"Seeing With Your Heart"

 "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." (Hebrews 11:13 KJV) 

  "The crowd responded, "We understood from Scripture that the Messiah would live forever. How can you say the Son of Man will die? Just who is this Son of Man anyway?" Jesus replied, "My light will shine for you just a little while longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light." After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them." (John 12:34-36 NLT)

 Last night Pastor Bryan shared something that was interesting about his travels, as he told us that he takes his wife with him the first time he goes to a new location, like Nepal; so that when he goes there again to do ministry, she will picture where he is at, feeling somewhat connected with him. I thought that was really something really close to what I shared the other day, about the dream God gave to Abraham, when He showed him how his descendants would be slaves in a foreign land for 400 years, making Abraham remember they were real and they were always seen in his heart.

 That reminds of a song we use to sing, many years ago: "Open the eyes of my heart." There really is something that takes place in us, when we actually open up our hearts to not only believe, but receive what we are longing for and make it something real in our hearts! Something to think about, when you are feeling a little down and think you are alone.

 You are never alone! You might think you are, but that is just your mind that creates the illusion that tries to trick you, making feel as though it is safe to do whatever you want. There really is a big difference between believing and receiving; when you know He is living in you, you pay closer attention to what you are doing! It is really a matter of the heart...

"But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. This is exactly what Isaiah the prophet had predicted: "LORD, who has believed our message? To whom has the LORD revealed his powerful arm?" But the people couldn't believe, for as Isaiah also said, "The LORD has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts - so their eyes cannot see, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and have me heal them." Isaiah was referring to Jesus when he said this, because he saw the future and spoke of the Messiah's glory. Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn't admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than the praise of God." (John 12:37-43 NLT)