August 14, 2019: SOAP #3541:  Jeremiah 16-17; Psalm 96; John 16

Scripture:  Jeremiah (NIV) 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? 10 “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.”

Observation:   God is the perfect judge.  He judges us according to our actions.  But more than our actions, He searches our heart and our thoughts.  He is not only interested in what we do; he is interested in why we do it.

Application:  Many times, when people condemn us for our actions, we respond that our heart is right.  We claim to have the right motives, even if our actions do not work.   We can be glad that God sees our heart.

Then there are other times when what we want to do is far less than what we do.  We try to cover it up, but our heart is full of hatred and our mind full of ugly thoughts.  We do not want God to see our heart.

Prayer:  Lord, I know that you are the perfect judge.  Your holiness will not allow you to be less than perfect in judging.  You see my actions and you know my heart.  You know my thoughts.  And best of all, you love me completely!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!