Hey y’all, today is a new day so let us rejoice and be glad in it. I was thinking about how Scripture speaks of the dirty cup and dish in Matthew 23:25–26 NLT, “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too.” In this passage, Jesus is speaking of the spiritual hypocrisy the Pharisees practiced. They had the Scriptures memorized and tithed every cent they received, yet their hearts were never changed. They were still greedy, self-righteous, condemning, unforgiving, and more. It made me want to do a heart check myself. I pray that we would not be people who only make sure the outside looks cleaned up and well manicured. Our hair may be laid, face beat, and the outfit flawless, but when we get to the root and core of our hearts, it can still be evil. Our motives, intentions, and moral compass can be off. I pray that we would focus on working from the inside out as Jesus speaks in verse 26. If we focus on cleaning up our hearts, the outside will follow.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

Psalms 139:23-24 NLT

This also brings me to another point. I am so glad that when God chooses His children, it is not based on the exterior or cultural qualifications. In 1 Samuel 16, Samuel is told to meet Jesse and anoint the next king, who would be one of his sons. To his surprise, it was not the tallest or the one who outwardly looked the part. It was the shepherd boy, David. I am grateful that God does not see us the way man does. He does not judge or disqualify us because of our shortcomings. I am glad that even when people cannot see our hearts, God can. I hold on to that word, especially as someone who has struggled with being misunderstood or dealing with situations where others controlled the narrative about me. It hurt to constantly hear, “You are nothing like what people have portrayed you to be.” It was disheartening, but I am thankful that God knows me. He sees my heart. I do not have to prove to Him that I am genuine. He knows me. His daughter.

“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 the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7 AMP

I pray that we would use our mouths to speak life over one another. We says words do not hurt, yet we go to therapy and deliverance just to strip off every lie spoken over us. May we bring forth life by speaking life. Be blessed, and a blessing.