The Heart of the Matter

I beseech you therefore, brethern, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (Romans 12:1).

Christian service is important, helping the lost find their way to Christ is vital, and making disciples is crucial, but first, you need to be right with God. More than He wants your service, he wants your heart. Are you surrendered to Him? Is He truly the Lord of your life? Does He have all of you?

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loveth me, and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20).

It is all too easy to get caught up in our selfishness, want things our way, and try to take control of our own lives. These only lead to heartache. Only when we turn to God and truly make him the top priority in our lives will we be ready to serve Him as we should. Oh, He can use us all along, but we won't experience the true joy of selfless love and service until we are totally His. We need only to yield and let His Spirit take over.

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind (Matthew 22:37).

God wants your heart - all of you. He wants us to willingly trade our free will for His will. He wants us to seek after Him with our whole hearts - to hunger and thirst after His righteousness. Although King David made some horrible mistakes and sinned, he was a man after God's own heart because he sought God, wanted to do right, and repented when he messed up. Throughout his life, he faithfully depended on God. So should we.

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