Key Verse: 1 Samuel 16:7b
For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
The key verse points out several truths. (1) The Lord sees us! (2) Other people see us! (3) The Lord sees our hearts! (4) People see our outward appearance! Lets cover those four points starting with point four. Rather than slavishly following the latest clothing trends, let us ask God if our apparel draws undo attention to us, detracting from our witness. Three – Go ahead and wear our hearts in such a way that people see our hearts. Two – May people see in us the Person of Jesus in all His beauty. One – The old hymn says, “Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.” Here’s a link to “The Solid Rock.” The last verse has those powerful words in it. Why not sing along.
Samuel found David, who was doing his job looking after the sheep while all the rest of the family were standing around. God chooses a person whose heart is engaged with life and its responsibilities. John 15 says, “You did not choose Me, I chose you” – Jesus. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “You are a chosen people.” Why are we chosen? To “declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” (read 1 Peter 2:9-17).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I ask that everyone I meet today will see You. You live in my heart. I am, according to Your Word, the temple of the Holy Spirit. You are looking on my heart. If You see anything that should not be there, please clean it out of me now and forever. May Your love, Your joy, and Your peace be seen by all those with whom I interact. In Your Name I pray, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
When Norma-Jean gets up, I may suggest that we sing together “The Solid Rock.” While it’s true that we are joined as one flesh before God, I’ll still have to stand as an individual at the judgment of the believers. Getting up at 4 a.m. is not Norma-Jean’s calling from God. When we were first married, I asked her to get up and pray with me. That did not go over too well. She spends considerable time praying before she sleeps at night. Whereas I’m far too sleepy at night to do more than a brief, “See You in the morning Lord.” I’m asleep long before my wife finishes reading my blog for the day, the suggested Scriptures and praying. So I concluded that between the two of us, we cover more of the 24-hour clock this way! She’s a night person, and I’m a morning person. Fifty-nine years of marriage (this September), and we’re still deeply committed to each other (that’s true love!). It’s a miracle of God’s grace! Amen! As I’m typing this, she’s still sleeping soundly. I often remind Norma-Jean before I fall asleep that over and over God promises rest to the weary.
Yours for seeing our hearts as God sees our hearts,
David
Up Next in Year 1 | March
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100 Words - YR1 March 22 - BE QUIET
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 15:22
So Samuel said:“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams…”Saul’s lame excuses for disobedience brought a sharp “Be Quiet” from the ...
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100 Words - YR1 March 21 - THE MANY A...
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 14:6b
For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few.As King Saul’s son, Jonathan had probably learned from observing the interaction between his father and the prophet Samuel. Our children often learn more from being in our presence, and in the presence of our...
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100 Words - YR1 March 20 - A MAN AFTE...
Key Verses: 1 Samuel 13:13-14
And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought f...