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Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Offered in Integrity


I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives” (1 Chronicles 29:17a, NLT).

Do I ever really look at the intention of my heart, and ask if what I do for God is offered from a heart of integrity? I can believe that I love God with all my heart, but if I don't continually strive to have a heart of honesty and integrity, then I fall short of what He desires. Whatever I offer–whether love, friendship, compassion, correction, time, a listening ear, advice–must be offered from a heart with no hidden agenda. It must be offered from a heart that seeks nothing in return. What I do or words that I speak must come from a heart that does not create in order to receive. There is no mask. My heart lies open before Him. He knows the motives of my heart. Another may not know who I really am, but He does. He rejoices when He finds integrity, but His heart breaks when I am less than He gave His life for me to be.

My life in Jesus Christ is not about me. Whatever I give or whatever I do in His name should come from what He creates within my life, and never from anything of my own making. He will constantly test my heart to see if it is filled with honesty and integrity. If I draw close to Him, He will draw close to me (James 4:8a), and His presence will reveal the intentions of my heart. I will be stripped before Him. Nothing will be hidden. In that moment, I will know if He is pleased with me or not.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life” (Psalm 139:22-24, NLT). Lord, I am so thankful that you always search my heart for anything that is not honest or anything that does not offer integrity. You know anxious thoughts rise up in my mind when there is something that needs to be addressed in my life. Help me to honestly search my heart, and admit in humility what needs to change. I need to confess from a heart that is broken for you so that I might experience your forgiveness and grace. Forgive me for anything I have ever done or said that has come from other motives than what you desire. Always create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew your steadfast spirit within me. Then I will be refined by your love. I will be made new, and what I do or say or offer will come from a heart that is honest and true.”

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