Daily Wisdom

Jn 9:1 “And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?  Jesus answered, neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.”

It’s interesting to see the illusions that offer two images in the same picture (Old Woman – Young Girl). That’s often an accurate interpretation when it comes to life when looking at the hurting and evil around us.

Depending on my perspective, I’ll either find purpose or pain. 

When I hurt physically I understand there is something that needs to be addressed or corrected.  The pain is purposeful and helpful despite the discomfort and pain I must endure.

The disciples decided to focus on the hurt and sin instead of seeing the picture of God working through it. I can do the same thing. Why did God allow this to happen in my life?  I must stop focusing on the “disease” and should focus on the cure that is in Jesus.

Stop looking for something to blame and start looking for God in praise!

I can’t be blinded by the problem pain brings, instead of seeing God’s glory displayed through it.  If not, like the disciples I’ll miss out on the wonderful works of the Lord.  Knowing in the worst of pain, “God’s glorious works should be manifest in it.”

I often think of Joseph (Gen 50) when facing painful and difficult problems. The darkest of evil was perpetrated by his brothers, and yet God turned the pain into a glorious work that even blessed the evil who were responsible.

Sometimes the greatest pain inflicted upon those around me, as well as myself, can manifest the greatest blessing. I must choose the right perspective, I can focus on the hurt or the Healer!

The right perspective keeps me from living in the shadows of yesterday and allows me to walk in the light of today and the promised hope of tomorrow.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.” Exo 14:3

The weakness to our faith is our failure to see as God sees. Notice God encamped the Israelite's against the sea.  In a military sense, it would be foolish to put yourself in such a position that entraps you against your enemy. God intentionally used the Israelite's to show Pharaoh and Egypt that He was the God of Israel (vs 4). But, God was asking for a little faith on Israel’s part that He would deliver them. Perspective is an either-or situation. Your perspective will be situated in faith that God will deliver or faithlessness that you’ve become entrapped. The proper perspective requires a faith that allows you to see as God sees. Faith goes beyond the surface of your situation, it may look hopeless or fearful but when we look again with your perspective in the promises of God things change. Moses told the Israelite's in (vs 13) “stand still and SEE the salvation of the Lord,” Get your eyes off the perspective of the enemy and see (look in faith) what God is doing. Your faith will always be a struggle if we focus on the problem rather than the promises of God.  Some of the greatest things (miracles) in your life will happen because you chose to look again with the right perspective and not give up in your hope. Whatever you’re about to walk away from because your current perspective is blinding your ability to see as God sees, can end up being your greatest victory when you allow God to part your Red Sea allowing you to walk through on dry ground. The Israelite's were looking at two things the enemy and the ocean, but their deliverance and promise was beyond the surface.  Their dry ground was below the surface… but their perspective could not see it!

Peace is not the absence of problems, but the presence and promises of God!

HSAY … Todd  

Daily Wisdom

“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”  1 Sam 16:7

Perception is derived by many things, but the most persuasive are your opinion and expectations. Lose them and you’ll start seeing things properly right away.  You have ownership of your opinions and expectations, but be careful not to confuse them with facts and truth. Secondly, your perspective often defines your perception, if your perspective does not line up with God’s one of you need to change your mind.  Other’s perception is out of your control so live as an illustration to attract what you expect, reflect what you desire, become what you respect all by mirroring Christ.  Even though you may feel another’s perception is wrong, don’t hesitate to apologize. It doesn’t mean one is right or wrong, it means you value your relationship above circumstances.

Faith is a shift in perception from your thoughts to God’s.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

“O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.” Lam 3:58

Proper perspective is knowing what God has promised rather than what man perceives. The presence of God does not mean he will always right your problems, but it will give you the right perspective. What you see depends on how you view life, many see dirt as just that while the farmer sees hope. But, often such perspective is hindered by your lack of knowledge to stimulate your hope. Transform your knowledge in Jesus and you’ll transform your perspective in eternal hope. The more you grow in your relationship with Jesus, the more everything around you falls into the proper perspective. The most difficult time in your life may be at the doorway of your promise land, will your perspective see it as an exit or an entrance?  Remind yourself that your perspective does not have to derive from what the world sees, but as Jesus sees. The parables are just that, a heavenly perspective told in an earthly story.  Make sure you’re seeing properly, and you’ll make eternal progress.

Perspective is simply your vision to see either what God promises or man perceives.

HSAY… Todd