The Bottom Line
Before we can guard our hearts, we have to first off care about the world.
The issue is; do we even care about the people out there? Do we even care
about ourselves, our own parents, our own family? Do we even care to affect
the world. If we don’t care, so what…? God cares – we have to care.
Unless we have God’s heart for the world. It’s just going to be another
humdrum life. We’ll each have 2.4 kids and reach the ripe old age of
seventy-something, then die. We won’t get God’s heart unless we spend enough
time with Him to see His heart. It does us no good to guard our hearts if
our hearts are not in tune with His heart.
“Bottom line – spend more time with God”
Bottom line – spend more time with God – building the most
important relationship in your life. We say “I want God. I want God.” But
how do we “get” God? People cry at the altar all the time. They raise their
hands and sing all the songs, “I want more of You, God.” Then they walk out
the church door and they’re the same-o same-o. How is that?
The crux of the matter is we have to spend more time with God. I know it
sounds easy - it sounds trite, but it’s the only answer. It is the ONLY
ANSWER! We have to spend more time with God in order to know God. In
order to know Elizabeth, I have to actually spend some time with Elizabeth.
I can know her name. I can know her face. I can know her hair is curly, but
unless I spend time with her, I don’t know her likes, her dislikes. If you
don’t spend time with God you’re never going to see His heart. You’re never
going to know what makes Him tick; what makes Him passionate; what really
makes Him angry.
We must build the most important relationship of our lives. We build
relationships with people around us from the moment we are born, yet we
neglect the most important relationship of all. Spend time to build the
most important relationship of your life – Spend some time getting to
know God.
We must be aware of His presence in our every day lives. He lives inside
us. Just think about it with me; when you go to the bathroom, Who’s going
with you? Just to be real graphic here – is God with you all the time? Is
God with you when you’re watching TV – sneaking that internet site at night
– Is God not there when you lie to your parents – He’s there. Is God not
there when you almost kind of tell the whole truth – we tell just enough
where we’re not in trouble, but didn’t really tell the whole story – we
kind of leave certain parts out. Is God there when you …fill in the blank?
Be aware that He’s there. Be aware that he’s with you 24/7 – wherever
you walk, you’re forcing Him to walk. Ask yourself that question the next
time you go to a movie. Would Jesus walk into that theatre? If He wouldn’t
you’re taking Him there anyway. Maybe He doesn’t want to go. Be aware of
His presence in your life. Christianity is about knowing God face to face
– building a real relationship with the Creator. Moses saw God face to face.
The people were in awe. Hey, we get to see God face to face every day! Be
jealous for Him – don’t let anyone or anything stand in your way of pursuing
God – of building that kind of relationship. Chase after God – He’s already
chasing after you.
What are some practical ways to do this? We must all make a plan
to stay strong for God. Find your weakness – then find God’s strength
for that weakness. (look in the Bible)
Find the strength of God by:
- Reading, studying and memorizing God’s word
- Find an accountability partner
- Establish relationship standards
- Get involved in church and youth group
- Make a plan (or target top ten list) for sharing your faith with others
- Do random acts of kindness
- Tell my friends about Jesus
- Be honest with myself, with the Lord and with others
- Go on a mission trip
[Raise-Live-Guard]
[Raise the Standard]
[Live the Difference]
[Guard Your Heart]
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