The Sacred 'Real Deal'

1 Sam.16:7

But the LORD said to Samuel,

 “Do not look at his appearance 

or at the height of his stature,

 because I have rejected him; 

for God does not see as man sees, 

since man looks at the outward appearance, 

but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Decorated facades

Like pretty cakes, appeal...

(but the truth of the matter is, this pretty frosting

 could be covering something delectable 

or extremely vile! 

The outside doesn't tell...)

Below is a photo my daughter sent me today,

 of a cake she made for a school fundraiser

(used with permission)

It looks great!

And I have tasted enough of her baking to be sure it will taste great!

However 'it looks great' alone is not enough!

It's what is under the countenance that counts🙏

As a man thinks, he is

Thought soon gives way to voice

The invisible genesis

Of love turns into choice

Thought's word and deed unfolds

Like leaves on many trees

Yet, countenance that gaze beholds

Is not what God’s eye sees

Eden’s forbidden fruit

Was pleasing to the eye

 Thought entertained That Cunning Brute

Then partook of his lie

Pride mocks God, true and good

The evidence of thought

Is always clearly understood

Through fear of Him, or not

Decorated facades

Like pretty cakes, appeal

But beneath what visage applauds

Is the crucial 'real deal'  

Therefore, we ought to heed

 Thought's hotbed of design

Ere aftermath of scattered seed

Hangs heavy on the vine 

For as we think we are

Then, pray this is our plea

That meditations of the heart

Are pleasing, Lord, to Thee

© Janet Martin

Ps.141

I call upon You, O LORD; come quickly to me.

Hear my voice when I call to You.

2May my prayer be set before You like incense,

my uplifted hands like the evening offering.

3Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth;

keep watch at the door of my lips.

4Do not let my heart be drawn to any evil thing

or take part in works of wickedness

with men who do iniquity;

let me not feast on their delicacies.

5Let the righteous man strike me;

let his rebuke be an act of loving devotion.

It is oil for my head; let me not refuse it.

For my prayer is ever against the deeds of the wicked.

6When their rulers are thrown down from the cliffs,

the people will listen to my words,

for they are pleasant.

7As when one plows and breaks up the soil,

so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of Sheol.

8But my eyes are fixed on You,

O GOD the Lord.

In You I seek refuge;

do not leave my soul defenseless. 

9Keep me from the snares they have laid for me,

and from the lures of evildoers.

10Let the wicked fall into their own nets,

while I pass by in safety.