Passing Heart Inspection

Appearances. What one sees with that naked eye reveals something? And if our mouth speaks, then others know what is on our heart.
The prophet Samuel was sent to anoint the one God was calling to leadership. It would be someone who would eventually replace King Saul.
1 Samuel 16:6-13
6 So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, "Surely the LORD's anointed is before Him." 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 8 So Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one." 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one." 10 Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, "The LORD has not chosen these." 11 And Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all the young men here?" Then he said, "There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here." 12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!" 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.
NKJV

Many are pulled away at times by the outward appearance of someone or some thing.
When it came time to choose a leader for the country, the prophet went to the house of Jesse.
He viewed the mighty men who were military leaders. They held some position with and under the rule of King Saul.
Yet, when the prophet came, he listened with the ear of intent to know who God had chosen as the future ruler and king. Samuel thought Eliab was the one, but God had another in mind.
Yes, that heart can be of good fruit that flings forth good to others or it can be of the bad fruit that flings out bad and diseased things to others.

What is the intention of our heart?

What is our motivation in doing anything for God? Is it about giving praise to God or do we need the praise instead?
Finding our heart leaning in this direction is finding our own identity.....and looking for praise in what we do and not His.
David's was an intent, a motivation to give God glory and praise!


1 Chronicles 29:14-19

14 "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 15 We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. 16 O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. 18 O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. 19 And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, requirements and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided." NIV

Having an honest intent to please the Father was David's heart! He was forever writing and singing psalms to the God whom he loved and cherished. David had spent so much time with the Father God that he recognized how He was pleased in every endeavor and done in integrity.


In the following we are reminded of the speaking of Paul to Timothy.
2  Timothy 1:8-12
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
NKJV

Passing the heart inspection with God is willing to be a prisoner of the Lord God. It is He Who saved us. He called us and brought life and immortality. Paul had his heart set, not ashamed, but persuaded in truth that God had him. No matter what, Paul had fixed his heart to be intent to hear God, and obey.

In returning to Eliab and David in 1 Samuel, we are reminded of Eliab's anger against David. Read below:

1 Samuel 17:26-30
26 Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, "What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" 27 And the people answered him in this manner, saying, "So shall it be done for the man who kills him."

28 Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab's anger was aroused against David, and he said, "Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle." 29 And David said, "What have I done now? Is there not a cause?" 30 Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing; and these people answered him as the first ones did. NKJV

It is interesting that his brother would make such a statement....."Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle."

What battle? The men all stayed off to the sides to see what Goliath was going to do.

So why would this military man be so envious of little David. Was it because David was addressing what needed to be said, and then actually do? The "heart" of all these men were tested again that day. David was ready for battle and meet with the enemy face to face. He had passed the heart inspection.

Where is God leading us? Are our hearts passing inspection with the good fruit that can be given to others? Are will we act like Eliab?

When the power of God comes, one will not have to pretend anything. One will not have to gloat over their ability, for God in His wonderful power will let other's see that you have an ability that comes from God alone, for your heart is set on Him ALONE! Like David, we too, have to remember to give praise where praise is due. And we must remember to allow the Holy Spirit into every situation of our lives.

David took God with him out to tend sheep and then God took him into real battle. In estimation the giant was some 18 feet tall. David was a mere what, maybe a possible 5'5''? So that heart inspection is important and passing is God appointed. For He always comes to check our motives, our devotion, our faith, our relationship with Him and our relationship with others.

David wrote this:

Psalm 119:9-20

9 How can a young man stay pure? By reading your Word and following its rules. 10 I have tried my best to find you-don't let me wander off from your instructions. 11 I have thought much about your words and stored them in my heart so that they would hold me back from sin. 

12 Blessed Lord, teach me your rules. 13 I have recited your laws 14 and rejoiced in them more than in riches. 15 I will meditate upon them and give them my full respect. 16 I will delight in them and not forget them. 

17 Bless me with life so that I can continue to obey you. 18 Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word. 19 I am but a pilgrim here on earth: how I need a map-and your commands are my chart and guide. 20 I long for your instructions more than I can tell.   TLB

Oh that we might see wonderful things in God's Word......remember we are but pilgrims here on earth and to keep God's road map for our lives ever before us........and be forever guided to passing that heart inspection!

I HAVE A NEW WEB SITE AVAILABLE NOW WITH OTHER CURRENT BLOGS AND YOUTUBE TEACHINGS. I INVITE YOU TOO CHECK IT OUT.  THERE IS A PRAYER REQUEST SECTION ON THE SITE.

www.godsgoodnessandlove.com

Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published:

Scattered or Gathered

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXxMFi-Evp8

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

WHEN GOD ASKS A QUESTION

When God asks us a question, how do we respond?

Matthew 16:13-18
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" 14 So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
NKJV

WHY was Jesus asking this question? Well, lets look at the passage before His asking the question.

Matthew 16:5-12

5 Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6 Then Jesus said to them, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees." 7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because we have taken no bread." 8 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? 9 Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? 10 Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? 11 How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?--but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." 12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 

NKJV

When Jesus asked them a question, it was concerning how they come to their answers, their thinking about what He was saying compared to that doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. When Jesus asked, He was finding out where they really stood relating to the Word of Truth that He was directing them to.
So if the Lord asks us a question: be certain to know that He is really asking if our going forward is based on His truth or of the doctrine of the world. It is not to be about that we just know it for that should already be a part of the foundation and it should not be about how we are feeling in regard to it, but are we without any doubt. Are we those certain ones that we are backed by the Word of God in stepping into that which God has for us to do? We can not do it just assuming it. We can not do it just because some pastor some years ago mentioned it, that we are the "called" to it and so just do it. NO!  We must certainly have a foundation built beneath us and that Cornerstone is Jesus Himself.

Ephesians 2:19-22
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
NIV

As fellow citizens with God's people and members of His household, we are those who are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the Chief Cornerstone!

The anointing Jesus gives us by the Word of truth, is that which determines when the "bad report" or that "surprise report" comes to us. Then when a question comes, are we wrapped up ..........surrounded, fortified with His love and Word  OR are we, by the circumstance ready to throw in the towel like in a boxing match?  We certainly are to be trained and ready because the Word is alive in us, powered by the Holy Spirit to make those quick decisions and keep going forward from Step 1 Step 2 to Step 3 of God's plan.

Mark 2:23-28
23 Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees said to Him, "Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" 25 But He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: 26 how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat, except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?" 27 And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28 Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath."
NKJV

Take note that Jesus asked the Pharisees a question when He was presented with one as well?
Jesus was pointing to David who was avoiding King Saul, but kept his men fed, he looked for a place of security for them, and when Saul was breathing out his cruelties. Truly the Sabbath was created for man to.........relax from a week's long work, to remember all that God had done for them, and to rest with family and enjoy them!

 In reading this passage it is separated by Chapter 3 heading, but they started this one with And He entered..........so this is continued from that of Mark chapter 2!

Mark 3:1-6
3:1 And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3 And He said to the man who had the withered hand, "Step forward." 4 Then He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they kept silent. 5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.
NKJV

Yes, a whole group of people were asked this question. They were that group of religious folk. 

"Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?"

It tells us that everyone remained silent.

Jesus spoke to the man with the withered hand...........and said, "Stretch out your hand." And as he did, his hand was restored as whole as the other.

From what we see in Chapter 2 of Mark, is that Jesus was pointing to that day of the Sabbath as the day which was made for man. In truth, the Sabbath was created after man was created. Man was made for God.

Luke 13:10-21
10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. 12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, "Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity." 13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. 14 But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, "There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day." 15 The Lord then answered him and said, "Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? 16 So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound--think of it--for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?" 17 And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.

18 Then He said, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches."

20 And again He said, "To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened."
NKJV

Notice in verse 12, when Jesus called the woman out, "Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity"......and then laid hands on her and immediately she was made straight and glorified God. God can do miracles on any day. Does not have to be always in church or within that moment of an immediate miracle, but can be done by giving people truth. Jesus was giving truth on the Sabbath and the woman was healed. But at verse 14, we find the ruler of the synagogue indignant. He was mad at Jesus for healing on the Sabbath and even told Jesus the LAW. But Jesus asked "does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from  the stall, lead it away to water it"? "SO ought not this woman be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?"

The people rejoiced, and then Jesus went on to ask another question! "To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?"  'It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened."

And verse 18:

18 Then He said, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches."

When God asks us a question, it is not our answering by feelings, or how body feels today. It is not how our spouse is acting or not acting, but it is by being steadfast in the Word of God. It is as Jesus represented to the disciples and to us. Our lives are to be that continually flowing fountain of water springing up that brings to those around that water of life, that Word of God, and that people are being satisfied. Yes, those who have been held in bondage much too long, to a broken body, a broken heart, held by drugs and depression need a long cool drink of the living fountain of Water of the Word of God that gives life and peace! When asked a question today, hopefully our reply is found from that living water...........as we find in John 7, of that which comes from the Holy Spirit.

John 7:37-39
37 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
NIV

When God asks us a question, do our words and worship exalt the Lord God or something else altogether? When we have the Holy Spirit residing in us, our words, yes our replies to any question will be words that worship as a witness of who we are following, who we listen to, what we read or keep our focus on, and who we will ultimately confess! Amen.

We are to reply to the One true God, and then follow Him, obedient to all He asks us!

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV