I am so thankful that God sees my heart. In 1 Samuel, chapter 16 verse 7, it says,
“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (NIV).
In 1 Peter, chapter 3 verse 3-4, it says, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God”.
Wow! The God of all creation who spoke the world into existence, the ocean, the wildlife, the stars, and the mountains , looks at us and sees past our hair, clothes, and jewelry, and everything outward– He sees our hearts. In 1 Samuel and in 1 Peter, God sees the hidden person of the heart. I believe that in 2020, God is calling us to see as He sees. Far too many of us, myself included, have focused on what we can see because we live in a natural world. Although we live in a created world there is a supernatural kingdom of God that is just as real. The spirit of God is drawing our hearts closer to see and live in the place where God is.
Many people during the new year make resolutions for the year and try their hardest to stick to them. Maybe you’d like to lose weight, save more money, or go back to school in 2020. It is great to set goals that make you a better steward but also it is important to consider the things of the spirit that make our hearts rich.
I am inspired by the late German-American Evangelist and Founder of Church for All Nations, Reinhard Bonnke, who once said, “I try to do now what matters in the end”. Bonnke died in December 2019. He spent his life evangelizing Africa having won over 77 million souls! Bonnke’s life and legacy demonstrated a heart full of riches, a treasure that cannot be destroyed.
In Matthew 6:19-20, Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal”. While I may not win 77 souls in my lifetime, I believe that I can make a difference in someone’s life through this ministry. And because I have a heart for God and his people, I believe, these small acts of obedience will have a ripple effect in the spirit. I know God sees my heart.
As we begin a new decade, may your heart and spiritual treasure make you rich, and make others around you rich. Here’s to a new decade and seeing how God sees.
Happy New Year,
