Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Wisdom from Proverbs”
Our Bible verse for today: “The Lord’s lamp sheds light on a person’s life, searching the innermost parts.” Proverbs 20:7 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Invite God to examine your heart.”
When I read Proverbs 20:7 it reminds me of King David’s words in Psalm 139:23, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.”
That’s what Solomon was referring to in Proverbs 20:7. The Holy Spirit searches our mind and heart to discover un-confessed sins, and to show us any offensive ways we might have, and to reveal habits that need to be changed, etc. Not only is it the Spirit’s job to search us and convict us like that, but it’s also in our own best interest for Him to do it. We will only be spiritually healthy if we have regular check-ups from the Spirit.
Physically I have been blessed with good health. I’ve never had any major illnesses, I take no medicines, and overall I’m pretty healthy. I thank the Lord for that and I appreciate what a blessing it is.
But it’s also true that I make an effort to stay healthy. I try to take care of myself by eating right, exercising, and getting enough rest. I also get an annual physical. I have an excellent personal physician (Dr. James Johnson) who I go to see every year on my birthday. At that time I ask him to examine me inside and out. He does blood work, x-rays, and a variety of tests and examinations all designed to search for any signs of potential trouble and to quickly deal with them. (Search me oh Doctor and know my inner condition. See if there is any sickness within me …).
Ok, that was lame, but my point is that just as it’s not only smart but necessary to have my personal physician conduct an annual examination on my physical body in order to help me remain healthy, it’s even more important to invite the Holy Spirit to conduct periodic spiritual examinations so I can remain spiritually healthy. And just as I’m grateful for the service Dr. Johnson provides me in order to maintain my physical health, so too I should be grateful to the Holy Spirit for the work He does to help maintain my spiritual health. And, I should accept that examination just as willingly as I do the other.
Good spiritual health doesn’t just happen, we have to want it and we have to do the things necessary to achieve it and to maintain it. Inviting the Holy Spirit to examine your heart and reveal to you things that need to be dealt with is an important part of maintaining good spiritual health.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 