June 5, 2022 - INSCRIPTIONS FROM THE HEART

By Cheryl Zamora

A Pure, Loving Heart

True love started in the heart of God and is “poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5 ESV) As sinners, we need to trust God daily for a pure, loving heart.

Allow me to share with you some steps that I learned from one of my previous pastors about having a pure, loving heart. First, remember that God sees the real you. “… And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:4b ESV) “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13 ESV) “…serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts…” 1 Chronicles 28:9 ESV) 

Second, review the motives of your heart. “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them…” Romans 12:9 NLT “…pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.” 2 Timothy 2:22 NLT “People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.” Proverbs 21:2 NLT Examine the following in your life: a) Consider your motives in praying (James 4:3 NLT “And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.”, b) in fasting (Matthew 6:16-18  “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,  that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”, c) in giving (Matthew 6:2,4 ESV “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”).

Lastly, establish your priorities to please the Lord. Examine your activities (Matthew 6:19,21 “Store up treasures in heaven” Examine your worries (Matthew 6:25 “…don’t worry about your life”) Examine your goals (Matthew 6:31-33 “…seek first God’s kingdom.”

Demonstrate a pure, loving heart daily by 1) being continually aware of God’s presence [Psalm 16:8] 2) being content with God’s praise [Romans 2:29] 3) being controlled by God’s priorities [Psalm 40:8] and 4) being corrected with a contrite attitude [Psalm 51:17].