THE HEART THAT GOD HEARS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 22, 2021. 

SUBJECT : THE HEART THAT GOD HEARS!

Memory verse: "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the LORD will not hear me." (Psalm 66 vs 18.)

READ: Mark 11 vs 22 - 26:

11:22: Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. 

11:23: For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

11:24: Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

11:25: "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 

11:26: But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."

 

INTIMATION:

When we fail to confess our sins, and repent of them, or when we harbor and cherish certain sins, we place a wall between us and God. We may not be able to remember every sin we have committed, but our attitude should be one of confession and obedience. Our confession of sin must be continual because we continue to do wrong. 

A heart filled with the spirit of heaviness receives nothing from God. Let go, lighten your heart, free your heart to create space to receive from God. A heart crowded, and burdened with iniquity—wickedness, unforgiveness, injustice, evil, hatred etc, is so filthy, and crowded with negativities that it cannot receive anything good, especially from the Lord. Such heart attitude quench the Spirit, thereby dampening the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Forgiving others is tough work; so much so that many people would rather do something totally distasteful in vengeance than offer forgiveness to someone who has wronged them. For a person to pray with a heavy heart, bearing grudges, is, however,  like a tree sprouting leaves and bearing no fruit, fruitful in appearance only, but is spiritually barren.

The heart bearing grudges, can never at the same time harbor blessings. Don't deceive yourself; God cannot be mocked; for whatever you so in your heart, that you shall also reap (Galatians 6 vs 7). Therefore, make your choice. You cannot be on the two sides of the divide at the same one time. 

Effective prayer involves; an attitude of faith—complete dependence on God. Faith filled prayer changes the heart, dismantles pride and vengeance, filling the holes; the spaces occupied by grudges, hatred, injustice, wickedness etc, with love, and speaks peace, forgiveness, and harmony. 

Our prayers must have a bias for God's kingdom, and must not be with selfish motives. Our prayers are often motivated by our own interests and desires. When we pray, we can express our desires, but we should want His Will above ours. For instance, Jesus, our role Model, prayed thus; "Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will" (Mark 14 vs 36). Jesus prayed with God's interests in mind.  Check yourself to see if your prayers focus on your interests or God's.

The attitude of faith in God is not something we can obtain without help from Him. Faith is a gift from God. The Scripture, in Ephesians 2 vs 8 - 9, clearly says:- "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." No matter how much faith we have, we never reach the point of being self sufficient. Growing in faith is a constant process of daily renewing our trust in Jesus Christ. 

Therefore, God will answer your prayers, not as a result of your mental attitude, but because the following other conditions must be met;

1. You must a believer.

2. You must not hold a grudge against another person.

3. You must not pray with selfish motives.

4. Your request must be for the good of God's kingdom.

Prayer: Abba Father, my total trust, and confidence is in You. I come to You with a heart of love and peace. I forgive all that have offended me, believing You have forgiven me my trespasses. Therefore, attend to my cry, and deliver to me my needs according to Your Will, not mine, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!