Is Jesus In Your Sight?

I continue to be amazed at the congealing of every level of society to become one class of cooperative support to aide their fellow man in his time of deepest need following Hurricane Harvey. Businesses from large corporations to mom and pop, have sacrificially given all they can to provide basic sustenance to those displaced from their homes. Utility companies through emergency co-ops have provided expert field workers to rebuild infrastructures. Churches and many other non-profits are gathering and supplying refugee families with clothing and household goods, anything to help folks get started with some sort of normal life again. It’s all going to take a long time for our Gulf Coast to rebuild, and now another hurricane is tearing at the fabric of our nation as it enters Florida. Pray for those who will be impacted by this storm and pray they become one to survive and rebuild . Pray we all become a stronger people through our love and grace for one another and that we continue to grow stronger as “One Nation Under God” for tomorrow.

“If from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, and one can be known by the quality of the fruit produced, then it is reasonable to conclude that both the words spoken and the deeds done are indicative of the person’s heart. People are able to see this and judge. People of maturity can understand this, but people full of sin (or self) are quick to point out that one, especially one guilty of sinful behavior. It is interesting that these are the same people who look upon the Lord and faithfully proclaim they would NEVER deny Him, but their lives have denial written all over them. The deeds we do, the words we speak, and the thoughts we think reflect correctly on (or against) the Lord’s influence on our lives.” Ron Thomas, Bulletin Digest, September 2016

[Luke 9: 2-4] “...A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.” Have you ever wanted to see something really bad but couldn’t because your view was obstructed? A friend of mine once told me that several years ago he had the opportunity to see an Ohio State vs. Michigan football game live and in person. Unfortunately, the tickets he had purchased were in the nosebleed bisection of the Horseshoe, and he was only able to see half the field of play. No matter how he positioned himself in that seat, he could not see the action going on below him. Only the scoreboard and the roar of the crowd kept him informed as to who was winning and losing. Luke, by pen of inspiration, depicts a man who had a desire to see Jesus but couldn't because his view was impeded. Isn't this true, even today? Many, like Zacchaeus, want to see and know Jesus but find it difficult because their vision is obstructed; that is, there seems to be something always standing between them and the Lord. Riches impede the vision of many (Matthew 19:21-22; 1 Timothy 6:10). For others their vision is obstructed by false teachers and the traditions of men (Colossians 2:8; Matthew 15:13-14). Worldliness keeps many from truly seeing the Lord (2 Corinthians 4:4). Time and or convenience constricts the vision of some (Acts 24:25). What is keeping you from truly seeing and knowing Jesus? May we, like Zacchaeus, have a desire to seek Him above all else (Matthew 6:33). May we be willing to cast off all fears and climb to new heights, setting our affection on Him instead of on things here below! (Colossians 3:1-2)