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Care for the Father's Flock
But the Lord said to Samuel, "Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
1 Samuel 6:7
When God wanted to choose a king after his own heart, he sent Samuel to Jesse's house. Jesse had many sons - some mature, some strong and mighty, some with all the outward looking characteristics of nobility, but each one God rejected. God wasn't after might or human power.
Perplexed, Samuel asked Jesse... "are these all of your sons?" He was convinced God had brought him to the right place.
David was in the field looking after his Father's flock. This was exactly what God wanted...David was anointed to be King.
God doesn't need our abilities, he can find and give us strengths that we wouldn't even know were there! What God requires is a heart that is fixed on the things of his kingdom: people who are willing to look after the Father's flock.
Who are the Father's flock? They are his people, whether that's a part of the church, prodigals or those that have never known him before. If you have a heart for people like this, then God will use you in his kingdom. He probably won't make you king, but he'll give you responsibility and entrust you to care for his flock in ways that you'd feel are beyond you.
A servant heart like David's was also a humble heart. A humble heart resulted in a thankful and praising heart. Don't let people judge you for what you have or haven't got naturally - let God decide and come to him with a heart wide open.
Only Jesus
Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, when they looked around, Moses and Elijah were gone, and only Jesus was with them.
Mark 9:7-8
Peter, James and John were taken up a mountain with Jesus and before their very eyes he was transfigured– his earthly body revealed something of his true glory. At this time Elijah and Moses appeared with Jesus. The disciples declared “let's build three alters - one for Jesus, Moses and Elijah”, they were in awe and fear.
Heaven answered, “this is my dearly beloved Son, listen to him.” God was asking them to focus on the one who really mattered. To the disciples, Moses and Elijah were two of the greatest men that ever lived. Remaining in front of them was 'only' Jesus.
We look for so much in our world, we always want to see great things all around us. Sometimes our delight is on individuals, sometimes it's on material things, sometimes it's on a myriad of other great things, all of which seem important to us. What if we had only Jesus, would he be enough?
The Father would say to us, 'if you could have all the riches of the world, all the world’s superstars and all the great heroes of faith, all the money and splendour of the world - I would still stay “this is my beloved Son, listen to him”. He is all you need.'
You may feel at times, that you 'only' have Jesus, but he is so much more than you will ever need. In him you’ll find life, healing, satisfaction and hope. It’s because of 'only' Jesus you have salvation and a glorious eternity.
Labels: Jesus, Perspective
Everyday Kindness
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress... James 1:27
On Saturday afternoon returning from Stourbridge, Isobel and I saw a stranger who was in distress. Joan, an 80 year old widow who has had various operations over the past months - none of which have helped improve her frailty - was attempting to walk home with two bags of shopping. She lived 300m away.
This journey would have taken her the best part of an hour at the lowly speed she was struggling to achieve. It didn't take a revelation from God to see she was in need.
It took a while to get her into the car, several attempts in fact. The girls in the back seats were motionless and silent. After safely taking her into her home and placing the shopping in the kitchen, she thanked me. It was if I had walked a thousand miles with her, such was her appreciation.
To me, this was a few minutes break from the routine of Saturday afternoon, but the cheer and blessing it brought to dear Joan, Isobel and I was vast.
Sometimes we forget the every day acts of humanity which God has built within each of us. As believers we have no excuse, that which in previous times was dead and inactive has been made alive, because the person of the Holy Spirit lives within us.
Remember the countless acts of kindness that Christ has shown to us. Sadly we can be put to shame by acts of humanity from people who don’t know the Saviour. How much more should we who know Jesus be genuine and pure in our faith? It is something that we all should strive towards, myself included.
How to Spot False Teachers
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace Hebrews 13:8-9
Ever since the beginning of time, mankind has been led astray by false teaching or by Satan himself. The lies started at the dawn of time in the garden of Eden. The serpent said: "Did God really say...?" bringing doubt and confusion to man, who fell because of it.
Israel was led astray over and over again, even by High Priests who were in privileged positions. The early church went through many difficulties with heresy and doctrinal divisions.
Peter writes: "...but there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them...Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money."
The bible gives us clear ways of discerning who these people are. They may:
- Teach destructive heresy
- Deny the truth about God
- Live immoral lives
- Slander the truth
- Make up lies to get hold of your money
"I am the Lord, and I do not change, Malachi 3:6. He will always be the same. His Word and the person of the Holy Spirit will always testify the truth about Jesus.
Labels: Discernment, Falsehoods, Teaching
