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We Have Been Blessed Beyond Measure Jesus had just finished an exhausting day. He healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, which stirred the ire of the religious Jews who sought how that they might kill Him.. He also healed a man who was possessed of the devil and who was both blind and dumb. This lead to an accusation that He was casting devils by the power of Satan. Then His mother and brothers came on the scene in hopes of getting Him to calm down and ease up. Jesus retreated to the sea shore for some solitude and the crowds who had witnessed Him verbally jousting with the Pharisees followed Him. He entered into a boat and used it for a pulpit and began to teach the people who were assembled on the shore. At this time He taught the Parable of the Sower (Mt. 13:1-9). His disciples asked why He taught the multitude in parables. Jesus replied that the multitude were dull of hearing and seeing spiritual things. They, like their fathers before them had refused to listen to the word of the Lord, and God had shut up their minds that hearing they would not hear and seeing they would not see (Mt. 13:13-14). However the disciples were in a different category. They had responded to the call of Jesus from the earliest time of His ministry when Phillip found Nathanael, and said, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph (Jn. 1:45).” They forsook all that they had (Mt. 19:27) to answer the call of Jesus to “Follow Me” (Mt. 4:19, 9:9). Text: Matthew 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. I wonder if we do not sometimes fail to realize the great privilege that we have to have been able to enter the kingdom of God? I wonder if we really appreciate the fact that the word of God is readily available to us? I wonder if we fail to comprehend that Christ died for us because of His great love for us (Titus 3:5). He didn’t die because of our goodness, He died while we were yet sinners (Ro. 5:8). I wonder if we take the abiding presence of the living God within us for granted (Eph. 4:30? I believe that we do. When we read the Parable of the Pounds (Luke 19:11-27) and the Parable of the Talents (Mt. 25:14-30) we see that the faithful servant who had gained by investing in the kingdom had his treasure added to at the expense of the slothful servant. Matthew 25:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. Text: Matthew 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous [men] have desired to see [those things] which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear [those things] which ye hear, and have not heard [them]. The prophets saw the glory of God in Christ (Zech. 14:9) and also His suffering on the cross (Isa.53). They couldn’t partake, neither could the angels who enquired about our great salvation (1Pet. 1:12). We have been greatly blessed to have heard the gospel many times when many in the world have never heard it once. Having obeyed it and entered the kingdom, we have been blessed beyond measure to walk from faith to faith (Ro. 1:17) and glory to glory (2Cor.3:18). 1John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. We have a choice: Heaven’s potential is unlimited but the penalty for neglect is severe (Heb. 2:3). We don’t want to be like the church of the Laodiceans who had assimilated with the world to the point that the Lord wasn’t pleased. They had become lukewarm. God wanted then either hot or cold. He warned that if they did not repent, He would spew them out of His mouth. That warning is for us, also (Rev. 3:14-22). Isaiah 64:4 For since the beginning of the world [men] have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, [what] he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. 1Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Keep Looking Up! And Keep Pressing On! Not everyone possesses boundless energy or a conspicuous talent. We are not equally blessed with great intellect or physical beauty or emotional strength. But we have all been given the same ability to be faithful. - Gigi Graham Tchividjian Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@about-him.com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe@about-him.com The purpose of About-Him.Com is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ whom we preach as the Almighty God manifest in the flesh. It is our desire that everything presented on these pages increases your faith in our God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Home About Us About His Word Bible Studies Humor Songs of the Church Thoughts on the Life of Christ Weekly Devotions Audio Devotionals Topical Studies Contact |