Are We Behaving Wisely?

Typically, we use the word, misbehaving, when it comes to the way our children act up. But, I'm sure you will agree that we have been inundated with "misbehaving" adults lately, particularly in the political arena. But, that's them, what about us? We faith-talking, Bible-toting, cross-wearing, Christ-following people are being watched by those in our sphere of influence. They scrutinize us and the life we live at home and outside the home is one we cannot afford to compromise or lose. Like David, we need to BEHAVE ourselves wisely. Take a look at his example:

We first hear about David` as a shepherd boy keeping watch over his father's sheep. Then we read about him being anointed by Samuel to become king one day. Soon he started serving King Saul in a musical capacity and though he still tended his sheep, when Saul called for him to play his music, he showed up. Not long after that, he defeated the Philistine giant, Goliath.

That conquest was greater than only killing Goliath. When the Philistines saw that their leader was dead, they ran in terror. That's when the Israeli armies ran after the Philistines, killed them all and plundered their tents. Not only were their enemies defeated, but they took home the goods and treasures with them.

The crowd's victory cheers went like this "Saul has slain his thousands, but David, his ten-thousands." From that point on, Saul's jealousy made him bound and determined to kill David, but all his attempts were foiled. This leads me back to my main point in today's post. In 1 Samuel 18:5, we read "So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and he BEHAVED wisely." Verse 14: "And David BEHAVED in all his ways, and the Lord was with him." In Verse 30, "David BEHAVED more wisely than all the servants of Saul so that his name became highly esteemed."

David did the right thing when the wrong thing was done to him. He could have become arrogant and self-serving when he received all the acclaim, but he BEHAVED well. He could have taken revenge on Saul, but he BEHAVED well. He BEHAVED well even when he carried a lot of responsibilities. As David behaved himself wisely he earned the respect of the people of Israel and even the servants of Saul. He served patiently and faithfully and he was noticed and respected for that.

Our country is in desperate need of Godly leadership. We need those who will live a life of integrity before God and others. Integrity is not just measured by who we are in public, but who we are in private when no one else is around. Integrity and character are doing the right thing when no one is watching. As followers of Christ, we should BEHAVE ourselves in such a way that it pleases and honors God. Shouldn't we, in every situation, be men and women of integrity? Shouldn't we consistently be asking ourselves: "Am I behaving well in this situation? Am I making a difference in the world around me? Do we hear God saying about us "She/He behaved wisely." If not, shouldn't we make it a priority to start NOW?

Curb Appeal Matters

In the community I live in, all of the yards are pristine -- nicely edged, cut, bushes trimmed, no garage doors open. Every home has curb appeal. It’s a requirement here in this 55+ community.

I've been a R/E Estate Broker for 18 years and I know curb appeal and first impressions matter. A run-down looking property detracts buyers, but a property with a welcoming smile on its face aka fresh coat of paint, landscaping enhanced and tidy, and clean appearance causes buyers to want to know more about that property. Let’s face it, first impressions matter in homes and in us! We spend extra time in front of the mirror before a first date and we care about how we dress for a job interview.

For years, buyers have formed their first impressions of homes while standing in the street or sitting in the car, just beyond the curb. The initial drive-by would determine whether or not buyers would want to see the inside of the house. To get that buyer in the door, the seller spent hours, even days, seeding new grass, planting flowers, painting their front door, weeding and cleaning up the yard. If the home didn’t appeal from the curb, buyers moved on to the next house. Curb appeal was always the single most important piece of the home sale puzzle.

Maybe this post will help you market your home....if you're wanting to, but foremost, this post is to express the importance of our own personal "curb appeal". What is it about us that draws people to us or detracts people away from us? Is our disposition cranky, and dismal and is our attitude "cloudy" and "glass half empty"? Do we look exhausted and worried? Do we look like we could care less about what others think about us? Or, do we look act faith-filled, optimistic, "sunny" and "glass full of joy"?

What is that "first impression" others get of us? If we really want to convey the love of God, His peace that passes understanding, the graciousness and appeal of the Holy Spirit, then our "curb appeal" matters. We were created in the image of God, and God sure doesn't make junk. God sees us as a masterpiece. Do others see us as God's masterpiece?

Sure the world focuses on what people look like on the outside. God focuses on what people look like on the inside. When we focus on what's beautiful on the inside, we will exude that beauty -- that "curb appeal" on the outside.

Maybe, this post is two-fold -- our home's curb appeal and our curb appeal as the "home of the Holy Spirit" who dwells in us. "Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16. How's that for realizing what our curb appeal should be. We are not just houses, but we are temples of Almighty God -- how could our curb appeal be less than our BEST?

Curb Appeal Matters

Having been a Real Estate Broker for over 16 years, I know that curb appeal matters. A rundown looking property detracts buyers, whereas a property that has an inviting and welcoming smile on its face aka fresh coat of paint, landscaping enhanced and tidy, clean appearance causes buyers to want to know more about that property. Let’s face it, first impressions matter. We care about how we dress for a job interview, and we spent extra time in front of the mirror before that first date. When it comes to selling a home, first impressions matter, too.

The term “curb appeal” comes from real estate sales and home design. For years, buyers have formed their first impressions of homes when they first drive up to the home just beyond the curb. That first impression determines whether or not buyers want to see the inside of the house.

To get that buyer in the door, the seller spent hours and days on seeding new grass, planting flowers, painting their front door, weeding and cleaning up the yard. If the home didn’t appeal from the curb, buyers moved on to the next house.

Maybe this post is to help you market your home....if you're wanting to, but foremost, I wanted to compare that important idea of curb appeal to you and I. What is OUR curb appeal? What is it about us that draws people to us or detracts people away from us?

Is our disposition grumpy, cranky, dismal? Is our attitude "cloudy" and "glass half empty"? Do we look exhausted and worried? Does our appearance look like we could care less about what others think about us?

What is that "first impression" others get of us? If we really want to convey the love of God, His peace that passes understanding, the graciousness and appeal of the Holy Spirit, then OUR "curb appeal" matters. We were created in the image of God, and God sure doesn't make junk. God sees us as a masterpiece. Do others see us as God's masterpiece?

1 Samuel 16:7 says "But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." Sure, the world focuses on what people look like on the outside. God focuses on what people look like on the inside. When we focus on what's beautiful on the inside, we will exude that beauty -- that "curb appeal" on the outside.

Maybe, this post is two-fold -- curb appeal on our homes and curb appeal on the "home of the Holy Spirit" who dwells in us. "Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16. How's that for realizing what our curb appeal should be. We are not just houses, but we are temples of Almighty God -- how could our curb appeal be less than our BEST?