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God Looks at the Heart

8/2/2015

3 Comments

 
Picture
The old man walked down the street with a cane to steady his shaky steps and a prayer to steady his aching, lonely heart. His progress was slow as he made his way up the steps to the church door. Opening it took a lot of effort and the young people entering before him let the door close in his face.
    
His entrance into the narthex drew a lot of stares, no welcoming greetings, just whispers and stares.  He began to make his way to the open doors of the sanctuary when he was approached by the usher. The man's expression was polite but with a shade of dismay. Being careful not to, in
anyway, touch the old man, the usher gently began to guide him back toward the narthex and the way back to the street.
     
"We have a strict dress code here, sir, and I am afraid you don't qualify to enter into the Lord's house. If you would like to attend, please make an effort to be more appropriately
attired. We must be careful whom we allow to be associated with us."
   
The old man, with tears rolling down his cheeks, made his way down the steps once more.  His pockets were empty. His family gone or living far away, his wife now with the Lord and no one to care about him or his needs, he saw no reason to 
continue on. Even the prayers he whispers seem to go no further than his lips. With no particular destination in mind, he settled on the bench at the bus stop.
   
A young man, with eyes saddened by the world he saw around him, sat down beside the broken old man. Silence quietly rested between them. The young man's spirit seemed to offer comfort to the old man.
   
"They wouldn't let you in?"

The old man simply hung his head.

"Don't worry, they wouldn't let me in either."

The old man looked up into the eyes of Jesus.

His eyes widened, his heart jumped, great joy took root in his soul and flooded his lonely spirit.
  
 "They are so focused on the outer appearance, they have forgotten why they are here."

   
1Samuel 16:7b "The Lord does not look at the things
man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but
God looks at the heart."
   
When the Lord looks at a church, He doesn't see the building. He is looking at the church body and how they represent Him to the world around them. Jesus went to those who needed a savior and a healer, not the wealthy or powerful. 
  
 Jesus wants us to present Him to the world with compassion and grace and mercy. The weary old men, the lonely widows, the lost and rejected, the children in need are the ones we are to open our doors and hearts for. Sometimes the doors are difficult to open but He is standing at the door waiting for us to open it. He is hurting for those who hurt but also for those whose poor choices hold the doors shut.
   
Will you be the one to help open the door? Can we all be the ones to be Jesus to the world? He had us in mind when He promised us jewels in our crowns. He knows our needs, strengths and weaknesses. He uses us because we rely on Him and not ourselves.

3 Comments
Maria Parraguirre link
8/17/2022 04:07:14 am

Teary eyed and heartbroken after reading this. Sadly but yes, so true. Man looks at the outward appearance, God looks at the heart. Just as our loving Jesus, we still have to learn to be caring, loving,
compassionate and openhearted to everyone alike not just the few, for we are all deserving of love, not judgement. We must be conscious that God looks at our hearts and deeds. Thank you for sharing, it's a must read. 🙏 God bless you!!

Reply
Chandrabhan Vishwakarma
1/3/2024 06:35:49 am

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Reply
john
7/23/2024 06:39:48 am

JESUS COIN
Faith and Freedom
<a href="https://7c4206wd2y2mck6ipeu9-l4nei.hop.clickbank.net" target="_blank">click here</a> AN ICON OF BLESSING AND
LIBERTY

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    Please join us as we grow in Christ through our weekly devotions, written by Catherine Donaldson

    Cathy is the chairperson of our prayer room, she shares from her heart what
    God is teaching her.
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    ​If you are challenged by her weekly devotional, you may like her book:
     
    A VIEW FROM THE PEWS:
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2025 Knox Ladies Seminar

Please Note

Due to the large number of ladies currently attending the Seminar,
​we are unable to accommodate individual dietary restrictions in our menu.
We are sorry for any inconvenience.
  • Welcome
    • Accomodations
    • Contact Information
    • Directions
    • Get Involved >
      • Prayers and Praises!
      • Volunteer
      • Sponsorships >
        • Become a Sponsor
      • Suggestions
    • History of the Knox Ladies Seminar
    • Our Book Room
  • 2025 Seminar
  • Past Seminars & Memories
    • 2024 Seminar >
      • 2024 Keynote Speaker - Stephanie Rousselle
      • 2024 Worship Leader - Angel Omoruan
    • 2023 Seminar >
      • Keynote Speakers >
        • Bruce Martin
        • Jennifer Hand
      • 2023 Community Night
      • Worship Leaders
    • 2022 Seminar >
      • 2022 Keynote Speaker >
        • 2022 Keynote Speaker ... Jennifer Shaw
      • 2022 Worship Team ... T.L.C.
    • 2021 Seminar >
      • 2021 Keynote Speaker - Mary Southerland
      • 2021 Worship Team ... TLC
    • 2019 Seminar >
      • Keynote Speaker ... Gwen Smith
    • 2018 Knox Ladies Seminar >
      • Pictures from our 2018 Seminar
      • 2018 Keynote Speaker ... Robyn Dykstra
      • 2018 Praise Team ... The Messengers
    • 2017 Knox Ladies Seminar >
      • 2017 Poster
      • 2017 Keynote Speaker ... Liz Curtis Higgs
      • 2017 Praise & Worship Leaders ... Leatherwood Band
      • 2017 Entertainment ... Clarion Center for the Arts
    • 2016 Knox Ladies Seminar >
      • 2016 Poster
      • Carol Kent - Keynote Speaker
    • 2015 Knox Ladies Seminar >
      • 2015 Poster
      • Dawn Smith Jordan
      • Alissa Cooper Sande - Heart for Uganda
      • 2015 Community Groups
      • Pictures from our 2015 Seminar
    • 2014 Seminar >
      • 2014 Poster
    • 2013 Seminar
    • 2000 - 2012
    • 1987 - 1999