Monday, March 23, 2015

GOD’S CHOICE

Today’s 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.

The key verse points out several truths. (1) The Lord sees us! (2) Other people see us! (3) The Lord sees our hearts! (4) People see our outward appearance! Lets cover those four points starting with point four. Rather than slavishly following the latest clothing trends, let us ask God if our apparel draws undo attention to us, detracting from our witness. Three – Go ahead and wear our hearts in such a way that people see our hearts. Two – May people see in us the Person of Jesus in all His beauty. One – The old hymn says, “Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.” Here’s a link to “The Solid Rock.” The last verse has those powerful words in it. Why not sing along.
Samuel found David, who was doing his job looking after the sheep while all the rest of the family were standing around. God chooses a person whose heart is engaged with life and its responsibilities. John 15 says, “You did not choose Me, I chose you” -Jesus. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “You are a chosen people.” Why are we chosen? To “declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” (read 1 Peter 2:9-17).

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, (not right away) 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 reading my blog for the day, the suggested Scriptures and 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. 57 years of marriage, and we’re still deeply committed to each other. (that’s true love) It’s a miracle of God’s grace! Amen! As I’m typing this, she’s still sleeping soundly. I often remind Norma-Jean before I fall asleep that over and over God promises rest to the weary.

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.

 

23 thoughts on “Monday, March 23, 2015

  1. Thank you for the solid rock LORD JESUS.
    Thank you for blessing your faithful servant David Mainse & his family.
    Thank you David for obeying our Lord Jesus .

  2. I try not to overdo it on the outward appearance but try not to scare people away either. Great study today Rev. M. Blessings fellow bloggers.
    Here’s some info I found on the Denison forum that I look forward to viewing and thought others might too:

    The headliner is “A.D.: The Bible Continues,” the sequel to Roma Downey and Mark Burnett’s blockbuster mini-series, “The Bible.” While “The Bible” was shown on the History channel,”A.D.” will air on NBC. It begins Easter Sunday, April 5, and picks up the biblical story after the crucifixion.

    Meanwhile, CNN is currently airing a six-part series called “Finding Jesus: Faith, Fact, Forgery.” This Sunday, the UP network broadcasts “Noah’s Ark,” a film version of the biblical story. On March 25, PBS rebroadcasts its 2008 documentary, “The Bible’s Buried Secrets.” On March 27, the Smithsonian Channel will air “Siege of Masada,” a one-hour special about the event that ended the first Jewish rebellion and gave Israel her motto, “Masada shall never fall again.”

    The National Geographic Channel will air “Killing Jesus” on March 29. CBS will then air another Downey-Burnett project called “The Dovekeepers” on March 31 and April 1. Perhaps the most unusual biblical offering of the season is “Top 10: Bible Weather,” which the Times describes as “an awkward mix of biblical natural disasters and recent meteorological calamity.” The show airs this Saturday on the Weather Channel.

    Successful television producers make what people want to see. The upcoming plethora of biblical shows illustrates Pascal’s observation that there is a “God-shaped emptiness” in every human heart. At the same time, Christians cannot trust Hollywood to do our evangelizing for us. We can and should use what the culture is watching as an opportunity for dialogue, but God has commissioned his people to share the gospel with all nations (Matthew 28:19-20), one person at a time. Helping someone follow Jesus is the greatest privilege in life.

    • I meant to say, I thank you all for the comments and I also prayed the pray Pastor David. Good music certainly soothes the soul.

  3. Thank you Pastor David for your faithfulness in doing this blog so early in the morning! Your mentioning Norma Jean is not a morning person is encoraging to me It’s encouraging to know there are others who are n

  4. Dear Rev David M.

    I am sorry to inform you that Carole Pony Meunier passed away this morning in the hospital. She really loved you and her fellow bloggers. Please continue to pray for her family as they go through this time of grieving.

    May her soul rest in peace.

    Rose (Carole s Caregiver)

    • Thank you Rose for the news of dear Carole’s passing. We know she loved The Lord so very much and we pray for her family at this time. We also pray they will remember Carole’s witness for Jesus and come to know Him as their personal Saviour.

      She is now safe in the arms if her Saviour and no more pain. Catherine

    • So sad to hear of Carole’s passing, but comforted by knowledge she now is in the arms of her beloved Savior Jesus Christ. Carole contributed many of her insights and thoughts to this blog and her presence will be greatly missed. I offer her family and all who loved her my condolences and I will pray for all of you as you journey through the pain of grief.

    • Thank you Rose, for posting this. So very sorry to hear about Carole’s passing. My prayers are for her family at this time. She was such a blessing to our blog and always such an encouragement. Knowing you are smiling in heaven with Jesus, Carole! God bless your soul, dearest saint!

  5. Yes comfort and peace for the family of Carole Pony Meunier…and for salvation for any who do not know Our Saviour Jesus Christ.

    Thank you David Mainse for your guiding us through this blog with Wisdom and compassion each day/morning.

    I too am a night person…and through the years have struggled with early morning hours, especially since the format of life consists mostly of work-places and education situations that demand being alert in the early hours of the morning/day!!!

    This morning’s scriptural emphasis is so true: I think of the saying “you can’t judge a book by its cover”!!

    Sang with the DVD the song “On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand”!!! Amen and Amen!!! Thank you for sharing.

  6. my prayers are with Carole Pony Meunier’s family! on this blog she touched many hearts and in her life in her community she touched many people’s lives…the people knew her faith and her relationship with Jesus Christ! Thank you Rose for keeping everyone informed! God bless you!

    • p.s. thank you Mr. Mainse for sharing about Norma-Jean and her opposite sleep pattern to yours! I also have Season Affected Disorder! Days are turned around somewhat! Evenings are great! It’s challenging to get things done! However I praise the Lord for this situation and I swim alot! Again I must thank the Lord for swimming, He made it all possible, He took my broken leg and turned it into me learning to swim 20 years ago this APRIL 26th! I LOVE SWIMMING AND I MEET SO MANY CHRISTIAN PEOPLE AT THE POOL!

  7. CONGRATULATIONS at the happy safe arrival of CHELSEA GRACE GILMOUR.
    How blessed this child already is by coming into this rich heritage based and rooted on the Kingdom of God……..she shall do great exploits for the Kingdom of God.
    She is rich and highly favoured! WHAT A BLESSING FOR ALL!!!

  8. You mentioned in today’s comment that mediums have no credibility. I have heard some amazing results that seem to point out their successes. Could they be inspired by Satan and his followers since he has power over the earth? Thank you in advance for some insight on this matter.

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