Blind Mentor

Luke 6: ³⁹ He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? ⁴⁰ The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.

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Finally I got a chance to meet with the executive. I had been waiting to get on his calendar for weeks. Waiting on his sage advice, I was bubbling over with wonder. After I left the meeting I felt dejected. I mean he spoke in circles as if to protect his territory.

• There were times when I was blind.
• There were times when I sought advice from other blind people.
• There were times when I hoped to be richer and more powerful and even more blind.

JESUS spoke in a parable from which the meaning was not as direct. I believe HE is saying, “Those who desire to learn may sometimes seek the wrong mentors, but if you have the right teacher, you can grow.”

• JESUS says to me “Take MY yoke upon you and learn of ME.”
• JESUS says to me “Remember MY words and you will be well.”
• JESUS says to me “I AM the gate and the door, no one enters MY kingdom without coming through ME.”

Worldly advice carries some wisdom, but is faulty. If I seek evil wisdom, I can find it, but it has no gain. GOD says that worldly wisdom is blind. HE wants me to seek wisdom from the HOLY SPIRIT.  When I learn from GOD I can become more like HIM.

• Are you confused and looking for a mentor?
• Are your desires in line with GOD’s desires for you?
• Can you seek training from the HOLY SPIRIT  by asking GOD to guide you today?

Sick, Not Blind

Mark 2: ¹³ Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to Him, and He taught them. ¹⁴ As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.

¹⁵ Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. ¹⁶ And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?”

¹⁷ When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

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Broke and confused, I had no guidance from my counselors. I mean, how was I supposed to pay my rent, have my car fixed and pay for tuition? What good was school anyway? Seeing how I was stewing over my situation, someone invited me to church.

Maybe I can tell these people about my problem, I thought to myself. When I arrived, the church was so focused on some kind of celebration that I could not express what was going on in my life. I left distraught.

• There were times I wanted help from “churchy” people and was met with an invitation to give.
• There were times I desired to say “I’m hurt” to the “churchy” people but was met with “Come to our fashion show.”
• There were times when I longed to get sound advice from “churchy” people and was met with clap at this song a little harder.

JESUS sat with sinners who knew they were sinners. They were the outcasts of society and knew they needed help. They did not fit in with “churchy” people so they hung out with each other. HE was accepted by them yet criticized by the “churchy” people. GOD wants me to follow HIS lead.

• JESUS wants me to seek the lost just like HE sought me.
• JESUS wants me to look for he hurt instead of gathering to feel comfortable.
• JESUS wants me to find those who need HIM rather than going to a club week after week.

Blind is what JESUS accused the Pharisees of being. HE challenged them to trade in their blindness for sickness but they refused to do so. They would never admit they were spiritually dying so they continued down their “churchy” blind path. JESUS wants me to open my eyes and admit “I am sick and I need JESUS today”, only then can HIS power be shown in me.

• Are you blinded by society?
• Do you think you are well when you are really spiritually sick?
• Will you admit to GOD you need HIS help and HIS help alone?
• Will you stop looking around at others and seek the lost for CHRIST?

Planted or Pit

Matthew 15: ¹² Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”

¹³ He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. ¹⁴ Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

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Without reading the Bible, I began to teach Sunday school. I was a corporate instructor at the time, so this could not be as hard. I picked up the lesson and began to wing it. They ate it up. This was easy!

• When I want to be noticed, I am blind and headed for the pit.
• When I think I can “wing it” with GOD, I am blind and headed for the pit.
• When I do not even believe in the words I say or teach about GOD; I am blind and headed for the pit.

I began to pick and choose what I taught in order to get rich discussion going. I stayed away from all the “boring” parts of the Bible and away from the sections that may be offensive. Soon, I was only saying what people wanted to hear. BUT GOD wanted something different.

• GOD wants me to walk with HIM instead of walking with the crowd.
• GOD wants me to believe in all of HIS word, not just the easy parts.
• GOD wants me to teach from studying HIM versus “winging it.”

Living for GOD means I do not point at myself. It means I have to say what is in the Bible, not what’s on my mind. GOD wants my eyes wide open to HIS teaching so I can lead others to HIM.

• Are you trying to steer away from some of the more difficult teaching of GOD?
• Do you teach about things people want to hear?
• Can you stop following the crowd and start teaching what GOD says to teach?
• Will you allow yourself to be planted by GOD?

Let Me See

Psalm 144: ⁸ The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and rich in love.

⁹ The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.
¹⁰ All your works praise you, Lord;
    your faithful people extol you.
¹¹ They tell of the glory of your kingdom
    and speak of your might,
¹² so that all people may know of your mighty acts
    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
¹³ Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
    and your dominion endures through all generations.

The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
    and faithful in all he does.

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Once when I woke up, my mind flooded with thoughts of the day. Immediately I started thinking about my priorities and problems I needed to solve. As I thought more and more I knew one of two things would happen; I would get deep into problem solving or painful pleading.

• Sometimes my thoughts are the culprit.
• Sometimes my thoughts are the problem.
• Sometimes my thoughts are not in control and are open to negativity.

Thoughts are wonderful and dangerous at the same time. I can be blessed with some creative ideas or I can be cursed with negative thoughts that spill only over myself. As I wake up “Thinking” I want to have my thoughts altered.

• I want GOD to open my eyes to see HIS grace and compassion because my thoughts blind me.
• I want GOD to open my eyes to HIS slowness to anger and richness in love so I won’t blame HIM for my wicked thoughts.
• I want GOD to open my eyes to HIS works, trustworthiness and faithfulness so I can go out and exclaim HIS blessings to all!

GOD wants me to roll out of bed and onto my knees in prayer so I can hold my thoughts captive for a moment while I ask HIM for peace. Only GOD can provide peace, especially when my thoughts can be hijacked. GOD opens my eyes and lets me see!

• Have you assessed your thoughts?
• Would you say your thoughts are mostly positive or negative?
• Do you know your heart is tied to your thoughts and the words you speak can affect many?
• Will you guard your thoughts today and speak encouraging words of wisdom and peace?

Who Am I Working For?

Esther 10: ³ Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.

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Shrimp chips was the appetizer at this exclusive five star restaurant that I enjoyed. It was something I had to try said the concierge at the five star hotel I stayed at. After this fancy upscale vacation my only concern was getting ramped back up after my twelve week paid vacation. I mean will I be able to get back up to the pace? Meanwhile, I never once thought about struggling people.

• When I’m blind I cannot see hurting people.
• When I’m blind I cannot seek lost people.
• When I’m blind I cannot empathize with those who are in need.

The “pace” is the thing that kept me from seeing people. I never knew my neighbors, had shallow relations with people at church and those I served were only there for a short period of time so I could get back to my rat race. I became a voice for the rich and powerful, helping them fix their complaints of not being wealthy enough. Is this where I’m supposed to spend my precious time?

• GOD says to me “The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few” and I see why when there is money to be made.
• GOD says to me “It is harder for a rich man to get into heaven than a camel to go through the eye of a needle” and I see why when wealth caused me to have blindness.
• GOD says to me “Seek first the kingdom of GOD and all these things will be added to you” and I see why when HE is concerned with the well-being of all.

Wealth is not my problem, it is the love of being wealthy that fogs my spectacles. My conversations about fine wines, humidors and exclusive resorts were not words where I was speaking up for the needy. In fact those words barely came across my lips. GOD raised me up to be a spokesperson for HIS people who are hurting. HE wants me to take the blinders off and work hard for those who HE delivers to me.

• Are you a voice for those in need?
• Do you cater to the rich and powerful without mentioning people in need?
• Can you start speaking up for those in need for a change?
• Will you look at giving differently and see if GOD wants you to give more if you are wealthy?

If I don’t know then am I accountable?

Judges 14: ⁸ Some time later, when he went back to marry her, he turned aside to look at the lion’s carcass, and in it he saw a swarm of bees and some honey. ⁹ He scooped out the honey with his hands and ate as he went along. When he rejoined his parents, he gave them some, and they too ate it. But he did not tell them that he had taken the honey from the lion’s carcass.

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Standing in line in one of my frequent eatery joints a man approached me with the ultimate cliché… “you want to buy a watch?” This was easy for me to resist because I knew it was stolen and besides the watch was way too big for my scrawny arms.

As I proceeded outside another guy approached me. “You want to buy a DVD?” the movie was still in the theater and I really wanted to see it. “Hmmm” I thought to myself.

• Sometimes I ignore what is wrong so I can have what I want.
• Sometimes I fool myself into thinking “if I don’t know something wrong happened then maybe it’s alright.”
• Sometimes I conveniently forget to tell others if I have done wrong and they don’t know why consequence has fallen on them.

Consequence of sin is usually not what I want to hear when it comes to GOD. I mean isn’t HE all love and no wrath? On the contrary, GOD is all powerful, full of love and wrath. GOD despises when I categorize my sin into large and small so I can get away with the “small.”

• GOD wants me to confess my sins so HE will be faithful and just to forgive me of my sins and cleanse me of all unrighteousness.
• GOD wants me to take HIS yoke upon me and learn about HIM so I can allow HIM to steer my path.
• GOD wants me to allow HIM to lead me beside still water which means I have to be on HIS path.

Allowing GOD to be in my life means GOD has the right to say “NO” or “Not now” or “yes, but with a different outcome.” I should not hide ‘what I’m doing’ from HIM so HE can guide my path.

• Are you ignoring what’s going on around you so you can get your way?
• Are you caught up in something that you feel is not right?
• Are you blind to the fact that you may be off GOD’s path?
• Can you learn of GOD and confess what you are doing so HE can put you on HIS path?

Missing the opportunity to see GOD

Judges 12: ¹⁷ Then Manoah inquired of the angel of the Lord, “What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true?”

¹⁸ He replied, “Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding” ¹⁹ Then Manoah took a young goat, together with the grain offering, and sacrificed it on a rock to the Lord. And the Lord did an amazing thing while Manoah and his wife watched: 

²⁰ As the flame blazed up from the altar toward heaven, the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame. Seeing this, Manoah and his wife fell with their faces to the ground. ²¹ When the angel of the Lord did not show himself again to Manoah and his wife, Manoah realized that it was the angel of the Lord.

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“Come on, come on!” I willed to my car to start but it seemed to have a mind of its own. Finally I heard a sputter and off I went to pick up my classmate. With four bald tires, no working heat and a gas gauge that could not tell me how much gas I had in the car, we set out on our icy drive. My friend had to scrape the ice that formed on the windshield inside the car as we plodded down the street.

I looked and saw a car that spun out on the road and then another and another. “They must be bad drivers” I said to myself. Suddenly my car went into a skid. We swerved back and forth all over the highway. “I” got control of the car and said to myself “I” better pay attention, not once praying!

• When I look at my abilities I can miss GOD.
• When I think I accomplished something I can miss GOD.
• When I pat myself on the back and look at others like they have a problem I can miss GOD.

Many times I have missed the message of GOD because HE was standing in my face and I was too blind to recognize HIM. My assumption of what HE would say and how HE would sound and when HE would help blinded me to what HE was doing right in front of my face.

• GOD wants me to open my eyes to see HIM every day.
• GOD wants me to recognize HIM from the smallest task to the largest.
• GOD wants me to see HIM in everything rather than putting HIM in a building I go to visit once a week for a very short period of time.

 I hear the term “Act of GOD” and cringe because it implies that HE only works with the large things. GOD works with the infinitely tiny as well as the outstanding enormity of the universe. HE is concerned with my day to day situations and wants me to give HIM as much time and communication as I can.

Recognizing GOD on a daily basis is not a stretch, all I have to do is open my eyes and I can see HIS marvelous works.

• Are you blind to what GOD is doing in your life?
• Do you think you are doing things on your own ability?
• Can you open your eyes to see GOD working on the small things in your life as well as the large?

Is my witness reliable?

Deuteronomy 19: ¹⁵ One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

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My gruff boss pulled me into his office asking me about a person who previously worked with me at another company.  I didn’t like her very much but she was highly qualified. “I don’t think she will be a good fit” I told the guy. He didn’t hire her. I wonder if people would say slanderous things about me.

• When I am blind and I want something my witness may not be reliable.
• When I am blind and full of fear my witness may not be reliable.
• When I am blind and carry bitterness or poison my witness may not be reliable.

My witness depends on how I view the person. I may see something that wasn’t there because I want the person to fail or get out of my way.  In other words I may fool myself into believing something that isn’t true and then my witness becomes false.

• GOD wants me to be a reliable impartial witness.
• GOD wants me to allow HIS will to be done so my witness has to align with HIS.
• GOD wants me to see others as HE sees them rather than stirring up the crowd.

Compassion is what GOD wants me to give people. A criminal deserves to be convicted but I must not slander the person into being a criminal. GOD will root out the evil in HIS time, my job is to be reliable, truthful and loving.

• Do you desire for a person you don’t agree with to fail or succeed?
• Do you think your words are helping people see that person in a good or bad light?
• Can you modify your witness to include your faults or are you busy talking about what others are doing wrong?
• Won’t you take your blinders off and look at your witness?

All that matters

Deuteronomy 11: ²² So be careful. Obey all of the commands I’m giving you to follow. Love the Lord your God. Live exactly as he wants you to live. Remain true to him. ²³ Then the Lord will drive out all of the nations to make room for you. They are larger and stronger than you are. But you will take their land.

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Like deer in headlights I sat in my chair stifled by worry.  I had so many “giant” situations on my mind that flooded my thoughts I could not see a way out. I mean, I had never been released from any position before and I hadn’t given them a reason to this time. Bills weren’t going to pay themselves.

What about paying for college? What about retirement? And that little old lady in some country far away from me, who is going to give to her if I’m out of work?

• My worries blind me.
• My lack of faith blinds me.
• My trust in myself blinds me.

When I think I made it to the top on my own accord then I get blinded to who really put me there in the first place, namely GOD. When HE toppled my tower, I thought HE was mad at me because I was blind to what HE was really doing in my life. HE was refocusing me to look at HIM.

• When I worry I remember to “love the LORD.”
• When I lose my faith I remember to “live as HE wants me to live.”
• When I get suspicious of GOD I remember to “remain true to HIM.”

It was GOD who cleared the way for me to reach the heights I rose to and it is up to HIM to keep me low or raise me up again and again. It’s not that my desires don’t matter to HIM, all that matters is that I love and respect HIM enough to allow HIS decisions to be final. I can find relief from worries by following GOD.

• Are you worried?
• Are you facing a “giant” situation?
• Do you think your “giant” is larger than GOD?
• Won’t you stop thinking about your “giant” and look at how powerful GOD really is?

Complain or Compliment

Numbers 14: ⁹ “But don’t refuse to obey him. And don’t be afraid of the people of the land. We will swallow them up. The Lord is with us. So nothing can save them. Don’t be afraid of them.”

¹⁰ But all of the people talked about killing Joshua and Caleb by throwing stones at them.

Then the glory of the Lord appeared at the Tent of Meeting. All of the people of Israel saw it. ¹¹ The Lord spoke to Moses. He said, “How long will these people make fun of me? How long will they refuse to believe in me? They refuse even though I have done many miraculous signs among them. ¹² So I will strike them down with a plague. I will destroy them. But I will make you into a greater and stronger nation than they are.”

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Slander was the weapon of choice in the corporate environment. I didn’t even think I was using it because I had convinced myself I was right in the situation. We sat in a room and came up with rebuttals and retorts to the other groups’ desires.

When I presented our desires after the other group pitched theirs I knew I had the upper hand. To my dismay Senior Management said, both ideas would not be funded and they were going to merge our fighting departments.

• Complaints are despicable.
• Complaints are low.
• Complaints are excuses wrapped in situations that I want my way and I’m not getting it.

GOD knows when I’m throwing a tantrum.  HE knows my motives and doesn’t take kindly to my complaints especially when I have fooled myself into thinking I am right.  With blind eyes I blurt out a complaint about what someone else is doing and I forget to look at how I am contributing to the situation.

• GOD loves when I accept HIS plan no matter how difficult it may look.
• GOD loves when I listen to HIM and can face difficult tasks without disobeying HIS ways.
• GOD loves when I use compliments instead of conflict to accomplish HIS goals.
• GOD loves when I let HIM do my fighting.

“My ways are not your ways” says the LORD. HE has incredible plans for me because HE has forgiven me, but HE doesn’t like when I treat HIS grace as if I deserve it. HE has blessed me thoroughly and I am eternally grateful!

• Are you complaining about something or someone?
• Have you lost your grace?
• Have you asked GOD to manage the situation no matter how bleak it looks?
• Won’t you let GOD direct the situation?

Aw do I have to do that LORD?

Philippians 2: ¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky

¹⁶ as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

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My parents told me to do the dishes. “Aw man” I thought to myself. I wanted to watch TV. My supervisor seemed to give me busy work. “Aw man” I thought to myself. I wanted to hide and possibly get a nap in at work. In my career stage my boss made me take notes in a meeting. “Aw man” now they want me to act like an admin instead of sitting at the table. Can’t I do what I want?

• When I am blind I grumble at tasks handed to me.
• When I am immature I fuss and fight to get out of doing things.
• When I think too highly of myself I get upset at doing tasks I feel are beneath me.

Wow! GOD wants me to do “everything” without grumbling or arguing?! That seems to be a pretty tall order.  I mean what if the person who is barking out orders to me is a jerk? GOD says look at things a little differently.

• GOD doesn’t want me looking at the task rather look at the person as HE does.
• GOD doesn’t want me to view myself higher than the task rather be an example to others.
• GOD doesn’t want me to fuss and fight with people rather HE wants HIS light to shine through me when I humble myself.

It’s not the task that is important it’s the “purpose” of the task. Sometimes GOD raises me up to heights I never would have imagined and sometimes HE makes me lower than the lowest but the purpose is still the same. GOD wants HIS SON to be recognized and worshipped.

Our generation is “warped and crooked” and it is difficult to find a person who seems to carry a smile during difficult times. GOD wants me to be alright with the mundane menial tasks that no one wants to do. HIS light will shine in all of my grumble-less efforts.

• Are you grumbling over what you are doing?
• Do you feel tired of doing “that” thing again?
• Are you doing something for someone who doesn’t deserve your talents?
• Can you do your tasks for GOD instead of doing them for people today?

LORD please open my eyes.

Romans 11: ⁸ as it is written:

   “God gave them a spirit of stupor,

   eyes that could not see

   and ears that could not hear,

to this very day.”

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After being someplace that I shouldn’t have been it was time for me to leave. “You shouldn’t have been here” was the thought that crossed my mind but it was too late. I looked around for my car keys and for the life of me, I couldn’t find them.  I looked high and low, still no keys.

Where could those keys be? As I reached to scratch my head I hit myself in the face with “my keys!” I was carrying them with me the entire time!

• Sin has a way of blinding me to the truths of GOD.
• Sin has a way of closing my ears to what HE is trying to tell me.
• Sin has a way of distracting me from seeing GOD and hearing GOD on a daily basis.

The more I do things “my” way the less I see GOD.  In fact I start doubting that GOD is working in other folk’s lives. I point out their hypocrisy not looking at my own. After a while my sin becomes so regular that GOD is only a distant concept. What can help me?

• Asking GOD to open my eyes helps me see the sin in me and the GOD in others.
• Asking GOD to open my ears helps me hear HIM tell me to forgive the person I want to persecute.
• Asking GOD to open my eyes helps me see the person in need I would have normally, selfishly passed up.
• Asking GOD to open my ears helps hear the cry for compassion from those who don’t look or act like me.

GOD will either soften or harden my heart.  The thing that makes me nervous is the fact that HE could help me walk away from HIM. I thank HIM for opening my eyes and ears.

• Are your eyes closed to your own sin?
• Are your ears closed to correction?
• Do you doubt your usefulness to GOD because of some sin or age or physical condition?
• Won’t you release your heart to GOD to soften it instead of hardening it?

I can’t see!

John 9: ³⁹ Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

 ⁴⁰ Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”

 ⁴¹ Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.

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“Please come speak to our group” was the request of one of the business owners. Arrogantly, I accepted the invitation thinking they wanted to hear my greatness. When I stepped to the podium, I was met with questions not pertaining to the agenda, nor had I prepared for. It was a trap! How did I not see this coming?

• When I think more highly of myself, I become blind.
• When I think I am doing better than others, I become blind.
• When I think I have arrived, I become blind.

Blindness is my weakness and arrogance is my blind-guide. When I assume someone is stupid or weak or prejudiced or flirty or dangerous, I am acting in a “blind” fashion. I guess it’s self-preservation.

• JESUS came into the world to lead me to HIS kingdom.
• JESUS opened my eyes to my fallen state and showed me there is no way to save myself.
• JESUS volunteered to die specifically for me and you in order for us to “see” HIS power.

Going through life blind and deaf to GOD’s ways has been a problem of mine since birth. HE yearns for me to learn about HIM, teach about HIM and live with HIM in peace not adversarial. Blindness causes me to run towards things I can touch and “see” which unfortunately are not items of faith.

JESUS says “Have faith in ME” and you will see.

• Are you trying to live by your own power?
• Do you get nervous easily?
• Won’t you trade your worry for faith that GOD has a wonderful plan for you?
• Can you accept your purpose in life telling more and more people about the great news of JESUS’ salvation?
• Does the last question leave you blind?

I can’t see you my assumptions are in the way!

John 1: ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹² Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

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“I’m late and this guy isn’t here” I thought to myself. I waited in the hotel lobby and there were only a few people. “I’m sure a man of his wealth would be on time because he has to be a busy person” I surmised.  

A guy dressed like a wrinkled farmer caught my eye and said my name. “Are you looking for me?” he politely said in a calm tone. “I watched you for ten minutes but I wasn’t sure you were looking for me” he said.  “This is the guy who makes $2 Million a month; you’ve got to be kidding?” I thought.

• How many angels who were dressed as a person in need have I passed?
• How many people who I assumed didn’t “deserve” my help have I turned down?
• How many names have I conjured up for those who annoy me or have gotten in my way?

Assumptions are little packaged expectations wrapped in prejudiced and ignorance. GOD operates with “fact” and I never have to assume anything about HIM.

• JESUS came to Earth as a human to HIS chosen people who rejected HIM.
• JESUS, who is GOD, volunteered to die for the sins of all humans no matter how heinous the sin.
• JESUS knocked on the door of my heart and it was up to me to let HIM in

Sometimes I expect GOD to speak to me in a loud echoing voice and appear with some sort of blinding light. I think HE is going to give me some strange, yet specific, message to drop everything and go on some wild pilgrimage. I keep waiting but all these needy people keep interrupting!

• GOD wants me to help the needy, that’s how HE is speaking to me.
• GOD wants me to deliver HIS message of deliverance, that’s how HE shows HIS love.
• GOD wants me to keep my heart soft for others so HE puts me in circumstances that enable me to empathize.

When I assume how GOD is going to work, I am usually wrong. I look for HIM in the wrong places and I definitely mistake how HE is going to guide someone’s life. But when I don’t assume and accept HIS plan, HE never disappoints me!

• Are you trying to manipulate GOD into getting your way?
• Do you assume that since you are following HIM things would be better?
• Are you willing to follow GOD even if it means “that” person would leave you?

I too scream “JESUS!”

Luke 18:  ³⁵ As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. ³⁶ When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. ³⁷ They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

 ³⁸ He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 ³⁹ Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 ⁴⁰ Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, ⁴¹ “What do you want me to do for you?”

   “Lord, I want to see,” he replied.

 ⁴² Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” ⁴³ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

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This is one of my favorite passages of the Bible! They tried to shut the beggar up and he screamed for JESUS louder. I remember times of pressure and not knowing where to turn but I put my faith in CHRIST. Let me tell you, when times got tough many people will tried to give me “their” plan and looked at me like I was crazy for trying to follow GOD.

• When times get tough and I don’t have a plan my soul says “scream JESUS!”
• When all my plans seem to fall apart and things don’t seem to go my way my soul says “scream JESUS!”
• When I look around and find more and more people in pain and I don’t have a solution my soul says “scream JESUS!”

I guess the reason I like this account of history is because it showed a person who was in dire need trying to work his plan, begging. Yes, that would feed him, maybe clothe him but he really desired more.

He screamed “JESUS” when he felt the opportunity was about to pass him by! He knew this was his last chance and he wanted to become whole. JESUS made him whole so guess what… I too scream JESUS!

• Are you blind about something?
• Do you feel you have lost your direction?
• Are your plans failing?
• Have you tried calling on JESUS with every fabric of your soul?
• Will you believe HE can and will “fix” everything in your life the way only HE can?

Even the blind can "see" something good!

John 12:12The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the King of Israel!" 14Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,
15"Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt."

16At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.

17Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him. 19So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!"

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Looking back on my life I can recognize that I am a blind man feeling my way through life. When I say blind, I mean spiritually blind. I think this is why I crave to have order and control in my life because I am spiritually blind.

While I am blind, I can "see" times in my life that GOD has brought me through troubles. I remember doctors saying that a relative had holes in their back before birth indicating some sort of disease. After a lot of prayer, the baby was born healthy.

I remember relatives being diagnosed with cancer. Thirty five years later, they are still here spreading the gospel. GOD has worked many miracles in my life that people often write off as coincidences or they give me credit for my "business acumen." But I know that it was GOD who worked in my life every step of the way.

• GOD is in control of every situation.
• GOD has already defeated the enemy.
• GOD will never leave you alone.
• GOD can do anything just by speaking.

The blind Jews of that day recognized the true KING. The saw HIM raise a human from the dead! JESUS made sure all humans would give HIM credit so HE waited for the corpse to begin to decompose and rot.

HE reversed the rotting process, put fresh blood in his body and restored his memory. Everyone who saw this rejoiced! They couldn't hold it in. They shouted in the streets, ran around town and told everyone that the Savior of the world is here!

JESUS made HIS "Triumphant Entry" into Jerusalem as predicted by the scriptures. This would be HIS last week on earth as a human. HE knew that HIS ultimate task was upon HIM. The blind Jews didn't know what was coming. They rejoiced and celebrated because a magical earthly king was setting up a kingdom, or at least they thought HE would.

I realize that I am blind, therefore I can see. I know I am deaf, therefore I can hear. I know I am a sinner needing salvation therefore I hold eternal life through JESUS.

• Can you "see?"
• Can you "hear?"
• What is GOD showing you about yourself?
• What is GOD telling you to do?
• If your plan is GOD's plan then why do you think the plan will fail?

Believing is "seeing", not the other way around.

John 9:35Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" 36"Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in him."

37Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you."

38Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.

39Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind."

40Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?"

41Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.

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I have to be careful with my thoughts each day. When I do the right things for GOD like study, prayer, and serving people, I tend to get proud of myself. All of the things I just named are great with the exception of the pride.

My pride leads me to desire others to become like me. You may say, "What's wrong with that?" Well, sometimes in my zeal, I may become blind to their true needs. I may be so busy trying to push my excitement that I miss what the person is really going through.

Spiritual blindness is probably the greatest disease that humans can face. Yes there is the obvious act of blindness that people commit like never praying, reading or serving, but the blindness GOD hates the most is when a person thinks they are better than other humans in their walk with GOD.

My excitement that I am able to study HIS word, understand it , apply it to my life, pray for people and serve others should never go beyond myself and GOD. I should be surprised every time someone is drawn to GOD through my actions.

• I should not be blind to Who GOD is.
• I should not be blind to HIS position and power.
• I should not be blind to another humans needs.
• I should not be blind to my own sin.
• I should not be blind to GOD's grace for me.
• I should not be blind to how happy and excited GOD is for me and about me!

JESUS says to the "churchy" people who studied the Bible and did not apply it to themselves rather to others, "You are spiritually blind." Going to church, saying "I love the LORD" and paying tithes do not make me "see." It is when I approach GOD and tell HIM "I am a sinner and I do not deserve YOUR grace" that opens my eyes.

• GOD opens my eyes when I admit I sin.
• GOD opens my eyes when I put my judgment of others away.
• GOD opens my eyes when I ask HIM to help me reduce my sin.
• GOD opens my eyes when I give my situations to HIM.
• GOD opens my eyes when I humbly approach HIM.

Many times I have thought I was "all that" when it came to serving GOD. Turns out that some of those times, I was serving myself instead of HIM.

• Are you proud of your accomplishments or are you pointing your life to GOD?
• Are you too caught up in your issues to not "see" what GOD is doing?
• Are you trying to control someone?
• Have you decided to not serve someone or a group of people?
• How are you serving those who don't deserve it today?