Bless you, dear one!
I love 1 Samuel 16:7 ~ It says,
- The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
I am so glad to know that, aren’t you? The LORD looks at your heart. As as matter of fact, the Scripture says in 2 Chronicles 16:9,
- God searches the earth to show Himself strong in people whose hearts are turned perfect toward Him.
It’s not about outward appearances ~ what we look like, how we dress, what kind of car we drive, or what neighborhood we live in. Thank God, He doesn’t look at the things people look at.
All of us have areas where we struggle. We all make mistakes and do things we know we shouldn’t do. But, thank God for the blood of JESUS CHRIST.
We don’t have to have perfect performances in order for God to bless us. God isn’t looking for people who never make a mistake. He’s looking for people who have a perfect heart turned toward Him. You may make mistakes, but I know you have a desire to please Him. Deep down, you want to honor Him with your life. God is more pleased with someone with a right heart that makes mistakes every once in a while than someone with a wrong heart who performs perfectly all the time.
We can see this with the Pharisees. They kept all the religious rules. They prayed at the right time, gave the exact amount required, and went to great lengths to perform the religious ceremonies exactly like they were supposed to. They had the performance part down. The problem was that their hearts weren’t right. They were self-righteous, proud and critical. Even though they performed perfectly, Jesus said to them, “You’re like a bunch of white-washed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside, but on the inside are full of dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity”. (Matthew 23:27)
When JESUS chose His 12 disciplies, He didn’t choose people who had it all together. He chose a tax collector ~ they were known for being dishonest. He chose fishermen ~ they had bad language. He chose Thomas ~ a doubter. These weren’t the classiest bunch of guys ~ they were people who had lots of flaws and weaknesses. But, thank God, He can see what others cannot ~ our hearts!
With a thankful heart,
Lisa Gordon
Gordon Ministries