With All Your Heart

Leviticus 7
Acts 11

Food for Life:

Leviticus 7
When I read Leviticus, I'm reminded of the heart. "Do it with all your heart, put your heart into it, give it all you got!" Why do we use these expressions? What are we wanting to convey? It has to do with the difference between going through the motions, being on auto-pilot and putting our full weight, our whole being into whatever we are doing or saying. There is something about watching an athlete, a dramatic performance, or receiving an expression of thanks and gratitude that can be exhilarating and powerful ...or it can be dull, boring, and lifeless. The same words and actions can effect us differently when they are done from the heart - with passion as opposed to when they are done as perfunctory obligations or 'business as usual.'
It is so with our relationship with the Lord. God looks at our hearts and knows when we are playing a part, going through the motions, or when we are before Him putting our full weight before Him, seeking Him our whole heart.
"Lord, today fill us with Your Spirit, empowering us to seek with all our hearts. Help us to speak and act in ways that reflect Your heart, fulfilling Your purposes and plan. Thank You Lord."

Acts 11
"When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He [Barnabas] was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord" (11:23,24).
Antioch, the city 3rd largest city in the Roman world, is where we were first called "Christians." It is where Barnabas was sent by Peter (and other disciples) after Peter explained to the believers in Jerusalem that God was also the God, and Jesus the Savior, of the Gentiles. Barnabas saw evidence of the grace of God in Antioch. Do we recognize the grace of God in our midst? In our own lives? And see it as evidence of the Presence of Christ unto salvation and growth in Christ - the spreading of the Kingdom of God?
What is grace? Grace is the gift of God that we can not earn; we don't have the ability to do so. Grace is "unmerited favor" from the Lord. The Scripture says that "where sin increased, grace [is able] increased more" (Romans 5:20)! Hallelujah!
I don't know about you, but I'm am so grateful and in awe of the grace of God! Just think, when I (you) was dead in my (your) sin, God loved me and extended His grace to me which when I received Him, I was made alive through forgiveness and set free, being filled with the Holy Spirit! And today, as I struggle with my own weakness/ temptation, as I look around and see the destruction, pain, and hurt swirling around me - in this world - I can call upon the Lord, asking for His grace (and mercy) to increase even as sin increases!
"Lord, just as in the days at Antioch, reveal Yourself in the midst of our sin - so that we might see Your grace increase...give us eyes to see where You are at work, what You are doing, and strengthen us to join You Lord! Help us to give to those around us even in the same way Barnabas gave to those around him. Let us see many brought to You Lord, through the power that lives within us and as You pour out Your Spirit. Even so, come Lord Jesus, come."