Pillars of clouds and fire...

4/11/97-Open Your Eyes

Dear Friends:

(If it is welcome and a blessing, send it on to others,Lee)

The last few days has convinced me that God could place angels about someone, open the heavens and raise the dead, all visibly, and yet a spirit of mindblindness could keep them from seeing.

And yet, when I look at my own life, I quite often fail to see the power of the creator. Yesterday, was a very difficult day for me. Many reasons. And yet, only last night did I realize that on Sunday, I preached on James 1, emphasizing;

James 1:
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Well, joy was far from my mind for a period of hours. Blinded from the remembrance of three days of miracles; signs and wonders following God's Word. Where was God's Word yesterday.

I found it hard to stay focused on the presence of the Lord. Finally, after hours I began to recover a little. I realized the enemy came to steal the word. Last night we went to prayer and I was angry. With the enemy. Yes, I was a little disappointed in my self. But guilt washes away in the blood of Jesus.

There were miracles yesterday. In the midst of the onslaught. The situation doesn't change, its a hardship. But, I am going to praise HIm. A new Christian in our church brought me this scripture from Psalm 127;

1 EXCEPT the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

Initially, (I was on the phone with a mature Christian!!!) I stood off, and then my eyes were open. I saw the power of those words. Does it change the circumstance? No, it changes me. I have been full-time ministry and a full-time job. I needed to hear those words. My eyes were not readily open to a new believer and the word God has placed within him.

So many things are able to blind the believer. It is important that our spiritual eyes and ears are open. To be ready to receive from the Lord, any time any where.

My encouragement this day, is have your eyes open to the things of God. Be expectant, prepared, full of hope that this is your day. Believeing that God cares so much about you that He would seek you out this day. Lift your head, see the glory of the Lord, where you go. Do not be weighed down with "cows" (Cares of the world), exalt the King. Praise Him.

My prayer for you this day is similar to the scriptures below, as men of God faced mighty battle:

2 Kings 6
15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master how shall we do?
16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

Selah.

Shalom.

We pray for you, each and every day. If this is an encouragement to you. Please tell us, and please email it to someone else. If you have a prayer request, please mail it to us. We want to stand with you, battling spiritual wickedness, seeing people made free. We want to serve our brother and sister.