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Articles by Traci Huff

Heart Matters: A Sincere Heart

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But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; 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, NASB

 

A Sincere Heart

I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.

Hosea 6:6, NLT

broken-heartAn apology was definitely in order, and I wasn’t going to be satisfied until I heard the words, I’m sorry. What had started as a minor disagreement between two of my sons over the proper way to build a fort with couch cushions had quickly escalated into something more: a shouting match with insults being hurled at one another. One brother was quick to see his faulty behavior and offered a sincere apology, but the other one not so much. In fact, he flat out refused. Out of frustration, “You will sit on that couch until you say ‘You’re sorry!’” came out of my mouth. With his eyes fixed on the floor, his lips pursed, and his voice hushed, he gave his brother the apology I had demanded, and he bounced off the couch and back up the stairs.

Sure, he had done what I had told him to do. He had fulfilled the requirement and he had moved on. But void of any emotion, I was hardly satisfied with the apology. I wanted him to realize his faulty choices. I wanted more than outward obedience: I wanted inward change. I wanted to see a sincere heart.

As I watched him bound up the steps, feeling proud of himself that he had fulfilled his “requirement,” I felt conviction stirring in my soul. I, too, am guilty of this same behavior with God: I pat myself on the back after putting a check mark on my spiritual to-do list and then bound off to get on with my day.

Prayer? Check.

Bible study? Check.

Church on Sunday? Check.

Offering in the plate? Check.

The spiritual to-do list could go on and on, but God doesn’t want mere outward obedience: He wants our hearts. Empty actions borne of an empty heart are not pleasing to Him, nor do they accomplish anything. Just as I wanted the apology to come from a sincere heart, He wants our actions to come from a place of sincerity as well, not from obligation, duty, or guilt.

If today you’re finding your spiritual life is leaning more toward obligation than worship, it’s OK. We’ve all been there, but we should desire something far greater: a heart that loves and adores our Creator.

Today, let’s take the time to seek Him through prayer and reading His word. Let’s confess our faulty attitude, and ask Him to replace those feelings with the love and adoration He desires and deserves.

Amazed by His grace,

Traci

Heart Matters: A Check-Up

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But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; 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, NASB

 

A Check-Up

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Psalm 139:23-24, NLT

file1361301586907As both a new bride and a relatively new believer, my husband and I attended a Nearly/Newlywed class at our church. One Sunday morning, our teacher asked us to think about some recent conflicts with our spouse, confess our fault in the conflict, and seek forgiveness from both our spouse and from God. Recalling a conflict was the easy part because we had a few to choose from, but the hard part was admitting that I was in any way responsible for said conflict because I always believed it was his fault. The end.

Do you think I struggled with pride? Bless his heart.

Clearly, this wasn’t our teacher’s first barbecue, and he could read my body language like a book. He gently reminded our class (or maybe just me) to ask the Lord to search our hearts if we weren’t coming up with something right away because we most likely had some unconfessed sin in how we related to our spouse. I did so hesitantly because did I mention that it I was always right? However, within moments of giving the Lord access to my heart, conviction from the Holy Spirit flooded my soul as I realized there was SO MUCH sin in my heart.

I had believed the lie that since I didn’t lie, cheat, steal, or kill people that I was OK. I was a good person!

I had become comfortable with the pride, selfishness, and disrespect that had taken up residence in my heart, and the constant companion of unforgiveness had gone completely unnoticed.

Few people would disagree with the benefits of a regular physical exam by our doctor, but what about a regular heart check with the Great Physician who not only knows our hearts, but created them?

Maybe today you see no danger in harboring a “little” sin that has become a constant companion, but in the eyes of our Holy God, sin is sin and must be dealt with.

Today is a great day for a spiritual check-up. Will you allow Him to search your heart?

Amazed by His grace,

Traci

What Am I Doing Here?: Where’s the Delete Button?

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Having been made in the image of God, our hearts have been set by Him on eternity. Rooted in each heart is a God-given desire to impact the world around us. But in the midst of endless distractions, countless opportunities to live out our purpose can go unnoticed each and every day. Stick around this week as we look at how we live our day-to-day lives in a way that points others to the cross.

 

Where’s the Delete Button?

Blessed be the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NASB

fridayAlthough imaginary and invisible to others, I wore a scarlet letter for years. The letter “I.” Overwhelmed with the shame of being unable to have children, I did my best to hide the pain associated with infertility. Becoming pregnant with my children was very difficult and my scars ran deep. Praise God, I have been blessed with three biological children, but the road to get there was anything but easy.

There was a time when I would have gladly just deleted that entire season had there been a delete button. Truthfully, in many ways I did. It was something that was rarely mentioned. I did my best to push that season aside because it was just too painful. Even when another woman, far braver than I, would mention being in a similar situation I could barely admit my struggles. Thankfully, I don’t write my story, and there are no scars too deep or seasons too difficult for God to redeem.

You have those stories too. Everyone does. We carry our burdens and try to hide our scars from the poor choices we’ve made or simply from the circumstances of living in this world. Seasons of life have been endured that are just too hard to even think about, let alone talk about. But God …

Thankfully, we serve a Heavenly Father that forgives instead of condemns (Romans 8:1) and makes all things new (2 Corinthians 5:17), as He turns the ashes of our broken lives into a beautiful story of redemption and grace (Isaiah 61:3). God uses the brokenness of our lives as powerful testimonies of His faithfulness.

As we walk through seasons of brokenness, despair, and heartache, He is with us, pouring His grace over us. Lifting us out of the pits of despair, He sets our feet on solid ground and steadies us along the way (Psalm 40:2). Near to us when our hearts are broken, He saves us when our spirits are crushed (Psalm 34:18). He guards our hearts in the midst of it all with a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Praise Him!

His gift of grace and comfort have been freely given to us, and His gift is meant to be shared. By offering comfort and encouragement to others who may be struggling in the same manner we did, the love of Christ is shared with someone who desperately needs it. I’m so grateful to those who have bravely poured their comfort over me during difficult seasons: pointing me to Christ along the way. Maybe others have done the same for you?

Nothing happens in this life that God can’t turn around and use for His good. How can God use your brokenness for His glory?

Comforted by Christ,

Traci