Setting aside all else, let us join together this day, in oneness (wherever we may be) to worship our mighty God and Savior with praise and thanksgiving.
 
We proclaim with the Psalmist,
“I will give thanks to Thee, O LORD my God, with all my heart…”  Psalm 86:12
 
Scripture has much to say concerning the heart of man, in fact, there are hundreds of references listed in “Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance”.  We know, therefore, that the heart condition is very important.  
“Vine’s Expository Dictionary” says. “…the heart is used figuratively for the hidden springs of the personal life.”
And,
“Hastings’ Bible Dictionary” says, “The heart, as lying deep within, contains ‘the hidden man’…It represents the true character, but conceals it.”
 
I would like to share just a few verses for us to ponder.  Again, I urge you to read them in context. 
 
“…For God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”  1 Samuel 16:7
 
David to his son Solomon in 1 Chronicles 28:9,
“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understand every intent of the thoughts.  If you seek Him, He will be found by you …”
 
“If we had forgotten the name of our God,
Or extended our hands to a strange god; 
Would not God find this out?
For He knows the secrets of the heart.”  Psalm 44:20-21
 
“…A broken and a contrite heart--, 
O God, You will not despise.”  Psalm 51:17
 
The following Scripture is one that we not only should, but MUST attend to continually,
“Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it spring the issues of life.”  Proverbs 4:23
(My Emphasis)
 
In Jeremiah 17  we find what our hearts are really like, but we who fear (reverence) the Lord can depend upon Him to reveal, convict, convince and cleanse our hearts.
“The heart is more deceitful than all else
And is desperately wicked:
Who can know it?
I the LORD, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the results of his deeds.”  Jeremiah 17:9-10 
 
Keeping in mind Proverbs 4:23 and Jeremiah 17:9-10, lets look at what Jesus said,
“The good  man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.
For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”  Luke 6:45  (Also see, Matthew 12:34-35 and 15:17-19)
 
Remember, Jesus said,
“Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.”  Mathew 5:8
 
So we join with the Psalmist’s prayer,
“Search me, O God and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me;
And lead me in the everlasting way.”  Psalm 139:23-24
 
All praise and thanks to our gracious God and Savior for His grace and goodness unto us,  All glory is His!  Amen
 
So we sing:
“I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart;
I will tell of Thy wonderful deeds,
I will be glad and exalt in Him,
I will sing praise to Thy name,
O Most High.