Devotionals
Mark 8:17-19 (Amplified Bible)
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
17And being aware [of it], Jesus said to them, Why are you reasoning and saying it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet discern or understand? Are your hearts in [a settled state of] hardness?(A) 18Having eyes, do you not see [with them], and having ears, do you not hear and perceive and understand the sense of what is said? And do you not remember? 19When I broke the five loaves for the 5,000, how many [[a]small hand] baskets full of broken pieces did you take up? They said to Him, Twelve.
Helen Keller was struck with blindness and deafness at the age of 19 months. Her disabilities did not stop her from becoming a world famous speaker and writer. She wrote, "It is a terrible thing to see and have no vision.". Spiritual blindness is worse than physical blindness.
What do you see when you look into the mirror? What do you see when you stare into the faces of your family, friends and colleagues? What do you see when you look around at your neighbourhood or country or working environment or church? A lot of our future depends greatly on our vision.
What did the ten Israelite leaders see when they surveyed the promised land? Numbers 13:33 says, "33There we saw the Nephilim [or giants], the sons of Anak, who come from the giants; and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight." They saw their own weaknesses and the strength of their adversaries. But, the bible said Caleb and Joshua had a different spirit. What did they see? "8If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land flowing with milk and honey. 9Only do not rebel against the Lord, neither fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their defense and the shadow [of protection]is removed from over them, but the Lord is with us. Fear them not." One group saw the inhabitants as giants. Caleb and Joshua saw the inhabitants as bread because they saw the Lord.
When Jesus told his disciples to feed the five thousand, they saw a boy with five loaves of bread. Jesus saw a miracle.
Many times God views us differently from how we view ourselves and others. When God saw old and childless Abraham and barren Sarah, He saw a father of many nations. When God saw deceiving Jacob, He saw the nation Israel. When God saw murderous Moses, God saw a mighty deliverer. When God saw scared Gideon, He saw a mighty warrior. When God saw adulterous, murderous and lying David, He saw a man after His own heart. When God saw Isaiah, He saw a mighty prophet. When He saw young Jeremiah, He saw a mighty prophet. When He saw unstable Simon, He saw a rock, a man who would stand up for Him. When He saw murderous, blaspheming and judgemental Saul, He saw the apostle of grace, Paul, the chosen vessel to carry His message to Gentiles. What does God sees when He sees you and me? He saw kings and priests. No wonder the apostle Paul said he glories in his weaknesses because in his weaknesses, God's strength is made perfect.
Michelangelo said, "I saw the angel in the marble and I carved it until I set it free." What do you see?
If you look at a caterpillar for what it is, you will never see the butterfly. If you look at a seed, do you see a seed or do you see a forest? 2 Corinthians 4:7 says, " 7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." Brothers and sisters, stop staring at the earthen vessel. There is much treasure within. But to see the treasure, God will sometimes have to break us open with circumstances, situations and people.
Lao Tze said, "To see dreams in a seed, that is genius." Change the way you look at yourself, things or people today. See yourselves as God sees you because before He formed you, He already saw who you will become.
Today as I was picturing the church in my mind, the Lord asked me, "What do you see?" And then He said, "I see a goldmine."
May the Lord free you to become who He made you to be. God bless.
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 796 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Hon Wei Chan or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 796 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.
Check it out if you have time.
I really liked your column. I'm not sure why the type-setting jumped all over when you submitted it.
Anyhow, great opening column. And welcome to Faithwriters.
This place is on fire for Jesus!
Look forward to more of your work.
Sincerely,
Dan Blankenship