In 1 John 3:20, we read: “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.”
“I’m sorry, Grandfather. The more I try to be good, the more I mess up.”
“What happened?” Grandfather sat by Timmy.
“I was helping Mrs. Elliot carry her groceries to her house. She handed me a bag but before I could grab it, it slid from my hands.” His shoulders slumped. “Stuff went everywhere.”
“Anything break?”
“No sir. A few cans rolled under the car. I crawled under it to reach them."
“Okay. And then?”
"Well," he dipped his head. "I stood up, snagged my jeans pocket on a piece of metal. Ripped it off. Mrs. Elliott stood with her hands on her hips. 'Sure you can unload my groceries?'
“Sam and Johnny rode their bikes by at the same time. They yelled and laughed, made me mad.”
"So what'd you do?" Grandfather said through twitching lips.
"I'd decided to help her this morning. So I finished the job. Why'd I mess up? I was trying to help."
“You did help. Did she smile? Probably gave her something to chuckle about all day." Timmy grinned.
"Yep. And she gave me lemonade and cookies. But...?"
"Son. You disappointed yourself--your heart’s condemning you, not the Lord.”
“You asked Jesus to come in, to save you at camp, right?” He nodded.
“Your goodness can't save you. The Lord Jesus did. So your badness can’t lose you.” Timmy’s forehead creased. "The Lord Jesus knew all about you when He bought you, made you His own.”
Timmy's face brightened. “Thank you, Grandfather.”
Kingdom Thinking. God is greater than my heart. When He forgives me, it’s a done deal. He knows all about me. He promises never to leave nor forsake me and loves me with an everlasting love. Do you realize God is greater than your heart? He loves you. Won't you come to Him?
“I’m sorry, Grandfather. The more I try to be good, the more I mess up.”
“What happened?” Grandfather sat by Timmy.
“I was helping Mrs. Elliot carry her groceries to her house. She handed me a bag but before I could grab it, it slid from my hands.” His shoulders slumped. “Stuff went everywhere.”
“Anything break?”
“No sir. A few cans rolled under the car. I crawled under it to reach them."
“Okay. And then?”
"Well," he dipped his head. "I stood up, snagged my jeans pocket on a piece of metal. Ripped it off. Mrs. Elliott stood with her hands on her hips. 'Sure you can unload my groceries?'
“Sam and Johnny rode their bikes by at the same time. They yelled and laughed, made me mad.”
"So what'd you do?" Grandfather said through twitching lips.
"I'd decided to help her this morning. So I finished the job. Why'd I mess up? I was trying to help."
“You did help. Did she smile? Probably gave her something to chuckle about all day." Timmy grinned.
"Yep. And she gave me lemonade and cookies. But...?"
"Son. You disappointed yourself--your heart’s condemning you, not the Lord.”
“You asked Jesus to come in, to save you at camp, right?” He nodded.
“Your goodness can't save you. The Lord Jesus did. So your badness can’t lose you.” Timmy’s forehead creased. "The Lord Jesus knew all about you when He bought you, made you His own.”
Timmy's face brightened. “Thank you, Grandfather.”
Kingdom Thinking. God is greater than my heart. When He forgives me, it’s a done deal. He knows all about me. He promises never to leave nor forsake me and loves me with an everlasting love. Do you realize God is greater than your heart? He loves you. Won't you come to Him?