Love Him Well

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. (Hebrews 11:5) 
 
Enoch was so beloved by God that God brought him to heaven to be with Him before Enoch had a natural death.
 
How does someone become a friend of God?
 
As we grow in spiritual maturity we will long to be with God not for what we need, but for who He is.  
 
We long for His presence, not just by seeking Him, just loving Him. 

God let me love you well. Let me enjoy your sweet presence. As you have loved me, let me love you back! Amen.
 
Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God.  (Genesis 5:24)
 
This devotion blessed me. I pray it encourages you today to read your Bible faithfully, grow closer to Him. The Bible is God’s invitation to love Him back. Love Him well. 
 
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!


The Heart

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts. (Psalms 139:23) 
 
Deep within us lies the truth. Not the superficial things that others see. Not our own preferences or how we hope to be perceived. 
 
Our true self can get buried beneath layers and masks, so that even we cannot recognize it. We might accurately identify the symptoms, but incorrectly label them as the cause of our misery. Or we might overlook the layers entirely. We need to dig deep to uncover the core of our being, and often we’re afraid to probe as deeply as necessary. 
 
But God reminds us that He goes beyond the surface. He knows the deepest things about us. For He “seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). 
 
God calls us to recognize these truths and realize how important this understanding is to our relationship with Him and to our spiritual maturity. Instead of being concerned with the approval of others, God calls us to focus on getting our hearts right with Him. To love Him not in superficial ways but “thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). 
 
Jesus pointed out that many religious people (even leaders) did not understand God’s concern for the deeper things. Citing Isaiah, He said, “this people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:8). 
 
Today, give God permission to search your heart and mind, revealing deep things to you. Be sensitive to His Spirit, and love Him with your whole being. Make Him your highest priority. 
 
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord! 
 
Today’s Reading is Deuteronomy 6:5