|
|
|
|
|
Users viewing this topic:
none
|
|
Login  | |
|
True heart for God - 1/28/2008 6:51:00 AM
|
|
|
mutinywxgirl
Posts: 7595
Joined: 4/29/2005
From: west coast of FL
Status: offline
|
I had the most fascinating discussion last night with someone about having a true heart for God - and what that meant. And before I go into that, I want to hear from you.
So, I am curious - as a Single, desiring to be married or not, what does this mean to you? For those who desire to marry - what does this mean to your future spouse? Men - what does this mean to you? Ladies - what does it mean to you?
For those who do not desire marriage, what does this mean to those people around you - who are in your circle of influence and strangers who God puts in your path daily? How do you show your heart for God? How do you interact with people on a daily basis to let them know that you've got something different that they want/need? What evidences are there in your life that make people realize that God is in control of your life?
And lastly, about love, what are we to do with it?
I look forward to hearing what you all have to say and the discussion that is to follow. I believe we are all on our own unique journey on this path - so I'm curious to see where people stand.
< Message edited by mutinywxgirl -- 1/28/2008 6:57:57 AM >
_____________________________
When blood and water hit the ground.
Walls we couldn't move came crashing down.
We were free and made alive.
The day true love died. The day true love died.
Lisa is happy THE ROWDIES ARE BACK!
14 (go Tony!)
|
|
|
|
|
RE: True heart for God - 1/28/2008 9:44:40 AM
|
|
|
John_O
Posts: 7808
Joined: 9/5/2006
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: mutinywxgirl
So, I am curious - as a Single, desiring to be married or not, what does this mean to you? For those who desire to marry - what does this mean to your future spouse? Men - what does this mean to you?
If my heart is true to God then I should be seeking to do and be what he wants me to do and be. One thing he wants me to be is a good husband. Service to my wife therefore becomes service to God. It is my duty to God to be the best to and for her that I can be.
(Likewise as a daddy my duty to God requires me to be the best daddy I can be.)
quote:
And lastly, about love, what are we to do with it?
Give it freely, receive it without reservation, and grow it for everyone we meet.
_____________________________
Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: True heart for God - 1/28/2008 10:11:20 AM
|
|
|
sunshinesoprano
Posts: 447
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Georgia
Status: offline
|
I think a true heart for God means dilligently seeking His will for our lives rather than trying to "create" our lives. It never works the other way.
In that same line of thought, we have to live in the life God has prepared for us at this particular point in time. There is a reason, whatever it might be. If we live thinking our lives will be better if only____, then we're wasting God's precious time.
Love--let it pour out of you onto everyone. That's what I've done with all this bottled up, God-given love I have. From time to time it's been misconstrued, but mostly people appreciate it and see it as a blessing of God in their lives. The more you give, the more you get.
_____________________________
Pure Heart-Fresh, Progressive Southern Gospel
Sing, laugh, love, PRAISE!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: True heart for God - 1/28/2008 1:11:36 PM
|
|
|
Grace-N-Mercy
Posts: 4326
Joined: 5/2/2005
Status: offline
|
what does this mean to you?
To me, a true heart for God is one that is in tune with Him and His will. It is a heart that desires to please God instead of self or others. It is a contrite, humble heart that submits to His will.
what does this mean to your future spouse?
This means that my spouse will not be #1 in my life... God will take that place. It also means that I would not be compatible with someone else who is not seeking to place God first in his life.
what does this mean to those people around you
I think this applies to all of us, whether we desire to be married or not. I think it means that we are to treat others as God does... realizing that we are ALL made in His image.
How do you show your heart for God?
For me, it's in compassion for people who need help.
How do you interact with people on a daily basis to let them know that you've got something different that they want/need?
For me, I don't go around advertising that I'm Christian. I don't wear Christian jewelry, or have a fish on my car. But I do try to act differently than those in the World. I was watching a movie recently and noticed that one actor was a little "different", and it caught my attention. Later, I saw a show on Oprah where he said "first and foremost, I'm a Child of God", to which Oprah replied "No celebrity has ever said that on my show". Be a Christian, and people will notice.
What evidences are there in your life that make people realize that God is in control of your life?
I don't really know specifically. I do know that people have said they can tell I'm a Christian, or that something I said changed their walk (and for the life of me, I would think back to conversations and couldn't figure out what I had said). I think that when God works in our lives, He makes himself known in ways that we cannot see. And I'm excited about that.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: True heart for God - 1/28/2008 10:08:21 PM
|
|
|
shemaromans
Posts: 1878
Joined: 3/30/2007
Status: offline
|
(Okay. Prepare the tomatoes...)
I'm not sure that we can ever have a completely true heart for God.
(Okay. Please stop hurling the red fruits...)
A true heart for God:
* considers others as better than itself
* exhibits itself through actions
* reserves time daily for God--reading the Bible and praying--despite the busyness of life
* humbles itself at His feet in confession and repentance
* picks itself up with God's help and boldly returns into the world to serve
* seeks to share the impact of God's grace and truth to those who need it
* holds its tongue even though its pride gnaws from within
The above list highlights a few of the ideas that bounced about my brain...Having a heart for God demands that we have loving hearts. Since all of the list items either define or exhibit qualities love, then I think that we'd show these traits and practices if our hearts are truly focused on God.
^^^That seems nebulous, so I hope that you can comprehend the point I'm trying to make.
It doesn't matter if we're single or married, we're called to love God and our neighbors. Those are the greatest commands. I've found that it's so much easier and pleasant when I'm focused on God and not myself. When I find myself indulging in "me" thoughts and motives, life seems more difficult. I'm also not as loving as God wants and commands me to be.
_____________________________
“By perseverance the snail reached the ark.”
-- Charles Spurgeon
|
|
|
|
|
RE: True heart for God - 1/29/2008 10:24:14 AM
|
|
|
CoeurdeLeon_
Posts: 6415
Joined: 9/4/2005
From: Inside my head
Status: offline
|
Lisa, this is a great thread and one I've been pondering since you posted it. I just haven't reduced my ponderings to an answer that's succinct enough/honest enough/accurate enough to post. Hopefully, the thread will still be active by the time I do.
Anyway, I just wanted you to know that it's a great question and I will answer it as soon as I can answer it.
_____________________________
This morning I was awakened by the sound of purple
colliding with the fragrance of laughter.
Eutychus
New Blog
|
|
|
|
|
RE: True heart for God - 1/29/2008 10:31:06 AM
|
|
|
mutinywxgirl
Posts: 7595
Joined: 4/29/2005
From: west coast of FL
Status: offline
|
Thanks, Fritz. As I said, it came about from spending over 6 hours with someone discussing this topic, along with countless others - all leading back to having a true heart for God and what it means. I'm actually still formulating my answer too! I look forward to what you have to say.
_____________________________
When blood and water hit the ground.
Walls we couldn't move came crashing down.
We were free and made alive.
The day true love died. The day true love died.
Lisa is happy THE ROWDIES ARE BACK!
14 (go Tony!)
|
|
|
|
|
RE: True heart for God - 1/29/2008 12:24:46 PM
|
|
|
believeinhim2
Posts: 52
Joined: 7/24/2007
Status: offline
|
Wow Lisa this is a very thought provoking thread. You hear people talk about having a heart for God all the time and i would like to think that i do but, i don't think i have ever really just sat down and outlined exactly what that means for me. I will be thinking about this and post later.
_____________________________
~mandi~
myspace
Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. 2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. Ps5:1-2
|
|
|
|
|
RE: True heart for God - 1/29/2008 1:53:47 PM
|
|
|
BjoyMN
Posts: 13
Joined: 1/17/2008
From: Minnesota
Status: offline
|
quote:
I think that when God works in our lives, He makes himself known in ways that we cannot see. And I'm excited about that.
I love this statement Grace-N-Mercy! You are displaying a true heart for God with it.... through your trust in Him! I am excited every day for the same reasons.
Total surrender and trust in Him is a true heart for God.
_____________________________
Proverbs 3:5-6 (LIV) "Trust in The Lord with all your heart. Acknowledge Him with everything you do and He will guide your path."
|
|
|
|
|
RE: True heart for God - 1/29/2008 8:01:55 PM
|
|
|
wfisaac
Posts: 1179
Joined: 3/18/2007
From: Tip of the Mitt
Status: offline
|
I think that a heart that is a true heart for God is tender. Soft and plyable...something God can work with. I also think it means a heart that is reverent towards Him. Is in total awe of the fact that even though He is all powerful, He is still very interested in the small details of our lives. A true heart is also unashamed of letting all those around know of their love and committment to Him.
_____________________________
Veronica
|
|
|
|
RE: True heart for God - 2/3/2008 10:43:14 AM
|
|
|
CoeurdeLeon_
Posts: 6415
Joined: 9/4/2005
From: Inside my head
Status: offline
|
Lisa, I didn't forget about this thread. It's just taken me this long to be honest with myself and get my thoughts in order. This is such a good question and caused me to look inside myself so hard that I blogged it. Here is the result...
The question was posed “What does it mean to you to have a true heart for God?” That question has caused me to think long and hard and examine the honesty and integrity of my heart. In answering questions, I earnestly try to avoid two things; speaking in Christian-ese or using Sunday School answers and telling myself lies. As I’ve thought and prayed about this question I keep coming back to one answer...that I can't even want a true heart for Him without Him putting that desire in me in the first place.
If I am honest with myself, the best I can do on some, or even most, days is wanting to want what God wants. This is different from, and far less than, actually wanting what God wants. Because God wants to conform me to the image of His Son, and I know full well that that involves being refined through fire, pruning and being shaken. I won’t lie, I don’t want any of those things. I’ve been through some very hot fires and while I can be grateful for them on this side I cannot bring myself to wish for more of the same. Knowing how much pruning hurts and how much being shaken causes confusion and doubt, no matter how temporary, it is beyond me to sincerely want that. My only hope is to know what God wants for me and to appeal to Him for the capacity to want that, too.
I am a flawed person. In order to do the work He promises to do in me according to Philippians 1:6, God will work out those flaws. He will use whatever means necessary to knock off and smooth the rough edges, to burn away the impurities and to cut away the unproductive. Even knowing how grateful I will be for the results,the thought of the process sometimes fills me with dread. Especially because He has mercifully allowed me a period of peace and rest for a few years now. It would be so easy to become complacent. To pray for nothing but more peace and rest. I really want to ask for what would give me comfort and ease. I really don’t want to ask for what would perfect me.
So the best I can do, the truest I can be, until I am made perfect on That Day, is to try to want what God wants, to try to want His will over my own and pray that He makes me want to have, and be capable of having, a true heart for Him.
_____________________________
This morning I was awakened by the sound of purple
colliding with the fragrance of laughter.
Eutychus
New Blog
|
|
|
|
|
RE: True heart for God - 2/4/2008 8:06:18 PM
|
|
|
Elena1030
Posts: 2104
Joined: 6/21/2006
From: Music City, USA
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: CoeurdeLeon
Lisa, I didn't forget about this thread. It's just taken me this long to be honest with myself and get my thoughts in order. This is such a good question and caused me to look inside myself so hard that I blogged it. Here is the result...
The question was posed “What does it mean to you to have a true heart for God?” That question has caused me to think long and hard and examine the honesty and integrity of my heart. In answering questions, I earnestly try to avoid two things; speaking in Christian-ese or using Sunday School answers and telling myself lies. As I’ve thought and prayed about this question I keep coming back to one answer...that I can't even want a true heart for Him without Him putting that desire in me in the first place.
If I am honest with myself, the best I can do on some, or even most, days is wanting to want what God wants. This is different from, and far less than, actually wanting what God wants. Because God wants to conform me to the image of His Son, and I know full well that that involves being refined through fire, pruning and being shaken. I won’t lie, I don’t want any of those things. I’ve been through some very hot fires and while I can be grateful for them on this side I cannot bring myself to wish for more of the same. Knowing how much pruning hurts and how much being shaken causes confusion and doubt, no matter how temporary, it is beyond me to sincerely want that. My only hope is to know what God wants for me and to appeal to Him for the capacity to want that, too.
I am a flawed person. In order to do the work He promises to do in me according to Philippians 1:6, God will work out those flaws. He will use whatever means necessary to knock off and smooth the rough edges, to burn away the impurities and to cut away the unproductive. Even knowing how grateful I will be for the results,the thought of the process sometimes fills me with dread. Especially because He has mercifully allowed me a period of peace and rest for a few years now. It would be so easy to become complacent. To pray for nothing but more peace and rest. I really want to ask for what would give me comfort and ease. I really don’t want to ask for what would perfect me.
So the best I can do, the truest I can be, until I am made perfect on That Day, is to try to want what God wants, to try to want His will over my own and pray that He makes me want to have, and be capable of having, a true heart for Him.
Dittos to the Nth power.... 
Thank you for posting this, Lady Fritz. Thank you!!! 
_____________________________
Prayer thread for singles who desire to marry someday
|
|
|
|
|
RE: True heart for God - 2/4/2008 11:24:00 PM
|
|
|
Dakotasunbeam
Posts: 342
Joined: 6/2/2005
From: Midwest USA
Status: offline
|
For a while, with all of the terrible sob stories of marriages that did not last, loveless marriages, bitter marriages, cruelty, abuse and bewildered and hurting children--I really wondered whether I'd know the right guy. I really wondered if I wouldn't make the same mistake. But for the first time, I do not wonder this anymore. God showed me, as I began to live those scriptures written down; really faced myself and my stubborn will and yielded it to Him, that If I listened to Him, I would know.
A heart for God means putting God first no matter what--even to your own hurt or unhappiness. I think of the martyrs and the prophets shunned, killed, and persecuted who died being called full of faith. And I think to myself--that's what I want in a hubby someone sold out to God. Who knows the word of God and lives it.
I remember praying for more discernment; specifically so that I'd be able to make the right choice when it came to a husband; and God showed me a verse that basically spoke of a man that his sold himself in the service of another. It all came full circle. God has also been teaching me more of late, and I am grateful
I guess it means a man whose life demonstrates Christ; rather than speaks it.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: True heart for God - 2/5/2008 9:04:36 AM
|
|
|
majestic_life
Posts: 8
Joined: 5/19/2006
Status: offline
|
I belive that having a true heart for God is living your life everyday knowing that you have been given a true gift. Living each moment with praise on your tongue and love in your heart. That knowing that everything that you have been through or will go through has been set in motion by our Creator. No matter how large or small.
As a woman who desires one day to be married, I feel that knowing God has my best interests at heart helps me overcome those days/weeks of lonliness. When I am supposed to be married it will happen. God showed me this just recently so I am prepared to wait. (As I now know what I get if I am not patient.) And that man will know that he will be number two in my life. God is number one. And each day I wait, I grow stronger in my faith knowing that He is watching out for me.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: True heart for God - 2/6/2008 1:10:25 AM
|
|
|
netstroller
Posts: 240
Joined: 4/14/2005
From: dust and ashes
Status: offline
|
quote:
Men - what does this mean to you?
I think a perfect heart for God, and therefore the highest goal, transcends marital status/desires, and really anything at all except to seek and fulfill the will of God. It's to ignore ones own desires except for the desire to live for Him. The focus is off the self and on God.
_____________________________
...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, ...
(Heb 12:1-2)
<<-- Someone get me a chair, need a break from this running...
|
|
|
|
|
RE: True heart for God - 2/6/2008 5:59:52 AM
|
|
|
mutinywxgirl
Posts: 7595
Joined: 4/29/2005
From: west coast of FL
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: netstroller
quote:
Men - what does this mean to you?
I think a perfect heart for God, and therefore the highest goal, transcends marital status/desires, and really anything at all except to seek and fulfill the will of God. It's to ignore ones own desires except for the desire to live for Him. The focus is off the self and on God.
ding, ding, ding.........
_____________________________
When blood and water hit the ground.
Walls we couldn't move came crashing down.
We were free and made alive.
The day true love died. The day true love died.
Lisa is happy THE ROWDIES ARE BACK!
14 (go Tony!)
|
|
|
|
|
RE: True heart for God - 3/2/2008 2:41:48 AM
|
|
|
Mrs.Benelchi
Posts: 2909
Joined: 2/11/2008
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: mutinywxgirl
I had the most fascinating discussion last night with someone about having a true heart for God - and what that meant. And before I go into that, I want to hear from you.
So, I am curious - as a Single, desiring to be married or not, what does this mean to you? For those who desire to marry - what does this mean to your future spouse? Men - what does this mean to you? Ladies - what does it mean to you?
For those who do not desire marriage, what does this mean to those people around you - who are in your circle of influence and strangers who God puts in your path daily? How do you show your heart for God? How do you interact with people on a daily basis to let them know that you've got something different that they want/need? What evidences are there in your life that make people realize that God is in control of your life?
And lastly, about love, what are we to do with it?
True Heart For God:
Waiting with bated breath for him to speak.
Anticipating Gods will and then upon learning it, Accepting/Doing it joyfully!
Trusting obedience.
Jealously guarding your time with Him.
What does this meant to my spouse
He will be second in my life.
A woman who puts God first and has a true heart for God will be a blessing as a wife.
A woman who has learned to obey God does not have obedience issues.
How do I show my heart for God
How do you interact with people on a daily basis to let them know that you've got something different that they want/need?
Compassion, Acceptance, Loving the "unloveable", being available to be used by him to do the small "behind the scenes jobs" that don't get recognized..
What evidences are there in your life that make people realize that God is in control of your life?
Peace in the midst of adversity, Allowing God to ball up you life and throw it back on the Potters Wheel and waiting patiently to see what he creates this time. Being excited about it.
And lastly, about love, what are we to do with it?
It all comes down to this : Love God, Love Others
_____________________________
When life gets too hard to stand.....kneel.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: True heart for God - 3/2/2008 3:00:57 PM
|
|
|
Howzat...
Posts: 4259
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: PA, USA
Status: online
|
quote:
Peace in the midst of adversity
Oh, wow. Is that ever a big one!
Some of you already know a bit of this story. When my father was alive, he was a really difficult man. Constantly negative, all that. I spent a lot of time with him, helping him to "arrange" his house and his life. Looking back, I think he just wanted the company. But it was so hard. My sister constantly said to me "I don't know how you can do it. After an hour with him, I want to kill him." I would tell her that I couldn't do it alone, only with Christ.
A year and a half ago, in his last few months, trying to manage the hospital, nursing home, hospital again, and continue his personal affairs at the same time, my nerves were completely frayed. I was really losing it. To tell the truth, I started to forget that God was still with me. I was beginning to set satan get hold of me, I think. Thank God (truly!) he sent my pastor and his wife (angels!) to me and they grabbed me back. Hallelujah!
_____________________________
Pam
Proud of my hometown
|
|
|
|
|
RE: True heart for God - 3/2/2008 4:26:53 PM
|
|
|
Mrs.Benelchi
Posts: 2909
Joined: 2/11/2008
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: PamelaSue
quote:
Peace in the midst of adversity
Oh, wow. Is that ever a big one!
Some of you already know a bit of this story. When my father was alive, he was a really difficult man. Constantly negative, all that. I spent a lot of time with him, helping him to "arrange" his house and his life. Looking back, I think he just wanted the company. But it was so hard. My sister constantly said to me "I don't know how you can do it. After an hour with him, I want to kill him." I would tell her that I couldn't do it alone, only with Christ.
A year and a half ago, in his last few months, trying to manage the hospital, nursing home, hospital again, and continue his personal affairs at the same time, my nerves were completely frayed. I was really losing it. To tell the truth, I started to forget that God was still with me. I was beginning to set satan get hold of me, I think. Thank God (truly!) he sent my pastor and his wife (angels!) to me and they grabbed me back. Hallelujah!
PamelaSue,
I am so glad you shared this about yourself. I had no Idea you had been through something like this.
_____________________________
When life gets too hard to stand.....kneel.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: True heart for God - 3/3/2008 1:32:02 AM
|
|
|
crystalblue
Posts: 37
Joined: 1/24/2008
Status: offline
|
For me a true heart for God means -
- giving God your whole life and following christ.
- Same for husband.
and this one
quote:
What evidences are there in your life that make people realize that God is in control of your life?
Peace in the midst of adversity, Allowing God to ball up you life and throw it back on the Potters Wheel and waiting patiently to see what he creates this time.
< Message edited by crystalblue -- 3/3/2008 1:42:43 AM >
|
|
|
|
|
RE: True heart for God - 3/3/2008 9:20:14 AM
|
|
|
John_O
Posts: 7808
Joined: 9/5/2006
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: mutinywxgirl
What evidences are there in your life that make people realize that God is in control of your life?
I missed this one before.
Does "an absolute refusal to choke the living daylights out of someone who so desperately needs it" count? 
_____________________________
Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: True heart for God - 3/3/2008 9:26:45 AM
|
|
|
Mrs.Benelchi
Posts: 2909
Joined: 2/11/2008
Status: offline
|
WTWTWT??????
_____________________________
When life gets too hard to stand.....kneel.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: True heart for God - 3/3/2008 9:45:05 AM
|
|
|
mutinywxgirl
Posts: 7595
Joined: 4/29/2005
From: west coast of FL
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: John_O
quote:
ORIGINAL: mutinywxgirl
What evidences are there in your life that make people realize that God is in control of your life?
I missed this one before.
Does "an absolute refusal to choke the living daylights out of someone who so desperately needs it" count?
LOLOLOL!!!!! Thanks, John!!!
_____________________________
When blood and water hit the ground.
Walls we couldn't move came crashing down.
We were free and made alive.
The day true love died. The day true love died.
Lisa is happy THE ROWDIES ARE BACK!
14 (go Tony!)
|
|
|
|
 New Messages |
 No New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/ New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/o New Messages |
 Locked w/ New Messages |
 Locked w/o New Messages |
|
 Post New Thread
Reply to Message
Post New Poll
Submit Vote
Delete My Own Post
Delete My Own Thread
Rate Posts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Tools
Printable Version
"There are no accidents in the life of faith. In its music, the accidentals perfect the harmony." 
