The Talent Show?

God has a plan for you

The Talent Show?

“Get on your boots, Samuel. You’re going to Bethlehem to get a new king.”

“Aw shucks, Lord, are you sure King Saul has to be replaced?  You chose him. Saul was like a son to me. So what if he didn’t

obey you?”

“SAMUEL!  I am God. Don’t argue with ME! Get to the house of Jesse in Bethlehem. He has a son I’ve chosen to be the next king of Israel.”

So Samuel, the prophet of God, got going.

Jesse had seven sons and Samuel was going to pick the best one.

Samuel looked at the first son.

“This is easy. This guy’s got it all together. Walks like a king, built

like a king. My job is done!”

“Not so fast, Samuel. I don’t like his heart. He’s full of pride.”

“But Lord, he’s so strong and good looking too.”

“Samuel, he’s prideful. He can’t serve Me.”

So Samuel checked out each son and each one God—rejected.

Samuel scratched his beard. “Jesse, are these all your sons?”

“Well, I forgot to mention David.”

The brothers chirped up, “David? He’s just an errand boy…watches

a few sheep.”

“Bring him to me!” boomed the exhausted prophet.”

David came quickly and God spoke.

“David is the one. Anoint him. By the way, Samuel, I don’t see the

way people see. I see the heart.”

And David’s brothers stood gaping as Samuel poured the anointing oil upon their little brother’s head.

David wasn’t voted most likely to succeed.  He didn’t have a million followers. But David loved God with all his heart.

God had a plan for David.

God has a plan for you.

David’s heart was right with God.

Make sure your heart is right—with God.

The Lord is calling your name.

This is God’s commendation of David.

“I've searched the land and found this David, son of Jesse. He's a man whose heart beats to my heart, a man who will do what I tell him.”

Acts 13:22 MSG

Dear Lord, Give me a heart to love you. Thank you!

Caught

Understanding Your Worth and Value
You are not condemned!

       Caught!

“We got her this time. Caught… read handed! She’s done for and Jesus won’t know what to. He’ll look like a fool! Ha ha!”

“Oh, yeah! Adultery isn’t something He can ignore.”

So the ministers took the shamed woman to the temple.

There they placed her in the center of the court. She was

trembling. She knew the law. She would be stoned to death. She had to pay.

And the ministers couldn’t wait to start throwing stones!

I’ll never leave here alive. What’ll I say when I face God? Oh I’m so stupid… so foolish. I hate myself.

“Jesus, we caught this woman in a man’s

bed… who‘s not her husband. The law says she should be stoned. What do you say?”

Jesus knew their hearts—ugly!

Where’s the mercy? They just want to make me look like a fool. Well, I could care less

about that. My heart’s for this broken woman.

Jesus stooped down and wrote in the sand with His finger. When he stood up He spoke and when Jesus spoke it was different. He is God. He is all authority.

“I’ll tell you what. If you’ve never sinned….start throwing.”

The sounds of falling stones and fading footsteps were heard. All

had sinned. Jesus had triumphed—condemnation had lost.  

Jesus approached the cringing woman crumpled on the ground.

Gently He lifted her up and looked deeply into her hurting eyes.

“Woman, where are those who shamed you?”

All she saw was kindness.

I’ve never seen a man like this. He knows my sin but all I see is His love. How can this be? How could He love me?

“They’re gone, Lord.”

“I don’t condemn you either but there’s one thing. Go and sin no more.”(John 8:10-11)

And she knew she could do that. She’d just seen Jesus. She’d never be the same—again!

Dear Lord, Thank you that you do not hate me or judge me. Show me how to live.

 

.

Forgiven--Forever!

Understanding Your Worth and Value

                                          Forgiven—Forever!

Simon’s eyes bugged out. “What’s THAT girl doing at the feet of Jesus? Doesn’t He know she’s a sinner?”

Everyone knew. She was bad news. “Don’t get caught dead with her.”

She hated the gossip. She knew what they

said about her. But this Jesus—He was different.

If I can just get to Jesus I’ll be alright. He’s so kind, so

different. He’ll forgive me like He did other messed up girls .I can’t stay away.  I don’t care what they say.

Sobbing, she washed the feet of Jesus

with her beautiful hair. Then she broke her special bottle of expensive perfume and smoothed in on His feet. Suddenly, she felt the mercy of God and her tears just... couldn’t... stop.

I feel so clean not dirty anymore. Oh, how I love Jesus!

Simon sulked. “That’s just not right! She’s a terrible sinner!”

 Jesus Looked Simon in the eye.

 “Simon, did you kiss me when I greeted you?"

 “Uh, well…….that’s so emotional.”

“Did you give me a hug when I came in?”

“Gee whiz, Lord. That matters?”

“Did you give me water and ointment for my feet?”

“Didn’t my servants do that?”

Simon was proud.  He liked being seen with an important person.

Jesus knew that.

Jesus continued.

 “Simon, this girl, you would never hang out with, has washed my

feet with her tears.

“Put expensive ointment on my feet.

“Kissed my feet more than once.”

“But Lord, what about her many sins?”

“What sins?       

She’s forgiven.

Her sins—forgotten.

I loved her first and now she loves me!”

“I -- yes, I alone -- am the one who blots out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.”

                        Isaiah 43:25

Dear Lord, Please forgive me. I have sinned. I need you. Thank you!