God is NOT impressed.......

God is not impressed by my appearance (1. Samuel 16:7). The Lord said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord don't make decisions the way you do. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at a person's thoughts and intentions (heart)." (NLT). Jesus even said that appearances can be deceiving (Matt. 23:27), therefore we are not to judge others by their appearances (James 2:2-4). Many Christians are judging based on success and health: "The trouble with you is that you make your decisions on the basis of appearance." 2 Corinthians 10:7 (NLT). Inner beauty is more important than physical beauty (1 Peter 3:1-6). Christians are warned to be careful about their welfare because they should care more about spiritual than physical welfare (1 Tim.2:9-10). In Proverbs 21:2, "People may think they are doing what is right, but the Lord examines the heart." (NLT). God is looking for Christians who will worship Him from their hearts, minds and bodies. The heart is where God meets us because that is where we make our decisions. Our hearts are where our desires and motives are located. It is important to understand that our hearts is the state of our "flesh". Our flesh search for pleasure, pride, passions and selfish motives. The heart is the source of our emotions, thoughts and motives. By holiness does not mean I will be sinless but I can be blameless. My life as a Christian takes work and requires the commitment of my heart, mind and body. I need to have a “Christ-like attitude” (1 Peter 4:1-2). Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ”. Christ is not outside of me but He is inside me. Since Christ is within me, I must listen to His Word and walk in His steps (2 Corinthians 4:10). With Christ inside me, God has granted me the ability to understand the truth and live accordingly (1 John 1:5-6). I am God's letter, written in my heart to be known and read by everybody. I am to show that I am a letter from Christ, the result of His ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of my heart (2 Corinthians 3:2-3). I am being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5). I am encouraged by God that I am to offer my body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This is my Spiritual act of Worship. I will not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by renewing of my mind with the Word of God. By understanding the Word of God, I will be able to test and approve what God's will is; His good, pleasing and perfect Will (Romans 12:1-2). Showing a Christ-like attitude toward all (Rom. 12:7-21), exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), and maintaining a life of prayer (Eph. 6:18; Phil. 4:6). Jesus Christ calls us to discipleship, to take up our cross and follow him. Through the gift of God's saving grace, we are empowered to be disciples of Jesus, filled with his Spirit, following his teachings and his path through suffering to new life. A disciple of Jesus is to know life in the Spirit. Christ's definition of Beatitudes (Matthew 5) contradicts the world's standard of happiness. True happiness can only come from one source which is Jesus Christ. True happiness begins in my heart, mourning over sin which leads to meekness. From the attitude of meekness, I hunger and thirst for righteousness. Through Jesus Christ, I can receive God's mercy and righteousness that my heart will be pure. When I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit came into my heart and cleansed my sins and purified my heart. Only God can provide happiness when I have Jesus Christ in my heart and only Jesus Christ can give me true happiness. Happy are those who joyfully endure problems and trials because knowing God is teaching and leading me to where He want me to go. Enduring trials are part of a Christian's life. (Read: Romans 3 and James 1).