6-9-2025

Good Morning All,

    1 Samuel 16:7; “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

   We have all been told “don’t judge a book by its cover.”  Yet how many of us do?  When the women were given the right to vote for the 1920 election, the Republicans nominated Warren G. Harding.  One of the primary reasons was because he was handsome and thought to be able to swoon the woman vote.  He did win but I am not sure how much this fact matters.  Yet we often are drawn to the handsome and/or beautiful people.  We even joke about it.  I often tell people that I have a face for radio.  Yet all too often, we go on appearances in our decision making.

    We see this in every facet of our life.  Have you ever eaten a meal in a restaurant that even remotely looked like the picture?  How many times do you buy fresh fruit only to get home and find that the rotten ones are hidden in the back or bottom of the package?  When a person sells a house, one of the first things to do is paint it so it looks good.  Painting can cover lots of ills like water stains or mildew issues.  So, if you don’t look a little deeper, you might get the short end of the deal.

    The same is true of religion.  As Jesus walked the earth, the Pharisees and Sadducees were viewed as extremely pious.  Yet Jesus called them “whitewashed tombs” pretty on the outside but full of filth on the inside.  Jesus did not then, nor does he now; look at the outside.  Jesus always looks at the heart.  He looks at the heart that has faith; the heart that trusts in God’s promises.  Jesus heals that heart.  He restores it with his love and grace.  It doesn’t matter if you look like the most handsome movie star or if you have a face built for radio, Jesus looks at your heart.  He comforts the downtrodden and he heals the broken hearted.

    So, as we go out today and the world makes sure to show us that we are not as pretty as the world thinks we should be; know that you are beautiful.  You are beautiful because Christ has saved you.  You are gorgeous because you are a redeemed child of God; loved and cherished by Him.  Know that God’s inner beauty is shining out through you.  Know that as you share his love and the message of his Gospel; you are the most beautiful person in the world.  This is not from an outward view or a casual view but from a look at the depth of your heart into the very bottom of your soul.  God sees you as a forgiven heir to his kingdom.  You are beautiful to God and his people.

    Dearest Father, by your mercy we are brought into your everlasting kingdom.  You see beauty where the world sees ugliness.  We give you thanks for your great loving kindness.  Give us the courage to acknowledge the beauty of our fellow believers.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.   

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret