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“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

Down goes the first king; here comes the second! Saul was selected as the first king of Israel. The people’s criteria, according to chapter 9 was that he was “impressive, and a head taller than everyone else!” That’s all! He was chosen for his size and not his soul! And that became quite evident as the story progressed. He fell because he focused on his plans rather than God’s, and it was time to select the next king. Samuel is still the prophet they turned to and this time as they looked upon the chosen family from which the next king was to come they started with the oldest still fixated on status and stature over character.

So God steps in again to help with my verse for today. “Man looks on the outside; God looks on the inside.” It’s not what I appear to be as you look at me that really counts; it’s what inside me- who has my heart? Who has my mind? Who guides my choices? It’s not about size, it’s about soul. I can always fool you with appearance if I choose, but it doesn’t last. Pretty soon what’s on the inside has to come out, usually most clearly in conflict or catastrophy. THEN I show my true colors. Then you discover who I really am.

It’s so easy to get distracted and/or impressed by the outside; it’s so important that I choose instead to focus on the inside. That a good rule to follow when I pick a leader (and when I pick a spouse!) The outside eventually only deteriorates no matter what I do to it; the inside, my character, can only get better as I keep my priorities focus on my Lord. And if I need a good definition of “character,” it would be for me, what I do when no one is looking and no one will ever find out!

Have a good day keeping your focus on the inside,

Pastor Rich

Quote for the day: “Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times.” Martin Luther

PS “The Worship Summit” is being presented tomorrow through Sabbath at CVC. This is a nation-wide event, bringing together worship leaders and pastors from all over North America who will be discussing and practicing methods to improve worship as an interactive experience. We are hosting 10 students from Union to attend. If you are interested in being a part of this please contact Pastor Rich and I’ll see what I can do.

PPS Joint Worship by our Missions team as we focus on service this week. Join us at 8:30 tonight in the Rees Hall Chapel for 30 minutes of focusing on missions.