"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 Sam 16:7
God had commissioned his servant Samuel to go and anoint a new king. Saul, God's first anointed turned out to be an utter failure due to his lack of obedience. One of Saul's features was that he stood head and shoulders in height above all the people of Israel. He turned out to be, however, quite small on the inside. In the house of Jesse, there was another tall and good looking man named Eliab whom Samuel thought surely to be the next king. Eliab was not God's choice and Samuel was mistaken.
Beloved, have we ever made the mistake of judging a book by its cover? Do we see the way a person dresses, or appreciate their dimensions or hear the resonance of their voice and begin making assumptions? Conversely, do we see those who are poorly dressed, of extreme dimensions or discordant voice and disregard them? Who among us likes to be judged out of hand? Inevitably our response is, "You don't even know me!" Certainly this is a cry to look past appearances and see the heart before making decisions about the whole person. It is an unfathomable blessing that God does just that.
Samuel was directed by God to choose the youngest of eight boys to be the next anointed king of His people. He was not a soldier like his older brothers, but a keeper of the sheep and still a youth, It was David who had a heart for God (that gave him confidence before Goliath) and was a man after God's own heart.
Let us all seek spiritual discernment that we may see each other's heart rather than just outward appearances.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Friday, August 31, 2012
Stay in the House 8/31/2012 (rp)
"For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them." 2 Peter 2:21
I remember very distinctly my mother getting my sister and me ready for church in our Sunday best and instructing us to sit still on the couch until she and my father were ready to go. The idea was that we were not to get restless, go outside, start playing and through some course of events, get our "church clothes" dirty. I also remember what happened when I disobeyed. It only happened once.
Beloved, as Christians, we have been saved from all of the things that pollute us and contribute to our destruction. It took nothing less than the sacrifice of the Son of God to accomplish this miraculously loving deed. Once we have been washed clean in his blood, we must guard against going outside (of his loving protective commands) and getting dirty (willfully sinning). The apostle goes on to compare this to a dog returning to his vomit and a washed pig returning to the mud. This not only discusses the utter futility of such actions but also of our proclivity to do so. This is why we must steadfastly guard against slipping back into our old condemned selves.
We have been equipped with an innate sense of right and wrong. We instantly know when we have crossed the line. Today, the encouragement is to stay in the house until it is time to go.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
I remember very distinctly my mother getting my sister and me ready for church in our Sunday best and instructing us to sit still on the couch until she and my father were ready to go. The idea was that we were not to get restless, go outside, start playing and through some course of events, get our "church clothes" dirty. I also remember what happened when I disobeyed. It only happened once.
Beloved, as Christians, we have been saved from all of the things that pollute us and contribute to our destruction. It took nothing less than the sacrifice of the Son of God to accomplish this miraculously loving deed. Once we have been washed clean in his blood, we must guard against going outside (of his loving protective commands) and getting dirty (willfully sinning). The apostle goes on to compare this to a dog returning to his vomit and a washed pig returning to the mud. This not only discusses the utter futility of such actions but also of our proclivity to do so. This is why we must steadfastly guard against slipping back into our old condemned selves.
We have been equipped with an innate sense of right and wrong. We instantly know when we have crossed the line. Today, the encouragement is to stay in the house until it is time to go.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
This One is For God 8/28/2012
"As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God?" Ps 42:1-2
Today, thoughts of my Father are heavily upon me. In the midst of travels, work, school and various other responsibilities I am immersed in thoughts of Him in ways that I cannot adequately describe.
It is so easy to take Him for granted. He is so easily treated as the unseen and distant God. Today I am reminded that He is ever with me, keeping my heart beating, keeping my lungs breathing, keeping my organs working, sustaining my mind to accomplish tasks. He protects me in my home, in the car, in the air and crossing the street. He ensures that I have enough to eat and enough to give. He has supplied me with a beautiful family who means everything to me. And He has entrusted me with His invaluable, soul saving word that others might be introduced to Him and encouraged in Him.
He does all of this despite my sin. Even when I am out of position, standing outside of His will and looking in (or not), He cares for me. When the wrong spirit afflicts my heart and causes me to be less than encouraging to someone in need, He gently squeezes my conscience and reminds me of His love for me and the love I need to display to others. He has not snatched my life when I have fallen short as He did Ananias and Sapphira. He has been longsuffering with me. He has been merciful to me. He has issued grace to me. And now, the words and emotions of David fill me.
While keeping the birds in flight, the sun rising, the moon setting, the trees flowering, the rivers flowing and a mother giving birth, He still condescends to give thought to me. He does so for you too.
Beloved, I will not ask your forgiveness for or indulgence of this intensely personal devotion today. It just spilled out of me, tearfully at times. I just feel the presence of my Father today in a way that is more intense than usual. I cannot explain, so I will not try. But I remembered that this all started as a personal devotional that I decided to share in hopes that it would in some way benefit you. Though I pray that it can in some way serve as a reminder to all who read it that God is and that He cares for us in ways we do not even consider, this one is my devotion to Him.
Lee
Today, thoughts of my Father are heavily upon me. In the midst of travels, work, school and various other responsibilities I am immersed in thoughts of Him in ways that I cannot adequately describe.
It is so easy to take Him for granted. He is so easily treated as the unseen and distant God. Today I am reminded that He is ever with me, keeping my heart beating, keeping my lungs breathing, keeping my organs working, sustaining my mind to accomplish tasks. He protects me in my home, in the car, in the air and crossing the street. He ensures that I have enough to eat and enough to give. He has supplied me with a beautiful family who means everything to me. And He has entrusted me with His invaluable, soul saving word that others might be introduced to Him and encouraged in Him.
He does all of this despite my sin. Even when I am out of position, standing outside of His will and looking in (or not), He cares for me. When the wrong spirit afflicts my heart and causes me to be less than encouraging to someone in need, He gently squeezes my conscience and reminds me of His love for me and the love I need to display to others. He has not snatched my life when I have fallen short as He did Ananias and Sapphira. He has been longsuffering with me. He has been merciful to me. He has issued grace to me. And now, the words and emotions of David fill me.
While keeping the birds in flight, the sun rising, the moon setting, the trees flowering, the rivers flowing and a mother giving birth, He still condescends to give thought to me. He does so for you too.
Beloved, I will not ask your forgiveness for or indulgence of this intensely personal devotion today. It just spilled out of me, tearfully at times. I just feel the presence of my Father today in a way that is more intense than usual. I cannot explain, so I will not try. But I remembered that this all started as a personal devotional that I decided to share in hopes that it would in some way benefit you. Though I pray that it can in some way serve as a reminder to all who read it that God is and that He cares for us in ways we do not even consider, this one is my devotion to Him.
Lee
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Keep to the Path 8/2/201
"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matt 7:13-14
The Lord never promised that following him would be easy, picturesque or a smooth path lined with flowers. He never said there would not be bumps in the road, storms or threats. He never said that you would not stumble. And he never said that the journey would not sometimes seem lonely. In fact, he said that the path would sometimes be arduous. Speaking to us as citizens of heaven rather than that of the world, he said, "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you." John 15:19
Beloved, this does not sound like a very good ad campaign for Christianity, but it is an honest one. If a person can accept this then it is certainly worth knowing that it is a path that leads to everlasting joy. It is a path that we will never walk alone because he is ever with us. If and when we stumble, he will be there to pick us up, dust us off and encourage us along the way. The eternally fantastic news is that on the other side of the gate is where we will see God. Let us choose the correct path, discipline ourselves to remain upon it and persevere through all obstacles to make to the journey's end. Nothing will ever be more rewarding.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
The Lord never promised that following him would be easy, picturesque or a smooth path lined with flowers. He never said there would not be bumps in the road, storms or threats. He never said that you would not stumble. And he never said that the journey would not sometimes seem lonely. In fact, he said that the path would sometimes be arduous. Speaking to us as citizens of heaven rather than that of the world, he said, "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you." John 15:19
Beloved, this does not sound like a very good ad campaign for Christianity, but it is an honest one. If a person can accept this then it is certainly worth knowing that it is a path that leads to everlasting joy. It is a path that we will never walk alone because he is ever with us. If and when we stumble, he will be there to pick us up, dust us off and encourage us along the way. The eternally fantastic news is that on the other side of the gate is where we will see God. Let us choose the correct path, discipline ourselves to remain upon it and persevere through all obstacles to make to the journey's end. Nothing will ever be more rewarding.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Friday, August 24, 2012
BFF 8/24/2012
"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:15 (NIV)
During study, I ran across this scripture. It reminded me so much of my childhood. More specifically, it reminded me of bible school and the songs we used to sing. "What A Friend We Have in Jesus," along with "Jesus Loves the Little Children" and "If You're Happy and You Know It" were ingrained in us at a very early age. Admittedly, it was a vague concept back then. Now it is in much sharper view.
Think about the concept of friendship. What types of things are typically associated with it? Surely we must be able to trust, rely upon, confide in and share vulnerabilities with our friends. We enjoy sharing time, triumphs and tragedies with them. If we have a felt need, our friends are typically the first people to whom we go.
Now think of what it must be like to have a friend in Jesus...from Jesus' point of view. He is the creator of all that exists. He willingly took on human flesh and came to dwell with those who would ultimately reject him and play a role in taking his life. It was worth it to him to do so due to his unsurpassed love for us. Whereas we were once slaves to sin and Satan, he redeemed us with his own blood and made us free. Now rather than being slaves, he has accepted us as friends. He who is the ultimate Power, Love and Creator is a close, warm and personal friend. He has invited us to become his friends.
Beloved, our relationship with Jesus should supersede all others. When we think about how we treat and feel about our BFFs (Best Friends Forever), we must think about who our true forever best friend is, what he has done for us and how he made forever possible. Those thoughts should have an impact on everything we think, say and do. We show our friendship to him by obeying his commands. He showed his for us through his ultimate sacrifice. He said, "No man has greater love than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" John 15:13. Indeed, what a friend we have in Jesus.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
During study, I ran across this scripture. It reminded me so much of my childhood. More specifically, it reminded me of bible school and the songs we used to sing. "What A Friend We Have in Jesus," along with "Jesus Loves the Little Children" and "If You're Happy and You Know It" were ingrained in us at a very early age. Admittedly, it was a vague concept back then. Now it is in much sharper view.
Think about the concept of friendship. What types of things are typically associated with it? Surely we must be able to trust, rely upon, confide in and share vulnerabilities with our friends. We enjoy sharing time, triumphs and tragedies with them. If we have a felt need, our friends are typically the first people to whom we go.
Now think of what it must be like to have a friend in Jesus...from Jesus' point of view. He is the creator of all that exists. He willingly took on human flesh and came to dwell with those who would ultimately reject him and play a role in taking his life. It was worth it to him to do so due to his unsurpassed love for us. Whereas we were once slaves to sin and Satan, he redeemed us with his own blood and made us free. Now rather than being slaves, he has accepted us as friends. He who is the ultimate Power, Love and Creator is a close, warm and personal friend. He has invited us to become his friends.
Beloved, our relationship with Jesus should supersede all others. When we think about how we treat and feel about our BFFs (Best Friends Forever), we must think about who our true forever best friend is, what he has done for us and how he made forever possible. Those thoughts should have an impact on everything we think, say and do. We show our friendship to him by obeying his commands. He showed his for us through his ultimate sacrifice. He said, "No man has greater love than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" John 15:13. Indeed, what a friend we have in Jesus.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
A Pleasing Faith 8/22/2012
"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." Heb 11:6
Trusting others comes hard for some. Trusting the unseen God can be even harder. Perhaps this is so because people have let us down in the past. We feel that the only one we can truly rely upon is our self.
Beloved, the Holy Spirit inspired admonition to have faith in God comes in the midst of a listing of individuals who did just that, often at their own peril or that of loved ones.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Trusting others comes hard for some. Trusting the unseen God can be even harder. Perhaps this is so because people have let us down in the past. We feel that the only one we can truly rely upon is our self.
Beloved, the Holy Spirit inspired admonition to have faith in God comes in the midst of a listing of individuals who did just that, often at their own peril or that of loved ones.
- Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice to God than his murderous brother Abel
- Enoch lived such a faithful life that God took Him straight to heaven without having died
- Noah built an ark and saved his family when it had never before rained
- Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son
- Rahab went against her whole village to hide those of God's people spying out the land
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Living Your Christianity 8/21/2012 (rp)
"...fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith." 1 Tim 1:18-19
There are those who wear Christianity as a banner, announcing to the world that they are set apart believers in Christ Jesus. Others, carry it quietly within themselves, piously humble, understanding the privilege and allowing it to direct their course. Still others hold it out in front of them as a shield, using it to deflect all accusations. Finally, some accept it as a calling for their own lives and use it as a motivator to call others to a relationship with Him who is the author and the finisher of our faith.
Beloved, there will always be a diversity of views about Christianity and how it is expressed. Rather than set ourselves up as judges of one another's faith, we must focus on our own motivations and actions. Paul encouraged Timothy to not neglect the gift that had been given him by God, but to use it to correct error, encourage others and to remain steadfast. His words reveal that this is no walk in the park. There will be challenges to our faith...if we are living it properly. We need only look around at the moral slide our society is undergoing to see the truth in this. When these challenges come, we are to hold on tight to Him who called us.
Sadly, there are those whose faith has little depth. You have seen those who have made their confession, been baptized and then never seen again. One of the great tragedies of spiritual life is witnessing those who knew enough to come but lacked the fortitude to stay. For this reason, we must do all we can not just to remain wrapped in His will ourselves, but to encourage others. It is through this that Christianity finds its highest expression.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
There are those who wear Christianity as a banner, announcing to the world that they are set apart believers in Christ Jesus. Others, carry it quietly within themselves, piously humble, understanding the privilege and allowing it to direct their course. Still others hold it out in front of them as a shield, using it to deflect all accusations. Finally, some accept it as a calling for their own lives and use it as a motivator to call others to a relationship with Him who is the author and the finisher of our faith.
Beloved, there will always be a diversity of views about Christianity and how it is expressed. Rather than set ourselves up as judges of one another's faith, we must focus on our own motivations and actions. Paul encouraged Timothy to not neglect the gift that had been given him by God, but to use it to correct error, encourage others and to remain steadfast. His words reveal that this is no walk in the park. There will be challenges to our faith...if we are living it properly. We need only look around at the moral slide our society is undergoing to see the truth in this. When these challenges come, we are to hold on tight to Him who called us.
Sadly, there are those whose faith has little depth. You have seen those who have made their confession, been baptized and then never seen again. One of the great tragedies of spiritual life is witnessing those who knew enough to come but lacked the fortitude to stay. For this reason, we must do all we can not just to remain wrapped in His will ourselves, but to encourage others. It is through this that Christianity finds its highest expression.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
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