HEART INSPECTION
(1 Sam 16:7)

"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 Iooketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD Iooketh on the heart." Samuel had been sent by God to the house of Jesse to anoint a future King of Israel. As he looked at these strapping young sons of Jesse, each time he said to himself, certainly this is the Lord's anointed, but God said no. Then God told Samuel how He judges the measure of a man.."the Lord looks upon the heart." What kind of heart does God want us to have ? The Bible has the answer. Even as an architect draws a set of plans before the building is started and an artist uses a sketch to decide on his final picture, so we can look at the kind of heart that pleases God.

AN ENLIGHTENED HEART (2 Cor 4:6)
"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." Even as God commanded the light to shine when He created the world. So He Himself brings forth the light of knowledge or understanding of His glory. That glory is found in the Lord Jesus Christ. Responding to God's light is the beginning of wisdom. First, responding to Jesus as Savior, then to His teaching in how we are to conduct our lives. An enlightened heart is one that walks in the light as He is in the light, in fellowship and cleansing, (l John 1:7). Along with divine fellowship comes knowledge, peace, joy, and strength.

AN ESTABLISHED HEART (1 Thes 3:13)
Beginning with (vs 12)"And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints." An established heart is one that is fixed on God, steadfast and sure. Paul had such a heart. He said in (2 Tim 1:12) ".. I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." Paul had experienced God's faithfulness again and again. That's why he was persuaded, and committed. Those who put their trust in God will see His faithfulness. The more we experience His loving care, the greater our hearts will be established. God never changes, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. The hymn writer said it best when he wrote. "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand." An established heart, trusting in the established Rock, God Himself, will never fail.

AN ENTHRONED HEART (1 Pet 3:15)
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" Sanctification means a setting apart. In order to be sanctified, we must turn our hearts over to God. When He is in control, the actions, desires, and hope of our heart is set apart unto Him. That's the concept of an enthroned heart. When God has the proper place in our heart, then we can serve Him in a meaningful way. Paul; said in (Phil 2:12-13) "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." We do not work for salvation but we work out our salvation. Paul tells us that when God is working in a surrendered heart, He can accomplish His will for our lives. Our obedience to Him is the way to a joyful life.

AN ENCOURAGED HEART (John 14:1)
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me." It is Jesus who encourages the Christian heart. He gives us life and that more abundant. That's because He Himself is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Through Him we inherit the eternal promises. Jesus is coming again to take us to be with Himself'. What a great encouragement to know that God loves us and is preparing a place for us for all eternity. When Jesus comes, He will set all the wrongs right and all the tears to laughter. How can there be any greater encouragement than that?

After Samuel had looked on all the sons Jesse presented, he asked if there were any more. Jesse said, only David, he's the youngest. They sent for young David who was tending the sheep. He was the one God chose. Later, we find out why. The Bible tells us that David was a man after God's own heart. May God give us that kind of heart. God bless.