1 John 3:20b                                                                    For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

His heart and thoughts toward me are greater than my own.  My thoughts in comparison are very puny.

Love comes in unexpected packages sometimes.  He gave the Ten Commandments in love - in an uncertain and dangerous world.  They weren't spoken with tender, flowery words.  He knew that following them would bring blessings, life, peace, and a secure future.  

Just as the Israelites needed to prepare to hear them, so do we need to prepare to hear Him!

 

 

 

Exodus 19:9-15

The LORD said to Moses, "I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you." Then Moses told the LORD what the people had said.  And the LORD said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and be ready by the third day, because on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, 'Be careful that you do not go up the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. He shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on him. Whether man or animal, he shall not be permitted to live.' Only when the ram's horn sounds a long blast may they go up to the mountain."  After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. Then he said to the people, "Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain from sexual relations."

We need to rid our hearts of the clutter and make room to be available for Him.  

Luke 8:14

The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.

This talks  about the things that may be our "clutter."  "Worry, riches, responsibility, pleasures of life."  Unconfessed sin may also be part of our clutter.  Clutter is anything that chokes out our faith.  

Psalm 139: 23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

We need to have our hearts and consciences clean, and to pray as David did. 

1 John 1:8-9

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Sin doesn't stop God from giving - it stops me from receiving.

In order for God to cleanse my heart, I have to: 

1.)come out of hiding

2.)open my heart to Him

3.)agree with Him about my sin

1 John 2:20

 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

Because of an annointing, I can know the truth.  I must let it "abide" in me - and I will abide in the Son and the Father. 

1 John 2:27 

As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit--just as it has taught you, remain in him.

 The Holy Spirit teaches me truth and abides in me.

1 John 3:19-24

This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence  whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.  Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God  and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do  what pleases him.  And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

Keeping His commandments is pleasing in His sight, and He will bless us by answering our prayers.  If we keep His commandments, we abide in them , and He in us.  I know that because of the Holy Spirit!

 1 John 5: 2-5

This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.  This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,  for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Obeying His commands is how we show Him our love.

2 John :6

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.