From His Heart

[Judy Harder]

A Heart For God

The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people.  1 Samuel 13:14


When I was a freshman at U.T., I began to study my Bible.  As I did, I fell in love with the stories of David.  He was an amazing person - strong, handsome, courageous, wise, tough and tender.  While he possessed so many great attributes, the one thing that really set him apart was his heart.  He is the only one in the Bible described as "a man after God's own heart."     

GOD LOOKS AT THE HEART

God sees past the outward appearance.  He sees down into the heart.  The reason He chose David to lead His people was because of David's heart.  What was his heart like? 

1. He had a passionate heart.  David loved God sincerely and supremely.  He did not play at his worship.  He really had a desire in his heart to walk with God and please God.  His heart was completely His.  (Psalm 103)   

2. He had a humble heart.  David never lost sight of the fact that he was nothing and God was everything.  He never started believing his own press clippings.  He knew all his success came from God.  (2 Samuel 7:18)     

3. He had a dependent heart.  David depended on God, not himself.  He sought God early and often throughout the day.  (Psalm 63)

4. He had a grateful heart.  David gave praise and thanks to God regardless of His circumstances.  He knew God was worthy of praise even if everything seemed to be falling apart around him.  (Psalm 34)

5. He had a repentant heart.  When He sinned, He came to God with genuine repentance and sought the Lord's forgiveness.  (Psalm 51)     

HOW ABOUT YOUR HEART?

How does your heart look to God?  What does He see when He looks into you?  Are you moving in the right direction in these all-important heart areas?  Do you need some spiritual surgery?

God wants YOU to be a person after His own heart.  In order for this to happen, you must confess any sins and ask Him to soften you and change you on the inside.  Spend time with the Lord each day.  Talk to Him openly and honestly from your heart.  Share your burdens with Him, seek His face and obey Him. 

Jesus wants to be your closest friend on the planet.  His hand is extended to you.  Will you take it?

Love,

Jeff Schreve
Pastor
www.fromhisheart.org
jeff@fromhisheart.org
For General Information - 1-888-811-8203
Ask For Prayer - 1-877-777-6171

[Judy Harder]

ARE YOU LOSING HOPE?

When I was in seminary, I took a class in Christian Counseling.  While I do not remember lots about it, I do remember this one thing my professor said, "When people come in to see you to talk about their problems, the main thing they need to leave with is H-O-P-E."  I have never forgotten that powerful bit of advice.

So many people I know are losing hope - losing hope that their marriage will ever get better, losing hope that they will ever feel better physically or emotionally, losing hope that they will ever conquer their addiction to drugs or alcohol or pornography or food, losing hope that they will ever find their soul mate, losing hope that their disastrous circumstances will ever get better, losing hope that their loved one will ever turn to Christ.  Losing hope, losing hope, losing hope. 

Are YOU losing hope somewhere today?  Have you thrown in the towel in an area of your life because the circumstances say NO WAY?

THE GOD OF HOPE

I love the fact that God describes Himself in the Bible as THE GOD OF HOPE - "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Rom. 15:13).  No matter how bad the marriage, the diagnosis, the sin, the circumstances, GOD IS ABLE! 

We can have hope because there is nothing too difficult for Him.  And the greater the problem is, the greater the miracle that can take place.

TAKE IT FROM THE STORY OF LAZARUS

Lazarus was very sick, and Jesus was not around to heal him.  That was a problem.
Lazarus then took a turn for the worse and died.  That was an even bigger problem.
They buried Lazarus and he was in the tomb for four days.  That was a HUGE problem, an unsolvable problem, an impossible problem.
If you know the story from John 11, you know that Jesus did the impossible.  He spoke a word and raised four-day-old dead Lazarus from the grave.  WOW!! 

What does that story teach us?  It teaches us that He is able!  No matter what the issue, He is able.  Is there anything in your life more hopeless than the situation with Lazarus?  I doubt it.  And if He can do a miracle for Lazarus, He can do a miracle for you.

WHAT TO DO TODAY

David said, "But as for me, I will hope continually, and will praise you yet more and more" (Ps. 71:14).  Why don't you do the same? 

Take that hopeless situation to THE GOD OF HOPE.  Place that giant-sized problem you have next to the God who is SO GIANT He measures the universe by the span (the distance between the thumb and pinky).  Note: the universe is an estimated 14 billion light years, and one light year is 5.7 trillion miles (you do the math).  God measures it all with his outstretched hand.  He is ALMIGHTY GOD!!!

Start praising Him for the problem and keep praising Him.  He is the God of hope, and nothing is too difficult for Him (Jer. 32:27).

Love,

[Judy Harder]

GOT MANNA?

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction.  Exodus 16:4

I love the Old Testament story of how God fed His people in the wilderness with bread that came down from heaven.  It was called manna, a Hebrew word that actually means "what is it?", because the people did not know what it was.  Manna was provided faithfully and lovingly by God for forty years.  It sustained God's people during their wilderness wanderings (note: the wilderness is the desert).     


Without a doubt, manna was a daily miracle.  It serves as a vivid picture of Jesus Christ who is "the bread that came down from heaven" (Jn. 6:41).  Notice the symbolism:

THE SWEETNESS - Manna was sweet to the taste.  It was described in Numbers as "wafers with honey" (Num. 16:31).  Jesus Christ is sweet.  The Bible says, "Taste and see that the Lord is good" (Ps. 34:.  Don't ever get the idea that following Jesus is like taking bad medicine to get well.  It is not.  Walking with Jesus is sweet.  It is a blessing, not a burden.  It is a privilege, not a penalty.  Jesus is not a joy stealer but a joy giver.
THE LIFE - Manna was essential for life.  If the people did not eat it, they would die.  Jesus is essential to life.  There is no life apart from Him.  The Bible clearly tells us that "Christ is our life" (Col. 3:4).   Too often we try to compartmentalize Jesus and make Him a part of our life.  DON'T DO THAT!  He is not just a part of life; He is the hub of the wheel, the chief cornerstone of all.  Unless you and I build on Him, the rock of ages, we have no stability when the inevitable storms of life hit (Matt. 7:24-27).  If you want to really enjoy life to the full, surrender everything in your life to His lordship.
THE LONGING - Manna whetted the appetite for more.  It was designed to satisfy and sustain until the people arrived in the Promised Land, that long awaited land that flowed with milk and honey.  Jesus surely is sweet and wonderful, but knowing Christ in this life just whets the appetite for what lies ahead.  God has so much prepared for those who love Him.  Today, I know Jesus heart to heart.  But there is coming a day when I will meet Him face to face.  One day, faith will turn to sight, and I will enter into the joy of my Master.  What a day that will be!!  As John said, "Amen. Come Lord Jesus" (Rev. 22:20).

WHAT ABOUT TODAY?

Are you feasting on your relationship with Jesus?  Are you seeking Him early, like the people gathered the manna early in the day?  He rewards those who seek Him, so take time TODAY to seek the Lord and call upon His name.  He is closer to you than the shirt on your back, and He is waiting for you to look to Him.

Love,

[Judy Harder]

PUTTING DOWN THE WHIP

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 
Romans 8:1

Have you ever heard the story of Martin Luther?  As a young monk, Luther wanted nothing more than to please God.  But, like the rest of us, he struggled with sin and fleshly lusts.  His way of dealing with this problem was to severely discipline his body.  He felt that if he mistreated his flesh, it would somehow make him more godly. 

One day he took a trip to Rome to walk the 28 steps of Pilate's Staircase, the Scala Santa (Holy Stairs).  He climbed those stairs ON HIS KNEES.  Surely this painful sacrifice would garner favor with God, right?  As the pain grew and the blood flowed, he heard the voice of God say to him, "But the righteous man shall live by faith."  That revelation changed his life. 

ARE YOU HURTING YOURSELF?

There are people today who still do hurtful things to their bodies thinking it will produce favor with God as they show Him they love Him.  Some whip their backs until the blood flows to prove their love and atone for their sins.  Others eat bland food, sleep on uncomfortable surfaces, and take a vow of silence. There are even some in The Philippines who endure an actual crucifixion every Good Friday to suffer for Jesus, show their commitment, and earn God's favor.  Can you image that?   

Now I don't suppose you are whipping your back over your sins, but are you beating yourself up nonetheless?  Do you whip yourself emotionally, mentally and spiritually over the failures from the past?  Lots of people say this to themselves, "I am such a bum and a scum and a loser.  I committed this terrible, horrible sin.  I am the worst!!  God must hate me.  I hate me too."  Whip, whip, whip. 

You know what? I have pulled out the emotional whip on MANY occasions and beat myself silly over past sins and past failures.  Have you?       

IT'S CALLED GRACE

Listen my friend, no matter what you have done, GOD DOES NOT HATE YOU.  HE LOVES YOU!!  Jesus took all the scourging, all the spittle, all the humiliation, and all the nails.  He died for you and me, and "by His stripes we are healed."  He paid for all your sins and mine when He died on the cross.  No matter how terrible the sin, we do not need to live under the whip of guilt and shame and condemnation because "there is therefore NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."  All the wrath of God fell on Jesus.  The moment we receive Him, we receive a FULL PARDON.   It is truly amazing grace!!

If you are inclined to beat yourself up over past sins, STOP IT!  If you have committed terrible sexual sin, or had an abortion, or hurt your family with tremendous selfishness, or betrayed a friend, or whatever, confess it to God.  Get that sin out of your life and under Christ's blood.  Make necessary amends with those you have hurt, and put down the whip!  Receive His grace and know that He does not have any condemnation for you, just a heart of love.
   

PRAYER

Perhaps you need to pray a prayer like this one today:

Dear God, I have been beating myself over _____________________ (name the sin).  Lord, I have confessed it to you, but I still keep whipping myself over it.  Today, I choose to put down the whip and believe your Word.  Jesus, you died for that sin and shed YOUR blood, so I don't have to shed mine.  Thank you for forgiving me for ________________.  I choose to believe your Word over my feelings - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness"(1 Jn. 1:9).  Praise You, Lord!!  I am forgiven, clean and loved by You.  I believe it and receive it.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Love,

[Judy Harder]

THE PASSION TEST

My father-in-law, Gerald Canon, was a Pastor in the greater Houston area for over 50 years.  He was a wonderful man with a wealth of Bible knowledge.  When I was just beginning to teach my first Sunday school class, I would call him to pick his brain. 

I remember asking him about David being called "a man after God's own heart."  I said, "Gerald, what do you think that means exactly, to be a man after God's own heart?"  He answered, "David had a great passion and love for God and the things of God.  The things that were important to God were important to David.  That's at the core of what it means."  Well put!

GREAT PASSION?

In Revelation 2:4, the Lord rebukes the church in Ephesus for leaving their first love. Remember, the greatest commandment of all is to love God with all you've got (Matt. 22:37-38).  If you leave your first love, you miss the most important thing of all.  If you leave you first love, your passion for Jesus starts to wane.

How is YOUR passion and love for the Lord Jesus these days?  Are you "on fire." "lukewarm," or "getting cold"?  Do you want to take the Passion Test? (Let me warn you, it is convicting).

You know you have left your first love when:

You delight more in someone else than in God.
Your soul does not long for one-on-one time with God.
Your thoughts during leisure moments are rarely on God.
You view the commands of God as restrictions on your life. 
You inwardly strive for the approval of man rather than the approval of God.
You refuse to give up questionable activities.
You fail to make Christ known for fear of rejection.
You are unwilling to forgive another.
You become complacent of sin around you.
THE REMEDY

What do you do if you flunk the passion test? What do you do if you are guilty, as the church in Ephesus was, of leaving your first love?  You heed the words of Jesus:

"Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you, and will remove your lampstand out of its place - unless you repent" (Rev. 2:5).

PRAYER OF REPENTANCE

Perhaps you need to pray this prayer of repentance. "Lord, when I honestly evaluate my heart for You, I see that I am guilty of leaving my first love.  I don't want to be a lukewarm Christian who is half-heartedly in love with you.  Change my heart, God.  Set my soul on fire.  Help me to be so passionate about You. Thank You for the cross, Lord Jesus.  Let me never forget how much You love me and what You paid to save me. I surrender all over again to Your will and Your ways for me. Amen."

Remember, "We love, because He first loved us" (1 Jn. 4:19). Passion problems require a fresh look at the cross of Jesus Christ. Why not re-read the crucifixion accounts in the Gospels and watch THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST this weekend? You will be powerfully reminded of His unfathomable love for you, and your heart will start beating passionately once again for Him.

Love,

[Judy Harder]

Friday, December 4, 2009

THE THANKSGIVING FACTOR

In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

In the classic autobiography, The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom tells of her sufferings at the hands of the Nazis during the evil reign of Adolph Hitler.  Corrie and her sister, Betsie, were incarcerated at the Nazi concentration camp, Ravensbruck, and experienced terrible atrocities there.  On one occasion, they were forced to disrobe before the German soldiers.  In that awful, humiliating moment, an amazing discovery came to Corrie's mind: "They took Jesus' clothes too.  He hung naked for me."  When she relayed that wondrous thought to Betsie, she gasped and said, "Oh, Corrie, and I never thanked Him for it."

One of the things that made Corrie and Betsie such dynamic Christians was the fact that the chose to see life from God's perspective.  In the worst of situations, they found new insights to praise and thank God.

The Bible tells us that we are to give thanks in everything, the good things AND the bad things.  In Psalm 50:23, God says, "He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me."  In the hard times, thanksgiving is difficult.  It is definitely a sacrifice to thank God in a Nazi concentration camp, but it is so very necessary.  Thanksgiving honors God, and when you and I honor God, He honors us (1 Sam. 2:30).

How is your thanksgiving factor?  Are you facing tough times?  Have you been griping and complaining about the things in your life that are hard, lonely and frustrating?  Why not try praising and thanking God for your difficulty.  He knows about it, He is over it, and He cares for you.  Without question, He has a purpose in every trial and tribulation.  Start today to live a life of thanksgiving.  If you will do it, I promise you on the authority of the Word of God, your attitude will change, the people around you will be blessed, and Jesus Christ will be glorified and honored.

Hoping you had a Happy Thanksgiving!

[Judy Harder]

JESUS LOVES EVEN ME!

Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in my love.
John 15:8

Have you ever heard this wonderful song?

I am so glad that my Father in heaven,
Tells of His love in the book He has given.
Wonderful things in the Bible I see,
But this is the dearest that Jesus loves me.

I am so glad that Jesus loves me.
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me.
I am so glad that Jesus loves me.
JESUS LOVES EVEN ME.

I talk to people quite often who have a hard time really believing that the Lord Jesus truly loves them.  I mean, they believe that He loves other people, but they are not so sure He loves them.  Deep down, they do not see themselves as deserving or worthy of His love. 

The truth of the matter is this: no one is worthy of His love.  No one deserves one ounce of His love and grace.  The Lord does not love you because you deserve it.  He loves you because He is gracious and loving.  To Him, you are extremely special and precious. 

WHAT DOES HIS LOVE MEAN TO ME?

Once you accept the fact that the Lord really does love you, you have to come to grips with what that means.  I have thought of two practical, easy to grasp insights that come from the undeniable truth that the Lord God loves me. 

1. Because the Lord really loves me, that means He wants to hang out with me.  Have you ever felt unwanted?  Have you ever sat alone on a Saturday night because no one called, and no one seemed to want you around?  Jesus says, "I want to be with you.  I not only love you, I really like you.  I want to spend time with you.  I think you are interesting, fun, and funny." 

It is pretty cool to consider that the God of the universe, the God who holds the whole world in His hands, wants to spend time with little, insignificant me.  How foolish I would be to not take Him up on His invitation to "hang out" together.               

2. Because the Lord really loves me, that means He wants what is best for me. So many people live in rebellion and disobedience to God's clear commands. They know what He says to do, but they don't do it.  Why is that? 

The big reason is that they don't understand that His love means that He only has what is best in mind for us.  He only tells us things to do that will help us and bless us.  His love means that He would NEVER tell us to do something that would be a bad thing for us in the long run.  Once you and I truly believe and receive this truth, we gain a different perspective on disobedience and have a compelling desire to trust and obey God.       

WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY

I want to encourage you today to spend time with the God who loves you and wants what is best for you.  Align your life with His Word and His ways.  The best life imaginable is yours for the taking if you will simply abide in His love.

Love,  

[Judy Harder]

ON BEING A GOOD PARENT

I have a very close friend who is a great Christian, a devoted husband, and a super dad.  He loves his kids and wants what is best for them.  But I remember sitting in his office one day as he tearfully recounted a sobering conversation he had with his high school son that went something like this:

"Dad, you're just not fair with me!  I get good grades, obey you and mom, and walk with God, yet you are so hard on me!  I have friends who lie to their parents and get in all kinds of trouble.  I don't do any of that, but you don't seem to take that into account.  You're just so unfair."

My friend was cut to the quick as God convicted him about being too hard of a parent.  In his efforts to make his son the best he could be, he saw how he had unwittingly hurt him in the process.  He apologized to his son from the heart with tears of repentance and brokenness.

THE PROBLEM WITH MANY PARENTS, ESPECIALLY DADS

The problem we have as parents is that we tend to nit-pick our kids to death over their flaws and failures.  We can easily point out the problems and totally miss the points to praise.  For example, do you kids hear things like this way too much of the time?   

You missed a spot vacuuming/mowing.
You did a poor job cleaning your room.
You call that doing your homework?
You didn't do this right, that right, and the other right.
In our efforts to do a good job raising our children, let's not forget God's Word in regard to parenting, "Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or fret your children [do not be hard on them or harass them], lest they become discouraged and sullen and morose and feel inferior and frustrated. [Do not break their spirit.]"  Colossians 3:21 AMP

Kids need two important things from mom and dad: love and discipline.  And of these two, love is paramount. ("The greatest of these is love.")  Studies have shown that the very worst parenting style a person can adopt is one ofhigh discipline and low love.  A mom or dad who parents with high discipline and low love produces discouraged, angry, resentful, rebellious children.  Are you high discipline and low love?   

WHAT TO DO?

I encourage you to sit down with your kids and honestly, humbly ask how you are doing as a parent.  Ask them if they feel like you are too hard on them and too negative.  Ask them if they feel like you ALWAYS point out the wrongs and rarely mention the rights.  Ask them if they feel knit-picked, if they feel as if you are impossible to please. 

And if you are guilty of violating Colossians 3:21, humble yourself and seek their forgiveness.  Ask God to help you be parent who is better at praising than picking.  Of course have discipline, but shower that discipline with lots and lots of love, encouragement and praise. 

ONE LAST THING

Remember how God the Father interacted with His Son, Jesus.  Before Jesus had done one miracle, the Father said at His baptism, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I'm well-pleased" (Matt. 3:17).  May you and I frequently say to our children, "I love you, and I am so proud of you."  It makes all the difference in the world!       

If it has been a while since you have said those words to your son or daughter, do it today (even if they are grown and gone).  You will be so glad you did, and they will be so blessed! 

Love,

[Judy Harder]

Friday, December 25, 2009   

Enough is Enough

Anyone who knows me very well knows that I am a HUGE Rocky Balboa fan. I love Rocky's heart and never say die attitude. That character just inspires me to keep going, no matter the odds against me.

(A highlight of my life was getting to meet Stallone in December of 2006 before the premier of the last Rocky movie, Rocky Balboa. I conducted an interview with him and 100 pastors. I was privileged to get to pray for him at the close of the interview.)

I have many lines from the Rocky saga memorized and often quote them to my wife and girls as the situation warrants. One line I particularly love comes from Rocky II. It was early in the rematch fight with Apollo Creed. Rocky was initially very intimidated by Apollo because the champ was angry and had vowed to make quick work of this "one time, lucky bum."

Rocky seemed totally over-matched at the outset. He was knocked down two times in the first two rounds. It appeared that defeat was imminent. But then something happened. Rocky had had ENOUGH of being intimidated and manhandled. Before the start of round three, he told his trainer, Mickey, "I ain't going down no more."

ARE YOU GETTING KNOCKED DOWN?

Have you ever felt like circumstances and fleshly desires and the devil himself were beating you to a pulp? Have you ever felt just so intimidated, overwhelmed, and defeated? Have you ever had the urge to just stay down, throw in the towel, and quit? I mean what's the use of trying? After all, your past failures have proven that you just can't whip your problem with depression, or alcohol, or bitterness, or anger, or drugs, or sexual immorality, or lust, or laziness, or gluttony, or jealousy, or whatever sin is knocking you down. Why not just give up and give in?

My friend, no matter how many times you have been knocked down, you need to remember that in Christ, you were not saved to live a life of defeat, but a life of victory. Romans 8:37 tells us that we are super conquerors in Jesus Christ! Start living like it!!

TAKING A STAND

I love David's declaration in Psalm 101:3-4, "I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not fasten its grip on me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know no evil."David was basically saying, "I ain't going down no more!"

Listen, as long as the devil can get you to think and feel DEFEAT, he can defeat you every time. But, when you stand up to him and tell him how it is going to be, how you are going to rise above and not let sin fasten its grip on you, then you will start to walk by faith and experience victory.

There really is overcoming power in the Word of God. "He has said . that we may confidently say ." (Hebrews 13:5-6). Start claiming the Word of God in your life. Start claiming your victory in Jesus. Stand up to the devil and his evil ways that are wrecking and ruining your life. Resist him in the power of the Holy Spirit, and he will flee from you! (James 4:7).

"I ain't going down no more" is not just a good movie line, it is good theology. Make it your declaration today!

Love,

[Judy Harder]

January 1, 2010   

THANKFUL FOR YOU

For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering
to the saints.  Hebrews 6:10

As we close out 2009 and prepare for 2010, I want to express my thanks.  You have been great encouragers to me.  Many of you email me with encouraging words, lift me up in prayer, share the email encouragements with friends and family, and partner with us financially to support the work of From His Heart Ministries on television, radio, and the internet.  All of those things have made a difference.  THANK YOU! 

As you hopefully know by now, I do not take any salary from FHH.  Every dime you give is used to further the broadcast and reach more and more people with the good news of Jesus Christ.  Our mission is to share hope from the loving heart of God without apology or compromise of the Word of God.     

HURTING PEOPLE

Lots of people are hurting today.  It is great to know that we can make a difference in their lives as we point them to Jesus.  Sue in Australia writes:

Dear Jeff,
Your talks/sermons are really helping me.  I'm going through emotional/legal/financial?hell after separating from abusive husband due to domestic violence.  I'm trying to?replace my fear (that the courts won't protect my children from further abuse) with trust?that God will help me.  I've suffered a lifetime of abuse - and am believing God that He has a purpose and can use my past for His glory.  I'm watching your sermons online (thank you for making them available).  Please pray for me and the family.  Fear has (in the past) ruled my life.  I am trying to walk in faith.  Wishing you blessings on your mission to bring honor to God.

May God bless you with the best New Year ever as you look to Jesus and really walk by faith and not by sight!

Love,