Tag: selfish gain

29.l. “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things”

 

Colossians 3:1  If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

 Psalms 16:11   You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

 Psalms 73:25-26     Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

 Hebrews 11:13-16     These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.  For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.

 Psalms 119:36-37   Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!  Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.

 1 Chronicles 22:19     Now set your mind and heart to seek the LORD your God.

 Romans 8:5    For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

 1 John 2:15   Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

 Luke 12:15    And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

“The believer is to ‘seek the things… above.’ The word ‘seek’ marks aspiration, desire, and passion… In order to seek these things the mind must be set on them.” (Morgan) What is it that captures or tries to capture our minds and ultimately our hearts? A seemingly harmless endeavor turns into a heart and mind-consuming desire and soon it replaces or interferes with devotion, submission, worship, obedience, reliance, and glory to Jesus Christ.  Scripture tells us to be steadfast, anchored, and heaven-focused all of the time.  It does not specify this for specific days or seasons, it is expected that in a man of God it is all the time, and yet, we find ourselves being consumed by things that are not heavenly or Jesus Christ-honoring. How does this happen? The shallowness of personal commitment to spiritual, heavenly, and things of God will always leave a void in a person’s heart, mind, and soul. This void is filled with something, it is not left void.  Worldly and fleshly wants, desires, and temptations abound, and in the absence of desire and seeking of spiritual, heavenly, and Godly things in a person’s life will be consumed by the worldly and fleshly.  Far too many think believing in Jesus Christ is nothing more than an insurance policy to keep from going to Hell and their lives are neither committed or their hearts desire focused on things above. Examine yourself and see. Is your hearts desire for spiritual, heavenly, and Godly things?

Incline my heart

Psalms 119:112  I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.

Psalms 119:36     Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!

Psalms 141:4   heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies!

Joshua 24:23    He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD, the God of Israel.”

1 Kings 8:58    that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers.

Philippians 2:13    for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the very end: The theme is once again emphasized. The Psalmist would never forsake God’s word; never stop reading, learning, meditating, and especially obeying it.

“Observe where he begins his work – not with the eye – the ear – the tongue – but with the heart.” (Bridges)

“The believer feels that every step is dangerous; this is why he cried out fro the lamp to his feet and the light to his path. With every step dangerous, how can he ever hope to endure forever, to the very end? Because the same God who lights and sustains him for one step can do it for every step, to the very end.”

Choosing to incline your heart is the beginning, committing to it for every step, of every day, of every moment requires fuel for that commitment.  The Psalmist new something about the natural heart – it is not inclined to God.  It is inclined to self, self interests, and self reliance.  Choosing to humbly honor, glorify, sever, follow and obey to the very end will require fuel for the heart, mind and soul.  God’s word to the very end.  Let it overflow your thoughts and actions.

This hymn calms my heart and puts a softness to this journey with Christ:

I come to the garden alone. While the dew is still on the roses. And the voice I hear, falling on my ear. The Son of God discloses

And He walks with me. And He talks with me. And He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there. None other has ever known

He speaks and the sound of His voice. Is so sweet the birds hush their singing. And the melody that He gave to me. Within my heart is ringing

And He walks with me. And He talks with me. And He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there. None other has ever known

I’d stay in the garden with Him. ‘Tho the night around me be falling. But He bids me go; through the voice of woe. His voice to me is calling

And He walks with me. And He talks with me. And He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there. None other has ever known