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Friday, April 11, 2014

April 12 "Bow Before the People" I Samuel 15-17

On paper, Saul looks good.
In person, he looks even better.
Many people we know look good.
But, God, not us, looks on their hearts.
Saul defends the spiritual: I've obeyed God's Voice.
I've gone on mission; I've brought home spoils; I'm devoted to destruction.

What would repentance look like for Saul?
Saul is actually justifying himself before Samuel.
Saul asks Samuel to come with him not for his good,
but because he cared about what the people thought!
Oh God!  How do we justify ourselves in our sins?
Do we think God has not noticed?
Repentance is not a change of mind, "but a change of method." M. Henry.  "He is turned back from following me."

COME BOLDLY Timeless Prayers
Oh God! Are we guilty of the same things at times?  We have turned to follow You but we do fail.  Presumption.  Rebellion.  Heal our hurting hearts.  Change our methods.

PHOTO:  My Favorite Place on Earth.  Quarries Lake.  Where I go to pray and think and wonder and repent and praise.  Outside my classroom window.  Bucolic Beauty.


3 comments:

  1. "Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
    as in obeying the voice of the Lord?"
    Man looks on outer appearance, but looks at the heart.

    Saul disappointed God. He did what was right in his own eyes. He was proud that he had obeyed the Lord. Partial obedience is not obedience, though!

    Lord check our motives, our plans, our desires, and our actions. Purify us through and through with the Blood of Jesus. All our fasting, and grand gestures of giving mean nothing if our heart is not right with You. Make us pure and keep us close, Lord. We need You so desperately. Amen.

    As we walk through Holy Week, may we be mindful of all that Jesus went through to save us. May we welcome Him into the deep places of our heart to reveal our true condition of heart, and may He cleanse us from all unrighteousness. All because of the Cross. All because of Jesus.

    "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Heb 4:16

    Blessed Holy Week, Pearls. Anybody have any special plans?

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    Replies
    1. No special plans here. My daughter and I both have to work on Fri/Sat so we couldn't travel to see my kids in Dallas. What about you, Annette, with all those precious little ones? And how is Greg?

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  2. Looks like my reply didn't post, Bev. Greg has been in some pain the last few days. He's healing as he should, but these things take time. Our Easter is going to be very quiet. The girls have other plans with in-laws and other events, and Greg and his family will probably go to church but not do much else. We will have a meaningful Easter, nonetheless, as we can focus on the real Reason for the celebration. Hope you all have a blessed, fulfilling Easter, Bev. May our eyes be focused on the Cross this week, and the Empty Tomb come Sunday!

    ReplyDelete