Humble!

For Sunday, March 22, 2026:

1 Samuel 16:6 NLT: Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!”

Playing a guessing game with God is not fun. God, as you know, already has all the answers! Put yourself in Samuel’s shoes. You meet one of Jesse’s sons, Eliab, and ask, “Is this the one?”

The Bible doesn’t tell us what made Eliab attractive. Was he the tallest? The oldest? The best-looking? Hair most like John, Paul, George and Ringo? “No,” said God. “He’s not the one,” with no further explanation given.

What about the next sons, Abinadab and Shimea, and four more, as all of Jesse’s sons were presented. “The Lord has not chosen any of these.”

So Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”

There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” Logic would expect God’s choice to be the eldest, the one who has lived long enough to have gained the wisdom of the world. Last place would go to the kid looking after a few sheep.

God explains: “People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” God doesn’t desire words from your mouth or actions only designed to impress others. God wants to know what’s truly in your heart. Do you honestly love the Lord and love your neighbor? Are you willing to go where God sends you, and willing to do what he sends you to do? How is your heart, really?

God says that we must come to him like little children, innocent, with open minds. Humble is the word of the day. If you think you have it all together, you probably don’t. If you think you’re the pièce de résistance, your mind is already made up and God probably can’t help you. “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought.”

Selecting the next leader for the Promised Land requires a great deal of discernment. God knows what he’s doing. Remember, the first will be last, and the last will be first.

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Dogs and Pigs!

 For Thursday, February 9, 2023:

Matthew 7:6 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.”

Gifts from God are holy, sanctified. The original language tells us to not to share holy things with dogs! Gifts from God are to be treasured, retained for a special use or purpose.

This scripture tells us that though believers are not to be judgmental of others, we should still be discerning. Christians need to clearly know good from bad and right from wrong. We should be able to spot evil from a mile away, not to criticize or judge, but to identify and thereby avoid the problem!

Our ‘pearls’ are the Good News or Gospel. Jesus uses a little humor here to make a point. It’s futile if we attempt to spread the Gospel among those with hardened hearts. Those pigs will trample our pearls and then attack us! Discerning evangelists look for prepared hearts that are ready to receive, knowing that God has already been working, paving the way for our efforts!

'Dogs and pigs’ are understood to be those hostile to the kingdom, so steer clear of them!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship