no room in the 'inn'

"And he did evil because he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord" (2 Chronicles 12:14)

Are we preparing our hearts? Do we truly have a desire to seek the Lord? Are we hungering after the deeper things of Christ in a way that compels us to make our hearts ready? Do we know how to make our hearts ready?

In today's busy whirlwind of life, we find ourselves seeking many things. Things that occupy our time and our money. Things that occupy our thoughts. Things of the world that keep us focused in the wrong direction. There is too much other stuff vying for our attention.

We have too many toys. Too many gadgets. Too many activities. Too many choices. Too many. Too much.

Therefore our minds are flooded with earthly pleasures and worldly thoughts and we haven't left any room for Jesus. We've left NO space in our minds or lives for our Lord to be able to reside.

We've made no preparation in our hearts to truly and enthusiastically seek after Him. Just as there was no room in the inn for our precious Lord, there is no room in our busy lives.

We have left out the most important person. The One who should be first and foremost in our thoughts and actions. So, how do we rectify this? How do we prepare our hearts to be able to seek after Him?

1. Fall out of bed and fall on our faces. Begin each day at the feet of Jesus. Cry out, pour out and receive a blessing and a Word! Prayer is the key to communication with God.

2. Get in His Word first thing each morning. Even if it is just for a short period of time. Begin the day with His Word and inhale the amazing fragrance of the scriptures! You can always spend more time with Him later, but always start your day with a devotion.

3. Memorize His Word. Even if you only memorize one verse per month, it will be one of the greatest blessings to you. Hiding His Word in our hearts is precious to us and to Him.

4. Commune with Him all through the day. Small prayers of praise. Little talks with God. Keep your eyes and ears tuned to Him and you will be surprised what He will reveal to you.

Oh, friends, if we are to keep ourselves from doing evil, we have to make preparation ahead of time. We have to be fully determined and purposed in our walk. We have to keep ourselves armed with the truth of the Word.

We must be actively seeking the abundant and effective Spirit-filled life that Christ desires for us.

Prepare our hearts!
Seek after Him!
Make room for Him in the 'inns' of our lives.
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Father, help us to make full preparation in our lives to be able to seek after You. Help us to have the desire to always put you first. Enable us to make good choices from the overload of "too much and too many" things that can preoccupy our minds. Fill our minds with You, Lord. Fill our hearts with longing for the abundant life of purpose and passion for our almighty Savior. Thank you for giving us your Word, that we might fill our hearts and thoughts with GOOD things. With HOLY things. With You, Lord. I pray all this in the mighty and saving name of Jesus. Amen.