Devotion

Theme: The Intent of Man
Text: Jeremiah 17:9-13

9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it? 10 I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.
11 “As a partridge that broods but does not hatch, so is he who gets riches, but not by right; It will leave him in the midst of his days, and at his end he will be a fool.”
12 A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary 13 O Lord, the hope of Israel, all who forsake You shall be ashamed.
“Those who depart from Me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters.”

The heart conceives a whole lot of things ranging from evil to good. As mortal as we are, we can't tell what is in the heart or mind of an individual. The device of evil comes from the within of the individual likewise good actions. You need the directions of God to guide you in this journey of life. He is the only one who knows what lies within a man. Dear beloved, the Lord knows what's in your mind and heart. To those who have good intent, He blesses; David chosen above his brothers, Abraham and Sarah enjoyed the blessings of the Lord. Likewise God punishes those with wicked and covetous intentions; Achan had a fair share for his greed and Lot's wife lost her life as a pillar of salt.

How do you make your wealth? Is it by just means or not? You will give account to the Almighty God someday so live well to attain the crown at the end of time. If you unjustly acquired wealth, you'll loose it without any fruitful gain. Some die living those wealth to others, others use those unjust wealth to seek health treatment for themselves. Let your labour speak of how you acquired your wealth. A good labour gives a profitable yield and fulfilment.

There's a place better than this earth and that's where we are all striving to be. Evil and crooked means will not usher you into that glorious sanctuary. Only the righteous in Christ Jesus will enter into it. What relationship exist between you and Christ. Are you just a hearer or physical follower of His words? You need more than just hearing and showing off to people you're a Christian. You need to prove your faith by works. Abraham, David, the blessed virgin Mary, the Apostles all proved their faith through some level of works. If you're ashamed to proclaim Christ here on earth, He will also not introduce you in His Father's presence (Luke 9:26). Christ is the fountain of living waters, anyone who drinks of it shall have life to the fullest (John 4:13). How will your life be like without Christ at the end of time (Revelation 20:11-15)?

Prayer:  Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. AMEN!