A WILLING HEART
“How many psychologists does it take to change a light bulb ? ONLY ONE, but the light bulb has to WANT TO change . . .”
WE WILL BE JUDGED not only by what we do, but by WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR HEART ! ! ! You will see today that even though we OBEY in our actions, God will give us NO REWARD for our sacrifice if our HEART is not WILLING . . .
1 Sam 16:7 (KJV)
7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, BUT THE LORD LOOKETH ON THE HEART.
Matt 23:27-28 (NIV)
27 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside BUT ON THE INSIDE ARE FULL OF DEAD MEN'S BONES AND EVERYTHING UNCLEAN.
28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous BUT ON THE INSIDE YOU ARE FULL OF HYPOCRISY AND WICKEDNESS.
BEING WILLING IN OUR GIVING TITHES AND OFFERINGS
II Cor 9:7-8 (AMP)
7 Let each one (give) as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for GOD LOVES (HE TAKES PLEASURE IN, PRIZES ABOVE OTHER THINGS, AND IS UNWILLING TO ABANDON OR TO DO WITHOUT) A CHEERFUL (JOYOUS, “PROMPT TO DO IT”) GIVER [WHOSE HEART IS IN HIS GIVING].
8 And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].
Exod 35:20-22 (NIV)
20 Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses' presence,
21 and everyone who was WILLING and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments.
22 All who were WILLING, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds: broaches (not roaches), earrings, rings and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the LORD.
YOUR WILLINGNESS DETERMINES WHAT YOU WANT TO DO
You came to church today because you wanted to come to church - for the most part, those who aren’t here didn’t WANT to be here - I recognize the occasional hospitalization, car break down, etc., but many situations could be overcome if you WANT to bad enough.
YOUR WILLINGNESS EVEN DETERMINES THE LEVEL OF YOUR EARTHLY REWARD
Isa 1:19-20 (KJV)
19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
GOD IS CONCERNED ABOUT AND WATCHES OUR ATTITUDES AT WORK AND AT HOME . . . WELL . . . EVERYWHERE :)
AT WORK:
Col 3:22-25 (NIV)
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,
24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.
AT HOME:
Wives, submit WILLINGLY to your husbands:
Eph 5:22-24 (KJV)
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Husbands, love your wives WILLINGLY:
Eph 5:25-29 (KJV)
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
MINISTERS, PREACHERS; HEAR THESE TWO SCRIPTURES . . .
I Pet 5:1-3 (AMP)
1 I warn and counsel the elders among you (pastors and spiritual guides of the church) . . .
2 Tend (nurture, guard, guide, and fold) the flock of God that is your responsibility, not by coercion or constraint, but WILLINGLY; not dishonorably motivated by the advantages and profits [belonging to the office], but eagerly and cheerfully;
3 Not domineering [as arrogant, dictatorial, and overbearing persons] over those in your charge, but being examples (patterns and models of Christian living) to the flock (the congregation).
CHECK THIS OUT:
1 Cor 9:16-17 (NIV)
16 Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
17 IF I PREACH VOLUNTARILY, I HAVE A REWARD; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me (NO REWARD).
ALL RICH PEOPLE; HEAR THIS . . .
1 Tim 6:17-19 (NIV)
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and WILLING to share.
19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Casey Treat taught the other day on TBN that lasting change only comes from a DESIRE to change .. dieting because you don’t like the way you look WON’T LAST ... going to work because you HAVE to doesn’t bring the promotion and raise that bring WILLING and PROACTIVE will ... even obeying God because you HAVE to doesn’t bring the reward that He wants to give you ..
The VIRTUOUS WOMAN spoken about in Proverbs 31 works WILLINGLY :
Prov 31:10-14 (NKJ)
10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax, and WILLINGLY works with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar.
GOD SEES OUR HEARTS ANYWAY, PEOPLE .. LET’S ALL MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT THIS MORNING TO DO EVERYTHING WITH A WILLING HEART :)