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Wednesday,
March
10,
2021
"Blinded
Minds"
Message
summary: John Newton, best known for writing
"Amazing Grace", wrote, "I once was blind, but now
I see". I hope your spiritual eyes have been
opened and you are rejoicing today in the gospel
of the glory of Christ!
Listen to this message on your audio player.
Listen to this message on your audio player.
"The
god of this age has blinded the minds of
unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light
of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the
image of God" (2 Corinthians 4:4).
Tom, a reader from Arizona, sent me this carved block of wood years ago which we picture above. Many of you have seen these graphics. Upon first sight it appears to be just strange, illegible characters. It makes no sense until you look very carefully at the letters, perhaps squinting, and then it’s very clear that the letters spell, "Jesus". In fact, after you see it it's hard to un-see it!
Tom, a reader from Arizona, sent me this carved block of wood years ago which we picture above. Many of you have seen these graphics. Upon first sight it appears to be just strange, illegible characters. It makes no sense until you look very carefully at the letters, perhaps squinting, and then it’s very clear that the letters spell, "Jesus". In fact, after you see it it's hard to un-see it!
Steve,
a friend from the church we served in New England,
observed a couple of men coming upon this graphic
on a sticker on the back window of a van in
Boston. One said to the other "I know that
says something, I just don’t know what!"
They both looked on for a few minutes until in
exasperation they walked away and Steve heard one
of them say in an expletive tone, "Jesus Christ, I
know that says something." But of course
they never saw it. Although the individual was
capable of using the Lord's Name in vain they were
blinded to seeing His Name spelled out on the
graphic, and far more importantly at least one of
the individuals did not give honor or respect to
Jesus' Name, the Name above all names!
Today’s Scripture text speaks of a spiritual blindness which blinds the minds of unbelievers.
"The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers". "The god of this age" is Satan. Such a statement brings a scoffing sneer from the unbeliever. But this false god is very actively at work as demonstrated in the evil we see all around us, including false, idolatrous religious systems that “deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord” (Jude 1:4). This text says he has "has blinded the minds of unbelievers". We normally associate blindness with the eyes and a physical impairment but in this case the mind is blinded in spiritual darkness.
Today’s Scripture text speaks of a spiritual blindness which blinds the minds of unbelievers.
"The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers". "The god of this age" is Satan. Such a statement brings a scoffing sneer from the unbeliever. But this false god is very actively at work as demonstrated in the evil we see all around us, including false, idolatrous religious systems that “deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord” (Jude 1:4). This text says he has "has blinded the minds of unbelievers". We normally associate blindness with the eyes and a physical impairment but in this case the mind is blinded in spiritual darkness.
There
are basically two outlooks in life. Yesterday I
shared what I call my personal mission statement
that I include in the footers with each daily
encouragement. Although this simple statement does
not encompass all that’s true it simply asserts my
foundational outlook and basic mission, “I am
created by God to bring Him glory. Through God’s
Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make
it my life’s goal to please the Lord. My mission
in life is to honor God through my faith and
obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may
influence for eternity.”
The other outlook denies this and so many feel they have been "enlightened" to reject what they see as a very simple and primitive religious expression. To them we are simply a product of evolution and "god" is merely a figment of imagination to those they might see as weak, simple, uneducated and unenlightened.
The other outlook denies this and so many feel they have been "enlightened" to reject what they see as a very simple and primitive religious expression. To them we are simply a product of evolution and "god" is merely a figment of imagination to those they might see as weak, simple, uneducated and unenlightened.
However,
in reality they have not been enlightened, but
rather blinded. Indeed, "they cannot see the
light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who
is the image of God".
Following his salvation conversion Paul received his call to ministry directly from the Lord; “I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me” (Acts 26:17,18).
John Newton, best known for writing “Amazing Grace”, expressed it this way, "I once was blind, but now I see". I hope your spiritual eyes have been opened and you are rejoicing today in the gospel of the glory of Christ!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Following his salvation conversion Paul received his call to ministry directly from the Lord; “I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me” (Acts 26:17,18).
John Newton, best known for writing “Amazing Grace”, expressed it this way, "I once was blind, but now I see". I hope your spiritual eyes have been opened and you are rejoicing today in the gospel of the glory of Christ!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Jesus, though You do not walk visibly
among us You do reveal Yourself through Scripture,
and also through the minds, the hearts, and the
actions of Your followers. May Your light
shine forth from us so that the unbeliever can sift
through the confusing ungodly messages of this world
and the counterfeits of this age. May they see
“the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who
is the image of God.” We especially lift up to You
our loved ones who have chosen the wrong path,
viewed the wrong messengers and listened to the
wrong voices. We pray that You would open
their eyes to the true messengers that uphold
biblical teaching and eternal truths in the name of
Jesus we pray. Amen. Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"Amazing
Grace (My Chains
Are Gone)"
Video
Chris Tomlin (This version includes scenes
from John Newton movie)
Early
yesterday morning on our way to our
first chaplain visit we passed the
attractive Spring House Farm on
Sunnyburn Road in Lancaster County.
After
our first chaplain visit we ate breakfast
at the Railroad Diner in Richland, PA
which sits right beside a busy freight
rail line. The best seat was already taken
when we got there, at the window right
beside the railroad line. Sure enough,
shortly after we sat down this train came
rolling through! Interestingly, in
Richland the main roads intersect right in
the center of the railroad grade! See here on Google map.
After
breakfast we headed over to Middle Creek Wildlife
Refuge to see the Snow Geese again
but it was very, very crowded as the
Geese Count is peaking before they
migrate further north. Here's a live cam. We saw
lots of geese but were too far away for
another close photo like
we shared last week. But we saw plenty
of pretty country scenery along the way
such as this old stone farmhouse set way
back off the road.
Brooksyne
went into the Good's store in
Schaefferstown and as I waited in the
van I took this photo. I have no idea
what the skeleton
passenger is all
about but it looks like the dog is
rather intrigued, perhaps wondering if
the passenger was human, assessing as to
whether it would make for a friendly
companion or a bony treat!
Finally
today:
On
behalf of Ester, we appreciate the kind
and affirming comments that came through
regarding Ester's testimony reflecting
her 32nd birthday. We chose to highlight
one message that came from one of our
faithful African readers in Uganda since
it includes an excellent sermon
reflecting our theme yesterday,
regarding "Finding Our Purpose":
Dear
Stephen & Brooksyne,
It is always a big blessing for me and Moses to read from you. What a great testimony of Ester's life. We always derive deep insights from your daily encouragement messages.
It is always a big blessing for me and Moses to read from you. What a great testimony of Ester's life. We always derive deep insights from your daily encouragement messages.
I
believe you discovered early enough that
you are here to encourage others in this
salvation journey. It isn't always an
easy one...it is thus no surprise that
many fall off the wagon of salvation. In
our view, abandoning salvation is
largely due to failure to discover
purpose...hence salvation becomes a
boring heavy yoke.
But
for those who discover the purpose
thereof; they find joy unspeakable!
Because salvation is sweeter than honey,
better than a credit card in one's
pocket or better still more precious
than silver or gold. There is indeed joy
as a result of discovering the purpose
for which we were tailor made.
A
spoon cannot be used in place of a
spade, for it would sooner or later
prove futile! We were made to worship,
honor and reverence God with all that we
are and all that we have! There is no
happiness outside these.
I
am currently in Uganda, this morning I
saw a shrub growing in the wall of a
dilapidated 'permanent house'. Quickly
my mind wondered about the vanity in
investments, some of us think we are
here to make money, invest in this and
that but all that is vanity!!
The
joy of purpose immensely strengthens and
blesses us to carry on with serving
Christ.
Blessings,
Jackline.
Jackline.
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Weber".Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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