Lord I Want to See!

“What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “I want to see!” And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. … Luke 18:41-43 NLT

Often our greatest problem is that we are not seeing clearly. “Sit still!” my Step-father used to say as I would try to wriggle away from the tweezers with which he worked to pull splinters from my hand. All I could see was a big man standing over me with something that was causing me pain. But he could see that if the splinter wasn’t removed then an infection could cause greater pain or even irreparable harm.

Are you going through situations that are out of your control? In the moment it is so painful that all you want to do is wriggle free. We cry out praying things like, “Lord hide me from this situation!” But maybe our best prayer would be, “Lord help me see this trial like You do!” Then when Jesus says, “Receive your sight.” we will suddenly see other people for the very first time. Next as we turn to look in the mirror we will be able see ourselves as God does. Then when we look up to Jesus we will see that His plan was best. Last of all as we look ahead we will be able to walk side by side with our Savior and Sight Giver and follow Him all along the way!

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A Joyful Pain

This week having eye surgery on Tuesday has been rough and unexpectedly painful in recovery. My greatest blessing has been my wife’s patient help and loving encouragement. No one else would have put up with me these last couple of days!

God’s challenge is for me has been to focus on the joy of my blessings. It is way too easy for ungratefulness and complaining to dominate until the pain of trials has gotten my attention.

God is so infinitely good and patient to help us. He allows our trials sometimes as a reminder that He alone is the source of our deepest needs.

Jesus in the Furnace

Are you facing testing and trials and it feels like Jesus is nowhere to be seen? You are not alone. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were facing the threat of being thrown into a furnace so hot that it burned up their guards. When they boldly were telling the king they were willing to be thrown in rather than worship a statue they had no idea that a miracle was about to happen.

But as the furnace door opened some amazing things began to happen. First…they didn’t get burned up! Yay team! Secondly the ropes tying their hands and feet burned off and they started walking around inside the furnace…awesome! But God saved the biggest and best for last…they got to see Jesus!

Yes difficulties and trials loom on our horizon but God has wonderful news for us. When we fall down into our personal flaming furnace we get to meet Jesus there in the fire!

“Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
Daniel 3:25 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/dan.3.25.NKJV