AUGUST 2 - Heart Check
3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 21:2–3; Psalm 88; 1 Thessalonians 4–5
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“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” — Proverbs 21:2–3
“But I, O Lord, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you.” — Psalm 88:13
“For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:9–10
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It’s easy to think we’re doing okay—especially when we're checking the boxes: going to church, helping out, being (mostly) nice. But Proverbs 21:2–3 reminds us that God isn’t just looking at what we do on the outside. He sees our hearts. That can feel intimidating, especially on the days when we’re wrestling with hard emotions, doubts, or just feel distant from Him—kind of like the raw honesty in Psalm 88, where the writer is crying out in deep pain. But the good news? God isn’t put off by our mess.
In 1 Thessalonians 5, we’re reminded that Jesus died for us—not because we had it all together, but so that we could live with Him, whether we're on fire with faith or struggling just to show up.
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THINK ABOUT IT
1. Heart Over Hype: Are you doing things to look good on the outside, or is your heart truly seeking to do what’s right in God’s eyes?
2. God Can Handle It: Psalm 88 shows someone being brutally honest with God. Do you believe God is safe to run to, even with your darkest thoughts and deepest hurts?
3. Your Hope Is Secure: In 1 Thessalonians 5, we’re reminded that salvation is God’s plan for you. How can this truth give you peace when you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure?
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BOTTOM LINE
God cares more about your heart than your performance. He welcomes your honesty, even in your pain, and He’s already made a way for you to live with Him—now and forever.
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PRAYER
Heavenly Father, Thank You for seeing my heart and still loving me completely. Help me to live in a way that pleases You, not just on the outside, but deep inside too. Teach me to come to You with honesty, like the psalmist, and to trust that my hope is secure in Jesus. Even when life is hard or I feel distant, remind me that You are near and that I belong to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
