Stealing Away! (part 2 of 2)

As we noted yesterday, there is a great need to guard against having our heart stolen. We must be concerned about the focus of our heart's affections. Though man may try to STEAL AWAY our affections, God does not attempt to STEAL OUR HEART! God has aimed to touch our hearts that He might retain His rightful place in our life. He has attempted to clearly reveal His intentions to greatly bless us with the hope we would gladly GIVE OUR HEART to Him.

God, speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, stated. . .
"(5) Thus says the LORD: 'Cursed is the man WHO TRUSTS IN MAN and makes flesh his strength, WHOSE HEART TURNS AWAY FROM THE LORD. (6) He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land." ( Jeremiah 17:5-6 ESV)

Though men may promise us the moon, desolation is the final result of the life whose affections have been turned away from God.

The Hebrew writer warned. . .
"(12) Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, UNBELIEVING HEART, LEADING YOU TO FALL AWAY from the living God." ( Hebrews 3:12 ESV)

All God has done has been done in order to gain the AFFECTION OF OUR HEART. Does He have it? If He has our heart, the rest of our being will find its proper place as well.

Jesus stated the most important command is this:
"(30) and you shall love the Lord your God WITH ALL YOUR HEART and with all your SOUL and with all your MIND and with all your STRENGTH." ( Mark 12:30 ESV)

Have a great day WITH GOD HAVING GAINED AND RETAINED YOUR HEART!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 05/31/1999 (Edited some with passages changed to ESV)]

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