Was Blind, But Now I See

“For judgment I CAME into this world, 

that those who DO NOT see may SEE, 

and those who SEE may become BLIND.”

- John 9:39

The story of the blind man is full of many, great treasures; however, this week we are only going to look at one found in verse thirty-nine.  After the blind beggar miraculously received his sight, preached a mini sermon in the synagogue, and then was consequently kicked out, Jesus found him and asked him the question all must face, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”  And the formerly sightless man believed.  Why did the man so readily believe?

God's Display Cases

After the discourse with the Jews in John 8, Jesus left the temple and came upon a man blind from birth.  Do you think that this meeting happened by chance?  No!  We see from what Jesus tells His disciples that this was a divine appointment.  Divine appointments generally happen when we least expect them, because God does not operate on human time and schedules!  And because of this, we can easily miss them.  So be open to God’s schedule so that when He brings you a special appointment, you may be available to experience the awe and wonder generated by His power at work.

#2 - Trustworthy

So far in this series, we have seen that God is perfect and that He creates all things with purpose and for a reason.  He has personally formed us and predestined the number of days we shall live and where and when we will live them.  Nothing God does is by accident nor is it a mistake.  Now we’re going to take a look at another key attribute of God that is foundational as we analyze who God is and apply it to our lives.

Free Indeed

This past week, our country commemorated the fourteenth anniversary of September 11th, and as we remembered and reflected the day so many civilian and military personnel lost their lives, I hope you remembered the One who also made the supreme sacrifice and gave His life for our eternal freedom.  May we be sure to at least give Him the same honor and reverence we bestow upon the heroes of 9/11, thanking Him for what He has done and not taking for granted the freedom for which He paid the ultimate price.  To Him belong all honor, glory, and praise!

Let Us Remember

Today is a day of remembrance and reflection for our country.  A time to remember lives lost, sacrifices made, and a war begun.   On this day, fourteen years ago, terror struck America as three hijacked planes hurled into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.  The attackers’ objective:  terrorize the most powerful nation in the world and bring fear and devastation.  They accomplished their mission and ignited the War on Terror.  Since that fateful day in 2001, there have been many other terrorist attacks in America and around the world where innocent people have lost their lives and military personnel have sacrificed theirs.

Go, and Sin No More

The story of the woman caught in adultery found in John 8 has many applicable points for us.  While we might not be actively committing adultery through thought and/or deed, we are all sinners in need of saving grace.  And like the woman in our story, each of us has been caught red-handed by the Omniscient Judge and will one day stand before the Great White Throne.  On that day, will grace to be given or justice dispensed?  And the sobering thing is that the answer to this question is in our hands.

Refiner and Purifier of Silver

Author Unknown

"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." 

- Malachi 3:3 -

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. 

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

#1 - The Perfect Creator

Have you ever wanted to be taller, shorter, or slimmer; have blonde hair, brown, black, wavy, straight, curly, thick, or thin; wished you were smarter, more athletic, etcetera?  I know I have.  At some point in life, everyone has wished for some different attribute of themselves than they have.  It’s human nature.  We are never satisfied with what we have, but are always looking at others and comparing.  This is especially true during the impressionable teen years.  At this age, we are transitioning from childhood to adulthood, and as we navigate through this awkward season we are even more prone to dissatisfaction with the way we look, act, and speak as we compare ourselves with those around us.  But it doesn’t have to be that way! 

Be Still and Know that I AM God

“Then the LORD said to Abram, ‘Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years.  But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions.’”

-Genesis 15:13-14-

While God was making His covenant with Abraham, He told Abraham that his descendants, the Israelites, would be sojourners in a foreign land and that they would be afflicted for four hundred years.  Now this is not something I would want God to tell me, would you?!  But as always there’s a promise,