Eye Surgery

Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind." Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?" Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.

John 9:39-41

What is it about this spiritual blindness that Jesus is talking about? Who are the "blind?" These are the people who claim to know God by following the mosaic law; believing in achieving righteousness by ancestry and following their laws. They were "blind" to the fact that Jesus was the Savior, the one spoken of in Scriptures by the prophets. The people who "see" are those who can see Jesus as Lord and King. Each person will be given an opportunity to see God's light by accepting Jesus into their hearts and will either see or be blind. Some people deny Jesus because they believe they can enter heaven based off their own righteousness. Some people lived by their own good works only to be shown it's not enough and humble themselves allowing God's righteousness to save. Others just haven't heard the gospel just yet.

I remember when I was blind. It seems so long ago that I have a hard time remembering how I approached each day. I remember the struggles and pains, and my mentality going through them. It was about me me me. I don't think I was a bad person but I truly believed that if I wasn't hurting anyone then it's okay. Then God called me and all of a sudden I can see what God sees! My life has been so amazing since then I'm definitely a new person in Him.

Heavenly Father, I'm so eternally grateful for choosing me to be a part of Your heavenly family. Being adopted into Your body has given me so much in this world but more importantly in the next... I don't even know how to praise You properly yet! LORD, I pray that You use me to guide Your sheep home. Help me to seek out and use the giftings You equipped me with so that everyone will get to know You . I'm so thankful I can see! In Your all-knowing and seeing name Lord Jesus I pray, Amen!

Choosing Who to Obey

Now if a child can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing the whole man on the Sabbath? Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."

John 7:23-24

The bible teaches us that judgment is His when it comes down to eternal things but we are also taught to judge other things well. Here, the Jews were judging, saying that Jesus was evil because He healed on the Sabbath which was illegal according to their laws. Jesus told them to use their own judgment to see what's from God. How can healing on the Sabbath dishonor God? We too need to judge situations by the guidance of the Holy Spirit and not just because man made laws says so. This doesn't mean to reject all authority because there will be proper ways to correct injustice.

I think we Christians can go to the extreme with our judgements on others and between ourselves. We take God's freedom and use that as an avenue or ticket to get out of doing something because we judge it to be wrong or unholy. Do we refuse and disobey but at the same time complain about the consequences? Of do we object man's law and suffer the consequences with rejoicing? Properly judging what is right is about seeing the whole process through; Jesus did this. He didn't just oppose the Pharisees and hope to squeak by the persecution, no; He stood firm knowing He would suffer dearly.

Personally, I think I'm on the side that loves to follow rules. I see myself justifying why this or that law was put into place without scrubbing it with the Holy Spirit's guidance. Loving to obey is great but discernment on whose authority is even greater. So I know that my heart needs to be aligned properly before I can correctly judge any situation. That's why prayer & worship is so important, it aligns my body with God's Spirit.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your precious lesson today. I pray LORD that I pause and take some time to receive truth in all situations so that I can see as You see. I know sometime soon I'll need this very discernment and I pray my mind and heart will be equipped and ready. Be with my father-in-law today LORD, Send Your angels to comfort and heal. Grant all the medical staff a boost of the Holy Spirit to do the best You desire. I love You! In Your Son's mighty name I pray, Amen!

Step 1 - Repentance

Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people, that they would become accursed and laid waste, and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD. Therefore I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.' "

2 Kings 22:19-20

I've grown more familiar with this thing called repentance. I've learned that what we do after we make a mistake shows our true character. It's how we conduct ourselves after all the facts has been laid out and intentions made know. It's at that point we have to decide how we'll glorify God. No mistakes here, the transparent surrender to God will either happen or not. Even before we work on our performance we have to align our hearts where true repentance occurs.

I still make lots of mistakes and I'm not sure how much I've improved from when I was saved. But I think the better question for myself is how have I been at repentance? Am I surrendering to God's will be recognizing my faults and making changes in my life to keep myself from sinning again? I believe this is where I've grown. I understand what it means to lay my pride and agenda down at the cross so that I can be freed from sin. This isn't to say I got it down... no no; what this means is that I know in my heart when I sin and God's Spirit within me lays a heavy burden on my heart to repent.

Thank You Father God for this message about repentance. I confess the junk stored in my heart so that I can faithfully follow Your ways. You desire servants who will be totally transparent with You and the body of Christ. Help me be that and grant me the peace and joy that comes with no burden of my own. Let the only burden be that of compassion for the lost sheep. In the wonderful name of Christ Jesus I pray, Amen!

Learn to Teach

You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

John 5:39-40

No matter how much we study and take seminars & lessons, the goal isn't about becoming smarter, it's about applying what was taught to our hearts. Every word that comes from the mouth of God is never intended to reside permanently within us; it's meant to transform us and then to spark transformation in others. There's a flow in fellowship that needs to continue but when it stops with us we start to decay and eventually destroy ourselves.

This passage really stood out to me because I know my calling is to study and teach Scripture. I also have to ask the question then, why? Is it because I will feel more holy and will get more in eternity? Do I expect special treatment? I'm not there be I'm being warned through many examples that it's a small step off the holy path and it's easy to find myself studying for the wrong reasons. I need to focus in on my calling and see what brings me joy; is it teaching God's truth prompting transformation and maturity or to seek my own recognition among men and "earning" my way into God's graces? God's gift of salvation is truly through grace and nothing we could ever do would accomplish that.

Glorious Father in heaven and in our hearts, thank You for Your grace. I think You for shaping the understanding of my calling so that I can understand it. With this I can move ahead and seek out ways to use my gifts to further Your kingdom. Help me LORD to learn with the motivation to pass it on to those I will disciple. Give me a mind and heart willing and able to teach Your ways. I love You! In the Master Teacher's wonderful name, Amen!