It's a tad late to wish a Happy New Year but I sure hope that it's kicked off good for everyone. Ours kicked off with being so THANKFUL for what God has done and is doing. As I told my family as we were reminiscing over 2024, "There is a lot of 2024 I DO NOT WANT A RE-DO but the Lord has surely taught me so very much. I am truly thankful for each breath, each day, family and close friends. We had our three youngest grands for New Years Eve. We had a great time and the girls enjoyed a little fishing, bonfire with their great-grandfather and roasting marshmallows. Their great-grandfather will be 90 years old next month. As most of you know I do a monthly focus board and this makes my 3rd or 4th year. I've lost count. Only fitting that New Beginnings would be my focus for January. This has been so good for me as it sits on my kitchen counter so I can see it daily. Wonderful way to focus and quote God's Word daily. I felt up to hosting a lunch and movie day with ...
1 Samuel 16:But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not
consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD
does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward
appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
The LORD sent Samuel to anoint a new king from the house of Jesse. When the oldest was presented, a strong, tall warrior, Samuel thought surely this was the man. The Lord responded with our verse for today. We've always heard. "Don't judge a book by its cover." We are so easily persuaded by what our senses tell us. We all have prejudices of one kind or another, but God sees straight into the heart.
The sharpest looking man or most beautiful woman among us with the warmest smile and most
pleasant manners may be the vilest person we ever met. The street person
in dirty clothes and not a penny to his name may have a heart that is totally for our Lord. That is why the LORD tells us not to judge by outward
appearances. Jesus told us to judge by the fruit produced from the life.
(Matthew 7:20)
We are quick at times to make judgment calls about another's motivations or heart attitudes. That is God's area of expertise, not man's. I have seen the most discerning make the worst judgment calls at times.
All of us are fallible, but God sees the heart. He sees ours too. We don't fool God with our outward appearance.
We would be better off to be the poor dirty man or woman in the street with a heart after God than follow someone that has everyone but God fooled.
May we be so careful about about our judgemental attitude of others. May we be so EVER careful about whom we put on a pedestal. God's Word is clear...."I am the Lord; that is My name. And My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images". Isaiah 42:8
Our Lord loves us so much and only desires the very best for us. However, do we strive to be our best for HIM?
Seeking God is a fundamental heart requirement for a true spiritual leader.
As my sweet soul sister said once, "God not only knows my heart but HE knows the DEPTHS of my heart......
Maybe we need an EKG. The kind that ONLY the GREAT PHYSICIAN CAN FIX.
I pray that I strive to line up my heart check with the standards of Christ and not man's.
The LORD sent Samuel to anoint a new king from the house of Jesse. When the oldest was presented, a strong, tall warrior, Samuel thought surely this was the man. The Lord responded with our verse for today. We've always heard. "Don't judge a book by its cover." We are so easily persuaded by what our senses tell us. We all have prejudices of one kind or another, but God sees straight into the heart.
We are quick at times to make judgment calls about another's motivations or heart attitudes. That is God's area of expertise, not man's. I have seen the most discerning make the worst judgment calls at times.
All of us are fallible, but God sees the heart. He sees ours too. We don't fool God with our outward appearance.
We would be better off to be the poor dirty man or woman in the street with a heart after God than follow someone that has everyone but God fooled.
May we be so careful about about our judgemental attitude of others. May we be so EVER careful about whom we put on a pedestal. God's Word is clear...."I am the Lord; that is My name. And My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images". Isaiah 42:8
Our Lord loves us so much and only desires the very best for us. However, do we strive to be our best for HIM?
Seeking God is a fundamental heart requirement for a true spiritual leader.
As my sweet soul sister said once, "God not only knows my heart but HE knows the DEPTHS of my heart......
Maybe we need an EKG. The kind that ONLY the GREAT PHYSICIAN CAN FIX.
I pray that I strive to line up my heart check with the standards of Christ and not man's.
Hugs and blessings,
Cindy
Amen and amen.
ReplyDeleteGoes right with my study this morning!
Prob 28:6
Love ya Cindy!
Very convicting post, my friendGod spoke a word earlier this morning along these same lines. Ouch! Thank you for being obedient with this posted. Love you! HOPE you have a great day!
ReplyDeleteGreat post this morning Cindy. I think from time to time we all need a heart check or I know I do. On another lighter note, I wish I had that fruit to eat!
ReplyDeleteConnie Royals
Hi Cindy! Well, darling, you're tromping all over my tiny toes today with this post! This is something I pray about so much - I'm judgmental! I hate it, but I'll see someone or they'll say something and I've already decided about them. Shame on me. I keep asking God to help me. I guess I haven't learned the lesson yet as I keep falling back. This was so good, even if my tiny toes are black and blue now! ;)
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Beautifully said my friend. Amen
ReplyDeleteJohnna D.
I'm getting caught up in blog reading and am so very glad that I kept scrolling down and saw this one.
ReplyDeleteI loved it! Yes and AMEN, Cindy. This is a wonderful post, obviously inspired by the Holy Spirit.