Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Tag: Seeing God

Professional Speaking :: Jesus The Optometrist

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On August 23, 2012

In Christian, Professional Speaking

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, an optometrist is a professional who performs eye exams to check for vision problems and diseases and prescribes eyeglasses or contact lenses as needed to help recover sight.  The day after my Lasik eye surgery, I saw with such clarity that an incredible sense of joy just filled my being and I could emphatically relate to the expression of the blind man, whose sight Jesus restored – “I was once blind, but now I see.” (John 9:25).

Jesus said that the Spirit of the Lord was upon him and one of his charters was to recover sight to the blind (Luke 4:18). Jesus is The Optometrist, who can help you recover your spiritual sight in order for you to be able to see the sovereignty of God in your life. The Bible says, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8) and only Jesus can make us have a pure heart (by his grace through faith when we believe in Him). The devil (god of this world) has blinded the eyes of many who do not believe, lest the glorious light of the gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Points to ponder:
Only with Jesus The Optometrist, can you truly say, “I was once blind, but now I see.” Are you blind or can you see? Has Jesus The Optometrist recovered your sight so that you can see the glory of God and bring glory to his Name?

Luke 4:18-19 (KJV)
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

John 9:25 (KJV)
25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

Christian Senses :: To See

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On July 11, 2011

In Christian, Christian Senses

The lyrics of one of the songs, I learned in my childhood days was “O be careful little eyes what you see, for there is a Father up above and He is looking down with love, so be careful little eyes what you see.” But what is such a simple truth, instilled in us, when when we were children, is still extremely relevant, even today, to all ages. We must be careful with our eyes, what we see.

The Bible records that when satan beguiled Eve, she saw the fruit of the tree and it was good and pleasant to her eye, and desiring to gain wisdom, she took it and ate it (Genesis 3:6), directly disobeying God. With the seeing and partaking of what was forbidden by God, did mankind lose their relationship with God. But interestingly, it is with the seeing and partaking of the ONE who was forsaken by God, does mankind gain their relationship back with God. Jesus was the one forsaken of God (Matthew 27:46) so that God did not have to forsake us and only those who partake of Jesus can one be reconciled back to God. To partake of Jesus is to believe in him. Only those who have believed in Jesus are sanctified and made pure by the blood that He shed on the Cross, by which there is remission of sin (Matthew 26:28) and when one is made pure in heart, they can see God (Matthew 5:8).

In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus tells us that the rich man saw from hell, what was transpiring above in the heaven, but it was too late for him (Luke 16:23). If we choose not to see Jesus, while we are on earth, as our Lord and Savior; as our Salvation, it will be too late for us, to see Jesus as our Savior, from hell. Only after the seeing of the Lord Jesus as one’s Salvation can one truly depart (from this world) in peace (Luke 2:25-30).

Points to ponder:
With our eyes we can choose to see the lust and lures of this world or we can choose to see the Lord God, the Salvation. Choose ye, this day what/whom you shall see, but as for me and my house, we will see the Salvation of the Lord (Luke 2:30).

Luke 2:25-32 (KJV)
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Luke 16:22-24 (KJV)
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

Blessed “Be” attitudes :: Be Pure (in heart)

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On June 8, 2011

In Be attitudes, Christian

Matthew 5:3-12 lists eight Beatitudes that were spoken of by Jesus. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)

To be blessed, one must have an attitude of being pure (in heart).

The Creator God is not interested in an outward showing of piety or penance as many doctrines of men and world religions prescribe, but God is interested in inward purity i.e., purity of the heart. When the scribes and Pharisees in an accusatory manner questioned Jesus that his disciples did not wash their hands before breaking bread, Jesus astutely yet sternly cautioned them of their double standard and hypocrisy, and expressed a fundamental truth, that it is not what one consumes that defiles a man, but what comes from within (from the heart) (Matthew 15:11). Later when his disciples approached him and asked him if he was offended by the Pharisees and sought clarification of his response, he asked them “Are you also yet without understanding?” before explaining that out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies; things which defile a man (Matthew 15:19-20).

So if by nature our heart is prone to defile, then how is it that one can be pure in heart? To be pure means to be untainted, unstained, unblameable, unreproveable, without spot or wrinkle. In other words, to be pure is to be set apart and it is to be holy. This is an impossible edict for man to accomplish by his/her own efforts. No matter how impressive and thorough a self-help program prescribes, no one can be holy by his or her own accord, for in sin are we conceived (Psalm 51:5). There is one only Way to be holy. Jesus said He is THE WAY (John 14:6). The Bible teaches us that Jesus, who is the image of the invisible God, can present us unblameable and unreproveable in the sight of God (Colossians 1:22), because he who knew no sin, became sin for us, and died in our stead, so we can be imputed the righteousness (purity/holiness) of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). In other words, only Jesus can make us holy i.e., only Jesus can make our hearts pure and clean; without spot or wrinkle. King David’s recognized that out of his heart came thoughts of – evil and murder toward Bathsheba’s husband Uriah, – adultery and fornication (extramarital sex) with Bathsheba, – stealing Uriah’s wife, – false witness and lying (covering the murderous plot of Uriah’s death) and – blasphemies (for what David had done displeased the Lord) (2 Samuel 11). Upon this recognition, king David repented and sought that God would create in him a clean (pure) heart; one that is holy and blameless, in God’s sight. When we repent of our sins, believing in Jesus Christ, he makes us a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), replacing our old heart that defiles with one that is pure and clean (Ezekiel 36:26). Those who are pure in heart are those who have recognized that Jesus is the Only Way to Holiness and have repented asking Him to create in them a clean/pure heart. These are blessed for they shall see God.

What does it mean that one shall see God? God is Spirit (John 4:24),  God is invisible (1 Timothy 1:17), God dwells in an unapproachable light, which no man can see, nor has seen (1 Timothy 6:16).  Then how can God be seen? There is a multi-faceted answer to this which we find in the Bible. First, Jesus is the image of the invisible God, in whom the fullness of God dwells (Colossians 1:15,19). Second, Jesus said, He is THE LIGHT of the world (John 8:12). Third, when we walk in the light, desiring to be pure (in heart), repenting of our sins, believing in Jesus and asking Him to create in us a clean heart, we have fellowship with God as He is light and is in the light now approachable through Jesus, for Jesus said, all who see me (have fellowship with me) have seen God (the Father) (John 14:8-11). Fourth, all who have believed in Jesus, have been delivered from the power of darkness and been translated to the kingdom of Jesus Christ, God’s dear Son (Colossians 1:13), and they shall see God face to face, when He establishes His kingdom on new earth (Revelation 22:4). We see God now through Jesus Christ, we will later see God in Christ, face to face.

Point(s) to ponder:
1. God is pleading, “Come now, let us reason together, though your sins are like scarlet, I will wash you whiter than snow.” (Isaiah 1:18). The vilest offender (of whom I am chief) is not out of the reasoning and reach of God. Reason with Him. Reach out to God.
2. Have you/I heard God’s plea and have we repented of our sins, asking Him to create in us a clean/pure heart? For without holiness, no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:29) and Only Jesus Christ can make you/I holy, unblameable and unreproveable.
3. God opened the heart (understanding) of Lydia so she could believe in Jesus and be baptized into His kingdom of light (Acts 16:14). Ask God to open your heart (of understanding) so that it can be made pure!

Matthew 5:8 (KJV)
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Hebrews 12:14 (KJV)
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Colossians 1:12-23 (KJV)
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son [Jesus Christ]:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

No what matter – I will refuse

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On October 7, 2009

In Christian, No matter what

Many decisions that ought to be taken are not taken due to one of the following reasons:
1. we try to rationalize the situation assuming that our finite and limited human minds has infinite comprehension and abilities or
2. we think of the consequences of the decision and are paralyzed for fear of life or fear of being ridiculed.

In today’s text, taken from the book of Exodus, we will look at Moses, who chose to refuse the pleasures and treasures NO MATTER WHAT.

As a backdrop to this character, Moses who was raised the prince of Egypt, by Pharaoh’s own daughter, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He instead chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. The consequences of Moses’ action meant that he would now have to give up what many others would aspire to have, he would have to go up against Pharaoh himself to seek deliverance for the people of God, and more importantly, his own life would now be in jeopardy. Moses  nonetheless refused the pleasures and treasures NO MATTER WHAT the consequences would be.

If Moses had rationalized or thought of the consequences, he would have possibly ended up as a successor of Pharaoh in Egypt, merely gaining ephemeral passing pleasures and temporary treasures. His life history may or may not be recorded in history books and with his death, he would be soon forgotten. His act of refusal to accept the things the world offered, and to stand for the people of God, not only solidified his friendship with God (Exodus 33:11) but also earned him an entry into the Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11:24),  and gave him the privilege of being one who is recorded to have seen the invisible God. (Deuteronomy 34:10, Hebrews 11:27). Our refusal of the pleasures and treasures this world has to offer, makes our heart focus on the people and things of God and with the purification work of the Holy Spirit of God in us, we can expect to see God. Jesus Christ will reveal himself unto them whose hearts are pure, who refuse to be corrupted by the pleasures and treasures of this world. Only those who are pure in heart can see God (Matthew 5:8).

Points to ponder:

  1. What is God asking of you and me today to refuse?
  2. Can we take the step to refuse the pleasures and treasures this world has to offer, without rationalizing or thinking of the consequences, NO MATTER WHAT?

God’s Mirror

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On June 27, 2009

In Christian

Reuben, my beloved son, when he was about 2 years old, asked Sangeetha, my beloved wife, as to why he cannot see God? That question provoked in us a thought that I felt was interesting. Why cannot we see God?
God made us in His own image (with his attributes and characteristics) and when people see us, they should be seeing God in us. We are not God, but we must be his mirror, a reflection of his glory to those who seek to see God. Reuben should be seeing God in us (his dada and mama). It was a call to attention for us, to try to live in a Christ-like manner, a life of LOVE, GIVING and SACRIFICE, so that he may see God through us.

Paul writes that we must “Be IMITATORS (mirror images) of God” Did you realize that we are indeed God’s Mirror. If people were seeking to see God, do they see God in us?

Point(s) to ponder:
A little girl was once in a quandary. She asked her mother, “Isn’t God big?” and her mom replied, “Yes”. She then asked, “Aren’t we small in comparison to God” and her mom replied “Yes, we are”. Then she expressed a notable truth – “If God is big, and we are small and God lives in us, shouldn’t He show through?” Think about it. Does God show through your life?

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)
1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children
2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

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