Too many times we miss what is right in front of us. Even though it is there, we somehow manage to overlook or take no notice of it. The example my pastor gave, and I'm sure many of us can relate, is when a husband looks in the fridge and can't find something. He asks the wife, "Honey! Where's the ______?" The wife either walks over and pulls it out or gives directions to where it is. The item in question was there the whole time, but the man couldn't "for the life of him" find it. This is too often true with Jesus. He is there, working in our lives, constantly, yet we do not always see him. At least not until we look back over something after it is over. Kind of like the other day when my massage was cancelled. As disappointing as that was, I believe it was a blessing, since the weather turned nasty during the time frame I would've been getting that massage.
When we make Jesus our focal point, our center, our foundation, we have hope and our faith in him is stronger. As Christians it is important for us to stayed focused on God in the good times and the bad, that others might learn to see Him also. When we aren't in alignment with Him, we lose our hope and we don't see Him as easily. Neither do those around us.
Yesterday, someone I know posted a link, on facebook (of course), to an article about a couple in NY. They were on their way to the hospital, in a cab, to have their first baby. The cab was struck by another vehicle and the passengers of that vehicle fled the scene. Last I knew, the cab driver was alive, but the couple didn't make it. Amazingly, their baby did. The person who posted the link stated that the couple's, who were Orthodox Jews, God was cruel. Normally I ignore posts that are bound to become dramatic or confrontational. This time, I couldn't. The person couldn't believe that God would take the parents and let the baby live. I, personally, didn't view the it like that. In the end I told the person that blaming God for the death of the parents was like blaming the Devil when you do something wrong. We have free will. We have a choice to make and our choices do impact others good or bad. Our choices have consequences good or bad, whether we believe in God or not. That is a simple fact. And to me, this wasn't about God failing this couple. It was about other people making a bad decision that impacted the lives of others. If anything, God took something tragic, something horrible, and still managed to bring about a blessing, a miracle. Instead of being angry or seeking to blame someone or something for what happened, though, we should be focused on praying for that baby and for the ones the couple left behind. Bad things happen. It sucks, but life goes on. How will we let it go on? Will we let our focus be on God, or will leave our focus on the things of the world?
When we have faith, the Holy Spirit can "turn on the lights" and "open our blinded eyes" to see what we couldn't see before.
Side Note: The truth is, there is a war going on all around us. There is a God *AND* a Devil. Can you believe one is at fault and deny the existence of the other? Even if you don't believe in God or the Devil, there is at least Good and Evil. Which one will win the war over you? That choice is yours.
Scriptures from the sermon:
(Found on www.biblegateway.com )
Hebrews 12:1-2
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 119:11
New International Version (NIV)
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
that I might not sin against you.
John 1:1-11
New International Version (NIV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
John 12:32
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 34:18-19
New International Version (NIV)
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
but the Lord delivers him from them all;
Luke 24:13-21
New International Version (NIV)
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.
Hebrews 1:11
New International Version (NIV)
they will all wear out like a garment
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