EXERCISES OF THE HEART

“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.”

1 Samuel 16:7 KJV

Some people run two or three miles every morning and there are people who go someplace to exercise but some of these people never say anything kind and encouraging to people.  Someone said “I have run two miles every morning for six years and wouldn’t think of not running”.  It is very important we exercise.

However, our outward appearance doesn’t impress God.  We are to look the best we can and take care of ourselves but what makes our Heavenly Father happy is the condition of our heart.  If we do physical exercises every day but don’t do exercises of the heart, it does not make God happy or impress Him.

I have started to exercise because it makes me feel better and also to encourage my physical therapist and to let her know how much I appreciate her help, encouragement and kindness to me.  Making sure that I don’t hurt God because of what is in my heart is more important to me than doing physical exercises.

When God looks in our heart, what does He see?  Does He see bitterness, unforgiveness, jealousy, anger, hatred and all other things that hurt Him and break His heart?  It is more important to keep our heart in right standing with God than to do physical exercises.  We must do heart exercises first.

Heavenly Father, please search my heart and if there is anything that hurts You, I’m sorry.  I never want to hurt You and yet I know that I do at times.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

April 23, 2017