern and be familiar with the character of Your testimonies. Thank You Father, I trust in the Lord King Jesus and have a confident expectation of good for this request. Thank You Father, glory and honor to You Father and to the Lamb Who sits in the midst of throne, where the river of life flows from. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

THINK IT: How Is Your Heart Inclined? Part 3

By Dan

To change your heart, you must be determined not to allow the Word of God to be taken out your heart. You must be aware of this, that the devil comes along to rob the Word that was sown, out of your heart. He forcibly takes away the message (Mark 4:15), as in the first heart condition that was described. He does this so that you do not continue in faith, for the Word of God produces faith (Ro. 10:17). You must meditate the the Word of God, but it takes determination, endurance and diligence.

In the second heart condition, they received the Word with joy but there was no real root in themselves. They endure for a little while and when trouble or persecution arises because of the Word, they are immediately offended (become displeased, resentful) and they stumble and fall away (Mark 4:17).

The third heart condition, beloved child of God is the one that is very prevalent with a lot of people, just like with Martha. This is where the cares and anxieties of the world and the distractions of the age and the pleasure and delight and false glamour and deceitfulness of riches, and the craving and passionate desire for other things creep in and choke and suffocate the Word, and it becomes fruitless (Mark 4:19).

Beloved child of God, what we desire is heart condition number four. The seed is sown on good (well adapted) soil. These are the ones who hear the word and receive and accept and welcome it and bear fruit, some thirty times as much as sown, some sixty times as much, and some [even] a hundred times as much (Mark 4:29). Beloved child of God, we need to water the Word of God (the seed), by getting into His Word and listening to messages about Christ and being in His Presence and cultivating our relationship with the Lord King Jesus, so that you bear more and more fruit. Have the attitude of Job 23:12-I have not gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed and treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. Take His yoke upon you and learn of Him (Matt. 11:29).

Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet, was inclining her heart toward the Lord, getting her heart transformed so she could later go out and serve the Lord in the power of His might, whereas Martha was trying to serve first. She needed to first incline her heart. The psalmist says, I have inclined my heart to perform your statues forever. There must be a rest first, in order to incline your heart, then, a going out to perform. This means getting into His Presence and into His Word, learning of Him. Pro. 8:34 says-Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied (is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. You receive Wisdom (Pro. 8:35).

Beloved child of God, the most important thing in life is to know Him on a deep level. John 17:3 says-And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent. Beloved child of God, let your heart be inclined to perform His statues. Be blessed!

THINK IT: How Is Your Heart Inclined? Part 2

By Dan

Mary was one who inclined her heart to the Lord as opposed to her sister Martha. Martha had a heart that was overly occupied and too busy and was distracted with much serving and came to the Lord and said, Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me, [to lend a hand and do her part along with me]! (Luke 10:40). Mary, her sister seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was listening to His teaching (Luke 10:39). The Lord answered, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things (Luke 10:41). There is need of only one or but a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [that which is to her advantage] which shall not be taken away from her (Luke 10:42).

So beloved child of God, an anxious heart chokes and suffocates the Word of God, this describes the third type condition of a heart. Beloved child of God, God loves a heart that is inclined to Him and His Word so He can impart His grace, as He was doing with Mary. The Lord said we have need of only one or but a few things and Mary had chosen it. Matt. 6:33 says-But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. It’s not that serving isn’t good like Martha was doing, but before you serve, the Lord wants you to sit with Him first and then serve. Martha had anxiety and an attitude. God wants you to serve in His strength, as it says in Ephesians 6:10: Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

THINK IT: How Is Your Heart Inclined?- Part 1

By Dan

The Lord King Jesus wants your heart inclined toward His Kingdom. In Luke 8, the Lord King Jesus talks about the different states of hearts in the parable of the sower who went out to sow seed (the Word of God).

The first condition-some seed fell along the traveled path and was trodden underfoot and the birds of the air ate it up. The meaning of this is that there are people along the traveled road who have heard; then the devil comes and carries away the message out of their hearts, that they may not believe (acknowledge Lord King Jesus as their Savior and devote themselves to Him) and be saved [here and hereafter] (Luke 8:12).

The second condition-some [seed] fell on the rock, and as soon as it sprouted, it withered away because it had no moisture (Luke 8:6). Lord King Jesus explains that those upon the rock [are people] who, when they hear [the Word], receive and welcome it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while, and in the time of trial and temptation fall away (withdraw and stand aloof) (Luke 8:13).

The third condition-other seed fell in the midst of the thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it [off] (Luke 8:7). The Lord explains that, for what fell among the the thorns, these are [the people] who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked and suffocated with the anxieties and cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit doesn’t ripen (come to maturity and perfection) (Luke 8:14).

The fourth condition-And some seed fell into good soil, and grew up and yielded a crop a hundred times [as great]. The Lord explains that the seed that was in good soil, these are [the people] who, hearing the Word, hold it fast in a just noble, virtuous) and worthy heart, and steadily bring forth fruit with patience (Luke 8:15). The Psalmist states Ps. 119:112-I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, even to the end. This means he paid attention to what the the Lord was saying in His Word. He turned aside from the world to pay attention to what God was saying and he depended on the Word from God. He developed his heart desire by waiting and hoping and expecting the Lord. He believed he would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living (Ps. 27:13-14). He did not let hard times turn him away from God. He would ask God how long He would hide His face from him (Ps.13:1) and how long would he would have to lay up cares within him having sorrow in his heart day after day and how long would his enemy exalt himself over him (Ps. 13:2). But after agonizing, he declared and spoke in faith, that he has trusted, leaned on, and been confident in His mercy and loving kindness, his heart shall rejoice and be in high spirits in His salvation (Ps. 13:5). He said he will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with him (Ps.13:6).

This is a heart that was noble and of good soil that waits in patience for God’s grace. It wasn’t a heart like the heart that when temptation comes, he would fall away, withdraw and stand aloof because there was no root. It wasn’t like the heart that let the anxieties of life suffocate the Word of God in him. This is because he inclined his heart to perform His statutes forever. His heart caused him to hang on to God in difficult times. We beloved child of God can be of that integrity and have our hearts inclined to His statutes.

THINK IT: Rejoice Always

By Dan

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition Psalm 89:15 Blessed (HAPPY, fortunate, to be envied) are the people who know the JOYFUL sound [who understand and appreciate the spiritual blessings symbolized by the feasts]; they walk, O Lord, in the light and favor of Your countenance!

THINKIT-GOD IS BIG ON REJOICING!

Beloved child of God during this time, Father wants you moving in Him, not anxiety or fear. He is your comfort, your strength, your peace, your confidence, your protection and your joy. Remember beloved child of God, the kingdom of God is within you, which is righteousness, peace and joy. God’s faith says-count it all joy in tribulations (James 1:2). It’s God’s way-trust Him in that. God always had Israel to have feasts! Do you see what blessed means- it means HAPPY. So when someone says be blessed, they are saying be HAPPY, be JOYFUL! Because the kingdom of God is RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND JOY in the HOLY SPIRIT (Ro.14:17), it is holiness to be joyful and happy. Since this Kingdom is in you, you must learn to get into His Presence and draw upon what is already in you.

The Holy Spirit wants to produce the fruit of joy in you, beloved child of God! Joy is an important part of the kingdom. I want to give you an infusion of joy scriptures to study and meditate, beloved child of God. John 17:13-Jesus prayed that His joy be made full and perfect in the saints and that they experience His delight and gladness. 1Thess. 5:16 says-Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be GLAD-HEARTED CONTINUALLY (ALWAYS). Phil 3:1 says-Delight yourselves in the Lord and continue to rejoice that you are in Him. Phil 4:4 says-Rejoice in the Lord always (delight-gladden yourselves in Him) again I say rejoice. Ps 37:4 says-Delight yourselves in the Lord and He will give you the desires and the secret petitions of your heart. Ro. 5:2-3 says-Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this Grace (state of God’s favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God. Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exalt and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.

James 1:2 says-consider it wholly joyful my brethren whenever you are enveloped in and encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Ro. 5:11 says-Not only so, but we also rejoice and exultingly glory in God [in His love and perfection] through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom we have now received and enjoy [our] reconciliation. Ps 100:1-2 says-Make a joyful noise to the Lord and serve the Lord with gladness. Ps 149:2 says-Let Israel rejoice in Him, their Maker, let Zion’s children triumph and be joyful in their KING. Ps 149:5 says-Let the saints be joyful in the glory and beauty [which God confers upon them]; let them sing for joy upon their beds. Ps 5:11 says-Let those who take REFUGE and put their trust in You rejoice-Let them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them. Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits.

Ps 32:11 says-Be glad in the Lord and rejoice you [uncompromisingly] righteous, shout for joy all you upright in heart. Neh. 8:10 says-The joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold. Eph 6:10 says- Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. These two scriptures connect by showing that joy is strength and that you are in His might when you are joyful. Pro. 18:14 says-The strong spirit of a man sustains him in bodily pain or trouble but a weak and broken spirit who can raise up or bear. Joy will keep your spirit strong. If you are joyful you are strong in the Lord. Joy is a part of the armor we are to put on. It is a spiritual weapon against spiritual enemies-depression, despair and mental illnesses such as anxiety. Being joyful lifts you above your circumstances. Ps 30:11(b) says-You have put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness.

Being joyful is healing and health. Pro. 17:22 says-A merry heart doeth good like a medicine. Pro. 15:13 says-A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken. Pro. 15:15 says all the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances]. John 16:33 says-In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] So this is saying, be of good cheer, it will keep you undaunted. You are to be of cheerful courage.

You can see beloved child of God, joy and rejoicing are important to Father for you. It’s one of three things of the kingdom of God, that Father lists in Ro. 14:17. He also says in Matt. 5:11, blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous-with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of your outward conditions) are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely on My account. Matt.5:12 says-Be glad and supremely joyful, for your reward in heaven is great(strong and intense). This scripture (Heb. 12:2), to me is amazing, it says Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also it’s Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the JOY [ of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. It’s amazing because He was in so much AGONY yet He had JOY, because of obtaining the prize of bringing many sons into glory (Heb. 2:10).

Heb. 11:6 says-But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is a rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him out. Beloved child of God seek Him in the joy area. Get into His Presence, for in His Presence is fullness of Joy (Ps.16:11). Let Him reward you with joy. Prepare your heart for receiving this great blessing of joy. So build your ark of joy beloved child of God, founded upon the Rock(Jesus) to weather the storms. Renew your mind with joy scriptures. Revisit this THINKIT frequently and speak these scriptures to yourself, to get them into your heart. Prepare your heart.

PRAYER-Father, through Your precious Son Jesus, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, release the Joy of the Lord into my soul. Let me always rejoice because I require you as my greatest need, especially at this time to keep my spirit strong in You. Thank You for Your joy, in Jesus’ name, Amen! Be blessed!