Has someone ever surprised you with a gift and you rejected it because you didn’t like its packaging? Was it too small, too big, awkwardly shaped, or the wrong color paper? How can we judge a gift by its package? A coffee machine comes in a big box and the biggest diamond ring comes in the smallest of boxes. While I can appreciate both, the unsuspecting diamond ring box obviously holds more monetary value, but you can’t put a price on morning’s first cup of coffee (I love my coffee)! They both serve a purpose, but what really makes a gift special is who the person giving the gift is. If the man that you have desired to marry gives you the diamond ring then it holds eternal value. If the creep that’s been stalking you gives you the same gift then it holds no value.
Would you ever reject a gift from God? Most of us would “say no”, but religious people do it all the time. We miss what God is speaking and doing because of the package that is comes in. Many people think it should come in the same 12 inch, square box with perfectly taped wrapping paper. They want it to “feel” a certain way and “sound” a certain way. They even want it to serve a certain purpose even when God wants to shift it to another. God speaks to us all and can use whoever or whatever He wants to send us a message. Read Numbers 22-34 and you will see how God opened the mouth of a donkey to speak because His servant had his own agenda.
God speaks. He speaks through scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17). He speaks through people (Romans 12: 6-8). He speaks through the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). He speaks through difficulties (Psalm 119:67-68). He speaks through creation (Psalm 19:1-2). God speaks in different ways (Job 33:14). He spoke to Moses with fire (Exodus 3:2). He spoke to Samuel in an audible voice (1 Samuel 3). He spoke to Elijah in a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12). He speaks with a wind that sounds like cherub wings (Ezekiel 1:24). He sounds like many rushing waters and loud thunder (Revelation 14:2). He roars, He whispers, He dances, and He weeps. No matter how He comes, He is always good!
You might not look like what people are expecting (either did David). You might not sound what they have heard before. God is doing a new thing for you in this new season. He is breaking off religion. He is breaking off limits. If you get stuck in your flesh and go the way that satisfies your boxed in version of God, then you will miss what God is doing. It will feel good for the moment but the fruit won’t remain.
1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJV)
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees;[a] for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart
God’s not looking for a show. He is looking for our hearts. His glory will do the rest. I want to receive my gift from God, not from the creep putting on a good show! When God is speaking then we should be listening. Let’s not overlook the “different” package. He wants to surprise us and keep us always leaning in with great anticipation and expectation of what He wants to do next!
Father we thank You that You still speak. Forgive us for rejecting your gifts because of our perception of what You should look, sound, and feel like. Take us out of our religion and in sync with Your Spirit. Help us discern what You are doing through Your people by their hearts and not by their appearance or delivery. We don’t want to go in our own direction. We want to move by the Holy Spirit that leads and guides us into all truth. We want to stay in Your presence and move when You move. Help us be a gift to others by using what You have placed on the inside of us. We want to receive everything that You have for us and give everything that we have to offer. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
Would you ever reject a gift from God? Most of us would “say no”, but religious people do it all the time. We miss what God is speaking and doing because of the package that is comes in. Many people think it should come in the same 12 inch, square box with perfectly taped wrapping paper. They want it to “feel” a certain way and “sound” a certain way. They even want it to serve a certain purpose even when God wants to shift it to another. God speaks to us all and can use whoever or whatever He wants to send us a message. Read Numbers 22-34 and you will see how God opened the mouth of a donkey to speak because His servant had his own agenda.
God speaks. He speaks through scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17). He speaks through people (Romans 12: 6-8). He speaks through the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). He speaks through difficulties (Psalm 119:67-68). He speaks through creation (Psalm 19:1-2). God speaks in different ways (Job 33:14). He spoke to Moses with fire (Exodus 3:2). He spoke to Samuel in an audible voice (1 Samuel 3). He spoke to Elijah in a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12). He speaks with a wind that sounds like cherub wings (Ezekiel 1:24). He sounds like many rushing waters and loud thunder (Revelation 14:2). He roars, He whispers, He dances, and He weeps. No matter how He comes, He is always good!
You might not look like what people are expecting (either did David). You might not sound what they have heard before. God is doing a new thing for you in this new season. He is breaking off religion. He is breaking off limits. If you get stuck in your flesh and go the way that satisfies your boxed in version of God, then you will miss what God is doing. It will feel good for the moment but the fruit won’t remain.
1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJV)
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees;[a] for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart
God’s not looking for a show. He is looking for our hearts. His glory will do the rest. I want to receive my gift from God, not from the creep putting on a good show! When God is speaking then we should be listening. Let’s not overlook the “different” package. He wants to surprise us and keep us always leaning in with great anticipation and expectation of what He wants to do next!
Father we thank You that You still speak. Forgive us for rejecting your gifts because of our perception of what You should look, sound, and feel like. Take us out of our religion and in sync with Your Spirit. Help us discern what You are doing through Your people by their hearts and not by their appearance or delivery. We don’t want to go in our own direction. We want to move by the Holy Spirit that leads and guides us into all truth. We want to stay in Your presence and move when You move. Help us be a gift to others by using what You have placed on the inside of us. We want to receive everything that You have for us and give everything that we have to offer. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
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