Psalm 119:36

Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to selfish gain.

"Incline my heart"

My heart represents the seat of my feelings and emotions. My mind is the seat of my reason and intellect. Why not incline my mind rather than my heart? Because my heart is much harder to turn than my mind. Reason shows me that the truths of God are better than anything or anyone else. My mind easily follows that train of thought. But my heart has strong desires, and not always good ones. This is a plea to the Lord for Him to bend my HEART towards His truths. My mind is already there.

"Selfish gain"

Do I speak more of God's truths and His person more than I do myself? When I tell stories, is He the theme or do I shine brighter? So many times I hear myself telling of what has happened lately, but I do not recall centering it on the Father and what HE has done in my life lately. It is what I have done in my life. I also have heard myself telling someone else my testimony, and I seem to remember alot of detail about my life and but not alot about the eternal. Oh, sure, I bring God up and point Him out. But is my Listener going to remember me or remember what God has done for and through me? When I bring God up, what is my tone of voice and the expression on my face? Does my voice pick up in excitement and do my eyes sparkle? Am I truly giving glory to God? Or am I just speaking words to make sure I am seen as giving glory to Him?

May my heart be after His truths as I advance Him, not myself.