Thoughts on how to begin this Year

Here is a beautiful verse from the book of Psalms,

"SEARCH ME, O GOD, AND KNOW MY HEART: TRY ME, AND KNOW MYTHOUGHTS: AND SEE IF THERE BE ANY WICKED WAY IN ME, AND LEAD ME IN THE WAYEVERLASTING." (PSA 139:23-24)

To make the bestout of this year and to use the opportunities that God gives us is we must besure that our hearts are right before Him. In 1 Sam. 13:14, David is described as being aman after God's heart. That means that he was a man who desired to know and dothe will of God. In Psalms 139 - 23: 24, David asks God to do three things in his life. If we wouldsincerely ask God to do the same things in our lives. We might also beconsidered as a person who seeks after God's heart.

I. "Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart..."

A. The heart is thecenter of our life.

B. (Prov4:23) "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues oflife."

C. (1 Sam16:7) "But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or onthe height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth notas man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD lookethon the heart."

D. David asks Godto search him and see what is in his heart.
1. God already knew what was in his heart.
2. David asks God to reveal it to him.
3. That God would make him conscious of any wrong desires or motives that mighthinder the blessings of God upon his life.

E. We ought to do the same.
1. We should ask God to look into the very center of our lives.
2. And ask that He reveal to us anything in our hearts that might prevent usfrom being what we need to be in this coming year.
II. "...Try Me, And Know My Thoughts..."

A. Next David asksGod to literally put him to the test.
1. Much the same as we test and prove metals to evaluate their purity.

2. Gold is heatedtime and again to bring all the impurities to the surface where they can beremoved.

3. that is whatDavid is asking God to do. (1 PET 1:7) "THATTHE TRIAL OF YOUR FAITH, BEING MUCH MORE PRECIOUS THAN OF GOLD THAT PERISHETH,THOUGH IT BE TRIED WITH FIRE, MIGHT BE FOUND UNTO PRAISE AND HONOUR AND GLORYAT THE APPEARING OF JESUS CHRIST:" 

B. David prayed that God might know his very thoughts.
1. Read his mind.
2. When David said, "See if there be any wicked way in me."
3. He wasn't challenging God to try to find an area of wickedness; he wasasking God to show them to him that he might confess and repent before God.
III. "...Lead Me in the Way Everlasting."

A. David asks Godfor direction and guidance. (PROV 14:12) "THEREIS A WAY WHICH SEEMETH RIGHT UNTO A MAN, BUT THE END THEREOF ARE THE WAYS OFDEATH." 
B. If we want to be used of God...want to have a heart after God...we must seekHim.
1. That means we must admit that we need His direction in our lives.
2. We must be willing to follow His leadership.
3. He has given us a Guide.

(JOHN 16:13) "HOWBEIT WHEN HE, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, ISCOME, HE WILL GUIDEYOU INTO ALL TRUTH: FOR HE SHALL NOT SPEAK OF HIMSELF; BUT WHATSOEVER HE SHALL HEAR, THAT SHALL HE SPEAK: AND HE WILL SHOW YOU THINGS TOCOME." 
The choice is ours. Do we want to have the blessings of God upon our lives inthis New Year? We need to be people who have a heart for God.

Search Me....TryMe.....Lead Me....O Lord.

Love& Prayers,                                         

Michael Jeremiah Knight.

"By thegrace of God I am what I am…." 1 Cor 15:10.