A heart that is right before the Lord

Psalm 51:10 (KJV): Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

The word 'heart' here in Hebrew is 'leb', which simply means 'the centre of everything'. The Bible says each of us is "a spirit being that lives in a body and has a soul" (see 1 Thessalonians 5:23). In other words, you are made up of "spirit, soul, body", but 'the centre of everything is the spirit (or the heart)', and out of it springs forth every issue of life (Proverbs 4:23). 

As a matter of fact, everything that happens (in and around you) more often than not begins from the heart. When the heart is right, everything will be alright. On the other hand, when the heart is not right, everything (in and around you) will start to deteriorate. And that's exactly why it is so important to keep a heart that is right before the Lord!

People of God, this is a month to make your heart right before the Lord, and allow Him to turn your heart the way He turns a river. Proverbs 21:1-2 says, 'The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts'. 

I heard and released these words from the Lord last Sunday:

"This is a time to make right your heart, for I am looking into the heart and every intention of the heart. Allow Me to clear every issue of your heart and create in you a clean heart. What it takes is a heart that is willing. For I am preparing you for My manifestations."

You see, the Lord has in mind to manifest Himself in very real and practical ways. I believe this second half of the year 2015 is as such - a time when God's people shall see the manifestations of God's Spirit and power in very real and practical ways! There is a time for His visitations (and He will still be), but there is also a time for His manifestations. 

Let's go all the way to Genesis 14:18-23 now. Here, you see how Abram's heart was aligned to God, and not to man's hands. The Scripture reads, 'Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him (Abram) and said: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand." And he (Abram) gave him a tithe of all'.

The name 'Melchizedek' comes from two Hebrew words, namely 'malkiy' (which means 'king') and 'tsedeq' (which means 'right, righteous, clear, clean'). So, 'Melchizedek' means 'the King who is right, righteous, clear and clean', a 'picture' of Jesus Christ our Lord, whose body was broken and whose blood was shed for us on the cross! 'Bread' here in Genesis 14:18 speaks of 'His body', whereas 'wine' here speaks of 'His blood'. 

And watch now Abram's response: 'And he (Abram) gave a tithe of all'. 

Some of you may be asking, "But what does 'giving of tithe' have to do with a right heart?" 

It has everything to do with the heart! Because 'giving of tithe' is a form of worship and alignment to God! Jesus Himself said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21). In other words, to give tithe to the Lord is to proclaim that He is your Treasure, your unending Source, and your unlimited Supply! And every time you give a tithe to the Lord, you are reminding yourself that He is alive, and that He is the Possessor of heaven and earth, the 'Blessor' of your life! And it is He whom you are aligning to! 

Have you noticed what comes right after Abram's heart was aligned to God? In Genesis 15:1, the word of the Lord came to him in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward." The word 'shield' here speaks of 'the Lord being your protector and defense', whereas the word 'reward' here symbolizes 'the Lord who is your (exceedingly great) supply and salary'. 

You see, when your heart is right (before the Lord), you need not fear! In fact, there's absolutely no reason to fear, no matter what happens around you in this world! Simply because you have  'aligned' yourself to the Lord God who is very much alive today, the Possessor of heaven and earth, and not to any dead 'god' (as what is dead cannot give anything good to you or bless you). Genesis 15:6 later says, 'And he (Abram) believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness'.

Back to Psalm 51:10 where we first started in this article. David penned this whole Psalm 51 with a heart of returning and repentance, after the Lord sent Nathan the prophet to rebuke and correct him (read the background in 2 Samuel chapters 11 & 12). Indeed, whom the Lord loves, He will also rebuke and chasten (Hebrews 12:6, Revelation 3:19). 'To chasten' here in Greek is the word 'paideuo', which means 'to train up (or discipline) a child by educating them'. Therefore, never despise such 'chastening' of your Father in heaven, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him (Hebrews 12:5), because when He does this, it is because He loves you, and He has greater things in mind for you.

What is 'a heart that is right before the Lord'?

- A heart that is humble (willing to admit mistakes) before the Lord;

- A heart that fears (trembles before) the Lord;

- A heart that is yielded (surrendered) to the Lord;

- A heart that takes rebuke (and correction) from the Lord;

- A heart that is willing to be trained (and taught) by the Lord.

Beloved of God, know the heart of God for you, that He loves you. Whatever mistake (or mistakes) you have made in your life, surrender all these to the Lord and learn to forgive yourself. His grace is sufficient for you to start anew, and He will help you. He is also here to restore you the way He did for David, if your heart is turned to Him today. Amen.

A time of realignment and walking into His plan again

Hebrews 12:1-2a (NKJV): Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith...

The word 'weight' here in Greek is 'ogkos', which means 'burden, hindrance', whereas the word 'sin' here is 'hamartia' in Greek, literally meaning 'missing the mark' or 'out of alignment'. The writer of Hebrews wrote that as we run this 'race of faith', we are also to 'lay aside' all these, even as we keep looking unto Jesus, the beginner and 'completor' (the One who completes) of our faith.

Why did the writer of Hebrews say so? Because these weights and sins, if not laid aside, easily 'ensnare' us. This word 'ensnare' in Greek can also mean 'beset, trouble, discourage, thwart, oppose'. In other words, any burden and sin in life, if not let go, eventually besets, troubles, discourages, thwarts, or even opposes whatever God has called you to be or planned (destined) for you to be.

Recently, these words were released during one of our prophetic worship and prayer gathering:
"As the lid that has been hindering you is being removed and pushed away, it will also remove your disappointments. This coming year is a year your hope will not be in vain. This coming year is a year your hope will not be disappointed."

Yes, even as the lid (which represents the 'hindrances' in your life) is being removed and pushed away, your disappointments and discouragements will also be removed! Hebrews 12:12-13 confirms it, 'Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet (i.e. in alignment again). So that what is lame may not be dislocated (i.e. turned out of the way, made worse), but rather be healed (made whole).
Note: 'The hands which hang down, and the feeble knees' here speaks of one's disappointment and discouragement.

Notice also the word 'alignment' is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as 'placing/arranging thing(s) into a straight line or in line, or coming into agreement with somebody'. So, you can also say that 'to be out of alignment' with God is 'to be not in line, or not agreeable' with God and His plan for you. And that's what sin ('hamartia') is defined as in Hebrews 12:1!

People of God, this is a time of realignment and walking into His plan again! Don't get me wrong. Not that we don't align at other times, but just that this is His appointed time. There's a time and season in everything. Let us flow in His time. This is a time to be 'at-one' with Him (i.e. in agreement with Him) again. Notice that's where the word 'atonement' comes from.

Isaiah 44:21-22 says, 'Remember these, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you, you are My servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me! I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions. And like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you'.

It's when you return to Him that you can be realigned with Him again. But it does take humility on your part. Let's humble ourselves before the Lord this day, knowing that He is God and we are not, and He knows better than us. The Bible says, 'With humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life' (Proverbs 22:4). 1 Peter 5:5-7 says, '... and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care (and that includes weight, burden, hindrance, sin, anxiety, or worry) upon Him, for He cares for you'.

What are the 'weights' and sins that may have 'ensnared' you in recent times? For some of us, it may be pride, for others, it may be uncontrolled lust, and still for some others, it may be a certain addiction to something. Whatever these may be, know that He is here to help you, because He loves you and cares for you. Let go and let Him carry them all. Just do not let anyone condemn you further. In Christ, know that you are now already washed, cleansed, forgiven, and sanctified because of His blood shed for you on the cross (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). 

As you let go of these 'weights' and sins to Him, there'll also be new hope. Receive this new hope. This hope will not be in vain, and will not disappoint (Romans 5:5). 

Also, if you haven't got your breakthrough or victory yet (even after waiting for some time), take heart and don't give up yet, even if you felt you have tried and exhausted all means, and you thought it's now over, hopeless, and in vain. 

The truth is you have not exhausted all means yet! You know why? Because you still have the Holy Spirit in you and with you! The Holy Spirit can never be exhausted! He will never get worn out, and He will never be running out of ideas! He is All-knowing, All-consuming fire, All-wise, and All-powerful, and therefore He can also open a way (out) for you. Ask, and you will receive (Matthew 7:7-8). Recently, the Lord said: "This is the time to ask the Holy Spirit to teach and lead you to pray prayers that lead to your breakthrough!"

Yes, ask of the Holy Spirit to teach and lead you this day! Hebrews 12:25 then says, 'See that you do not refuse Him who speaks...’, because His ways are always higher than yours, just as the heavens are over the earth! (see Isaiah 55:8-9) And because He is also the Spirit of love (Romans 5:5), He will also never lead you into trouble! In fact, on the contrary, His love never fails to bring you out of your trouble! (1 Corinthians 13:8)

People of God, as you return to Him and realign with Him again on this Day of At-one-ment (Isaiah 44:21-22), may Isaiah 44:23 also be upon you this next whole year: 'Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the earth; Break forth into singing, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and glorified Himself in Israel'. Amen.