What God Sees When He Looks at the Heart

. . . for the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance,

but the Lord looks on the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7b

We find the historical account of the Prophet Samuel as he searched for the king of Israel in chapter 16 of 1 Samuel. We read the account of Samuel as he stood before Jesse and requested to see all of his sons. Jesse, David's father, brought seven sons for Samuel to see.

These young men were strong warriors. Evidently they were nothing like David. Or should I say David was nothing like his brothers.

God told Samuel that none of these young men would be the next king. Samuel asked Jesse if he had any other sons.

Jesse tried to discourage Samuel by saying, "Yes. There is one more. He is my youngest. But you don't need to see him. He is with the sheep right now."

Samuel called for David to stand before him. Samuel looked at David and the Bible tells us he saw a healthy looking, handsome young man. Immediately the Lord told Samuel, "Anoint him. He is the one."

Samuel took his horn of oil and did as God commanded. The Spirit of the Lord came upon David that day.

We don't know why David's brothers were rejected. We do know God, as he told Samuel to keep looking, made it clear that the heart matters more than outward appearance.

At first glance you might say, "Shew! That's a relief. I'm too short or too fat or my nose is way too big for my face. I'm glad God isn't looking at my appearance."

It would be so easy to miss the beauty and amazing truth behind this verse.

It's a sobering truth to know that God sees our hearts. Our selfish, often confused, easily distracted hearts. When you stop a moment and think about the condition of your heart, you might wish God looked only at your outer self.

We are all so good at putting on our masks. The "I'm not afraid-I have my act together-no need to worry about me" mask. We wear it to church each Sunday. As long as we can keep up the front and have everyone believing we are at the top of our game, we don't have to give personal sin a second thought.

God sees the heart.

He knows when my thoughts do not match my face.

And He loves me.

He knows when I am motivated by self ambition.

And He loves me.

He knows when my patience in thin.

And He loves me.

He knows when I am discouraged.

And He loves me.

He knows when I am worried and wishing I could control the people I love.

And yet, He loves me.

My heart isn't always in the greatest condition. God's love is so great He can look into every dark recess of my heart and still say, "She's mine and I love her."

I asked Jesus to be my Savior many, many years ago. Not only did God forgive every past sin that day, He forgave every future sin too. When God looks at my heart, He sees His one and only Son standing in the gap for me.

While perfection isn't even within reach, my personal sins are forgiven. And, just as He promised, I am never alone.

Does it scare you to know God looks at your heart? It doesn't have to. You can pray, just like I did, and ask Jesus to be your Savior.  He takes a beat up, confused, sinful heart and makes is brand new!

When God looks at my heart, He sees Jesus.

There is no greater truth.

Jesus.

The Power of YES

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

I learned a biblical truth from my momma that she didn't teach me through words but rather through her actions. It has helped me immeasurably over the years as a pastor's wife, not to mention raising 4 kids.

There are days when we feel like Eeyore and we are certain the "rain cloud" is hovering over us.

Often there's more month at the end of the money.

Kids bring home notes asking for a parent/teacher meeting.

The boss is unrealistic in demands.

Your family is plagued by every bug and virus that is sweeping through the school.

Or maybe

You face the long good-bye of a loved one battling illness.

You have lost your job and you don't know what to do.

Someone you love is chained by addiction.

As my husband prayed the other morning during staff devotions, some burdens are so heavy we just can't share them with others but we know we can talk with God. Yes, the ever-present Father God. 

I would never make light of another's heartache. Only God knows the weight of the why's and the how's and the when's of what threatens to take our joy.

But here is the biblical truth my momma taught me. Look for the good. Search for what is right. Refuse to give up. Resist the "no" and embrace the "yes."

It takes practice and some days. . . weeks. . . months. . . years. . . are much more difficult than others, but it can be done. With God's help through the power of His Holy Spirit, we can remove the "I can't do this" from our thoughts and words and replace it with "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Are you struggling today? Is there a raincloud hovering over you? Spend some time praising God for everything, EVERY THING, by listing all the ways (big and small) He shows His love.

And as you list, praise Him from your heart. Praise Him, praise  Him, praise Him. I can't explain it, but when you think on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely. . .anything praiseworthy. . . the way you handle the stress of the day changes.

Thank you, Momma, for teaching me the power of YES.

If you all will excuse me now, I have some true and lovely things to think on.

It's Alright to Cry

Dear Dad & Mom,
 
   As you face the difficulties of life, don't be afraid to show your children real emotions. So often we feel like we need to shield our kids from seeing us cry. We don't want them to become anxious or worry that we are not okay.

   We have been created in the image of The Creator. We know that does not mean that God looked in the mirror the morning He formed Adam and said, "Today, I'll make man and he will look like me." To be created in the image of God is such a deep and difficult truth to grasp. This is what I tell the children - we have been created with the ability to love, laugh,  and cry. God is spirit and so are we. When God formed Adam from the dust of the earth, the Bible tells us He breathed life into him. God gave Adam - and you and me - the breath of life.

   Our sorrow over a cancer diagnosis, the loss of a job, or the death of a loved one is the exact right response. To cry because we are sad, to be angry over what we don't understand, to question - all of these things are good when we turn to our Creator with each one.

   Don't be afraid to let your children see you show these emotions, but be sure you talk with them and let them know why you are sad.

   And as you cry, tell your kids you are trusting God to be near and take care of your sadness.

   And if you are angry over things you do not understand, tell your children you are trusting God to take care of you especially when you don't understand.

   And when you have questions that don't have answers, tell your children you are trusting God to make you okay with no answers. Because honestly, there are things in life that we cannot explain.

   Jesus wept at the death of his good friend Lazarus. Some Bible scholars tell us He cried, not because Lazarus had died, but because His friends had no faith.

   Faith.

   Impossible to describe to those who have none. And yet, God promises when we take the step and say "I believe" His Holy Spirit will supply the faith and the strength we need to not only get through the hard times, but to grow in them. We will not only survive heartache, we are drawn closer to the very heart of God.

   It's alright to cry. And it's okay for your kids to see what it means to be created in the image of God.

                                                                                      Love to all my friends and family in Jesus

If Possible, Live in Peace on Social Media

We are truly living in difficult times.

Surely, no matter what your political preference or religious affiliation, you are all too aware of the anger and stress that is overflowing in the realm of social media.

It's dangerous to post even the most neutral statement.

What's a believer in Jesus and all He taught supposed to do? How should we handle ourselves when, truth be told, we find it hard to resist posting our convictions?

Let's begin with a fact or two we really don't like to think about.

We post so people will "like" our words and amen them, maybe if we are really lucky our opinion will be shared. We might say we hope to sway someone or win them over, but in reality we know we are just talking to ourselves.

I don't know anyone who changed his or her convictions because of a demeaning video or a sarcastic meme. I haven't met the person who read an article and decided to admit they were wrong.

Maybe we should go back to Sunday School 101.

Be ye kind to one another.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart soul and mind.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.

We can be an instrument of God's peace by resisting the temptation to get into that battle of words that we know will not bring unity rather, the divide will only grow.

We can accept the fact that there are some people who enjoy the fight. Living in peace might mean keeping our distance.

We can remember there are people all around us in the midst of heartache; dealing with tragedy, loss, addiction, terminal illness; and hopelessness.

We can stop and look at the children in our lives and remember the example of Christ they are counting on us to be.

Our political opinion does nothing to help people know of God's grace, love and forgiveness.

Be ye kind to one another.

Live in peace with everyone.

I never thought I'd miss the pictures of "What I ate for breakfast" or "What kind of spider is this?"

The Trouble with Death

The entertainment industry has been knocked back on its heels in recent weeks as the December headlines announce the passing of celebrities such as Alan Thicke, Zsa Zsa Gabor, George Michael, Ricky Harris, and most recent Carrie Fisher followed by her mother beloved actress Debbie Reynolds.

I'm sure that you, like me, feel sorrow for their families as well as for our own loss. The people who have been piped into our homes and cars impact our lives in different ways. Sometimes we even feel like we know them.

I've noticed as each story is told, there is an element of surprise and the news is met with disbelief. It's as if we want to pretend death is elusive.

The trouble with death is. . .the one statistic that cannot change and no one skew is this - one out of every one persons will die.

You may be frowning at this point and even thinking, "Way to go, Shelley. Way to bring in the New Year!"

Hang in there!

Life on earth is but a blip on the radar screen when compared to eternity. So whether a person lives to see 20 or 120, the years cannot compare to eternity.

Here's my New Year's message for you. Begin 2017 by putting your trust in the One who also died but lives again. Hebrews tells us everyone must die and face the consequences of this life. We also read and believe that through Jesus' death and resurrection we can be free from eternal consequences.

I think back over my 53 years and I am continually amazed by God's grace in my life. I can tell you my friend, that whether you live in Germany or Russia, France or America, the price for your sins has been paid.

God could not love you more and He will never love you less.

I do hope and pray God leaves me here another 53 years. I'd love to live a long and fruitful life. But when my time comes to leave this world and my blip on the radar comes to a close, I will begin my eternity in heaven! I truly am anxious to see Jesus! I look forward to hugging my Daddy and running with my friend, Lisa.

Until then, I plan to tell strangers and friends that death is not the end, it's the beginning for those who call upon the name of the Lord.

My prayer for you in 2017? That you might find Jesus is all you need!

(Shout out to Haley for letting me use her sunset picture! Love you, girl!)

Step Away from the Manger

Could there have been a lower place
for the Creator to become a part of the created?

Step away from the manger.
Look to the Healer of broken hearts.

Glance past the swaddled infant.
Set your gaze on the One who makes all things new.

That tiny fist that grasps His mother's finger?
It belongs to the Defender of the universe

The tiny feet that stretch and kick
carry the Savior of the world.

The eyes that close in blissful sleep
saw this night before the foundations of the earth were formed

Angels praise God and shout "Glory to God in the highest heaven!"
the Bright and Morning Star is here, bringing salvation for all mankind!

The shepherds hurry to find this child
Do they know they look upon THE Good Shepherd?

Hear the baby cry and know,
This is the voice that cried IT IS FINISHED!

Step away from the manger.

Look up!

Reach out!

Your Deliverer is here, your longing is over.

Reconciler, Redeemer, Son of God.

He is past tense and present tense and future tense.

The baby was here for a short time.

The Son of God is eternal.

Step away from the manger.

Your salvation is nigh.

To Infinity and Beyond!

I have a bookshelf in my dining room. It holds treasures that are priceless to me. A musical snow globe from my daddy, trinkets from great grand and grandparents, nativities from family and friends, and a few special things passed down to me from my mom.

I need to catalogue these prize possessions so my kids and grand kids will know their significance when I am running around on the streets of gold.

The bottom shelf contains photo albums. On the next shelf up I carefully placed special items that need to be treated gently yet can be handled by the grandbabies. There's a nativity that Abbie and I found in a "junk shop" years ago (one of my favorite shopping stops). There are also a few figurines.

Ever since Lilley K could walk, she has stood at this shelf and examined the pieces. She especially likes a little girl wearing a straw hat and has held her and looked at her and carefully placed her back on the shelf.

Our house was buzzing this past Saturday with girls a-baking and grandbabies a-running and a few naps here and there.

Sunday morning as I scuffled to the coffee pot I stopped at my shelf to look and remember (yes, I do that often). I glanced down and saw a precious sight. You get to see it in the above picture. At some point yesterday, two year old Lil K rearranged the nativity and placed that little girl by the baby Jesus. Gracious my heart melted! I would love to have known what was going through her creative little mind as she put each figurine in its place.

I smiled as I thought of her singing "we are weak but he be strong" and saying her prayers "thank you God for potatoes and Daddy and Mommy and Pop and Dramaw" and whomever else she is thinking of at the moment. She is a blessed little girl in so many ways. The people in her life love her deeply.

My smile came from this thought--she's getting it. She feels loved by God. And that eternal relationship with Him begins with knowing He loves her to infinity and beyond. 

Guess what my cyber-friend? God loves YOU to infinity and beyond. Consider this blog your invitation to invite Him into your life.

Now is the time to trust Him as your Savior. Now is the season of your life to take all that you understand of yourself and give it to all you understand about God. Don't wait until you get things straightened out or you have all your questions answered. Don't wait for someone else to make your life better. Don't wait.

You see, that little sleeping baby Jesus came to this world so you and I could live our short years on earth knowing His presence and when we close our eyes to this world we can open them in Glory.

I would love to meet you one day in heaven. We will be there to infinity and beyond!