“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
I Samuel 16 : 7
We read in the beginning of the chapter that the Lord tells Samuel that He is going to have someone else as king instead of Saul and wants Samuel to anoint that someone. So the Lord tells Samuel to go to Jesse the Bethlehemite , for one of his sons will be king. Samuel goes to Bethlehem and invites Jesse and his sons to the sacrifice. We read in verse 6 , “So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before Him!””
Samuel was convinced Eliab had to be the one. He had awesome stature, his physical appearance was becoming of a king… I mean he had the right profile to be king ! This made total perfect sense. And God said no…its not him.
As we read on we see that Jesse made seven of his sons pass and the Lord chose none of these. 7 sons ! And Samuel had to ask Jesse “ Are all the young men here?”. Then Jesse says yes there’s one more. And that was David.
Two similar but yet different things
· David wasn’t anything like Eliab who had the stature to join the army . And David was the youngest.. He was the shepherd boy . But God says “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!”. God doesn’t see as the world sees… He sees the heart
· Now while David was the youngest and yes he was the shepherd boy , the Bible says that David was handsome and was of fine appearance, he had beautiful eyes . Good looking guy too… But that’s not what God looked at … He looked at the heart
Sometimes we are so easily led to go by what we see . Pray we have a heart that’s sensitive to His leading.
When Eliab came before Samuel , Samuel said “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before Him”… wow he was convinced ! God said no no ….“Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
Good looking David comes and stands before Samuel. Samuel listens… and God says this is the one.
Bottom line … God does not see as human beings do. His ways are so much higher than ours. He knows every minute thought. He knows the intention of the heart behind every minute thought !
I pray we will have a heart that is sensitive to His leading. When choices and decisions have to be made , may we not make it the way the world does, but make it based on what’s on the Father’s heart !
God Bless
Monday, December 26, 2011
Choices
“There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
Genesis 39 : 9
The context of this verse is of Joseph when he was bought by Potiphar an Egyptian. God’s favor was upon Joseph and whatever he did he prospered. Now Potiphar had made Joseph overseer of his house. Now Joseph was handsome and Potiphar’s wife approached Joseph and said “Lie with me” but Joseph refused. And it wasn’t just a one time enticement from her. She went on day after day trying to asking him. And one day when no one was around she caught him by his garment and said “lie with me”. Now he left his garment in her hand and fled and ran outside.
When Potiphar’s wife tried to persuade Joseph , it was just him and her around. No one else watching . Joseph could have thought “Who’s gonna know…? Let me give in …” but no , he said “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
How do we make our choices when there is no one around watching ? Its easy when we are amidst fellow believers in our church groups and at that point when we have to make a choice we are easily inclined to Godly choices. But do we do the same thing when we are alone ?
Who we are is not defined by how we are in church or in work or in our families. But who we are when we are alone and its just us and God what are the choices we make. When no one is watching do we still choose to make Godly choices ?
In church there is a prayer meeting , yes lets pray. At home when we have 6 hours free on a weekend , no one else around , would we still choose to pray ? to read His word ? to sit in His presence ?
When sitting in the midst of friends from church , the websites we would browse, the vocabulary we would use vs when we are alone at the home the websites we would browse , the vocabulary we would use ? What are the choices we are making today ?
May we make Godly choices by His grace.
God Bless
Genesis 39 : 9
The context of this verse is of Joseph when he was bought by Potiphar an Egyptian. God’s favor was upon Joseph and whatever he did he prospered. Now Potiphar had made Joseph overseer of his house. Now Joseph was handsome and Potiphar’s wife approached Joseph and said “Lie with me” but Joseph refused. And it wasn’t just a one time enticement from her. She went on day after day trying to asking him. And one day when no one was around she caught him by his garment and said “lie with me”. Now he left his garment in her hand and fled and ran outside.
When Potiphar’s wife tried to persuade Joseph , it was just him and her around. No one else watching . Joseph could have thought “Who’s gonna know…? Let me give in …” but no , he said “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
How do we make our choices when there is no one around watching ? Its easy when we are amidst fellow believers in our church groups and at that point when we have to make a choice we are easily inclined to Godly choices. But do we do the same thing when we are alone ?
Who we are is not defined by how we are in church or in work or in our families. But who we are when we are alone and its just us and God what are the choices we make. When no one is watching do we still choose to make Godly choices ?
In church there is a prayer meeting , yes lets pray. At home when we have 6 hours free on a weekend , no one else around , would we still choose to pray ? to read His word ? to sit in His presence ?
When sitting in the midst of friends from church , the websites we would browse, the vocabulary we would use vs when we are alone at the home the websites we would browse , the vocabulary we would use ? What are the choices we are making today ?
May we make Godly choices by His grace.
God Bless
"Those who seek me diligently will find me"
“I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.”
Proverbs 8 : 17
I love having my nephews come over . They are just so sweet and affectionate. And I especially love the fact that the moment they wake up their very first instinct is to search for me . They come to me with their sweet smiles and sleepy faces and come and sit on me while I hug them and wish them good morning. First thought the moment their eyes open is to hunt for me :- ) . There have been times when I’ve opened my bedroom door to see two smiley faces waiting for me (they would have been standing there just waiting for me to come out ). Children have such purity of heart , the love of a child is wow.
Does God see that kind of love from us ? A heart that just longs and desires for Him ? A heart that wakes up in the morning totally excited for a new day to spend together with Jesus ? This whole passage around Proverbs 8:17 talks about Wisdom. Do we seek His wisdom , do we seek to live today as per His purposes or as per ours ? Does our seeking Him come from a routine of just trying to do the right things or does it come from a heart abounding in love and desiring to draw closer to Him ?
“I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.”
God Bless
Monday, September 26, 2011
Hungry ?
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.”
Matthew 5 : 6
Ever have a craving to eat a particular food ? Like ‘I feel like have a double scoop strawberry sundae’ or ‘ Really feel like eating pizza today !’ :-) I know there are days that I have felt like ‘Feel like eating some yummy chicken tandoori today’ and the best part is when during the course of the day someone invites you over for dinner and guess what they are having ? “Chicken tandoori” :-D Lots of fun !
We read that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled ! So the first question is do we hunger and thirst for righteousness ? I mean this isn’t just a 5 min thirst thing… It’s a craving that comes from within , its this growing desire where you just HUNGER and THIRST for righteousness.
What is this righteousness that we are talking about ? Jeremiah 23: 6 says “In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: 'The LORD is our righteousness.” . Wow !
And when we go to Him , we will be filled !
John 6 : 35 , “Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst”
What are we hungry for this morning ?
God Bless
Matthew 5 : 6
Ever have a craving to eat a particular food ? Like ‘I feel like have a double scoop strawberry sundae’ or ‘ Really feel like eating pizza today !’ :-) I know there are days that I have felt like ‘Feel like eating some yummy chicken tandoori today’ and the best part is when during the course of the day someone invites you over for dinner and guess what they are having ? “Chicken tandoori” :-D Lots of fun !
We read that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled ! So the first question is do we hunger and thirst for righteousness ? I mean this isn’t just a 5 min thirst thing… It’s a craving that comes from within , its this growing desire where you just HUNGER and THIRST for righteousness.
What is this righteousness that we are talking about ? Jeremiah 23: 6 says “In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: 'The LORD is our righteousness.” . Wow !
And when we go to Him , we will be filled !
John 6 : 35 , “Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst”
What are we hungry for this morning ?
God Bless
Sunday, September 18, 2011
What is our very nature ?
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Psalm 23: 1
I remember we discussed on this verse very recently. But this is what the Lord has placed on my heart today. When we say the Lord is my shepherd what does that say about our very nature? We read in John 10 : 4-5 , “When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them. And the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.’’
• When the shepherd goes before them , the sheep follow : Simple obedience and complete trust
• They know his voice : Familiarity that comes from knowing , sensitivity to listening
• A stranger they will not follow : Ability to discern
• But they will flee from him : If its not of the Shepherd then run ! No two ways about it .
Over the past couple of weeks the Lord has been teaching me on Simple straightforward obedience. Sometimes we get wrapped up in so many things that we forget our basics of simple obedience and trusting God completely . Where He leads may we follow. Even its unfamiliar territory , even if it means walking away from that pasture which seems lush green … Trust Him ! He knows best ! He sees more than we can and He knows more than we will ever be able to comprehend.
Develop a relationship with Him . Its not a once a week hearing His voice. Its an every day every moment thing ! Its an ‘abiding in Him’ relationship. When we do that , we just know His voice. We know the difference between when we hear a strangers voice and when we hear His voice.
If something is not of God then no point contemplating and trying to twist scriptures to suit our convenience. If its not of God then NO. May we be well rooted in His word and choose with His wisdom.
With this, when we live lives trusting the Lord to be our shepherd , we will never want .
God Bless
Psalm 23: 1
I remember we discussed on this verse very recently. But this is what the Lord has placed on my heart today. When we say the Lord is my shepherd what does that say about our very nature? We read in John 10 : 4-5 , “When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them. And the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.’’
• When the shepherd goes before them , the sheep follow : Simple obedience and complete trust
• They know his voice : Familiarity that comes from knowing , sensitivity to listening
• A stranger they will not follow : Ability to discern
• But they will flee from him : If its not of the Shepherd then run ! No two ways about it .
Over the past couple of weeks the Lord has been teaching me on Simple straightforward obedience. Sometimes we get wrapped up in so many things that we forget our basics of simple obedience and trusting God completely . Where He leads may we follow. Even its unfamiliar territory , even if it means walking away from that pasture which seems lush green … Trust Him ! He knows best ! He sees more than we can and He knows more than we will ever be able to comprehend.
Develop a relationship with Him . Its not a once a week hearing His voice. Its an every day every moment thing ! Its an ‘abiding in Him’ relationship. When we do that , we just know His voice. We know the difference between when we hear a strangers voice and when we hear His voice.
If something is not of God then no point contemplating and trying to twist scriptures to suit our convenience. If its not of God then NO. May we be well rooted in His word and choose with His wisdom.
With this, when we live lives trusting the Lord to be our shepherd , we will never want .
God Bless
Conversations or one way Monologues?
“And David did as the LORD commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer”
II Samuel 5: 25
English class in school was probably the most relaxed of all my classes. Learning grammar , types of speech , conversations… Well I decided to google the word conversation and this is what it means : “Conversation is interactive, more-or-less spontaneous, communication between two or more conversant”
Nice isn’t it. Its interactive and spontaneous ! Now does this describe our life of prayer ?
David did as the Lord commanded him. Wow Just check out verse 19 “And David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”” In verse 20 we read that David defeats them. Now the Philistines came up yet again and we read in verse 23, “And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees.”
When we talk to God are we just focused on telling Him things “God I need this , fix this , do that …” or do we go into His presence with a heart that wants to hear what He has to say ? Do we go into His presence saying “Here I am Lord “ or do we go into His presence in a frenzy and say “Lord I’m getting late for this… So if you have something to say tell me now in 5 mins else I’m gonna take it like that”
God is not a magic Genie , nor is He solely a safety buoy that we want to keep as a Plan B. No . He is the great I AM ! He is Jesus Christ the only true living God. He is the Holy of holies. Wow ! And into His presence can we go freely because we have been ransomed by the blood of Jesus Christ ! Wow !
Are we listening to what God has to say ?
God Bless
II Samuel 5: 25
English class in school was probably the most relaxed of all my classes. Learning grammar , types of speech , conversations… Well I decided to google the word conversation and this is what it means : “Conversation is interactive, more-or-less spontaneous, communication between two or more conversant”
Nice isn’t it. Its interactive and spontaneous ! Now does this describe our life of prayer ?
David did as the Lord commanded him. Wow Just check out verse 19 “And David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”” In verse 20 we read that David defeats them. Now the Philistines came up yet again and we read in verse 23, “And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees.”
When we talk to God are we just focused on telling Him things “God I need this , fix this , do that …” or do we go into His presence with a heart that wants to hear what He has to say ? Do we go into His presence saying “Here I am Lord “ or do we go into His presence in a frenzy and say “Lord I’m getting late for this… So if you have something to say tell me now in 5 mins else I’m gonna take it like that”
God is not a magic Genie , nor is He solely a safety buoy that we want to keep as a Plan B. No . He is the great I AM ! He is Jesus Christ the only true living God. He is the Holy of holies. Wow ! And into His presence can we go freely because we have been ransomed by the blood of Jesus Christ ! Wow !
Are we listening to what God has to say ?
God Bless
In the service of The King
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. “
John 15 : 16
John 15 : 16
One of my friends dropped me a mail where he mentioned ‘SS’ sounds like secret service ! And my sis c
ommented saying she has always been reminded of Secret Squirrel (SS) which is a 1980’s cartoon that we used to watch as kids. I found both sounding pretty cool ! :-) Our badges that we wear at church when ushering or volunteering have “In the service of the King” written on it ! Wouldn’t have it any other way ! :-)The cartoon character Secret Squirrel reported to his boss Double Q and they worked for the International Sneaky Service ! LOL ! But hey do we realize we have been appointed by God himself !! The Lord of hosts , the Holy One , the great I AM , the alpha and the Omega… HE appointed us ! Secret Squirrel just had probably a couple of gadgets inside his trench coat. We on the other hand have the entire Armor of God, we have the Holy Spirit ! Secret Squirrel was fictional. We on the other hand have been given the responsibility that will have a very very realistic impact for ALL ETERNITY !!
My 4 year old nephew when he started seeing for himself the power of prayer , he asked me “Are you feeling sick” and I said “no ” … it was only later that I found out that he wanted to know so that he can have an opportunity to pray for the sickness to leave ! :-) Child like faith and child like boldness. Do we have that ? We know our God is the only true living God. We know the word of God is living and powerful. Hebrews 4; 12 , “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart”. Wow ! But do we live our lives that speak such a testimony ? Do we live what we believe ?
Do we abide in Him ? Or have we been carried away by the ways of the world ? Are we bearing fruit or has our entire focus shifted solely to our appraisals at work and what our friends in college think ?
We don’t strike a business deal with God . Its not a calculated relationship nor is it a safety jacket that we think “ok I better do this just in case …”. It’s a loving living real relationship. Its us abiding in Him. Its having a heavenly inflow in our lives that will outflow to those around us. Its knowing who we are in Christ. Its living every moment by Him and for Him. Its about enjoying His presence , relishing His word .
Ambassadors of Christ , ransomed by the blood of the Lamb , sealed by the Holy Spirit , in the service of the great I AM !! – It doesn’t get better than that !
God Bless
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