The Heart of God

What is in the statement, "The Heart of God?"
It simply means that this is what I am after. I will
not compromise for less. I am after God's own
heart!
To serve, to do his will without question. To hear
and obey.
He knew me before I was born. I may fail. I may struggle. But, I cannot just give up. I must strive
to change the adversity. By His grace and mercy.

Where is your heart? Is it sturggling to cope with
the faults of others? Is it hardened by the words
of those who would hurt and offend? Or, is it
tender towards those who would hurt and spite-
fully use you?

Strive for the heart of God...through Jesus Christ!

He died for me
He died for you.
The heart he gives
A heart true.

The heart of God
Gave and gives its all.
That none of us
Should ever fall.

Do you faithfully attend church every Sunday? Then take the
things you have learned and use them to the glory of our Lord
God and Savior, Jesus Christ? To help bring others to him for
their salvation? Or, do you go home and just wait for next
Sunday? Doing nothing with the things you have learned, be-
cause you believe you have done your faithful service by just
attending church?
As God's children, we are accountable for the knowledge that we
are given, just as the apostle's were. They went out, spreading
the wonderful truth of Jesus Christ. We are to do the same. We
are not to put our light under a bushel and use it for just ourselves.
We are to be a light unto the world. When Christ comes into our
lives, we are to take up our cross and follow after him. We are
fishers of men! We are accountable for the knowledge we are
given.
Each and every one of us; Not just the preacher, the teacher,
the apostle, the church helps, the church governments, the evangelist, the prophet or the one who is diverse in or interprets tongues. Each and every gift that is given, is to be used in spreading the gospel of Christ. They are the tools he gives us.
If we do not use these tools, this knowledge, then we waste his precious blood and condemn ourselves!

In 1 Corinthians 9: 16-19 the apostle Paul writes:
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach
not the gospel.
For if I do this willingly, I have a reward: but, if against my will a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I
abuse not my power in the gospel.
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more!

In December, 1996; A large family was gathered in Los Angeles for the most joyous occasion of wrapping Christmas
presents. It was a very large family. There were so many gathered that night, that five of the children slept in the
garage. It was a converted structure, kept warm during the cold night by an electric heater, which sat by the door.
During the early hours of the morning, the heater burst into flames, blocking the dooryway. In seconds, the room be-
came a blazing inferno. The frantic call to 911 revealed the unspeakable horror of the moment. One of the children
could be heard screaming, "I'm on fire!" The distraught father's vainly rushed into the flames, trying to save their
children. Both received 1st degree burns over 50% of their bodies. All five children perished in the flames.
They died, because steel bars had been placed over the windows of the garage, preventing their escape. There was
only one door, and that was blocked by the flames. Now, you may ask, what has this story got to do with what I am
trying to show you.

Now, lets go back in time. It is just moments before the heater bursts into flames. You peer through the darkness and
see the five sleeping children. You know that any moment, the room is going to become an inferno, that children will
die in the flames. Can you turn away? No, you cannot!
You are compelled to awaken them and move them away from this certain death.

The world sleeps unawares, in the darkness of ignorance. There is only one "door," by which they may escape death.
The steel bars of sin prevent their salvation, and at the same time call for the flames of destruction.
What a fearful thing Judgement Day will be! The world cries out for the truth of Jesus Christ.
The fires of the wrath of the Living God will burn for eternity. Flames that were never intended for man. That were in-
tended for Satan and his angels.

The Church, those God has chosen, has been entrusted with the sobering task of awakening people to the salvation
of Christ! To show them the way, from the flames of destruction. That they can and may accept Christ as their only salvation. Before it is too late!
We cannot turn our backs in complacency, and just walk away.
Think of how the father's rushed into the flames with no concern for their own safety. Their love knew no bounds.
Our devotion to the task that God has given us, will be in direct proportion to our love for the lost. Will you rush in, in
all faith? With no fear? Warning those who know not about the flames of destruction, nor of the way to their own
salvation. Will you be there to lead them to the only "Door," that is available to them? Or, will you go home after church thinking, "I have done my reasonable service, by going to church?"

On judgement day, will you stand before God and remember, that you kept your candle under a bushel? Will you see
those you had the chance to tell the truth, being judged into the eternal flames of destruction? Or, will you remember
that you did your reasonable service, spreading the gospel of the Truth, the Light and the Way?
How will you hear them judged? Good and faithful? Slothful? Enter in good and faithful servant or depart from me, I never
knew you? Will you gain only a dispensation of the gospel as your reward, because you did not do your full and faithful service?
Will you gain the more, by serving others instead of yourself? Will you gain the world, but lose your soul? Our rewards are not here on earth, they are in the kingdom of heaven. With Christ!

We will not be judged according to our salvation. That is a gift of and by Christ our Savior. This was already paid for. We
will be judged according to what we do with that gift. Do not think more highly of yourself than you ought. We are called to do that which God's word tells us we are to do. His will, not ours. His will is for us to spread the gift of Christ's work, in us.

Step out boldly in Christ and be not afraid. He is just and sure and will lead you into all his ways. We must be obedient
to God's word and do those tasks, or works, he puts before us. Be a soldier in the army of God and do those things we are compelled to do, because of our love for those who know not Christ.

Paul is telling us, that because he knows the truth, the teachings of Christ, he is compelled to tell others. That he can do no
less. That if he does less that this, his reasonable service, then his reward is taken from him.
He is telling us that though we be free from the demands of the world, it is our reasonable service to teach the gospel to
those in the world, who know not Christ.