Purpose of heart
When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. Acts 11:23
If I could choose any message to share with you today, it would be this: I would want to encourage you all to purpose in your heart to continue with the LORD! It is my hearts desire for myself and all of God’s people. It is the reason that I write the Daily Dose and that I choose to write encouraging content as often as possible. I know what it is like to live far from God and I can tell you with all sincerity that being close to Him is the best way to walk out this life. I don’t just mean going to church once a week or twice a month. I am talking about daily pressing in to follow His direction for your path each day.
This is the message that Barnabas encouraged the Christians at Antioch with in today’s reading. He was so blessed to see God’s grace in operation at that place and when he saw it, he encourages them to keep it up and never let go of following the Lord closely. It was vital for the church back then because of the strain and persecution they all were facing each day.
It is also equally important for the church today. In the days we live in, our world is a combustible place. Anger, rage, jealousies and attacks are continual news headlines. As God’s people, we need to step away from the things of this world system that are holding us to it. Things such as debt, habits, binges, unhealthy living and addictions (legal or not). The way to remove or purge out the unclean thing is to fill up instead with God’s word, love and Spirit. Replace those sticky vices with personal time with God, worship and praise, and feeding on His word and goodness.
1 John 3:3 tells us that everyone who has this hope in Him (of His return) purifies himself, just as He is pure. As believers, we have the hope of His return inside of us. We should be looking for the day when we will meet Him in the clouds. Not because we want to escape this sinful world (although that is understandable) but because according to this scripture, it is the way we can live a purified life. Always being prepared for the day that we will be with Him.
Today I want to encourage you that with purpose of heart you continue with the LORD, day by day until His return. Make a daily appointment to spend quiet time with Him each day. Put it on your schedule and considerate the most important appointment of the day that you cannot miss because it is. Seek first God’s kingdom agenda and His righteousness because you are a citizen of heaven and take back any area of your life that the enemy has seemingly stolen away from you in Jesus name. In these last days, remember that our Lord is coming back to get us and allow that meditation to purify you as you prepare to live with Him forever.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 11:19-26
19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.
20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.
23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.
24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.
26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
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