CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT: MAINTAINING A PERFECT HEART

 

1 Samuel 16:5–7, 10–13 NKJV

"[5] And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Sanctify

 yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then he consecrated Jesse and

 his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. [6] So it was, when they came, that he

 looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him!” [7] But the

 Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature,

 because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man

 looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

[10] Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to

 Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” [11] And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all

 the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there

 he is, keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we

 will not sit down till he comes here.” [12] So he sent and brought him in. Now

 he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, “Arise,

 anoint him; for this is the one!” [13] Then Samuel took the horn of oil and

 anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon

 David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah."

Why does God seem to favor some individuals more than others? Why does

 He announce some and resist others?

Proverbs 6:17–19 NKJV

"[17] A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, [18] A

 heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, [19] A

 false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren."

Anyone who demonstrates any of these qualities is outside the unmerited

 favor of God. God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.

God is disgusted by a wicked man and takes no pleasure in his sacrifices.

 Cain's heart was wicked. The Lord Jesus instructs us to reconcile with our

 brethren before offering sacrifices to God.

Who is a wicked man? 

Proverbs 6:12–15 NKJV

"[12] A worthless person, a wicked man, Walks with a perverse mouth; [13]

 He winks with his eyes, He shuffles his feet, He points with his fingers; [14]

 Perversity is in his heart, He devises evil continually, He sows discord. [15]

 Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; Suddenly he shall be broken

 without remedy."

The Bible references a wicked man as a worthless man. He's of no use to God!

 Anyone who has no use is utterly useless. He's of no potential value to God

 because he's an unworthy vessel.

Matthew 18:3–4 NIV

"[3] And He said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little

 children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. [4] Therefore, whoever

 takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of

 heaven."

What are the characteristics of little children?

They are very trusting.

They are loving and forgiving.

They are innocent.

They accept rebuke.

Mind you, the Lord said, "little children." He didn't say "teenagers" or

 "adolescents."

A lot of wicked people can't accept love. They see sacrifice as foolishness. They

 don't know how to give love or receive love. It's impossible for them to grasp.

 They always believe every cause has an ulterior motive.

John 1:9–12, 14 NKJV

"[9] That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the

 world. [10] He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and

 the world did not know Him. [11] He came to His own, and His own did not

 receive Him. [12] But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to

 become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

[14] And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His

 glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

The Pharisees and Sadducees rejected the Lord Jesus because they couldn't

 believe He was the Messiah. They thought Him a shaman, a charlatan. They

 believed He was like them; hence, they said He was of the devil.

They did this because their hearts were evil. A good man, out of the

 abundance of his heart, brings forth good things, but a wicked man, out of

 the abundance of his heart, brings forth evil things.

It's easy to know wicked people from their utterances. They believe everyone

 has an ulterior motive in the house of God. They defame and spoil the

 reputation of others because that's exactly how they are! Spoilt, rotten, and

 corrupt!

Psalms 119:9 AMP

"[9] ¶How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping watch [on himself]

 according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts]."

The Word of God is the hope of the sinner. The Word is the translator from

 death to life, from evil to good, from darkness to light. It is the ultimate

 cleanser, purifier, sanctifier, and refurbisher.

Your heart is translated to purity and perfection when you constantly

 meditate on God's Word. Expose yourself to the Word of God, and it would

 begin to work a new thing in you. Exchange your thoughts for God's

 thoughts... Your ideologies for His ideology; your modus operandi for His

 precepts.

Psalms 1:1-3 NKJV   

"[1] Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands

 in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; [2] But his delight is in

 the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. [3] He shall be

 like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its

 season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper."  

  

How do you maintain a perfect heart?  

  

Philippians 4:8 NKJV   

"[8] Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble,

 whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely,

 whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is

 anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."  

  

Don't listen to evil reports. What are evil reports? Statements that are not

 consistent with God's word.   

  

You think pure thoughts. Thoughts that don't instigate discord, violence, or

 malice. A lot of persons who harbor bitterness have problems with their

 health and finances.  

  

A Prayer For You   

  

May your heart, spirit, soul, and body be God's residence. May your ways be

 pleasing to God. May you be a candidate of God's goodness and favor. May

 the word of God do a new thing in you, and may you have a perfect heart

 now and always; amen.  

  

God bless you,  

  

Shalom.  

  

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