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Posted on 01/01/2024 3:15:48 PM PST by luvie
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Bible in a Year :
People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
Many years ago, Julie Landsman auditioned for principal French hornist for New York’s Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. The MET held their auditions behind a screen to avoid prejudice by the judges. Landsman did well in her audition and ended up winning the competition. But when she stepped out from behind the screen, some of the all-male judges walked to the rear of the room and turned their backs on her. Apparently, they were looking for someone else.
When the Israelites asked for a king, God accommodated the people and gave them a man who was physically imposing like the other nations had (1 Samuel 8:5; 9:2). But because Saul’s first years as king were marked by faithlessness and disobedience, God sent Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint a new king (16:1–13). When Samuel saw Eliab, the oldest son, he assumed that God had chosen him to be king because he was physically impressive. But God challenged Samuel’s thinking: “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (v. 7). God had chosen David to lead His people (v. 12).
When evaluating people’s ability and suitability for His purposes, God looks at character, will, and motives. He invites us to be attuned to see the world and people as He does—focusing on peoples’ hearts and not their outward appearance or credentials. .
Reflect & Pray
Why is it vital not to judge someone based on personal prejudices? What does it mean for you to have a true heart for God?
Compassionate God, please help me not to evaluate people based on their appearances.
Bible in a Year :
Love your neighbor as yourself.
The young pastor prayed every morning, asking God to use him that day to bless someone. Often, to his delight, such a situation arose. One day during a break at his second job, he sat in the sunshine with a coworker who asked him about Jesus. The pastor simply answered the other man’s questions. No rant. No arguing. The pastor commented that being guided by the Holy Spirit led him to have a casual talk that felt effective but loving. He made a new friend as well—someone hungry to learn more about God.
Letting the Holy Spirit lead us is the best way to tell others about Jesus. He told His disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8).
The fruit of the Spirit “is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23). Living under the Spirit’s control, that young pastor put into practice what Peter instructed: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).
Even if we suffer for believing in Christ, our words can show the world that His Spirit leads us. Then our walk will draw others to Him. .
Reflect & Pray
What’s your communication style when telling others about Jesus? How would letting the Holy Spirit lead make your talks more effective?
As I tell others about Jesus, please lead me, Holy Spirit, to speak with Your love.
For further study, read Live Free: A Fresh Look at the Fruit of the Spirit.
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Happy Monday!
Luv the dog pictures!
🐶🐶
Bible in a Year :
See, a king will reign in righteousness . . . like streams of water in the desert.
While drilling for oil in one of the sunniest and driest countries in the world, teams were shocked to uncover a huge underground system of water. So, in 1983 the “great man-made river” project was begun, placing a system of pipes to carry the high-quality fresh water to cities where it was sorely needed. A plaque near the project’s inception states, “From here flows the artery of life.”
The prophet Isaiah used the image of water in a desert to describe a future righteous king (Isaiah 32). As kings and rulers reigned with justice and righteousness, they would be like “streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land” (v. 2). Some rulers choose to take instead of give. The mark of a God-honoring leader, however, is someone who brings shelter, refuge, refreshment, and protection. Isaiah said that “the fruit of [God’s] righteousness will be peace” for His people, and “its effect will be quietness and confidence forever” (v. 17).
Isaiah’s words of hope would later find fullness of meaning in Jesus, who “himself will come down from heaven . . . . And so we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). “The great man-made river” is just that—made by human hands. Someday that water reservoir will be depleted. But our righteous King brings refreshment and water of life that will never run dry. .
Reflect & Pray
Where do you need Jesus to bring the water of life? How can you follow His example of bringing refreshment to others?
Dear Jesus, thank You for bringing peace through Your perfectly righteous rule.
Happy Tuesday! Hope you are getting some sunshine now!
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Puppies by the wheel barrow load!
😀
Bible in a Year :
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
In 1920, John Sung, the sixth child of a Chinese pastor, received a scholarship to study at a university in the United States. He graduated with the highest honors, completed a master’s program, and earned a PhD. But while pursuing his studies, he had walked away from God. Then, one night in 1927, he surrendered his life to Christ and felt called to be a preacher.
Many high-paying opportunities awaited him back in China, but on the ship home, he was convicted by the Holy Spirit to lay aside his ambitions. As a symbol of his commitment, he threw all his awards into the sea, keeping only his PhD certificate to give to his parents out of respect for them.
John Sung understood what Jesus said about becoming His disciple: “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mark 8:36). As we deny ourselves and leave our old life behind to follow Christ and His leading (vv. 34–35), it may mean sacrificing personal desires and material gain that distract us from following Him.
For the next twelve years, John carried out his God-given mission wholeheartedly, preaching the gospel to thousands throughout China and Southeast Asia. How about us? We may not be called to be preachers or missionaries, but wherever God calls us to serve, by His Spirit working in us, may we fully surrender to Him. .
Reflect & Pray
What do you need to surrender in order to truly follow Jesus? What are some personal ambitions you may be holding on to?
Father, help me to set aside whatever hinders me from fully surrendering to You.
Oh. My. Goodness. Cuteness overload!! ❤️
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Good news.....we went to see a puppy today and after spending some time with him and his rescue foster mom, we feel he is a good match for us. This is the same rescue we got Moose from.
We are going to pick a different name...
https://fetchwi.org/doggos/balder
We will bring him home on Friday.
😀
Thank you!
Glad we waited for just the right one.
He is a sweetie.
Indeed. Pick a different name.
Although “Balder” comes from Norse Mythology, and was a gorgeous male god...”Balder the Beautiful”.
He does look rather Nordic in his blondness.
However, “Balder” means something different in English, meaning having less hair than the next guy, so I understand.
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