With My Whole Heart

August/23/2010 09:18 AM

2 Chronicles 31:20-21 says, “This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God. In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.”

If we want to have success, then we must work and serve with all of our hearts. On the contrary, if you want a half-baked or failed result, then be idle or half-hearted. To have a prosperous endeavor, such as a business, getting a college degree, maintaining a healthy marriage, or raising godly, happy, balanced kids, we have to be diligent. Things such as these don’t just fall off of trees like ripe cherries! I think we would all agree that we have to put our whole heart into them to make them work as God designed them.

We are diligent in our pursuit for a better education and persistent in our career goals. It is beneficial and good to have a zeal for these things, but our zeal for God should never be less than our zeal for these desires. So it is the same with serving God: we can’t just leave it on auto-pilot!

Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man...”

It’s not always “smarts” or talent, but it’s having “heart” that causes us to succeed in life. What makes a business man or business woman successful? Is it their degree? Having that degree certainly helps, but I believe that it is because they put their whole heart into it. How much more should we put our hearts into serving God and his people?

Like I mentioned earlier, it is not always all about how smart you are or how talented you are. You may be thinking, “ I have this weakness or that shortcoming, I feel limited.” Remember, where we have weakness or lack ability, we have the Holy Spirit who helps us with our infirmities and weaknesses! Do you think the Holy Spirit hooks up alongside and works with the one who is idle or half- hearted? I believe He certainly wants to, but His hands would be tied to work. He loves to see those who are active in their faith and going for it with all they have.

Who makes the best witnesses? The one who speaks the most eloquently? No! Those who simply trust the Holy Spirit for help are the ones who speak out of love and compassion for the lost.

Who makes the best choir member or musician? Is it the most talented? Someone who hits every note perfectly? Now I do know that you can be very talented and anointed at the same time, but I don’t believe they are anointed and successful because they are talented. It’s because of their heart towards God; willing to serve Him with all their heart.

Who makes the best children‘s worker, staff member, usher, Life Connect leader, drama team member, ministry of helps or teacher? (Did I cover most everyone?) Is it the most experienced or good looking? No! It’s believers who give of their love, time and talent with all their heart, serving the Lord.

Here’s some awesome scriptures for those of you who love to serve God and His house:

1 Chronicles 22:19: “Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the LORD.”

Psalm 69:9: “… for zeal for your house consumes me…”

Did you know that when we all love and serve God, and His house, with all of our hearts we make a place welcomed and prepared for the presence of God! Gory! I got so excited when I read this scripture! Remember that the Ark of the Covenant is the symbol of the presence of God being in their midst. Actually, in those times, it was the literal presence of God. Let the zeal for His house consume us! I am reminded of a recent example of this. So many nights for the last few weeks, large groups of people have gathered in our new sanctuary to clean and get ready for the first service. They are so faithful , diligent, and excited! Their zeal and love for God and His house is so evident and so precious! They are preparing and anticipating the presence of God!

Jesus never acted lukewarm when he was on the Earth fulfilling God’s plan for Him. He never let anything else take precedence in His heart, but his pleasure was to do the will of His Father. He sweat droplets of blood and suffered physical and mental agony as He carried the burden to bring us salvation. Thank you so much Jesus. There was no half-hearted effort there. Should I give Him any less in return? Let’s serve Him with all our hearts and we will know His success and His presence!

Matt. 12:50: “For whoever does the will of My Father is My brother and sister and mother.”

2 Chron. 26:5: “He (King Uzziah) sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.”