I had a pretty cool grandfather who lived in Raleigh, NC. I only saw him once a year or so and since he passed away when I was young, I have very few memories of him. But, the one thing I can still see like a well preserved movie clip was him leaning over, showing me his thumb and then with a tug, pulling his thumb in half. I could see right through it like it had been sawed neatly in two. Then, just like that, he pushed the two parts back together, put up his hand, and wiggled his now one-piece thumb. He would smile, wink, then walk away as I sat there with my mouth gapping open. Cool trick but it wasn't long before I figured it out and the illusion lost its power.
Read these words from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians:
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
This truth is HUGE! What we see is not all there is! Actually, what we don't see is more real and longer lasting. It's like the silly thumb trick. Sure it looks scary and unfixable but it's not. Paul is telling us (those who have trusted Christ) that we are not to lose heart because even though things may seem impossible or hopeless on the outside, we are growing closer and closer to God and to a time when all the troubles will fade away. He tells us to "fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen." How in the world do we fix our eyes on something that is unseen?
When I understood that my grandfather's finger wasn't really coming apart, when I just knew in my heart and head the truth, it didn't matter how well he pulled off the trick. I just didn't buy it anymore. I could see right though the illusion even though my eyes still saw the finger separate and come back together. My mind's eye took power over my eyeballs!
When we begin to grab hold of the truth of the Word and the character of God our spiritual eyes begin to see beyond what our eye balls see and what our remaining four senses discern. When we lose our job and our eyes see our financial statements looking dim we trust in the Lord of all provision to carry us, not because our eyes see a solution but because our spirit knows there is one.
Today, our worship leader pulled out this verse in Matthew Chapter 7. In it Jesus told his disciples about the faithfulness of God:
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
I've lived long enough in the grace of God to know that even though I sometimes see a stone or a snake as an answer to my prayer, it can't be true because God doesn't lie. That snake is like the thumb trick. If I am a born again child of God it is certainly a fish. My temporary suffering will ALWAYS work for the good for me, for someone else, and for the Glory of God. Always!
Our job is to begin to consciously make the effort to "FIX OUR EYES" on what is unseen so that we can indeed be "renewed day by day" and attain a FOREVER future that is beyond anything we can hope for or imagine.
Ultimately it's a choice. Where we fix our eyes is up to us. Don't be fooled by Satan's lies and tricks. His tricks are no more truth than my grandfather's thumb trick. They certainly seem much bigger and scarier but God is ALWAYS in control of the outcome.
As always, please write us a note or comment if you need prayer or have a question.
Peace!
David
Are you tired? Is your hope dwindling or even gone? Has joy left you or maybe it never seemed to be part of your life? Please know this: Your are not alone!! You are loved beyond measure!! You are valuable in God's sight!!
I know that these words alone may seem powerless to provide the hope and power to change the way you feel and even more powerless to change your circumstances but they are none-the-less TRUTH and Jesus promised that the truth would set your free.
I want to share with you some things today that you may need to read over and over before they sink in and take root but you have to start somewhere. As far as I know no one ever got from here to there without moving ahead so please hold on and take a few steps with me.
1) God made you with purpose
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." Jeremiah 1:5
God spoke these words to Jeremiah but understand that you too were created by God and known by him before one cell ever came to be.
2) God loves you
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
You see, God's love came to you before you cleaned up your act. Not only did he love you when you were making mistakes he gave up his son for you. If you have children you can ponder that for a moment to see the magnitude of the gift.
3) You are not alone in the midst of your trials and temptations nor are they without a greater purpose
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:1-4
You've never learned, grown, or been strengthened without struggle. Courage doesn't come without danger, compassion doesn't come without people in need, and faith doesn't come without a circumstance for which we see no resolution.
4) If you turn to God he will give you hope and that hope will give you strength!
"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him." Psalm 62:5
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31
Not only does God provide for you the hope but he also will turn that hope into real power!
5) This life and it's struggles are not the final word for those who trust in Christ.
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4
I have known hopelessness and despair and have seen the power of Christ to restore hope and life. I know that in the pit of loneliness, addiction, fear, and depression these words may not immediately bring you healing but you will be lifted up if you put your hope in God alone. You may not feel it today or tomorrow but do not give up! Our emotions are fickle. They come and go. Read and pray over these five truths today, maybe ten times today! If you need help please talk to someone. If you have no one to talk to feel free to drop us a note. If your are contemplating ending your life STOP! There are people who are there to help. Click the link below and contact them, your parents, your pastor, or a friend.
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
God loves you and so do we.
Peace,
David and the I-61 Project
