April 12, 2024

Author: Pastor Dave Miner
April 12, 2024

Reading: 1 Chronicles 29                           
Optional Reading: 1 Chronicles 25 - 28
“I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.” [1 Chronicles 29:17 NIV]
The old song about Santa Claus says that he is “making a list and checking it twice, going to find out who is naughty and nice.” Imagine if Santa could see into your heart, instead of just your outside behavior. What kind of list would he have then?
Santa is a myth, but God is not. He sees the heart. He knows what thoughts go through our minds. He knows when we wish we could kill someone. He hears it if we curse and use inappropriate words in our heart, even if we do not say them aloud with our voice. He sees when we wish trouble on someone we do not like. He sees when we are judgmental to our brothers and sisters, and not forgiving and caring as He is to us.
How can you clean up your heart? There is a straightforward way. Just like a garden needs water, and grows beautiful veggies when watered, so your heart needs spiritual water to grow good thoughts and kind attitudes. What is that spiritual water? The water of the Word of God. When we douse our hearts in God’s Word, memorizing it and keeping it deep inside, God begins to change our thoughts. We soon have pure, friendly thoughts going through our brains, instead of muck.
Jesus, help me to have beauty in my heart by learning your Word. Amen.

 

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