Mark 14:67-68 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.” But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed. Do you look like Jesus? When was the last time someone observed you and reported to another that you are a Christian? When was the last time someone at your office got encouraged by your faith? When was the last time a stranger testified that you are a follower of Jesus? What are your immediate thoughts and answers to these? Do you look like Jesus? Here is brother Peter in Mark 14:67-68, whose master had just been arrested and facing execution
Mark 14:37-38 Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Just an hour How often have we depended on other people's strength to see us through dare situations? How often have we relied on the pastor, our spouse, or our guardian to stay in 'prayers' for us? Sometimes, we tend to 'relax' with the thoughts that things are under control because someone else is praying. This may have left us in limbo when it comes to prayer, and we are unable to stand by ourselves in days of trials when needed. Peter had promised to follow the M
1 Samuel 16:12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Beauty inside out Physical appearance can be very deceitful. It is difficult to tell the state of a man's heart and his intentions, even with facial expression. One can put up a smile but bitter inside. One can say 'yes' but mean 'no' on the inside. In our passage today, 1 Samuel 16:12 God approved David as the new king of Israel. That was after all his brothers had stood before Samuel the prophet and each of them were disapproved of God who alone knew the state of their heart. However, notice the description of
1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. God sees the heart! Motive is important. Motive is key in our relationships with people, our spouse and God our Heavenly Father. In 1 Samuel 16, God had asked Samuel to go to the house of a man called Jesse to anoint the next king of Israel but did not tell Samuel who he was. Jesse had eight sons and was meant to present them one after the other for Samuel to choose. When Samuel met the first, notice his exclamation in 1 Samuel 16:6 'And it came
