Tag: 1 Samuel 16:7

Lessons from a Fawn: God Sees Me, Hears Me, and Protects Me

Jeannie Waters38 Comments on Lessons from a Fawn: God Sees Me, Hears Me, and Protects Me

Look closely at the photo for tiny white spots. See her? Yesterday our granddaughter discovered a newborn fawn in the woods and observed the deer’s first wobbly steps.

This morning she noticed the doe moved her baby closer to the house. Our son’s family observed through a bedroom window as the mother nursed her fawn and then left her alone in the tall, camouflaging grass. The doe’s God-given instinct led her to find a safe place for her baby and feed her.

Our daughter-in-law’s research revealed another part of God’s plan. Mother deer may leave their young alone for hours, probably to avoid predators’ attention. 1 I wonder if, when the doe leaves, she keeps her young in view from afar while the tiny creature remains in a safe place.

This morning as I read a Bible passage, I saw these words about God’s creatures:

And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.   

Hebrews 4:13 ESV, emphasis added
No creature is hidden from God’s sight—not the tiny fawn—and not us.

God knows the newborn animal in our son’s yard—when she was born, how many first steps she took before she slid to the ground, and how many white spots adorn her back.   

He knows us, and He sees us. To the false prophets in Jeremiah’s day, God said,

Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth?

Jeremiah 23:24 ESV

God not only sees us, but He sees into our hearts.

For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7b ESV

God sees us, and He protects us—even in the storms of life.

God sees us, and He protects us—even in the storms of life. Share on X

When a rainstorm started earlier this afternoon, the little fawn loped under some trees with unsteady legs, then returned to her haven in the grass when the rain slacked—to the spot her mom selected.

The Creator of the deer designed protection for His children. He guides us by His Holy Spirit and His Word to keep us safe from our predator, the evil one, and his schemes. He “hems us in” with His love and protection.

The Creator of the deer designed protection for His children. He guides us by His Holy Spirit and His Word to keep us safe from our predator, the evil one, and his schemes. He “hems us in” with His love and protection. Share on X

Think about the fawn lying in the tall grass and join me in reading this passage:

O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is high; I cannot attain it.

Psalm 139:1-6 ESV

More family research indicated deer have individualized scent glands between their hooves which help fawns and their mothers locate each other. If Mama has not returned when the fawn is hungry, the little one cries in alarm and Mama comes running. 2 How marvelous are God’s ways.

Our heavenly Father not only sees us and protects us; He hears us.

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

Psalm 145:18 ESV

Are you encountering a storm? Do you feel alone or afraid? If so, I hope the picture of the little fawn encourages you and reminds you of God’s care. Do you know someone who needs the encouragement you can share from God’s Word today?

Please share in the comments how God cares for you or someone you know. 

1 https://discoverwildcare.org/was-this-fawn-kidnapped/

2 Ibid   

Pre-Christmas Heart Check

Jeannie Waters37 Comments on Pre-Christmas Heart Check

 

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Why, oh why did Dr. Jones schedule an appointment in mid-December? Who has time for that? My heart is fine.                        

As holiday prep time grew shorter, my to-do list grew longer. My peace meter registered closer to frayed-at-the-seams-frantic than to Christmas card-perfect.

 “This appointment is a waste of time,” I said to my husband. “I have so much to do before Christmas. I need to shop and send cards, and I need to decorate the tree.”

My feisty cardiologist had scheduled an echocardiogram, and trust me, no one argues with Dr. Jones. She ordered this test and others because she suspected a blockage or a rhythm issue.  

During the test, I watched the screen. Some views showed the four chambers working in a synchronized fashion. Other angles revealed my valves tapping out the rhythm of the blood flow.

After carefully examining the film with its in-depth images, Dr. Jones deemed my heart “fine and dandy” (my un-medical translation). Emptied of angst and complaints, I took a deep breath and exhaled before I walked to the car.

I rested my hands on the steering wheel, leaned my head in between them, and thanked God for a good report. Then I confessed my complaining spirit and my misplaced priorities. I asked God to calm my heart and exchange my Christmas agenda for His.

The Christmas carol on the radio echoed the peace that now filled my heart. The Prince of Peace is also the Great Physician who sees far beyond the scope of medical technology. He sees into the inner me, my heart of hearts, and cleanses it of sin as He draws me close to His heart.

For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.   

1 Samuel 16:7

As we celebrate Advent, perhaps you’ll join me as I ask the following questions about the spiritual health of my heart and pray,

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

Pre-Christmas Heart-Check Questions

  • What does God see when He probes the inside of my heart, the real me?
  • Do I begin each day seeking and praising Immanuel, God with us?
  • Am I laughing enough and enjoying His presence and my family’s?
  • Am I sharing God’s blessings with others as He intends?
  • Am I focused on pleasing God with my Christmas preparation, or am I simply checking off the holiday list? (Sometimes my priorities get out of rhythm, and my mind churns with so much to do. At other times, my heart is filled with wonder that Jesus loved me enough to lie on manger hay as a baby and die on the cross as my Savior.) 

In 2018, my Christmas season started with anxiety, as well as tests to check for blockages and irregular rhythms in my heart. This year I’m asking God to conduct a pre-Christmas check of my heart of hearts. I want Him to show me any blockage of sin or priorities that are out of rhythm with His heart.

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I’m sure, like me, reader friend, you desire to worship and celebrate with a pure heart the One who is called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

I look forward to reading your comments about Christmas.

*Scripture verses are taken from the English Standard Version.

Images by Pixabay

Is Your Heart Dressed for Easter?

Jeannie Waters10 Comments on Is Your Heart Dressed for Easter?

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Easter Memories

During my eighth year, Easter came early with its chilly temps, but I insisted on wearing my new sleeveless dress to Sunday School. My mom purchased a soft white sweater with tiny pearl buttons to make that feasible. Accessories completed the ensemble–white gloves, a flowery headband, white ruffled socks, white patent leather shoes, and a purse shaped like a closed parasol. Dressed in my Easter finery, I posed for pictures and felt ready for the holiday.

Dressing Up

Fashions have changed since that childhood Easter experience, but there are still occasions when we expend extra time and effort to look our best. There are places that require a certain dress code, and occasionally, it’s just fun to dress up.

Although paying attention to our outward appearance is necessary, the Bible teaches that God is more concerned with our hearts than our outward appearance.

For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

                                                                                                                                        –1 Samuel 16:7b ESV

Dressing the Heart

What should the condition of our heart be this Easter? How can we “dress” our heart to honor the Lord?  In Colossians 3:12-14, Paul addresses Christians when he writes,

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Colossians 3:12-14 ESV

Have you ever tried to “put on” some of these qualities by your own determination? I have, and at best, I’d last a day or two attempting to be more patient and more forgiving, for example. When my energy or awareness of my attitude waned, I was back to square one, repenting and trying again. Human strength falters in the character renovation process.

Once a person becomes a Christ follower, God makes that person more like Him. He does the changing as we yield to His work in our lives. Our part is to seek and obey Him.

What is the encouraging message in this post? We don’t need fancy clothes or even perfect behavior to please God. Once we’ve accepted Him as Savior, He transforms us and teaches us so that we can “put off” old behavior and “put on” the qualities listed above. Our hearts will be “dressed” for Easter and every day.

Is Your Heart Dressed for Easter? Share on X

A Message from My Heart

If you have never invited Jesus to be the Lord of your life, turning from your ways and accepting His, I would urge you to do so. After attending church all my life, during my senior year in high school, I realized I knew about God but did not know Him personally.

I asked God to forgive me for my sin, turned from my sinful ways, and accepted what He did on Calvary to pay for my sin. Then, I asked Him to come into my heart to be my Savior and Lord. That’s when I became a Christian, a person with Jesus Christ living inside. (If you want to know more, read: Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9-10, Ephesians 2:8-9, Acts 4:12, John 3:16, and John 14:6.)

Now, I have not only the promise of eternal life in heaven but also the joy of walking with Him each day, accepting His wisdom, love, peace, and the abundant life He promised. Besides these blessings, I’m grateful that He’s teaching me to “put on” Christ-like characteristics on Easter and every other day.

Please share your greatest joy in knowing Christ.

Have an Easter full of celebration and joy!

Echo of the Heart

Jeannie Waters7 Comments on Echo of the Heart

Yesterday, an echocardiogram revealed important information about my heart. I’m thankful the report was good.

During the procedure, I was amazed to see the inner workings of my heart on the screen. As the tech moved the probe around, some views showed all four chambers working in tandem, and some views showed how valves were operating. This technology enables cardiologists to assess heart health by observing the heart muscle at work and checking the efficiency of its pumping action.

Beyond the view of modern medicine, God sees into our heart of hearts.

. . . For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

                                                                                                                                                             –1 Samuel 16:7*

God knows my heart as no other. That thought led me to ask:

  • What does God see when He probes the inside of my heart—the real me?
  • Is my Christmas preparation pleasing to Him? (Sometimes my heart churns with “so much to do.” At other times, it’s filled with wonder that God loved me enough to lie on manger hay and later die for me.)
  • Do my activities honor Immanuel, God with us, or simply fulfill the tasks I believe I must do?
  • Is my worship fitting for the King of kings?
  • Do I laugh enough and enjoy His presence and blessings?

Although sin must be confessed, the condition of our hearts should not create despair. Followers of Christ have the hope and assurance that God will continue to teach us and transform our hearts.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

                                                                                                                                                     –Philippians 1:6

Another question I considered was, “What view of my heart is reflected to others?”

Whether engaging in conversation with me or glancing from a distance, do other people see the love, joy, peace, and patience of Christ, or do they see selfishness, frantic hurry, anxiety, and impatience? Do the yearnings of His heart shine through my countenance and words?

Father, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

One last question: What were hearts like at the manger?

 Joseph must have had a humble heart after his appointment as the earthly father for the long-awaited Messiah. Maybe he was a bit overwhelmed, too, with the responsibility.

Heavenly Father, give me a humble heart as Your servant. When I’m overwhelmed, remind me that You always promise guidance like you offered Joseph.  

Mary’s heart was filled with treasures as she pondered the happenings of that holy night in her heart.

Lord, speak to me from Your Word, and help me tuck the treasures you teach me deep in my heart so You may use them to echo Your truth.    

The shepherds’ hearts were filled with worship—true worship in an outdoor cathedral illuminated by a star.

Abba Father, as I complete daily tasks this month, give me a heart of wonder and worship.

 The busy innkeeper’s heart is unknown to us. Maybe he was indifferent to the traveling couple and the holy Child who occupied his stable. Did he hear the news later and regret missing the opportunity to sit at the feet of the Messiah? If so, did he spread the news to fellow businessmen?

Lord, I don’t want to miss an opportunity to praise and worship You due to seasonal rush. Lead me to take time to reflect and to share the good news.

 A Christmas Prayer

Lord Jesus, be at home in my heart this Christmas. Remove the tinsel and wrappings of sin that clutter the space reserved for You. May my heart and countenance echo the joy and peace of the night in Bethlehem when You became Immanuel, God with us. Seal the majesty of the manger in my heart.

Dear reader friend, please tell me how I can pray for you this Christmas, and add thoughts you want to share below.

*Scripture verses are from the English Standard Version.