The people of God in Isaiah’s time had blinded their minds’ ability to see God by looking on the face of idols. But Isaiah made them look up at the heavens; that is, he made them begin to use their power to think and to visualize correctly. If we are children of God, we have a tremendous treasure in nature and will realize that it is holy and sacred. We will see God reaching out to us in every wind that blows, every sunrise and sunset, every cloud in the sky, every flower that blooms, and every leaf that fades, if we will only begin to use our blinded thinking to visualize it.

The real test of spiritual focus is being able to bring your mind and thoughts under control. Is your mind focused on the face of an idol? Is the idol yourself? Is it your work? Is it your idea of what a servant should be, or maybe your experience of salvation and sanctification? If so, then your ability to see God is blinded. You will be powerless when faced with difficulties and will be forced to endure in darkness. If your power to see has been blinded, don’t look back on your own experiences, but look to God. It is God you need. Go beyond yourself and away from the faces of your idols and away from everything else that has been blinding your thinking. Wake up and accept the ridicule that Isaiah gave to his people, and deliberately turn your thoughts and your eyes to God.

One of the reasons for our sense of futility in prayer is that we have lost our power to visualize. We can no longer even imagine putting ourselves deliberately before God. It is actually more important to be broken bread and poured-out wine in the area of intercession than in our personal contact with others. The power of visualization is what God gives a saint so that he can go beyond himself and be firmly placed into relationships he never before experienced.

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February 10, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord this devotional reminds me that You should be the focus of all that I look for in all my trials, blessings …daily routine, relationships with others…everything. I am reminded that if Romans 8:28 is true you have touched everything that I experience and that you have arranged it for my good.

And God says…”My ways are not your ways and you cannot know My ways. This is why you must have faith (and even that I will give you). Trust Me to bring all circumstances together for your good.  Imagine how the disciples and Mary felt during the crucifixion.  They could not have imagined the victory and blessings that would result of this event and the resurrection to follow. It was beyond their comprehension.  It is the same with many, many things that occur in your life every day.  Look to Me and not the circumstances or your contemporary idols such as your finances, career, or life on earth. I am the way the truth and the light…..look to me.”