A Place For God In Our Heart

A.W. Tozer, author of The Pursuit of God, brings into focus what is and what should be held dearest to our heart.  In his writings, Tozer defines the rightful place of the “useful and pleasant things” God created to equip mankind to live on earth. “They were made for man’s use, but they were meant always to be external to the man and subservient to him.”

In the 21st century one can barely read those words without conviction—conviction that the “things” meant to equip us in life now own us and we find ourselves in a constant state of frenzy trying to maintain what we have and gain what we don’t have. It can be downright exhausting! God took Abraham and Isaac through a difficult journey to demonstrate His desire to have nothing less than 100 percent of our affection. It’s a story powerful enough to leave no question where God stands. He is a jealous God regarding to whom or what we give our allegiance. 

Though the generous hand of God pours out blessing upon blessing it is our part to keep those blessings in their rightful place. Our hearts so easily can be filled with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life that things, relationships, busyness, hobbies, and work can claim that number one place in our hearts before we even know it!

So, frequently let’s take a “heart-check” and make sure that we are not serving anyone or anything more than God. Let’s make sure we learn to enjoy, as Tozer put it, “the blessedness of possessing nothing.”

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for all of the blessings You have given me.  Thank You that You love me and provide for me. Show me, Lord, if I am misusing Your blessings and help me to keep my heart only for You and keep my hands empty that they may be lifted towards heaven in honor and worship of You.

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ,” Philippians 3:7 KJV.

Today’s devotion is by Nancy Anderson, a pastoral care/trauma resolution counselor in the Atlanta area. She is founder and Executive Director of LifeSong Ministries, Inc. She previously served as a women's minister and president of the Southern Crescent Women's Ministry Forum. Learn more at: http://notesfromnancya.blogspot.com/, www.lifebuildersccc.vpweb.com