GOD’S CHOICE
Suggested Reading: 1 Samuel 16
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
This is the entrance to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the hometown of King David. This is the oldest functioning church building in the world. It is believed to cover the stable/cave where Jesus was born.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 16:7b
For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I ask that everyone I meet today will see You. You live in my heart. I am, according to Your Word, the temple of the Holy Spirit. You are looking on my heart. If You see anything that should not be there, please clean it out of me now and forever. May Your love, Your joy, and Your peace be seen by all those with whom I interact. In Your Name I pray, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
When Norma-Jean gets up, I may suggest that we sing together “The Solid Rock.” While it’s true that we are joined as one flesh before God, I’ll still have to stand as an individual at the judgement of the believers. Getting up at 4 a.m. is not Norma-Jean’s calling from God. When we were first married, I asked her to get up and pray with me. That did not go over too well. She spends considerable time praying before she sleeps at night. Whereas I’m far too sleepy at night to do more than a brief, “See You in the morning Lord.” I’m asleep long before my wife finishes praying. So I concluded that between the two of us, we cover more of the 24-hour clock this way! She’s a night person, and I’m a morning person. 55 years of marriage, and we’re still deeply in love. It’s a miracle of God’s grace! Amen! As I’m typing this, she’s still sleeping soundly. Being officially retired, I think I’ll go back to bed for a while.
Yours for seeing our hearts as God sees our hearts,
David
The stained glass artwork at the exit of the Church of St. Catherine, which is attached to the Church of the Nativity, in Bethlehem. This newer church is where the Christmas Eve celebration takes place and is televised live worldwide. In a cave beneath this building, St. Jerome translated the Bible from Hebrew and Greek into what is known as the Latin Vulgate Version.
I love this blog but when you suggest that we “sing”, I back away (here at McDonald’s)! I will fire up the old desktop and sing at home! We viewed The Bible last night on History TV but, according to our local TV guide, it will not be on this Friday.?? We will have to be certain to watch Sunday night. Have a blessed day folks.
Right on, Doreen! 🙂
Beautiful pictures, Reynold. Thanks so much.
Thank you for sharing the link to Guy Penrod, “The Solid Rock.” It was beautifully done and inspirational! Great chapter today introducing David and his nature as the future king. I marvel at your relationship with Norma Jean, your family and countless others! Your guidence and prayers, Reynold’s pictures and Ron’s background help, have made a tremendous difference to the start of each day, as do the comments of every blogger. Have a great day!
Wow! So much is packed into today’s reading and message and photos! 🙂 Verse 16 left me wanting to keep reading to know what unfolds between Saul and David.
I Samuel 16 reminds us that the Lord does not see as man sees. As humans, we see others by their outward appearance, whereas God sees the heart within each and every one of us. Therein lies our struggle within the beauty of the Truth. We live as sinners in a world, full of of temptation; prone to judgment and criticism; constantly defaulting back to negative and habitual interpersonal patterns and relational practices, we grew up with. God calls us to be more responsible and committed to standing on the solid rock of our Lord, and to feel, think and act righteously with one another.
We are called to show that we have a heart for God, not only on the inside, but on the outside. We need to represent ourselves as Christians in a fallen world, which means putting God first and abiding by His instructions–speaking kindly and lovingly; and forgiving graciously and quickly. Let go and let God! Let us be righteous and stand on the rock of Jesus. Let us be loud and wave His flag, shouting for joy that we have been saved!
Well said Beverlee!!!! AMEN & AMEN!!!!
It’s a splendid thing to know that we are chosen by God. Yes, you and I are favoured in God’s eyes not because of anything we have done, but because of His immense love for us! We are chosen by Him to be His heirs and co-heirs with Christ! We have something to celebrate today, like David, we too are chosen as His representatives on earth! Since this is the case, let us then walk with confidence the path set before us, representing and giving glory to God in everything we do and in everything we say. God loves you and God loves me; let us celebrate this truth and live in it! Hallelujah!!!
Amen, amen, and amen!!!!
HALLELUJAH!!!!!!
Hi David and fellow bloggers, The reading today is very revealing as to how no matter what high position The Lord has chosen you for, there is still a step by step, line upon line, school of learning. l would have thought that God would have plainly told Samuel to go and anoint David as KIng,telling him where to find him.Instead Samuel went before all 7 of Jesse’s sons before he even knew there was one more.It seems we are all in the school of learning, whether Prophet,Priest or King, noone can say, l’ve arrived and there is little anyone can teach me now. l guess it’s all about learning to hear the voice of God, humility and realizing that without God we can do nothing in his kingdom
Amen !Thankyou David, Reynold and bloggers in Christ.
Such a reminder not to presume or assume anything, which I am inclined to do.
I should know better, as in all my years as a follower of Jesus, it has always been a surprise to me HOW He answers my prayers! Praise His Holy Name!
Lord, please keep me from “defaulting” back to the old nature. When I’m tempted to do it, please interrupt it immediately by the power of Holy Spirit, that I will not fulfill the
subtle pull of the flesh. Thankyou, thankyou, Jesus!!
Wonderful blog David M. I ‘amen’ your personal prayer. 🙂
I agree with everything you said Beverlee, I loved the link to the song “The Solid Rock”
as well as your personal words thank you David. The pictures you took Renold are wonderful
Lianne Hogg
WOW!!!! What an amazing blog today!!!! As I was singing along with Guy Penrod , I started to weep and Praise the Lord!!! Hallelujah!!!!! All praise and honour and glory belongs to Him!!!!
Have a great day fellow bloggers and again I say thank you David for this blog!!
How true, David and fellow bloggers. And as we read the Word, this blog and pray David’s prayers, we are going to be changed into Christ’s image. I am glad God looks on the heart and we can accept all regardless of social standing or appearance as the Lord does and we are His followers. Was thinking about that “distressing spirit from the Lord” on Saul. Sometimes that distressing spirit, not from the Lord but from the world can get on us and we need to ask the Lord to remove it with the washing of His precious blood. That’s been my experience today, and maybe someone else has experienced the same. I like your comment that David was engaged in life when he was anointed, David. Thanks for the great photos and blog. God bless all today.
Dear David, Bless you and all precious fellow bloggers. I prayed when I first got saved that like David i would seek the Lord’s hearth ready to fight the good fight and that i would make all those that i come across feel God’s tremendous Love so now years later I thank you Jesus for choosing me such a sinner and boldly,with my full armor,filled with the Holy Spirit let this little light of mine shine until His Glorius Return.
Amen
I also want to thank you David Ron and all the bloggers for this blog
ann the bible study is so refreshing , and so interesting I just can’t wait for the next days study. R.