Saturday, March 23, 2019

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, 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 judgment 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. Fifty-nine years of marriage (this September), 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.

 

11 thoughts on “Saturday, March 23, 2019

  1. David’s words ring true, this morning. Away for two weeks, and asking for your prayers of protection. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May He lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace, fellow saints in the Lord.

    “Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.” Hosea 6:1-2 ESV

    Matt Maher – Glory [Let There Be Peace]
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-xAopORLE4

    • The Lord goes before you, dear Beverlee. He Who holds you in the palm of His hand, will keep you safe. “He will not let your foot slip”.
      May your time away be a time of rest and refreshing.
      We will miss your beautiful, helpful posts. Will keep you in our prayers.

      Wishing all bloggers a joy-filled day.
      “ Be still and know that I Am God” !

      • I agree with Luisa, I will pray for you Beverlee. Looking forward to seeing your wonderful posts in a couple of weeks. God bless as He goes with you.

    • Yes, Beverlee, I pray the Lord go before you and prepare the way; He will be with you in all your ways; He will keep you in the palm of His hand and send His angels guard over you; bless you, we will miss you!

  2. Agreeing also in prayer for you, dear Beverlee. May you go in His joy, peace and protection, and return greatly refreshed in spirit, soul and body. Much love to you and to all fellow saints this sunny spring morning.

  3. Beverlee,you are His messenger so have no fear,unseen angels are with you.God bless
    Manna

    May fear vanish before your face
    As His joy goes before your feet
    And may your words show His grace
    To those whom you should meet,
    For you are that child of God
    And in you is the One they need;
    So fear no journey as you trod
    For you have manna with which to feed.
    G.W.Marshall/ ‎23 ‎March, ‎2019

    • William, so nice of you to write this poem for our friend Beverlee. I’m sure she appreciates it, very much!
      God has given you such a lovely gift. Blessings!

  4. I will miss your words and the music you post. May everything God has for you be accomplished over the time away. Trusting that weather, a little warmer, will be here by your return.

  5. Will miss you too dear Beverlee as you are truly faithful and a blessing to us with your inspiring messages, scriptures, songs and prayers. May the Lord bless and keep you wherever you go. have a good weekend saints. It was snowing here earlier.

  6. Thank You, Lord, that You have chosen me to be Your child!!! I pray You keep me/us safe in the palm of Your hand and guide us every moment and every day of my/our life! Amen and Amen!!

    Beautiful day, sunny and bright, I pray you enjoy your day, saints of the LORD!

    How blessed we are to have this daily bread; thank you Mainse family!!!

  7. God bless David Mainse and his sleeping habits! My sleep pattern changed in Nov of 2014; so now I go to sleep at 4 a.m. and up around 1 p.m. I sleep very well, just had to adjust some things around.
    Very thankful that I could weed the flower beds up at the church; I so enjoy doing this kind of work; the sun was very warm and very wonderful;
    need prayers for the room;have a nice room bath own entrance at the back of my home;for a quiet responsible working person, a Christian would be nice; had small fridge,micro wave & cable;can use kitchen to cook,monies to pay down loan THANK YOU LORD IN JESUS NAME I PRAY AMEN.

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