Check your Reflection

Proverbs 27:19  As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart. (NIV)

The English Standard Version says it like this; As in water, face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.

As humans, we tend to judge someone before we even say hello to them for the first time. We sum up who we think they are by how they look. Because she appears to be as sweet as honey, we assume she is. Because he seems to be a push-over, we assume he is. But then, as we get to know them, we begin to see their hearts. Most of the time, people are not who we first thought they were - good or bad.

Do the things we say or think really come from our hearts?

Luke 6:45   A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Now, let's turn this inward. When I feel that I am inadequate and start talking about my weaknesses, this will show in my reflection. And, when I am feeling confident and ready to take on the world, this will show in my reflection as well.

What we think about ourselves will influence what others think about us too. We have to get to the place that when others see us, they see a reflection of Jesus. We must reflect God's heart. His thoughts need to become our thoughts. His ways need to become our ways.  

So, check your reflection with the Word of God. What does He see when He looks at you?

• He sees a child who is fearfully and wonderfully made. Ps. 139:14

• He sees a child whom He created in His image. Gen. 1:27

• He sees a child who is His workmanship created to do good works. Eph. 2:10

• He sees a child who has been raised up with Christ. Col. 3:1    

              ....and the list goes on!


Be blessed,
Dawn

The Name Changer

Have you ever wondered how your parents chose your name? When choosing names, some parents spend time researching; going through baby name books, looking for meanings of the names they like. Some choose to give a new baby a family name. Others will just choose a name based on if they like it or not, not really thinking about what that name might mean.

Names are important to God. There are instances in the Bible where God changed the names of men.

• Gen 32:22-32, relates the story of Jacob wrestling with God. Jacob would not let go until the man blessed him.  V.26, Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." 27 The man asked, "What is your name?" "Jacob," he said. 28 Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."

• In Matthew 16, Jesus asked His disciples who the people of the region say that He is. After they had given their answers, He then asked them, "who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "you are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus then blessed Simon and then told Simon that he would be called Peter, which means rock. 

You see, God has given each of us a name that represents His character. Jacob was given a name which means overcomer. Peter was given the name which means rock.

Well, what about me, you ask? Yes, God has given you a new name too.

• Rev 2:17  To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna,  I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him.

God does not see us as who we are, but who He wants us to become. He is waiting for all of us to accept that we can overcome when we totally surrender to Him. 

Be blessed,
Dawn

Do you hear me?

Do you feel like your prayers are hitting the ceiling? I know I do at times. As I was reading this passage, I realized that even the little sins can keep us from hearing or seeing answers to our prayers. When our spirit is out of line with God's, it affects our communication with Him.

Isaiah 59:1-3
1 Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. 3 For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters wicked things.

Verse 3 shows us that even the words we use can keep us from hearing God speak to us. When we use slander or gossip about someone, we are keeping God at a distance. He is righteous and holy, and simply cannot dwell where sin is present. Sin separates us from the love of God. Does that mean he stops loving us when we sin? Absolutely not!! It simply means that when we sin, we turn our backs on Him.

Psalm 19:14 is one of my favorite verses. It says; May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you. Each day, I make this my prayer to Him. Day to day life can sometimes pull us down but Praise God, His mercies are new every morning. What exactly does that mean? It means He does not hold yesterday's sins against us when we ask His forgiveness.

I encourage you today, to keep your heart and your mouth pure. Avoid the things that can keep you from hearing God speak. Don't be tempted to participate in conversations with others that do not please Him.

Be blessed,
Dawn