It's What's Inside That Counts
“But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
1 Samuel 16:7
Things are not always as they appear to be. There is an old saying, “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” We live in a world of veneer’s. I know as my wife and I are in the middle of a kitchen remodel project where we have had to pick out new flooring, tile and counters and wall coverings. If money was no object we’d pick the most durable, long lasting natural products on the market but unfortunately we can’s afford them so we settle for veneers. Veneers for the most part are very thin natural products laid on top of a lesser quality product making the cost more reasonable as it appears to be one thing when in reality it is not.
With regard to veneer’s and a building project you get the look you want but at a fraction of the cost. The downside is the product is not as durable and requires a lot more care in maintaining the outer appearance. One slip of a knife or drop a pot or pan and you run the risk of dinging or chipping the veneer exposing the underlayment of plywood, particle board or something else all together. It’s only then you learn that what’s on the inside will count.
Our natural senses play a major role in our choices each day. We see things that are appealing to the eye, or to the ear or to the mouth or touch and often times we don’t seek any further information. Believe it or not, most people who purchase a new car do so based upon the looks of the car more than the manufacturer’s warranty of the car. The number one choice in choosing a new vehicle is the cars color. Talk about veneers!
I had a friend tell me of a painful life lesson he learned while using the restroom. After finishing his business he reached for what he thought were those cool and refreshing baby wipes only to discover what he used was a Clorox bleach cleaning wipe. Both products are meant for cleaning, one for your personal hygiene and the other for sanitizing appliances. One provides a refreshing feeling when used while the other inflicted great pain upon physical contact, like pouring rubbing alcohol in an open wound. My friend learned very quickly, you could say as he stood to attention that though the containers containing wipes looked almost alike, its what’s on the inside that counts. Ouch!
The prophet Samuel learned the same lesson when anointing the second King of Israel, that whats on the inside is more important than what is on the outside. The mistake was made once with regard to King Saul and as Samuel came to Jesse’s house to anoint the next King of Israel he almost made the same mistake as the nation had when they chose Saul to be king. Samuel came to Eliab, Jesse’s oldest son and saw that he was tall, dark and handsome and thought, he must be the one! The Lord made clear to Samuel it wasn’t him nor was it any of the other seven sons that filed past Samuel one by one. God’s choice was the youngest son of Jesse who seemed to the black sheep of the family. Overlooked by everyone except God, David was to be anointed as the next king of Israel.
Don’t focus on veneer’s, loved one, focus on the hidden person of the heart, the part no one else sees but God Himself. Fad’s come, fad’s go, and what’s in today is out tomorrow. 1 Peter 3:3-4 serves as a great reminder for us each day in keeping the main thing the main thing, “Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-- rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”
I LOVE YOU!
1 Samuel 16:7
Things are not always as they appear to be. There is an old saying, “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” We live in a world of veneer’s. I know as my wife and I are in the middle of a kitchen remodel project where we have had to pick out new flooring, tile and counters and wall coverings. If money was no object we’d pick the most durable, long lasting natural products on the market but unfortunately we can’s afford them so we settle for veneers. Veneers for the most part are very thin natural products laid on top of a lesser quality product making the cost more reasonable as it appears to be one thing when in reality it is not.
With regard to veneer’s and a building project you get the look you want but at a fraction of the cost. The downside is the product is not as durable and requires a lot more care in maintaining the outer appearance. One slip of a knife or drop a pot or pan and you run the risk of dinging or chipping the veneer exposing the underlayment of plywood, particle board or something else all together. It’s only then you learn that what’s on the inside will count.
Our natural senses play a major role in our choices each day. We see things that are appealing to the eye, or to the ear or to the mouth or touch and often times we don’t seek any further information. Believe it or not, most people who purchase a new car do so based upon the looks of the car more than the manufacturer’s warranty of the car. The number one choice in choosing a new vehicle is the cars color. Talk about veneers!
I had a friend tell me of a painful life lesson he learned while using the restroom. After finishing his business he reached for what he thought were those cool and refreshing baby wipes only to discover what he used was a Clorox bleach cleaning wipe. Both products are meant for cleaning, one for your personal hygiene and the other for sanitizing appliances. One provides a refreshing feeling when used while the other inflicted great pain upon physical contact, like pouring rubbing alcohol in an open wound. My friend learned very quickly, you could say as he stood to attention that though the containers containing wipes looked almost alike, its what’s on the inside that counts. Ouch!
The prophet Samuel learned the same lesson when anointing the second King of Israel, that whats on the inside is more important than what is on the outside. The mistake was made once with regard to King Saul and as Samuel came to Jesse’s house to anoint the next King of Israel he almost made the same mistake as the nation had when they chose Saul to be king. Samuel came to Eliab, Jesse’s oldest son and saw that he was tall, dark and handsome and thought, he must be the one! The Lord made clear to Samuel it wasn’t him nor was it any of the other seven sons that filed past Samuel one by one. God’s choice was the youngest son of Jesse who seemed to the black sheep of the family. Overlooked by everyone except God, David was to be anointed as the next king of Israel.
Don’t focus on veneer’s, loved one, focus on the hidden person of the heart, the part no one else sees but God Himself. Fad’s come, fad’s go, and what’s in today is out tomorrow. 1 Peter 3:3-4 serves as a great reminder for us each day in keeping the main thing the main thing, “Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-- rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”
I LOVE YOU!
Recent
Archive
2021
2020
January
February
March
Why We Can Be FriendsBe What You Want Other's To BeThere Is A Song In Your HeartThe Afterward of FailureWhy God WhispersDon''t Worry, Be Happy!I Can See Clearly NowI'm In It For The Long HaulTrade In Your Fears For PeaceDaddy Hold YouThe EndA Guy Can't Just Sit AroundThe Birthday Boy!Worry Never WorksPromises PromisesTwenty Inches From BlissFit From HomeThe Silver Lining of SufferingThe Gift of PainDo Not Be Afraid
April
Two Tickets To ParadiseI'll Trade YouNo Substitute For TrustOur Greatest NeedHope DispensersYour Finest HourDreams Do Come True!How To Survive A PandemicFeeling ChippieThe Good In Good Friday!The Dark Before The DawnHow Stars Are BornOne A Day, And Leap Year Too!Please, Breathe On MeYou Can't Afford To WorryChristmas In AprilAre You Jesus?Comfort FoodSocial DistancingNew NormalThe Beauty of SelflessnessThrive Not SurviveDon't Ask Why Ask WhatEmpty Is GoodI Miss Your FaceGet Out Of Jail Free
May
Marriage IS WorkYou Are EssentialThe DestinationCourage Looks Like LoveLive The AmenRelentlessYou're Never AloneOpen For BusinessYour're ContagiousGod's Got Big EarsHigher EducationA Season, A Reason, A LifetimeTo Grope Is DopeYou PickWomen Like GodMaking A DifferenceOne Way LoveBlessed To BlessPeople God Uses
June
How To Defeat RacismDon't Be An AnimalJesus IS The AnswerBefore Not AfterDreams Do Come True!ImagineTell It Like It Can BePeace MakersHold OnThe Name Above ALL NamesThe Real You!Don\'t Lose Your PassionA Tale of Four Father\'sJust Do It For Jesus!IfIn or Out?Stay FocusedPriorities MatterGod's Green Thumb
July
August
Whistle While You WorkDon't Worry, Be Happy!Holy Moly, Just Look At You!You Can Do Hard ThingsJoy Is On The Way!Why Not Me?What's Your Backstory?ForgivenessJesus Is Our RainbowJesus In, Jesus OutThe 7 Factors of FriendshipBecause of YouLord, Teach Me To PrayHopeless End or Endless Hope?The Stress RelieverDefining MomentsA Supernaturally Scheduled DayWho's In Your Boat?
September
Hang In There 5 Minutes More!You Can Do It!What You See is What You GetMountains Were Made To ClimbLet Go, Let GodThe Third OptionWhat Will You Be?Better Than New!You Are A Best Seller!Heaven On EarthPray, Don't PreyTo love Is To ObeyIf I Could Live My Life Over AgainLet It Shine!Need A Hug?A Beautiful MessRun Through The TapeCause and EffectLife Is The PitsJust Say Yes
October
How To Have A RevivalLord, Teach Us To PrayBroken and BeautifulWhy God WhispersDig DeepThings Are Not As They AppearChildlike FaithGreat JobWhat On Earth Am I Here ForSafe In God's HandYou Be JesusYou Never Have To Advertise A FireRetraining ElephantsMission PossibleGo Nuts Today!Don't Hide The CracksOne Step AheadWho's Your Caddy?THINKPeter's Favorite PsalmFound Together
November
Success Through FailureNo FearAgainst All OddsGod Works For You But Not For YouThe Worship of TearsThank God For FleasHow To Thank A VeteranSoar Like An EagleOne Out Of TenHow To Get Through A StormCling OnKeep SwingingChoose Winning!The BlessingLessons From My Washing MachineHow To Put Happy Into Your ThanksgivingWe Exist To AppreciateThe Gift That Keeps On Giving
December
Peace On EarthHope In The DarkLessons From Long LinesHe's Making A List And Checking It TwiceKeep Rolling!You Have A ReservationWhen Heaven Met EarthThe Great Gift ExchangeA Thrill of HopeThe Real DealThe Perfect GiftFace Your FearsWinning Over WorryStability From A StableThe "awe" of HeavenJoy That LastsMessage From The MangerChristmas In Three WordsLook Up Not ForwardJust Because
2019
February
Heavenly RemindersThings Are Not Always As They AppearZihuatanejoSatisfied Wanting MoreGet In The Game!Always The Nails, Never The HammerA Four Footed EnemyAll InWhat's Love Got To Do With It?Lessons From A LeperLessons From A Former LeperNo MatchYour Mess Is Your MessageLessons From Your GPS"Ooooo ooooo ohoohohoo"Jesus MarveledShe Walks In BeautyShaken or Stirred?Bring The Rain
March
I Can't Love You AnymoreThe Gift of AttentivenessWha't Outside Your Tent?I'll Carry YouIt’s Worth The PainWorship On The BrainA Door of HopeGet Busy LivingHow Knowledge Becomes Power Please Do Not DisturbNew Normal5 Minutes LongerOur Conquering KingA Matter of PerspectiveAge Old WisdomFaith Your FearsThe Best Day Of Your Life… Starts Now!Who Grace Looks LikeHow To Have Lifetime JoyTo Know You Is To Love YouMistaken Identity
April
Life After The End Of The RopeLet's Get RealWhy God Made MountainsForgive And ForgetLoving You Is EasySweetly Broken Keep The Main Thing The Main ThingKnow God Know PeaceWisdom Never Gets OldOut of the WhirlwindMonday: A Pure and Holy PassionTuesday: The Passion Of JesusThe Passion Week: WednesdayJesus Love From Head To ToeFriday: The Passion JesusThe Ta-da of HeavenWhat's The World Coming To?A Love InvasionThe Gift of YouI'm With You AlwaysHow Is Your Balance?Bring The Rain
May
In Regards To HeavenHope WinsIshteeLove Is A VerbFinishing WellYour New Favorite BookGod Has No GrandchildrenCrossing GuardsYou Were Made For MomentsLiving Like A Rock StarA Wonder Filled DayLess is MoreAll Washed UpIf Your Child Goes Astray... Pray!Like Parent Like ChildBring Back The KingWith God You ARE The MajorityJesus IS EnoughWe Will RememberYou Are Stronger Than You ThinkEscape ArtistsYou Can't Back Into Your FutureThe Worship of Tears
June
For HankGod's 'GPS'A Friend Like YouDesire Discipline DelightDesire, Discipline, DelightYou Be JesusYour WorthA Living Love StoryThe Gift of GraceThe Power of AmenA Dad For All SesonsStuck On YouJust OneI Hope You DanceIt's Your Turn To ShineGlorious Day!Ancient Social MediaA Door of HopeLiving Like JesusPlease, Don't Shoot The Messenger!
July
Flawed Instruments Glorify GodHelp Is On The WayMay You Always Remain As You Are TodayOne Nation Under GodDivine AppointmentsDon't Trip Over Your PastWho's Counting?ShineLove Is A VerbBig Shoes To FillYou Never Have To Advertise A FireLet The Walls Fall DownOne Small Step, One Giant LeapOur God Rocks!Stirred To ActionThe Power of LoveTo Know Him Is To Love HimJesus Loves Pizza
August
September
October
Broken and BeautifulIn The Hands of The PotterRecognitionExtraordinarily OrdinaryBonded By A BonfireColor EverywhereWords To Live ByThe Best of MeJust Say YesChoose HappyThe Best Weekend Ever!Three Yet OneJust KISSGame ChangerHow To Beat An Escape RoomIt's What's Inside That CountsWhen Longer Isn't Long EnoughThe Whisperer
November
The Healing Power of a HugA Work In ProgressThe Best Day of Your Life Starts... NowYou Have Beautiful EyesLord, Teach Me To PrayFive Star FaithDebt Free LivingWhen Close Isn't Close EnoughHave I Got Something Just For You!Perfect In Any LightYour Strength Is Your WeaknessIt's Only A TestYou're Living An Adventure
Slow The PaceThe Art of AppreciationLasting MemoriesBlack Friday Saved My Life
Categories
no categories