Tag: sincerity

April 4, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

It’s Not the Act, It’s the Intent

Opening Verse

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.”
— Proverbs 21:2 (KJV)

Introduction

Many people think that if their actions look good, that’s enough. But God doesn’t just look at what we do—He looks deeper. He sees why we do it. It’s not just the act that matters to God; it’s the heart behind it.

Devotional Story

There was a young woman who gave to the poor every month. She made sure to post about it online, tagging her church and using popular Scriptures as captions. Everyone thought she was generous, kind, and spiritually mature. But behind closed doors, her heart was far from God. She often mocked the very people she helped, seeing them as beneath her.

Across town, there was a man who quietly slipped envelopes of cash into struggling families’ mailboxes. He told no one. No hashtags. No photos. He even skipped church sometimes out of shame for his past. But every act of kindness came from a heart broken by his own sin and desperate to honor Christ in secret.

Which one did God approve of?

Jesus answered that very question in Matthew 6:1:

“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.”

What This Means

God doesn’t just want our hands—He wants our hearts. You can do the right thing for the wrong reason and miss the mark completely. You can preach, give, or serve, but if it’s done for attention, praise, or guilt, it doesn’t please Him. But even the smallest act, done with a heart that loves Jesus, is seen and rewarded by God.

This is urgent—because many will one day say, “Lord, didn’t we do all these things in Your name?” and Jesus will reply, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:22-23). Why? Because their intent was never truly for Him.

Think About This

  • Are your actions for Christ or for credit?

  • If no one saw what you did, would you still do it?

  • What does God see when He looks past your deeds and into your heart?

Prayer

Lord, search my heart and show me the truth. Cleanse me from false motives. Let everything I do be for Your glory and not my own. Teach me to live with eternity in mind, not applause. I want to please You, not people. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” — Jeremiah 17:9-10 (KJV)

February 15, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

A Pattern of Good Works

Opening Verse

“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,”
— Titus 2:7 (KJV)

Introduction

God calls His people to live in such a way that their lives become an example to others. Whether in speech, actions, or doctrine, we are to reflect the character of Christ with integrity and sincerity. The world is watching, and our testimony matters.

Devotional Story

A man worked at a small repair shop, fixing watches and clocks. He was known for his honesty, always charging fair prices and never cutting corners.

One day, a customer came in with an expensive watch that had stopped working. After examining it, the man realized it only needed a simple adjustment—something the customer wouldn’t have known. He could have charged a high fee, but instead, he told the truth: “It’s just a minor fix. No charge.”

The customer was stunned. “You could have made money off me, but you chose honesty. Why?”

The repairman smiled. “I answer to God first. If I am not honest in little things, how can I expect His blessing in bigger ones?”

This small act of integrity left a lasting impression. The customer later returned, not just for repairs, but with questions about faith. A simple decision to walk in truth opened the door for the gospel.

What This Means

Our lives preach louder than our words. When we choose honesty, integrity, and righteousness in all we do, we shine as lights in a dark world. People may not always listen to our words, but they will watch our actions. Be a pattern of good works—because someone is always watching.

Think About This

  • Do your actions reflect Christ even when no one is looking?
  • How can you demonstrate sincerity and truth in your daily life?
  • Would someone be drawn to Jesus by observing your behavior?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to live as an example of Your truth and righteousness. Let my actions reflect Your love, and may my life be a testimony of integrity and sincerity. Keep my heart pure and my doctrine uncorrupt, so that I may lead others to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
— Matthew 5:16 (KJV)

September 22, 2024 Devotional Post a Comment

Worship with a True Heart

Opening Verse

“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”
—John 4:23 (KJV)

Introduction

Worship is a personal connection with God, and it should come from a genuine heart. The Bible calls us to worship in spirit and truth, not just by following others. Just as each person is uniquely created, so is their worship. It reflects their relationship with God, which is deeply personal and meaningful. We are warned not to be like the Pharisees, who appeared righteous outwardly but were far from God in their hearts.

Devotional Story

A man once attended a service where everyone seemed to worship in the same way—lifting their hands, shouting, and dancing. He felt pressured to mimic the others, thinking that if he didn’t worship like them, his devotion was lacking. But deep inside, he knew that God wanted him to express his love in his own way. One day, he decided to stay true to his personal form of worship, quietly praying and bowing his head. As he did, he felt a deep peace, knowing that God was pleased with his sincerity.

This experience taught him that true worship is not about outward displays or following what others do. It’s about connecting with God in the way that is authentic for you. Jesus Himself condemned the Pharisees for performing religious acts for the sake of appearances while their hearts were far from God.

What This Means

God looks at the heart, not the outward actions. Worship is about authenticity, and God sees your heart even when others don’t. Just because someone worships differently from you doesn’t mean their way is right or wrong—everyone has their personal journey with God. Don’t be a Pharisee who seeks to impress people; instead, seek to please God with a pure heart.

Think About This

Is your worship more about outward appearances or an inward connection with God? Reflect on your personal relationship with Him and how you can express that in worship. Ask yourself: Are you worshiping to be seen by others, or are you worshiping because you genuinely love and honor God?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to worship You with a true and sincere heart. Teach me not to mimic others but to express my love for You in a way that is honest and personal. Let my worship be a reflection of my relationship with You, full of spirit and truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.”
—Matthew 23:27 (KJV)

September 16, 2024 Devotional Post a Comment

Be Yourself, Not a Copy

Opening Verse

“For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7, KJV)

Introduction

It’s easy to feel jealous of others sometimes. We see someone who seems to have it all—popularity, success, and admiration—and we think that if we act like them or look like them, we can have the same life. But what we often forget is that it’s not the outward appearance that truly draws people in. It’s something deeper.

Devotional Story

There was once a young man who admired his friend. This friend seemed to have everything—a great job, many friends, and everyone loved being around him. The young man thought to himself, “If only I could dress like him, speak like him, and do the things he does, then I will be liked too.”

So he started copying everything. He bought the same clothes, adopted the same mannerisms, and even tried to say the same things. But to his surprise, people didn’t react the same way. Instead of drawing people closer, they seemed distant and unsure around him.

After weeks of frustration, he finally asked his friend, “Why isn’t this working for me? I’ve done everything you do, but I still feel invisible.”

His friend smiled kindly and said, “It’s not the clothes or the way I talk that make people want to be around me. It’s the love in my heart for them. I genuinely care about people, and that’s what they respond to.”

What This Means

We often get caught up in appearances, thinking that if we can mimic someone’s outside, we will gain what they have. But God reminds us in His Word that He doesn’t look at the outside—He looks at the heart. What truly attracts others is a heart filled with love, kindness, and sincerity. If we focus on becoming the person God created us to be, instead of copying others, we will find that the right people are drawn to us naturally.

Think About This

  • Have you ever tried to copy someone else, thinking it would make you more popular or successful?
  • What qualities of your heart can you focus on that reflect the love of Christ?
  • How can you be more genuine with those around you?

Prayer

Dear Lord, help me to remember that You care more about my heart than my outward appearance. Teach me to love others from a sincere heart, and to be the person You created me to be, not a copy of someone else. Fill me with Your love and kindness so that I may draw people closer to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” (John 13:34, KJV)