MAY THEME – “SEEING THE VALUE OF A SOUL FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE”
BEATS FROM YOUR PASTOR’S HEART
SEEING WITH THE EYES OF GOD
Looking Beyond the Surface to the Heart
1 Samuel 16:7 — “But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature… for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”
It is natural for us to see people on the surface. We notice behavior, attitude, appearance, and even reputation. In a moment, we can form opinions based on what is visible. But God does not see the way we see. Where we focus on what is outward, God looks deeper—into the heart, into the motives, into the unseen places where struggles, wounds, and longings exist. If we are not careful, we will respond to people based on what they are doing instead of understanding what may be happening within them. We may label, distance ourselves, or even dismiss someone, never realizing that behind their actions is a soul that God deeply loves. Learning to see people the way God sees them changes everything—it softens our hearts, deepens our compassion, and aligns us with His purpose.
OUTWARD APPEARANCE CAN BE MISLEADING
What we see is not always the full story. A person may appear distant, difficult, or even hardened, but what lies beneath could be pain, fear, rejection, or confusion. Outward behavior is often the expression of inward struggles. When Samuel looked at Jesse’s sons, he assumed the strongest and most impressive must be God’s choice. But God rejected that thinking. He reminded Samuel that appearance does not determine calling, and stature does not reveal the heart. In the same way, we can misjudge people by what we see, missing what God sees entirely. When you begin to recognize that outward appearance can mislead, you slow down in your judgments. You become less reactive and more discerning. You begin to ask, “What might be going on beneath the surface?” instead of simply reacting to what is in front of you.
EVERY PERSON HAS A STORY YOU CANNOT SEE
Every person you encounter carries a story. Some stories are marked by pain, others by rejection, others by silent battles no one else knows about. The truth is, most people are dealing with something deeper than what they show. When someone responds harshly, withdraws, or seems difficult, it is often connected to something they have experienced or are currently carrying. If you only respond to the behavior, you may miss the opportunity to minister to the heart. But when you remember that every person has a story, your approach begins to change. You become more patient. You become more compassionate. You begin to see people not as interruptions, but as opportunities to reflect Christ. God never interacts with us based only on our outward failures—He sees the deeper need, and He responds with truth and grace. He calls us to do the same.
SEEING LIKE GOD PRODUCES COMPASSION, NOT JUDGMENT
When you begin to see people the way God sees them, your response shifts. Instead of judgment, compassion rises. Instead of irritation, understanding grows. Instead of distance, there is a desire to draw near and help. Jesus demonstrated this perfectly. He did not avoid those who were broken—He moved toward them. He saw beyond their sin and into their need. Whether it was the woman at the well, Zacchaeus in the tree, or the outcast others ignored, Jesus saw their hearts. And because He saw correctly, He responded correctly.\ Seeing like God does not mean ignoring truth—it means applying truth with compassion. It means recognizing that every person is a soul in need of grace, just as we are. When we remember that God has extended mercy to us, it becomes easier to extend mercy to others.
Imagine looking at a house from the outside. The paint may be chipped, the yard may be overgrown, and the structure may appear neglected. From the outside, it may seem like something not worth attention. But inside that house, there could be a family hurting, struggling, and needing help. If you judge only by what you see on the outside, you may walk away. But if you understand that what is visible is not the whole story, you might knock on the door. People are the same way. What you see on the outside is not always what is happening on the inside. And if you only respond to what is visible, you may miss the opportunity to reach a heart that needs God.
God is calling us to see differently. Not through the lens of appearance, behavior, or assumption—but through the lens of His heart. Every person you encounter is more than what you see in the moment. They are a soul, deeply valued by God, with a story you may never fully understand. When you begin to see people this way, your responses change. You become slower to judge, quicker to love, and more willing to engage. You begin to reflect the heart of Christ in a way that can truly impact lives. Seeing people as God sees them is not just a perspective—it is a calling.
Warfare Prayer
Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask You to change the way I see people. Remove any judgment, pride, or hardness in my heart that causes me to look only at the outward appearance. Give me spiritual discernment to see beyond behavior and into the needs of the heart. Help me to respond with compassion, patience, and truth, just as You have responded to me. Break any mindset that causes me to dismiss others, and align my heart with Yours. Let me be a vessel of grace, seeing people the way You see them and loving them the way You love them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Daily Challenge
Today, choose one person you would normally overlook, avoid, or judge—and intentionally see them differently. Pause before reacting, ask God to help you see their heart, and respond with compassion instead of assumption. Even one moment of seeing someone the way God sees them can change both your heart and theirs.
FRIDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Ann Stanley – Rockdale Medical
Aston Savage
Britany Smith ~ Breast Cancer
Christopher & Yting Kelley
Danny Jarrard
David Franklin
Dinay Rodriguez
Ellen Boyd
Jean Muehlfelt
Jillian Gray
Kim McClain’s Daughter, Amanda
Mary Williams
Mike And Paula Ferris And Family
Nancy Riley
Phillip Roach
Susan Bankston – Congestive Heart Failure
Theresa Bain
Wes Knight
Amy Garner’s Dad
Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Angela Bryan’s Sisters
Annette Ford
Brando Echarte
Carol Lawhead – Riverside in Conyers
Darlene Kelley – Cancer Treatment
Darlene Wiggins
Debbie Foskey
Deon Lotter
Don And Karelle Franklin – Mae’s Cousins
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Ed Adkins – Friend of Brian Edwards
Ed Franklin’s Son In Law – Heart Surgery
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Friend of Linda Hodge
Gayle Sparks
Gloria Young
Jake Jenkins
James Burnette
Jean Partee
Jean Partee’s Sister
Jessica Headrick
John McClain’s Mother
Joni Oberhage
June Cronan
June Cronan’s Sister
June Davis
Kailey Bateman
Kim McClain’s Mother
Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda & Mateen
Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Mays
Lonzo Christian
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom
Mrs. Franklin
Nancy Brown
Nora Allison
Paul Bateman
Ron And Johnnie Barry – Friends Of Ashton & Glenda Bateman
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Roy Roach
Scott Lanier
Scotty Nix
Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Steve Michaels
Tammy Shelnutt
Tom Witcher