Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images and lyrics from the Maranatha Singers singing … Open Our Eyes, Lord … poignantly singing of our prayer, as disciples of Christ, to know and understand God’s ways … and to clearly see how to follow Him.
=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Mark 8:25 [NKJV] … 25 Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.
… Jesus healed the blind man in stages … WHY?
==============
Highlight Passage [context]: Mark 8:22-26 [NKJV]… USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus has a curious way of hearing a blind man.
=============
Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NKJV]… USE THIS LINK …
… When we feel “Why?” … we need to avoid leaning on our feelings and just trust God.
Reference Passage : … Matthew 7:28-29 [NKJV]… 28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, 29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
… Jesus’ authoritative teaching baffled the people.
Reference Passage : … Luke 8:9-10 [NKJV] ... USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus’ parables gave clarity to some as to God’s kingdom; but to others it caused confusion.
Reference Passage : … Romans 8:28 [NKJV] ... 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
… Many of us know the truth of God’s word here from Paul; but many times when can’t explain what is going on in our lives.
My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Alyson Kieda, raises a conundrum that has caused most - if not all - of us to ask, “Why, Lord?!” The ODB author wrote: I have friends who’ve received partial healing but still struggle with painful aspects of their diseases. Other friends have been healed of an addiction but still struggle with feelings of inadequacy and self-loathing. And I wonder, Why doesn’t God heal them completely—once and for all?
Dear one, … have you ever observed something going on in your life or the life of others and felt - or even asked - “Why, Lord?” We all have, haven’t we? And in today’s highlight passage, we read of Jesus healing a blind man with a curious two-step process [see photo]. Why didn’t he just heal the man outright? Actually, Jesus’ ways were curious = if not confusing - to many of His followers, and even His inner 12 Disciples. They often must’ve been thinking “Why” or “How” their Rabbi did things or said things the way He did.
Somewhere I’ve heard it said that if we see things and ask “Why, God?” … it’s because of FEAR; and if we ask “What can I learn from this?”… we’re asking out of FAITH.
So, if any of us are confused or confounded by things in our lives, which of these feelings or questions do we find ourselves asking? Do we really believe in God’s word above in Prov. 3:5-6 and Rom. 8:28; because if we do, we’re going to be led to ask God what we can learn from our challenges so that we can get to know our Lord more intimately and follow Him more closely … in faith.
=============
My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for the truth of Your word and the leading of Your Spirit.
=============
My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … As today’s linked song sings, “Open My Eyes, Lord,” I want to see Your way and follow You more closely today. … Amen
Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.
No comments:
Post a Comment