What God Sees

WHAT GOD SEES

“... the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” - 1 Samuel 16:7

What does God see when He looks at you? Is He bothered by physical blemishes? Is He disappointed if your hair isn't combed correctly? Is He troubled if your clothes get dirty?

Many of these things matter to us. We take great care with our outward appearance. Whether we're going to work, church or the doctor's office, we make it a point to dress appropriately. We don't want others thinking that we look like something that crawled out of a garbage dump. For most of us, it is important what others think of us and what they perceive us to be.

But do we ever care about what God sees? If we put more concern into pleasing Him than we do impressing others, things would be drastically different in our lives. You see, God is more interested in the state of your heart than in the style of your clothes. He cares about the tenderness and receptivity of your heart than your fashion taste.

When you go to church, you probably spend time in preparation. You take a shower, comb your hair and put on nice clothes. But do you prepare your heart for worship? You may have the proper appearance, but is your heart ready to meet with the saints and praise the Lord?

When Samuel was sent to anoint a king, Jesse presented his sons. Outwardly, each one seemed to be a good candidate. The problem was that God didn't choose any of them. Finally, Samuel said, “Do you have any other sons?” Jesse said he had one more son. When David was brought before Samuel, God told Samuel that David was His choice.

Think about it for a moment. Jesse did not have any confidence that his son, David, was a suitable man for the job. Maybe Samuel thought the same thing. That's what prompted God to say, “... the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” God liked what He saw in David. Jesse only looked externally and felt that his other sons were more qualified. God looked at the heart and knew that David was His man.

It is sad when people look down on others. Perhaps you've been guilty. Maybe you've thought, “This person will never amount to anything.” Such a statement is made because only the external can be seen. We underestimate what God may do with that person. Jesse underestimated what God could do with his son, David.

You may be underestimating what God can do with you. You may have a limited education. You may have limited gifts and talents. Others may seem stronger, smarter or more attractive. Yet these things aren't impressive to God. It is the heart that matters most.

The hectic schedule we face makes it difficult to deal with matters of the heart. Yet God is most interested in this area. Admittedly, it is easier to deal with clothes than character.  While clothes matter, character is far more important to God, and should be to us, too.

Since God is looking on the heart, we need to concentrate on it, too. Proverbs 4:23 instructs us, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Every morning, let's get on our knees and talk with God. We need Him to keep our hearts pure and right in His sight. Like the psalmist, let's pray, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

What does God see as He looks at your heart right now?

Ichabod

 

ICHABOD

“And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband. And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.” - 1 Samuel 4:21-22

I am amazed at the names given to babies these days. It seems like parents want to give their children unique names --- as if the child receives extra credit for having an unusual name. I don't think parents really think about the fact that the child has to grow up using that name. I once knew a grown woman who hated her first name because it was so unique.

In Biblical times, often the name of a child had a meaning that was prophetic of his life. Also, it wasn't unusual for a child's name to reflect an event at his or her birth. Such was the case with Ichabod.

Eli was priest of Israel. On the surface, it didn't seem like Eli was a bad man, but he refused to exercise discipline over his sons. His sons grew up to be very wicked men. Eli's sons abused the priesthood, using the position for manipulation, selfish gain and immorality. Eli refused to step in and stop the wickedness. As a result, Eli and his sons died the same day. Israel lost a hard fought battle. During the battle, Eli's sons died and the ark of the covenant was captured by the enemy. When word reached Eli about his sons and the ark, he fell, broke his neck and died.

The wife of one of Eli's sons was giving birth at the time word got back about the battle. The mother died in child birth. When the child was born, he was named, Ichabod, because the glory had departed from Israel. The name, Ichabod, literally means, "the glory has departed."

Sadly, it appears that the glory has departed in our day.

1. THE GLORY HAS DEPARTED FROM OUR CHURCHES

I can't help but think that we could accurately relabel most of our churches with the name, Ichabod. The glory has departed from most churches. On one hand, some churches encourage excesses that cannot be supported by Scripture. On the other hand, some churches are spiritually dead, showing no sign of any life. Whether it is strange fire or no fire, the cause is the same: the glory has departed.

What has happened to protracted revivals? What has happened to mass baptisms? What has happened to shouting in churches? I know the answer: the glory has departed. In some circles, it seems as though people are trying to manufacture the glory by having lighting shows and emotional entertainment. I guess their thinking is that if the Spirit doesn't move people, maybe a bass guitar will. Regardless, the glory has departed.

2. THE GLORY HAS DEPARTED FROM OUR COUNTRY

A politician recently made the remark that America has never been great. While some of us may disagree with his belief, I think we all can admit that America is not as great as she used to be. The glory has departed. The temptation is to blame everything on politicians. Certainly, they are responsible, to some degree, for America's woes, but when we dig deeper we realize that the real problem is sin. Our nation has embraced sin. Our country has celebrated sin, claiming that we've advanced as a civilization. Corruption, dishonesty, immorality, abortion, homosexuality and transgender rights are among the issues that our nation has tolerated and accepted. If we truly seek God's blessing on our country, we can't be silent or tolerant about issues that He has clearly condemned in His Word. The glory has departed.

3. THE GLORY HAS DEPARTED FROM OUR CITIZENS

While our nation has openly embraced wickedness, the glory has departed from families and individuals. Divorce is a common occurrence in America, even among professing Christians. Cohabitation is considered proper behavior. Drug use is out of control. Suicides are increasing. Racism and hatred is spreading like wildfire. Sexual and physical abuse is a regular headline in our news.

Like Eli's day, the glory has departed from America. Let's learn some lessons from Eli. Why did the glory depart from Israel during the days of Eli? Here are just a few reasons. First of all, there was unholy leadership. The priesthood was contaminated with sin. Eli's sons had desecrated the priesthood with their wicked ways. It is sad to hear about sexual abuse and sexual misconduct among those in leadership. Furthermore, it is shameful to hear of dishonesty, cover-ups and corruption among those in leadership. John Maxwell once said, "Everything rises and falls on leadership." Basically, the people follow the example of their leaders. Ron Dunn once said that the spiritual level of a church will never rise above the spiritual level of its pastor. Unholy leadership is a mark of God's judgment upon the people. Where there is unholy leadership, the glory quickly departs.

Secondly, there was idolatry among the people. The people were treating the Ark of the Covenant like a good-luck charm. They had abandoned God for the worship of the Ark. Today our idol may not be an Ark, but we worship sports, sex and success. In religious circles, we worship the church instead of Christ. Others worship music styles or denominational distinctives instead of the Lord. America is an idolatrous land. The glory has departed.

Finally, there was spiritual apathy in Israel. They were no longer passionate about God. They had gotten away from the things of the Lord. Here in America, we conveniently leave God at the church house until we need Him. Most Americans are religious. Some are even spiritual. Few are actively worshiping the Lord and obeying His Word. We have a nation of religious pagans. As a result, the glory has departed.

It is easy to point out the problems, but what is the solution? What can we do if the glory has departed? We need to recognize that God is sovereign. We cannot manipulate Him into doing what we want. There is no magical formula for this. Most preachers give a three, four or five step process to receive something from the Lord --- as if spiritual renewal is a recipe to follow. The fact is that God gives His blessings as He wishes and He can remove the glory any time He wishes.

While there is no formula for experiencing the glory once more, there are a few things that may make us candidates for a season of refreshing. First of all, we need to get desperate. We shouldn't be casual about the present situation. The glory has departed. Time is running out and the need is great. Secondly, we need to humble ourselves. We need to run to God in prayer. Don't be content with an Ichabod life. Don't deceive yourself into thinking that America is too great to fall. "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up." Finally, we need to repent. Turn to God and passionately seek Him.

When we turn from God, His glory departs. I would hate to have the name “Ichabod” describe my life, wouldn't you?

(Author's Note:  This blog was originally posted on August 25, 2018.  I feel that it needs to be revisited today)

There's No Place Like Home

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

“And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!” - Luke 15:17

Home. Just the mention of the word brings fondness to our hearts and pleasure to our souls. When we find ourselves on a distant trip for several days, we yearn for the comfort of home. The old proverbial saying is true, there's no place like home.

The prodigal son found himself far from home. A series of foolish decisions led him to the pig pen. Pigs are filthy animals, yet this man was jealous of them. The pigs were eating better than he was.

To put it bluntly, his life was a mess and he had no one to blame but himself. He had sown to the wind and was reaping the whirlwind. He had disrespected his father, arrogantly pursued a wicked lifestyle and ultimately faced financial ruin. He had squandered his inheritance and wasted his life. At the pig pen he was enduring the agony of self-inflicted pain. He deserved what he was getting.

Even though the story of the prodigal son was told as a parable, many of us can identify with it. I know I can. You see, once I was a prodigal myself. The Heavenly Father was loving and kind, yet I wanted to live my life my way. I wanted His favor, but not His leadership. I wanted His blessings, but not His fellowship. When Jesus told the story of the prodigal son, He probably had me in mind.

In Jesus' story, the prodigal son finally had a defining moment that changed everything. The Bible says that the prodigal son, “... came to himself.” In other words, an awakening took place. He had an “aha” moment. This comes to different people in different ways. Often it comes when a sinner hears a sermon. It may come while a person is listening to a Gospel song. It may be a word from a Christian friend or relative. In that brief moment, God gets his attention. The Bible refers to it as conviction.

Rather than desiring the pleasures of sin, the sinner now seeks the Father he has mistreated and forsaken. Instead of running away from home, he seeks to return. That's what the prodigal son did. In repentance, he sought the father's house. He was ready to verbalize a long, contrite confession.

He forsook the pig pen and made the humble trip back home. Unworthy and undeserving of acceptance, he came back to his father's house.

The parable of Jesus vividly teaches us about the deceitfulness of sin. The story also shows us the destructive nature of sin. It shows us how undeserving we are of the Father's grace. Thankfully, the story doesn't stop there.

When Jesus shared this story, He said that when the prodigal son neared the father's house, the father saw him and ran to meet him. The father welcomed his son with great love and enthusiasm. The boy was received and presented with the best robe, a ring and shoes. A big feast was held to celebrate the boy's return. He was not received as a servant. He was received as a son. He was home.  He learned that there's no place like home.

The story shows us the depravity of sin and the disgrace of a sinner. Best of all, the story shows us the abundant grace of our Father. His grace is much greater than our sins. Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. I was a great sinner but He was a greater Savior. Now I can say, like the old song, “Anywhere is home, if Christ, my Lord, is there.”  There's no place like home.

If you are far from the Father, let me remind you of an another old song:

I’ve wandered far away from God,
Now I’m coming home;
The paths of sin too long I’ve trod,
Lord, I’m coming home.

Coming home, coming home,
Nevermore to roam;
Open wide Thine arms of love,
Lord, I’m coming home.

Perhaps you have wasted your life. Maybe you are in the pig pen right now. There's a better life than the life of sin. Come home right now. The Father will welcome you and receive you today. Why wait any longer?

Jesus is coming soon. The family of God will be gathered together on that day. The Father will open up His house to us and will share it with His children forever. We will be home where we belong. Home with the Father.

There's no place like home.

Dinner Time

 DINNER TIME

“Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.” - Psalm 81:10

Did you have a good meal on Thanksgiving Day? I did. In fact, I'll probably have to loosen my belt another notch. There's nothing like enjoying a great meal with family. I've enjoyed seeing pictures on Facebook of families gathering around a dinner table for Thanksgiving.

All of this causes me to wonder. What would happen in America if Christians were as zealous about spiritual food as they are about natural food? What if our hunger for spiritual things exceeded our appetite for the Thanksgiving dinner? How many people would be in church on Sunday if they had a hunger for God and His Word? How would our lives be different?

God gives us a great invitation: “Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.” Just as a baby bird opens its mouth for the mother to feed it, we should open our mouths for the Lord to feed us Himself.

The real problem is our lack of appetite. When you eat too much junk food, your appetite diminishes when dinnertime arrives. The devil has been very successful in keeping Christians busy feasting on junk food. Television and the internet devour our time and ruin our spiritual appetite. It is not uncommon for a man to drive hundreds of miles, just to sit in the cold for three hours so he can cheer his favorite football team. The same guy will find it difficult to go to church the next day. If he does go, he will complain if the service lasts more than an hour. Junk food ruins the appetite.

Job once said, “I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” WOW! What would our churches be like if every member had a greater hunger for God's Word than for their next meal? What would your life be like if you had an insatiable hunger for the Lord? We need our spiritual appetite restored.

When Jesus fed 5,000 people, the Bible says, “And they did all eat, and were filled.” The people ate until they were full. On Thanksgiving Day, you probably ate until you were filled. When I finished eating on Thanksgiving Day, I bragged on the food and the cook. I felt good! The meal was satisfying.

When was the last time that happened to you spiritually? When was the last time that you left church satisfied? When was the last time you feasted on God's Word and walked away feeling wonderful? Do you recall a time when you enjoyed church so much that you couldn't quit talking about it?

Isaiah 55:2 says, “Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.” The Lord is challenging us to seek food that truly satisfies. Why waste time and money on anything less?

The Bible says, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.” Notice that this famine is not a famine for the preaching of the Word. Instead, it is a famine for the hearing of the Word. In my opinion, this prophetic verse describes the spiritual landscape of America today. The Word is available, but most will not hear it.

In 2 Kings chapter 7, the people of Samaria were starving. The had a dire need. Four lepers finally said, “Why sit we here until we die?” In their desperation, they put their lives on the line and went seeking food. Ultimately, their act of desperation was rewarded by the Lord. Not only were the lepers fed, but the famine in Samaria came to an end.

It is time for Christians to rise up and say, “Why sit we here until we die?” Why should our churches die? Why should families be destroyed? Why should we just sit idly by and watch souls perish? It is time to throw away the junk food and come to God's table.

When His disciples were dragging fish to the shore, Jesus gave them an invitation: “Come and dine.” The Lord prepared a meal for His disciples. Did you know that Jesus could cook? Can you imagine how good the food was?

He poses the same invitation to us. The Bible says, “O taste and see that the Lord is good.” Come and dine. It is dinnertime right now.

Open your mouth wide … and He will fill it.

Thank You

THANK YOU

“In every thing give thanks.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

As humans, we find it difficult to say the right things at times. We find it challenging and embarrassing to say things like, “I'm sorry,” “I was wrong,” or “I love you.” Despite the difficulty in saying these things, it is imperative that we get used to saying them … and saying them with sincerity.

Let's be honest. Most of us are terrible at expressing our gratitude. When I was growing up, my parents had to train me to say, “thank you.” It didn't come easy. These days, it is getting easier to express my thanks. This is due, in part, to the fact I recognize my unworthiness to receive anything. I tend to appreciate the effort and cost involved in the things I receive. Although I am still learning, I don't want to be apathetic about expressing my gratitude.

It is important to thank others for the things they do. Whether it is a waitress at a restaurant, a mechanic who repairs your car or a doctor that diagnoses and treats an ailment, we need to let others know that we appreciate the work they do for us.

Expressing such gratitude needs to begin at home. Let your spouse know that you appreciate the things he or she does for you. “Thank you,” should be two words that are verbalized in your home daily.

Most of all, we need to express our thanks to the Lord. He is the One responsible for all our blessings, including many that we take for granted or overlook.

As we approach Thanksgiving Day here in America, most Americans will treat this holiday as just a day off from work. They will celebrate with food, family and football. Yet this holiday is designed to remind all of us that we need to express our thanksgiving to the Lord. As Christians, may this be our primary goal on Thanksgiving Day ... and every day.

Despite all of the bad news that surrounds us, we have much to be grateful for. The Lord has been good to us. We should let Him know how much we appreciate Him.

Let us thank Him for our daily provisions. I believe Christians should give thanks for their food every day. Additionally, the Lord has provided us with a place to live, clothes to wear and resources to make our lives comfortable. When was the last time you thanked Him for these things?

Also, we should thank Him for family and friends. The Lord has granted us special relationships to make our lives rich and full. He has brought people into our lives who encourage, inspire and challenge us. Be grateful for these special people. Most of all, thank the Lord for them.

Don't forget to thank the Lord for the portion of health you enjoy. It is only by God's grace that you are alive today. It is by His grace that you are not in the ICU or a nursing home. Your next breath is a gift from the Lord.

Most of all, we need to thank the Father for giving us His Son. He saw our hopeless condition and did the unthinkable. He sent His Son to die upon a cross to redeem us from sin. You and I are loved deeply by the One who sits upon the throne. Through the blood of Christ, our sins have been forgiven. We've experienced the second birth. We are now children of God. What magnificent love the Father has for unworthy people like us! Never forget to thank Him for this sacrificial love. Never forget to thank Him for salvation by grace through His Son.

Lord, we sincerely say to You, THANK YOU!

The Throne of Grace

THE THRONE OF GRACE

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” - Hebrews 4:16

When your burdens seem overwhelming, do you have someone you can call, knowing that they will pray for you? Do you have a prayer partner or someone special who knows how to reach heaven on your behalf? I think every person should have such a friend.

Here's the big question. Are you that friend to someone else? When someone asks you to pray, do you take the request seriously and pray zealously for the need? Do others know you to be a person of prayer? Can others count on you, knowing that you will pray for them when they ask?

Prayer is a responsibility, but it is also a privilege. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” When we pray with faith, we come to the throne of God.

Ordinary people like you and me are not permitted in many important areas. For instance, we aren't permitted to visit the Oval Office any time we want to. Yet there is a place we can come at anytime that is greater than the Oval Office. We can come to the throne of God!!!

The Bible invites believers to “... come boldly unto the throne of grace.” Why should we come boldly unto the throne? The reason we can come boldly to the throne is because we have been given personal access to the throne. Let me explain.

When you get on the internet, you must have a password. Once properly set, this password gives you access to the internet. In a similar fashion, we have been given access to the throne of God with a special password: JESUS. When Jesus died on the cross, He gave us privilege to use His Name to approach the throne. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the temple was torn in two. The veil had been placed there to keep people away from the Holy of Holies. The veil split when Jesus died, opening the way for us to come to the very throne room of God. We don't come to the throne in arrogance, boasting of our worthiness. Instead, we come with confidence that the Name of Jesus is worthy of the Father's attention. We aren't worthy, but we come in the Name of One who is.

In the book of Esther, no one could come before the king uninvited, including the queen herself. Anyone who would dare approach the king uninvited would be put to death. The only exception would be if he held out his golden scepter. The king was under no obligation to hold out his golden scepter, but when he did, it was an act of grace. Brothers and sisters, because of Jesus, the golden scepter of grace has been held out to every believer who comes to the throne in His Name. Isn't that exciting news?

When we pray in the Name of Jesus, we come to the throne. Our prayers are heard and answered by the One who occupies that throne. It is there that we find mercy and grace that we need. Not just for ourselves, but for others, too. Grace is God's unmerited favor. Grace is the mercy and blessings God bestows upon us in spite of our unworthiness. We need His grace. So do others. Thankfully, there is a place we can go to find grace for ourselves and others. The Bible refers to God's throne as the throne of grace.

R. A. Torrey gives us great advice about prayer, “Before a word of petition is offered, we should have the definite and vivid consciousness that we are talking to God, and should believe that He is listening to our petition and is going to grant the things that we ask of Him. We should look to the Holy Spirit to really lead us into the presence of God and should not be hasty in words until He has actually brought us there.”

Be a person of prayer. Stay in close communion with the Lord. Be a person that others can look to when they have a desperate need for prayer. Let us continually come to the throne, talk with the King and receive His blessings. It is a glorious privilege to approach the very throne of God.

Come boldly to the throne of grace.

Distractions

DISTRACTIONS

“But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.” - Matthew 14:30

It was a Saturday afternoon. I was about 15 years old when it happened. Our family was outside on a sunny summer day, mowing the front yard. Dad was using the riding mower. The front yard is rather steep, so he had to balance himself to keep the mower from turning over as he mowed. Using a riding mower on such a steep area is probably not a good idea, but he did it anyhow.

The road on the mountain was a one-lane dirt road at the time. It ran parallel to the bottom of the front yard. A guy was driving his truck on the road and saw Dad riding a mower on that steep yard. He took his eyes off the road and kept watching Dad balance the mower as he mowed. What the driver didn't notice was that another pickup was on the ridge road going in the opposite direction. The two pickups hit each other, knocking one of the trucks off the road into the wooded area below the road. No one was injured and some neighbors came and eventually pulled the truck out from under the hill.

I've never forgotten that incident. From the place I was mowing, I could see the two trucks were about to collide, but I was powerless to keep it from happening. It all took place because one driver was distracted.

Here's a Bible question for you. How many people in the Bible walked on water? The correct answer, of course, is two. We know that Jesus walked on the water, but most people forget that Peter also walked on the water. When he saw Jesus walking on the water, Peter asked Jesus if he could also walk on the water. When he was invited to come, Peter got out of the boat and began walking on the water.

Yet something happened. The Bible says, “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink.” The text seems to indicate that he had his eyes on Jesus when he began walking on water, but the stormy conditions caught his attention. Peter got distracted and down in the water he went.

I can identify with that story. There have been times when I've gotten distracted from my walk with the Lord … and down I went. Distractions can hinder us. Distractions can lead to failure. Peter got distracted and began to sink. Perhaps you feel like you are sinking today. If you trace it back, you'll probably find that you got distracted.

The enemy wants us to get our eyes off of Jesus. He wants us to focus on anything except the Lord. To be rather honest, it is easy to get distracted. So many things are placed along the path to get our attention. Some seem decent and others are downright sinful. Yet all of them are meant to divert our attention away from the Lord. They are distractions.

Let's get brutally honest for a moment. Television, Facebook and hobbies can easily distract us from the things that matter most. It seems like many believers have been distracted by politics and unnecessary religious debates. Enormous amount of time is wasted on fruitless, futile endeavors. Instead of walking with God and winning souls, most are distracted, pursuing something other than God's will.

Returning to the story of Peter walking on water, the distractions he faced were real. Stormy conditions existed. When he focused on the storm rather than the Savior, his faith turned to fear. Instead of walking on water, he began to sink in the water. Distractions have a way of doing that. Perhaps that is a description of your life right now. At one point, you were walking in victory, but now you are sinking in defeat. Distractions have caused your focus to shift from Jesus to something else. Now things are a mess.

Here's some good news. If distractions have diverted your attention away from the Lord, He is still merciful. Perhaps your focus has shifted from Jesus to the world. You may have taken your eyes off of Jesus, but He has never lost sight of You. You may have gotten distracted, but He hasn't. Perhaps you've been unfaithful, but He remains faithful. When Peter got distracted, he began to sink. In that critical moment, he cried to Jesus, saying, “Lord, save me.” It was a short, pitiful prayer, but Jesus answered by stretching forth His hand and rescuing Peter.

If you feel like you are sinking, call on the Lord. Look to Jesus, by faith, and ask Him to help you. He still rescues sinking people.

Yes, distractions can be destructive. That's why the Bible instructs us to be diligent. Walk by faith, not by sight. When you walk by sight, you'll be easily distracted and defeated.

Keep focused on Jesus.