“Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” 1 Samuel 16:7. What matters more, your actions or the heart behind those actions? Is it really the thought that counts? Sometimes, the action counts for a great deal, does it not? Can the father who never spends time with his childrenContinue reading “The Lord Looks on Your Heart (and Your Actions!). Zechariah 7:5-10.”
Tag Archives: 1 Samuel 16:7
MEMORIZE: Replace Your Thoughts With God’s Thoughts! Jeremiah 15:16.
Imagine with me: You are an unhappy young person, low-key depressed. You think you are happy, maybe, at least while scrolling on your phone. But all you get on social media is ads and sales pitches from influencers and pointless videos of car crashes, street fighting, two kids dancing, concert clips, comedy clips, storytellers goingContinue reading “MEMORIZE: Replace Your Thoughts With God’s Thoughts! Jeremiah 15:16.”
Your Future Spouse. Proverbs 31:30.
Marriage is hard. Really. Before we wed, my girlfriend was my best friend. We actually were prayer partners before we dated. Then we dated for seven years (marriage being out of the question due to age and circumstances). We prayed on every date—every time we got together, we began with prayer, asking God to blessContinue reading “Your Future Spouse. Proverbs 31:30.”
How Do You Judge Public Speaking? Acts 23:11.
Every time a candidate for president gives a speech, the pundits on television offer their analysis: how many minutes was the speech? Did the speaker improvise or stick to the script? Was the tone optimistic, pessimistic, or neutral? Did the speaker focus on numbers and facts or on heart-felt human stories? Was there humor? HowContinue reading “How Do You Judge Public Speaking? Acts 23:11.”
The Beatitudes Are About the Heart. Matthew 5:1-10.
Every culture looks at outward traits. To be popular as a high school student requires one set of traits. To be popular in medical school requires a different set of traits. To fit in during US Navy SEAL training might require a third set of traits. But in every context, people respect the visible appearanceContinue reading “The Beatitudes Are About the Heart. Matthew 5:1-10.”
Size is Irrelevant. “For Who Has Despised the Day of Small Things?” Ezekiel 42:20.
Solomon’s Temple was not as big as you think. We speak of the glory of Solomon’s Temple as though nothing else like it ever existed. In terms of gold-paneled walls, inlaid jewels, and precious stones, perhaps nothing else like it has existed. But Solomon’s Temple was probably no bigger than your house. The Tabernacle cameContinue reading “Size is Irrelevant. “For Who Has Despised the Day of Small Things?” Ezekiel 42:20.”
What Do You Seek in the Opposite Sex?
Most begin with looks. That’s natural, since you see a person long before you have a chance to meet. But there is so much more to relationships. I used to talk to high school classes about a friend of mine who was always on the heavy side, but girls were lined up to date him.Continue reading “What Do You Seek in the Opposite Sex?”
Beauty.
Actor Sidney Poitier said something that amazed me. He grew up with no running water, no electricity—and no mirrors. “I didn’t know what a mirror was until I was ten years old. I never thought about what I looked like.” CAN YOU IMAGINE!? Poitier grew up surrounded by people who ignored appearances. Contrast that withContinue reading “Beauty.”
Human Resources and the Heart.
Have you ever hired anyone? Ever chosen a person to fill a spot on a team or an officer in a club? Even choosing a roommate can be tricky. When Saul disobeyed God, God rejected him as king and chose someone else. God told Samuel to go to Bethlehem and meet the sons of Jesse.Continue reading “Human Resources and the Heart.”
Household Words: 