A Heart That Loves God

For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

~ Hosea 6:6

No amount of activity for God will ever take the place of a heart that is right with Him.

Through the ages God's people have been persuaded that they could please Him through their service and their offerings, regardless of their heart condition.

King Saul offered generous sacrifices, hoping God would overlook his disobedience.

( ~ 1 Samuel 15:22-23 )

David may have assumed that after all he had done on God's behalf, God would overlook his sin

( ~ 2 Samuel 12:7-15 )

Ananias and Sapphira thought that their generous gift to the church would compensate for their deceitfulness

( ~ Acts 5:1-11 )

Paul was certainly one who had thought his zealousness would please God.

After his conversion, however, he concluded that even if he had faith to remove mountains, gave all he had to feed the poor, and offered his body to be burned for the sake of God, and yet had a heart that was not right, it would all be for nothing

( ~ 1 Corinthians 13:1-3)

We are susceptible to the same misunderstanding as all of these people were.

We can be deceived into assuming God is more interested in our activity for Him than He is in the condition of our hearts.

God has consistently made clear that He will not be pacified by even the most generous offerings and zealous service if our hearts are not right with Him

( ~ Micah 6:6-8 )

No matter how much we do in God's service, regardless of how active we are in our church, no matter how honorable our reputation in the Christian community,

He will not overlook a sinful heart

His desire is that we devote ourselves to knowing Him and...

Loving Him With All Of Our Hearts

Psalm 42:11 BSB
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.

📖 Bibleverse of the Day 🌻✨️🌝
Wednesday – September 3, 2025

"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."
~ 1 Corinthians 13:13 KJB

Charity is the greatest form of love there is. It surpasses all other forms of love and is completely selfless. And it is what God calls us to....

Have a very blessed day 🙏🏽 🕊

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WHO DID JESUS HANG OUT WITH & WHO DID HE EXCLUDE ?

Jesus hung out with outcasts because he was creating a model of how to build his Church, one lost sheep at a time.

Jesus did not operate within the parameters dictated by his culture.


Jesus did not operate within the parameters dictated by his culture.

He sought the crippled and disease-ridden, and any whom society had deemed unworthy, disreputable, and morally wrong in their lifestyle choices.

They were the ones who were lost, lonely, and in pain, and willing to admit it.

He even surrounded himself with a ragtag group of sinners to be in his inner circle.

By reaching out to those considered beyond reach, he taught and led as a living example of the

“will of God”

Society sees people according to stereotypes.

Jesus, however...

aw each individual’s needs instead of the labels society slapped upon them.

Even when Jesus taught to the masses, he always made time to reach out to the individual outcast.

He was moved to extend mercy and compassion towards

“sinners”

Because he knew they needed a Savior.

The account of the

“woman at the well”

Details that need for a Savior.

The woman was a Samaritan, hated and rejected as an outcast of the worst type, especially by the Jews.

Yet Jesus and his followers — all of whom were Jewish — made a point to walk through Samaria.

Following the will of God...

Jesus decided to stop and rest at one of the Samaritan wells.

He struck up a conversation with a woman — a sinner and an outcast.

They had a lengthy conversation which included acknowledging her adulterous life.

By the end of their talk, Jesus declared Himself the Messiah and she gratefully accepted that revelation.

Not finished with his work, he headed into town with the woman and hung out with the villagers for two additional days

( ~ John 41:1-42 )

Jesus modelled the same redemptive vision when he met Matthew, a tax collector

( ~ Matthew 9:9-10 )

Tax collectors during that time were notorious thieves and swindlers.

However...

This generalization didn’t stop Jesus from reaching out to Matthew

Or from eating dinner with him and other disreputable individuals of society.

The same scenario repeated itself in another town, with a different tax collector named Zacchaeus

( ~ Luke 19:1-10 )

His choice of company upset many of the religious leaders of the time and they taunted Jesus for His actions.

In response...

Jesus gave one of his more notable teachings:




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Part 2 / 3



"But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance". 

~ Matthew 9:12-13


This passage explains Jesus' philosophy of ministry, highlighting that the spiritually healthy don't need a doctor, but those who recognize their sin and sickness do. 

He emphasizes God's desire for mercy over ritualistic sacrifice and clarifies that his mission is to invite sinners to repent, not to associate with the self-righteous. 


All throughout recorded history humans have feared groups of people that are different. I believe this is why Jesus went to such lengths to correct this faulty line of thinking.

He accomplished this through his example and by highlighting the most important commandment in Scripture:

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."


~ Matthew 22:37-40

Most of the religious leaders agreed this was the greatest of all the commandments.

Yet...

how to live by that commandment was something they only understood in partiality.

One religious leader, wanting Jesus to justify his actions, asked...

“Who is my neighbor?”

Known for telling a story to drive a point home, Jesus told the parable of the

“Good Samaritan”

( ~ Luke 10:30-37 )

A man was beaten and robbed.

Two men, a priest and a temple assistant, walked past the man.

They even crossed to the other side of the street out of fear.

A third man, a Samaritan, also an outcast as we have seen above, came upon the beaten man and immediately offered assistance by caring for his wounds and paying for him to stay in an inn to have time to heal.

The fear that led the priest and temple assistant to ignore the beaten man is still prevalent today.

It is our nature to avoid situations and people that make us uncomfortable.

But the story shows us that our neighbor is anyone — even someone with different religious and moral beliefs, an outcast, a rebel, or even our enemy.

Jesus demonstrates how we should always show compassion and mercy towards others.

He left us with one more crucial commandment:

To go into all nations to teach and baptize people

(Matthew 28:19-20)

Not just those who think, dress, and act like us.

All people, of all nations.

Which leaves us with a question:

Are we following Jesus according to the example he set and the words he taught?

Following Jesus isn’t easy.

It wasn’t either when he walked the earth.

To live as Jesus did will potentially put us, as his followers, into harm’s way.

It will require us to trust him no matter what our fears may be.

If we are to be his hands and feet today, perhaps that means going into uncomfortable places and meeting people who are very different from us.

Just remember, you don’t go alone.

God is with you, no matter the response.

You will be living out God’s will by stepping out in faith, just as Jesus did.




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In fact...

He described His purpose like this:

"Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division"

~ Luke 12:51

He went on to predict that even families would be divided against each other because of Him.

He said in Matthew's gospel...

"I didn't come to bring peace but a sword"

He didn't mince words, and He wasn't afraid to address people's pet sins.

After all...

We're talking about the One who will eventually separate people into two groups:

sheep and goats

(Talk about labels!)

In fact...

Jesus will return to judge every single person who has ever lived...even you and me.


Did Jesus label people?

Here are some scriptures that lists the labels Jesus used :

Enemies
(~ Matthew 5:44)

Pagans
( ~ Matthew 5:47)

Devil
( ~ John 6:70)

Robbers
( ~ John 10:8)

Hypocrites
(~ Matthew 6:2)

Thieves
( ~ Matthew 6:20)

Sinful generation
( ~ Mark 8:38)

Adulterous generation
( ~ Mark 8:38)

Dogs
( ~ Matthew 7:6)

Pigs
( ~ Matthew 7:6)

Evil man
( ~ Luke 6:45)

Unbelieving
( ~ Luke 9:41)

Perverse
( ~ Luke 9:41)

Foolish people
( ~ Luke 11:39)

False prophets
( ~ Matthew 7:15)

Dead
( ~ Matthew 8:22)

Unclean
( ~ Mark 7:23)

Wolves
( ~ Matthew 10:16)

Blind guides
( ~ Matthew 15:14)

Satan
( ~ Matthew 16:24)

Perverse generation
( ~ Matthew 17:17)

Murderers
( ~ Matthew 22:7)

Whitewashed tombs
( ~ Matthew 23:27)

Serpents
( ~ Matthew 23:27)

Brood of vipers
( ~ Matthew 23:33)

Cursed
( ~ Matthew 25:41)

​
Did Jesus exclude people?

In
~ Matthew 21:12-17

And
~ John 2:13-22

Jesus drove the money-changers out of the temple for making God's house a

"den of robbers."

In John's account, he used a handmade whip and also turned over their tables.

In
~ Luke 10

Jesus condemned three entire cities to hell.

He pronounced

"Woe"

Upon the cities of...

Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum

And explained that the day of judgment will be more tolerable for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah

(famously destroyed by fire from heaven for their immorality and their blatant rejection of God's ways)

Than it will be for them.

In
~ Matthew 7:22-23

Jesus explains that anyone who does not do the will of His Father will be excluded with these words:

"I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."

​When considering the exclusive nature of Jesus, we can't ignore the book of

~ Revelation

In His letter to the church at Thyatira in chapter 2

He actually criticized the church for the sin of tolerance.

They were

"tolerating"

The false prophetess Jezebel, and He went on to pronounce judgment on her.

​The bottom line....

Of course...

This is just one aspect of who Jesus is.

Jesus is unapologetically intolerant of sin

But He is all-inclusive in His offer of salvation for those who repent and put their faith in Him.

It's important that we understand Jesus the way the Bible actually presents Him

And not in a caricatured way.

He was divisive and exclusive

But...

HE WAS ALSO THE MOST COMPASSIONATE, SELFLESS, AND TRUTHFUL PERSON TO EVER WALK THE EARTH

TRUST IN HIM

📖 Bibleverse of the Day ✨️🌆✨️
Thursday – September 4, 2025

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be given you:"
~ Matthew 7:7 KJB

When you can bring yourself to ask God for what you are lacking according to His will, to how God sees it fit in your life, you can't go wrong. For it's not our will, but God's will be done in our lives...

Have a blessed day 🙏🏽🕊

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

James 1:5

📖 Bibleverse of the Day ⛅️ 🛻 ✨️
Friday – September 5, 2025

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
~ Romans 8:1 KJB

When we have surrendered ourselves to Christ Jesus fully and invited Him fully into our hearts, we shall walk with Him by the Spirit of God instead of just in our human bodies alone...

Remember: Seek ye first the kingdom of God 😉

Have a blessed day 🙏🏽🕊

Good night 😴 🥱 🌃 🌙 ✨️
Have a Blessed Night 😊

Good morning/ afternoon beloved family. Another beautiful day to give God praise. May your day be sweet and peaceful. Have a blessed day in the Lord everyone. Love you🤗💖💕

Psalm 46:1-5 KJV
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. [2] Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; [3] Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. [4] There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. [5] God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

Enjoy listening to this beautiful song here below 👇🏽🙏🏽🕊

https://youtu.be/oqI3ZFKlvNY?si=PHd1331eP470-Zg0

📖 Bibleverse of the Day 🏵 🌄 🍂
Saturday – September 6, 2025

"For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding."
~ Proverbs 2:6 KJB

The Lord our God gives us the wisdom via His Spirit we need in our day to day lives. So whenever you lack knowledge and understanding – seek Him, seek God. He shall lead the way...

Have a blessed day 🤲🏽🙏🏽🕊

° ᵗᵃᵖ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱᵐᵃᵍᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ⁱᵗ ⁱⁿ ᶠᵘˡˡ °

In Matthew 9:15-17, Jesus said:

"Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch would tear away from the garment, and a worse hole is made. Neither do people put new wine into old wine skins, or else the skins would burst, and the wine be spilled, and the skins ruined. No, they put new wine into fresh wine skins, and both are preserved."


Jesus was speaking to the religious leaders who couldn't understand the newness of His message

The

"old garment" and "old wineskins"

Represent the rigid systems, traditions, and mindsets that cannot contain the fresh, transforming power of the Gospel

Jesus wasn't rejecting the Old Covenant but fulfilling it

Ushering in a new way of living through grace, not law

For us today...

This is a call to embrace the transformation Jesus brings

Just like old wineskins can't handle new wine...

We can't cling to our old ways of thinking, living, or believing if we want to experience the fullness of what He offers

The Gospel demands a change-new hearts, new priorities, and a willingness to let go of what no longer fits

What Does This Teach Us?

Transformation is Essential...

Jesus brings something
Entirely New

And we must be willing to change to receive it

Let Go of Old Ways...

Clinging to past habits, traditions, or mindsets that don't align with His message will hold us back

Growth Requires Flexibility...

Just as new wine expands...

God's work in us stretches and grows

We must stay open to His leading



Bottom Line Is...

Jesus Is Calling Us To Leave Behind The Old And Step Into The New

He Invites Us To Be

"FRESH WINESKINS"

OPEN, FLEXIBLE, AND READY TO RECEIVE HIS TRANSFORMING GRACE



The Question Is...

Are We Willing To Let Go Of

The Old To Make Room

For The New?

~ Ecclesiastes

The purpose of life isn't found in the fleeting accomplishments, pleasures, or knowledge of this world, as these are ultimately "vanity" or meaningless.

The true purpose of human existence is to fear God, to live in awe of Him, and to keep His commandments, recognizing that He is sovereign and will bring everything to judgment.

This leads to finding enduring hope and satisfying joy through fellowship with God, rather than seeking it solely in His gifts.

📖 Bibleverse of the Day 🐦 🍃 🌼
Sunday – September 7, 2025

"Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy upon me, and answer me."
~ Psalm 27:7 KJB

Only when we listen to God, will God listen to us...

Have a blessed day 🙏🏽🕊

° ᵗᵃᵖ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱᵐᵃᵍᵉ ᵗᵒ ˢᵉᵉ ⁱᵗ ⁱⁿ ᶠᵘˡˡ °

“For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.”

~ Psalm 107:9



The Bible cries out with an essential and recurring truth:

God quenches the thirst and satisfies the hunger of those who genuinely seek him

Jesus even said in his Sermon on the Mount:


"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled"

~ Matthew 5:6



We try to soothe the ache in our souls and fill the emptiness in our hearts

With what is only a temporary satisfaction

An ache and emptiness that only God's presence can fill

Let's refuse every false satisfaction and tempting distraction

And truly seek the Lord who alone can satisfy our spiritual thirst and fill the emptiness and hunger of our hearts

There IS a God-shaped hole in all of us that only he can fill!