Inside Out // Week 3

We all have a debt that we could never pay. Most of us have rented Redox movies and racked up a considerable late fee before turning it back in. That fee is manageable but the fee of our sin is a debt that we could never repay nor be good enough to overcome it. Thankfully, Jesus overcame it for us.

Most of us (not me) like our pictures taken. I wonder why that is. I think a lot of it has to do with our appearance. Not our appearance on the outside but a masked appearance. A lot of the times our smiles that we give in pictures do not match up with what is really going on on the inside. It just masks our pain, burdens, and worries.

God can see straight through our advertisement to who we really are. We can't hide anything from Him or mask anything from Him.

God knew the real you and still chose to come and die for you.

We may successfully fool others but God knows your HEART!

God wants you to be ALL IN!

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejectedhim as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”4 Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”7 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 people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah." 1 Samuel 16:1-13

David's name is used over 1100 times in the bible. That's more than Jesus's name is used. More than anybody's name, actually. God chose to use a SHEPHERD. God chooses to use people that NO ONE else would!

God was looking for a man whose heart was FOR God!

God rewards character not reputation!

Would God choose YOU to be the next King based on your character?

David was faithful where he was...being a shepherd. When you are faithful with little, He will entrust you with much. Be FAITHFUL where you are!

When you start taking care of your character, your reputation will speak for itself!

We need to spend more time in God's WORD instead of in the MIRROR!