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Weekly Devotions

A Gaze, A Glance-February 3, 2014

You can gaze at something or you can simply glance in that direction. There is an important distinction to be made here especially when it comes to daily living.

Monday Morning Devotion-February 3, 2014 

A Gaze, A Glance

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.       Hebrews 12:2

      Here's the difference between a gaze and a glance.  If you gaze upon someone or something you look intently and steadily in that direction.  To gaze is to stare.

            Now to glance instead is to take a quick look.  It's sudden and brief.

            These are important distinctions especially when it comes to solving problems.  Here's why.  Jesus instructs us to "gaze at me, glance at problems ---this is the secret of living victoriously." (Jesus Today, pg58) 

            But we often do the opposite.  When we have a problem it often consumes most of our attention.  We gaze at the problem for a long period of time.  Can't get it out of our minds.  Dwell on it.  Our mindset is usually that we want to get past it as quickly as possible.

            Sometimes we are so entrapped by this difficulty that it hinders our performance in other areas.  Might not spend enough time on our work.  Could detract from quality family time.  Hinders or eliminates our assisting others.

            Reading further Jesus Today says…"I have called you to live supernaturally, and I have empowered you to do so.  The Holy Spirit, who lives in all My followers, enables you to live beyond yourself ---to transcend your natural tendencies."

            Let's look at that statement a little further or more specifically study that one word "supernaturally" because it could be misunderstood.

            Many people may associate the word "supernatural" with ghosts or spooks.  Too much comic book reading or scary movies will contribute to that.  But Webster's Dictionary also lists among the definitions for supernatural as:  "not explainable by the known forces or laws of nature; specifically of, involving or attributed to God…"

             This could get a little tricky but the way I see it is that we live in the natural world.  But, as believers we become aware of and function in the spiritual world also.  The reason that Jesus calls us to "live supernaturally' is that through His power we are able to do more good than we could ever do alone.

            Makes sense because the word supernatural suggests that we live above the natural.  It is higher in quality.  The Super Bowl was just played in New Jersey.  It is considered the ultimate goal of all those who play the game of football to play in the Super Bowl.  Most of the participants say it is what they have dreamed about since they were youngsters. This game is called Super because you have win many others and tread a grueling path to get there.  Many sacrifices must be made.

            The sacrifice that enables us live a Super Bowl kind of a life everyday has already been made for us.  When Jesus died on the cross he paid the price for us to be able to live supernaturally.   It doesn't mean that we are empowered to do bad things and get away with it like you might see some of the spooks/ghostly creatures in fiction do.

            Being led by the Holy Spirit in a supernatural realm is not fiction.  In John 14 Jesus says to His disciples.  "If you love me, you will obey what I command.  And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever---the Spirit of Truth.  The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him.  But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you."

            So Jesus has basically promised that when we accept him we will have the same helper/counselor that the Father gave to the disciples.  This Holy Spirit who dwells with in us enables us to live supernaturally which elevates our standard of living in the natural world.  This occurs because we no longer depend on ourselves alone for solutions to these worldly problems.

            Christian writer, Tim Smith (Breakthrough House Ministries) puts it this way;  "Supernatural people are people who live beyond their personal limitations, bearing fruit beyond their abilities, because they are empowered by the Holy Spirit.  The Bible word for this power is grace.  We are created for this, and I believe we all hunger for this as well.  'I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.'  The result then is, I live in this natural world with spiritual power."

            Doing these things and gaining this strength requires more than a glance in the Lord's direction.  It requires spending time there.  Reading His Word.  Praying.  Developing a relationship with Him and others.  Being a part of a Christian community of believers is important.

            Richard J. Foster in his book on prayer says:  "Christian community is a gift of God created by the power of the Spirit and based upon our forgiveness in Jesus Christ.  We all live under the gracious shadow of the cross, forgiving and being forgiving."

            But I may be making it sound easier than it is.  There are some forces out there that would like to distract you and knock you off course in your Spirit-led, Supernatural life.  So we need to be determined in our efforts toward supernatural living.

            "Ask my Spirit to help you fix your gaze on Me.  Invite Him to alert you whenever you get overly focused on problems so you can redirect your attention to Me.  This is hard work, because it is not only unnatural but also countercultural.  Mover the evil one and his demons seek to distract you from My presence.  All these influences working togeth   er put massive pressure on you to pay attention to your problems---or else!   So you need the assistance of My Spirit continually.  Ask Him to help you deal with difficulties as needed, while reserving the bulk of your attention for me---your constant Companion."

            You can live in the dual worlds of normality and supernaturally together.  The supernatural part is what will enable you to excel.

            But, it requires more than a glance.  You must gaze upon the Lord so he can direct you.

Monday Prayer: The song says for us to "turn our eyes upon Jesus and look full in His wonderful face."  When we gaze upon Him that's when our lives are wonderfully changed.

Amen!

     

***Author's note:  Gaze in the right direction this week and see how your life changes.

 

      

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