Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Character – 1 Samuel 16:7 – Outward Appearance – Growing As Disciples

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV) 

Heart Surgery 

That is exactly what I want you to do. What’s that? I want you to look at my heart. Are you really that confident about the condition of your heart? No, not at all. Just the opposite is true. I want you to do surgery on my heart. Why is that? I have thought things that I wish I had not thought.  I have said things that I wish I had not said. I have done things that I wish I had not done. The same question always comes to my mind. What’s that? How could I think what I thought, say what I said or do what I did? How do you answer those questions? You and I both know the answer to those questions. Yes, we do, let me hear your answer. Everything that I think or say or do comes from what is in my heart. A good barometer of the condition of my heart are the thoughts of my mind, the words from my mouth and the deeds of my life. The condition of my heart cannot be hidden from anyone, especially not you. That’s right.

So, you want me to do surgery on your heart? Yes, I do. What do you think I will use to do surgery on your heart? You will use your word to do surgery on my heart. How will I do that? Your Holy Spirit will take your word and apply it to my life. A day will not go by that you won’t use your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. Your Holy Spirit will use your word to fight in me, with me and for me. Your Holy Spirit will use your word to fan flames of desire in me to love you will all my heart and mind and soul and strength. Your word will give me the delight and desire to be fully devoted to you. Your word will change my thoughts, form my words and guide my deeds. Your word will make me able to know and do your will. Your word will make me able to live a life that is pleasing to you. You will never stop using your word to work in and through my life. Use your word to do heart surgery in me as I love, follow and serve you. Yes, I will.

Lord, I know that you don’t look at the outward appearance. You don’t evaluate me by how good I look. What do you see in my heart? I want you to see someone who loves you with all their heart and mind and soul and strength. Let that be me and my heart. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Character – 1 Samuel 16-7 – Outward Appearance – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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