House and Home

I learned a long time ago that a nice house doesn’t make a home. The family inside the home are what make it home. I want to be where my family is, and we can adjust to most any place. I think it probably goes without saying, but a sharply dressed man or woman doesn’t make them smarter, kinder or better. In the world of house flips, you can often hear the words: “lipstick and rouge will make it look good”.  I remember hearing that if you put lipstick on a pig, it’s still a pig!

Most anyone can put on a good show and look good for a season or short period of time. We all have a little politician in us I guess. Who a person is when no one is looking – that is who he or she really is.

Jeremiah records a scolding that the Lord gave a king of Israel. This young man was heir to the throne, but obviously didn’t follow the ways of the Lord as his dad had done. Check this out….

¹³ And the Lord says, “What sorrow awaits Jehoiakim,
    who builds his palace with forced labor.
He builds injustice into its walls,
    for he makes his neighbors work for nothing.
    He does not pay them for their labor.
¹⁴ He says, ‘I will build a magnificent palace
    with huge rooms and many windows.
I will panel it throughout with fragrant cedar
    and paint it a lovely red.’

¹⁵ But a beautiful cedar palace does not make a great king!
    Your father, Josiah, also had plenty to eat and drink.
But he was just and right in all his dealings.
    That is why God blessed him.
¹⁶ He gave justice and help to the poor and needy,
    and everything went well for him.
Isn’t that what it means to know me?”
    says the Lord. (Jeremiah 22:13-16 NLT)

The Lord looks upon my heart more than my outward expressions of praise for Him.

The Lord looks upon my heart more than my outward expressions of kindness to others.

My relationship with the Lord needs to be genuine and real. I don’t need to try to “act the part” with Him. He sees right through that. He knows my thoughts. He knows my words before I speak them. I must daily come before the Lord in humility and gratitude. I deserve punishment, but I get rescue. His Grace is enough to cover me. I can’t act proud and arrogant, because I would be nothing without Him. With Him, I can help others and serve them because He calls me to do that. Calling myself a Christian doesn’t make me one – surrendering daily to God’s call upon my life makes me different. My heart is His Home.

Pressing On!

Dwayne