We must learn to see others through God’s eyes!

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
(1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV))

How many times have you made a false judgment about someone simply based on their outward appearance?

If you are like me, you probably needed a little bit of time to be honest with yourself, especially when you come to the realization that we are all sinful, fallen creatures who are more concerned with the pretentiousness of the physical than any other aspects of our lives.

I believe that this happens as a result of our sinful, fallen nature. Let’s face the truth. We lost so much when humanity believed a lie and fell from grace. We lost the direct connection with God the Father, and as a result, we lost our ability to truly discern things based on God’s standards. Because of this, humanity has repeatedly fallen for the richest, the strongest, the tallest, the best looking, the most charismatic, and the most deceptive simply because we can only see the outer appearances. We can’t see people the way that God sees them. In fact, we don’t even see ourselves as God sees us. We see ourselves as worthless because we compare ourselves to what we can see in others. What we don’t see is the hidden secrets behind the veil of the outward appearance. We make the assumption that what is on the inside is just as good as what we see on the outside.

When you look in a mirror, what do you see?

I would safely assume that you see more in yourself than your outer appearance, yet, still not as much as what God sees in you. If we know that we are more than our outer appearances, why do we make the assumption that others are not like that? We falsely judge the proverbial book by its cover while completely ignoring the chapters contained within. We see a pretty face. God sees a shallow heart. We see a handsome athlete. God sees a self-centered arrogance. We see a rich young man. God sees a lost soul. We see someone who seems to love the spotlight. God sees a lonely heart.

Appearances can be deceptive. Things are not always as they seem. We must learn to look beyond the superficial and learn to see people the way God sees them. If you stop to think about it, when you hear someone say that a certain person has a good heart, that is usually a slight backhanded stab at their outer appearance. The same can be said for when you refer to someone as having a great personality. Have you ever said anything like that about someone? If so, have you repented for this and asked God to let you see them as He sees them?

We must learn to see others through God’s eyes!

Copyright 1998 – 2022 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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What are you convinced of?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8:38-39 (NIV))

An old friend referenced this passage a few days ago. Sadly, she has been through a lot in the last few years, yet she clings to this passage, and rightly so. She taught me a lesson that I will not forget!

With all that we face in life, nothing is constant. Never take anything for granted in this physical, fallen world. Laughter and love will fade away and turn to tears and loneliness for every single one of us. We will all face things in this life that, if we aren’t properly grounded, will completely decimate us. In all that this world has to offer and all that this world will throw at us, nothing in this world will stand by us forever.

There is only one constant in this journey that we call life. Even though it came into this world, it is not of this world. It is not a part of the created order of things. It is the love that the Creator of all things has for us.

I love the words, “Abba, Father.” Someone once implied that the closest that they could come to understanding these words and the love that they represent is to think of them as “Daddy!” It is not a formal relationship that these words represent. They are the words that represent a loving relationship between creation and Creator in a way that reflects a relationship of a child to a father. The mere mention of “Daddy” elicits such a loving response from the child. It also elicits such a loving response from the father for the child. He bends down and wraps his arms around his child and lifts them up to be face to face with himself.

This is a love that exceeds all things!

Now, let’s take what we know of earthly love and elevate that love heavenward. Each one of us are loved by God in such a way and with such fervor, that our Father did not wish for any of us to be separated from Himself. He bent down to earth by sending His only begotten Son, Jesus, to offer us outstretched arms of love on the cross. These outstretched arms were opened wide to embrace us and lift us up to Him so that we can be face to face with God for eternity. This is a love that can withstand all things!

Thank you, Jody, for reminding me of this unfailing love that our Father has for us.

I am so convinced of the strength of God’s love, that I rely on that knowledge each and every day of my life.

What are you convinced of?

Copyright 1998 – 2018 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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Have you accepted the vastness of that goodness and love?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living

But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children.
(Psalms 103:17 (NAS))

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
(1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV))

Both verses tell of the unending, unfailing love that God has for His creation, especially those who call upon His name in love and righteousness.

Don’t get this wrong! God loves everyone, and He does not wish any to perish. He shows unsaved people His love, but in many times that love goes unrecognized by the intended recipient. He does show His love to those who show Him their love. Perhaps it is the fact that they wish to express love in return that allows them to see the love that God pours out on them.

He wants to bless us!

God’s love is not limited to only those who are on His “good side.” Anyone can receive God’s love. If anyone turns to Him and repents, then He will be waiting for them with love, grace and mercy that will never end. Isn’t that amazing?

We are limited by human knowledge and capacity and probably every single one of us has trouble grasping the infinite capacity that God has to love us. We cannot comprehend the unlimited love that God has for us and how that love manifested itself for our salvation in and through Jesus Christ. Just as the human mind has trouble with understanding the vastness of the mathematical concept of infinite, we are also limited in understanding the height, depth, and breadth of God’s love.

God is good! Have you accepted the vastness of that goodness and love?

Copyright 1998 – 2018 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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Are you and God inseparable?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living

neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8:39 (NIV))

There is only one way to God the Father!

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
(John 14:6 (NIV))

If you have Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, then you have the Father.

Sadly, far too many people believe that there are multiple ways to get to heaven, to get to the Father. Some believe that simply being a good person will achieve the desired results. Others believe that doing good works will get you to heaven. Some believe that killing anyone who doesn’t believe in their god will get you to heaven.

What do you believe?

Is Jesus your personal Lord and Savior? Do you long to see Jesus return for His bride? Do you long to see Godly righteousness prevail? If you have Jesus in your heart and you long for the things that are of God, then nothing can separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus!

I want to ask just one more question. I want you to be completely honest with yourself when you answer. If you love Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, then you should easily know the answer.

Are you and God inseparable?

Are you?

Copyright 1998 – 2017 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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