NEW! Our Heart Determines Success

"The Condition Of Our Heart Determines Our Success In The Eyes Of God!!!"

Key Passages: Proverbs 4:23; Proverbs 23:7; Matthew 6:21; Matthew 15:18

Proverbs 4:23 "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

Proverbs 23:7 "As he thinketh in his heart, so is he..."

Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Matthew 15:18 "But those things which proceed out of thy mouth come forth from the heart..."

The condition of our heart determines our success in life!!! There are many aspects of what the world calls "Success" in life, but most of the world's qualities of "success" are based on a person's popularity, fortune, entertainment likes or dislikes, various worthwhile things accomplished for mankind's benefit and the list goes on and on. If you notice, the world never gives credit to God Almighty. Here is a saying, that I use often, "Only one life will soon be passed, but what's done for Christ will last!!!" Our choices and decisions in life with respect to God's Will for us, will determine our "SUCCESS" in life, as seen in Joshua 1:8 (Seek To Know God's Holy Word & Be Obedient To It). It has been said, that "The Heart Wants, What The Heart Wants!!! The "heart of a person" directs a person's desires and intents of their life. For example, a fish desires to swim in water, a young girl may desire a doll to play with, a young boy may desire to play on his knees in the dirt with his toy truck, a teenage girl may desire a beautiful dress to wear to the high school prom and the list goes on and on. No matter the reason of our desires or wants, it all starts in the heart of mankind (I Samuel 16: 7). As a Christian, I have always desired to be like young David (The Shepherd Boy, who became "A man after God's own heart")!!! In Acts 13:22 it says, "And when he (God) had removed him (King Saul), he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will (I Samuel 13:13,14)." King Saul, the first king of Israel, was disobedient to God's commands to him, but God chose David to be the second King of Israel, because of David's love and obedience to the Lord!!! ***David's heart was in the right place and was in the right condition to receive God's Will for the country of Israel at that time!!! ***THE OUTCOME OF ANY PERSON DEPENDS ON THEIR HEART CONDITION IN LIFE!!! Our "heart" will determine, if we will receive God's love in our life or not, if we will stand up for what we believe or if we will quit when the task gets too hard to accomplish the things in our life!!! I have found, that as a child of God, that God (The Holy Spirit) lives in me and in all true born-again believers and HE directs our hearts to accomplish the tasks, that HE wants us to complete in our daily life for the glory of Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13,14; I John 2: 27)!!!

Joshua 1:8 "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

I Samuel 16:7 "But the Lord said unto Samuel (Referring to the physical size of the shepherd-boy David, in being anointed King of Israel), look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature: because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as a man seeth: for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."

"There are so many examples in life to look at concerning a person's HEART CONDITION, which are as follows:"

***The Heart Of The Metal's Hardness In An Axe-Head Determines How The Axe Will Hold Up When Chopping Wood!!!

***The Heart Of A Person Devoting Himself Or Herself To Their Mate In Marriage For Life!!!

***The Heart Of A Person Going In Business Will Determine Its Success (Of course, many other factors also)!!!

***The Heart Of A Person Will Determine His/Her Thoughts Of Good Or Evil In Life (Which will result in good or bad actions)!!!

***The Heart Of The Soil (Fertility) Used In Farming/Gardening Is A Determining Factor In The Crop's Success!!!

I have seen the "Intentions," whether it be good or bad in people my whole life, in which, it sometimes takes a few weeks, a year or even 25 years to see the "Whole True Heart" of a person!!! Many people prepare for their future, while others live only for today and have nothing to show for their works in life. For me, I decided a long time ago (at an early age), to invest my talents into the "Work of God" and in people (Such as my family and friends), instead of the materialistic and self-glorification investments of this world!!! This is why, I seek to be a man after God's own heart (Hallelujah, A SINNER SAVED BY GOD'S GRACE)!!! King Solomon tells us of "The Ant" in Proverbs 30:25 which says, "The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat for the summer." Question: "WHAT KIND OF PERSON ARE YOU???" I pray, that you will all prepare your heart to receive God's gift of love for you in salvation (Romans 6:23)!!! I personally live my life to honor the Lord Jesus Christ!!! When I keep Him #1 in my life, everything seems to fall into place, even when people such as kin-folk or so-called friends, let me down by their lies and deceit. May we as God's children, never be ashamed of the Lord in this world (Romans 1:16,17)!!! It is sad, when the foolish games that people play in life, causes financial loss & heartache to their victims (So-called friends, business partners, classmates and even husbands and wives)!!! But always remember the Holy Word of God (The Bible KJV) says in Galatians 6: 7 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

The following parable of the Lord Jesus Christ, the "Parable of the Sower," truly explains the importance of "The Heart's Condition Of Mankind" when receiving "The Seeds Of God's Salvation!!!" and it also determines how much a Born-Again Christian will surrender his/her heart to the service of Lord (If it be 25%, 50% or up to 100%)!!! Now enjoy the following parable teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ:

"The Parable of the Sower!!!" Matthew 13: 18- 23 "Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side (AN UN-INTERESTED HEART). But he that received the seed into stony places (A HARD HEART), the same is he that heareth the word, and anon (immediately) with joy receiveth it; yet not have root in himself, but endureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended (A SHALLOW HEART). He also that receiveth seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful (A DIVIDED UN-COMMITTED HEART). But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty (A FRUITFUL HEART)."

IN CONCLUSION: Concerning "The Parable of the Sower," this parable originally speaks to the salvation of a Lost Person, that has never received Jesus Christ as their personal Lord & Savior (There is also an application for Christians to identify with, concerning their personal service to the Lord)!!! The soil or the heart must be ready to receive the seed into the soil or the receiving of the seed of God's salvation into our heart, that we may receive God's gift of eternal life (A spiritually born-again experience). Remember, the key for the seed to be conceived is the soil or our heart's condition!!! If you are a child of God, guard your heart from evil or ungodly influences in your life!!!

PREPARE YOUR HEART ALWAYS TO RESPOND TO GOD'S CALL FOR YOU IN LIFE!!! If you recognize that you are LOST and have been playing church or putting on a "false front" as a so-called child of God in your life, look to "The True Master, The Lord Jesus Christ" for your soul!!! REMEMBER, ONLY YOU AND I DETERMINE THE CONDITION OF OUR HEART, THAT IT MAY BE ABLE TO RECEIVE GOD'S GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE FOR THE SALVATION OF OUR SOUL!!! ***WHAT IS IT, THAT FEEDS YOUR HEART DAILY??? When you realize, what it is, you will find out which MASTER you serve in life!!! The Legendary Rock-N-Roll singer Bruce Springstein sang one of his most popular songs called "Everybody Has A Hungry Heart." WHAT DO YOU HUNGER FOR IN YOUR LIFE???

There are "Only Three (3) Masters" in the universe or world, which are as follows: (1.) "Self (Self-Worship)" in which, you personally choose to be the "Master Of Your Own Destiny!!!" For this to happen, you must deny the existence of God Almighty (The Trinity) and deny your personal creation by God, which fulfills the desires of Satan indirectly- MAKING YOU SERVANT TO YOURSELF. ***It is all about the worship of "ME" and "MY WANTS & DESIRES!!!", (2.) "Satan" or "The Devil" (Satanic Worship) in which, very few worship him directly, because of his deceiving nature and deceptive tactics. Remember, Satan was once called "Lucifer (Angel of Light)" in Heaven and the most powerful of all the angels created by God Almighty until he was cast out of Heaven, because of his SIN!!! and finally (3.) "God Almighty" or "The Lord Jesus Christ" (The Worship of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords) in which, you have the opportunity to call upon Jesus Christ to be your personal Lord & Savior (At that very moment, you become a "Born-Again Child of God" and as you grow spiritually as a Christian, you become an "Ambassador for Christ)!!! ***Jesus Christ is the GOOD MASTER!!! Satan is the BAD MASTER, he only uses you and throws you away!!! "Self-Worship" is the POOR MASTER, that leads your soul into poverty and utter destruction!!! I have done all, that I can do for the LOST, by pointing them to the Lord Jesus Christ (Which is their Only Hope for Heaven)!!! AGAIN, WHO ARE YOU GOING TO CHOOSE TO BE YOUR PERSONAL MASTER, THESE ARE THE ONLY CHOICES IN LIFE??? Your decision will determine your FINAL DESTINATION after you die physically and you inter into eternity "WITH GOD (In Heaven)" or "WITHOUT GOD (In the Lake of Fire- Revelation 20:12-15)!!!

For all mankind to receive the "Amazing Grace of God Through Faith (Ephesians 2:8,9)," we must have a "Heart" that desires God's forgiveness with a sorrow (II Corinthians 7:10) for our sins and with a desire to make Jesus Christ the Lord of our eternal soul!!! "Repentance" always starts in the "Heart of Mankind," and is a Spiritual Event of a person's heart!!! Your Heart has a "Chang of Direction" in life, because when you repent, you decide to turn to the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior of your soul!!! So "Repentance" is defined as "A turning from the world's gods and a turning to the Lord Jesus Christ (The Savior of the World)!!! Because of a person's REPENTANCE IN THEIR HEART, the world will see the physical change and effects of Jesus Christ in their life!!! The following scripture verses in the passage of Romans 10:9-13 are very clear, that God's Salvation comes from the desires and intentions of the "heart of mankind", instead of our religious acts or good deeds in the "Name" of God and I have added other scripture verses to also support this belief:

Romans 10:9-13 says "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

II Corinthians 7:10 "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death."

Ephesians 2:8,9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not by works, lest any man should boast."

Ephesians 1:13,14 "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."

The End!!!

***Give Your Heart To Jesus Christ Everyday Of Your Life!!!

***By Evangelist Rev. Clifford M. Smith