A Heart That Follows God
When we plant apple seeds, we expect an apple tree to grow. It’s the seed and the roots that decide what kind of tree grows in the soil.
Similarly, when we belong to God we expect goodness and righteousness to grow in our lives. It is the fruit of our actions that tells us what kind of seeds we’ve planted.
One of the ways we can identify the work of God in our life is by watching what type of fruit we produce. A sign of a growing and godly life is a heart that desires to live and act in accordance with God’s Word. Only someone who has spent time with God will produce that type of action in their life.
John cautions us to be mindful of what type of fruit our lives produce. When we truly belong to God, and we spend time with Him, our lives will naturally produce goodness and right living.
The goal is not to be prideful about how many good deeds we do, but instead, to cultivate a heart that wants to selflessly do good to others in the name of Jesus. We may not be perfect, but our hearts should desire to follow God.
Take a moment to think about your thoughts and actions over the past week. Do they reflect a heart that has been in a close relationship with God? Think of some steps you can take to create regular rhythms of spending time with God.
From Praise to Proclamation
In Psalm 105:1 we are invited on a journey—not across geography, but into the heart of God. The verse begins with worship: “Give praise to the Lord.” Before we do anything for God, we are called to behold Him. Praise lifts our eyes from our circumstances and fixes them on His faithfulness and goodness.
The verse then moves deeper: “Proclaim his name.” Worship is not meant to remain silent. As we speak His name, we remember who He is—the covenant-keeping God who acts in history, rescues His people, provides for their needs, and reveals Himself to those who seek Him (Jeremiah 29:13).
Finally, the movement turns outward: “Make known among the nations what he has done.” Praise naturally overflows into proclamation. The God we worship is the Lord of all peoples and he does all things for His Glory and our good. His works are meant to be told and retold until every nation hears and sings!
These words were first sung when the ark of God was brought into...