What an exciting week this has been! The word for this week is "eyes". We won't be looking at the verses that speak of the physical eyes. Instead we'll be looking at these two portions of Scripture:
Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. KJV
Ephesians 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. KJV
"Eyes" here is the Greek word "ophthalmos". Strong's Concordance says the eye (literally or figuratively), vision. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds this: sight, from a root signifying penetration, sharpness. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament also adds this: This word means "apple of the eye", figuratively "what is most dear", seeing with the eyes of the heart, human perception or judgment, divine perception. Also noted is this: "the crucial point is spiritual rather than sensory perception. God grants enlightenment to the eyes of the heart." When we meditate on the Word of God, our Teacher, Holy Spirit, is able to give us understanding of the Word and how to put it into practice in our lives. We have to have that clear perception of the Word as God's final authority before we can seriously expect to stand on it in faith. The verses in Ephesians, above, are a part of the prayer that I pray for you, Kristine and your daughters, (along with those in Ephesians 3 and Colossians 1). I pray for the understanding of His Word and the leading, guidance and direction of Holy Spirit in the specifics of putting it into practice! John 8:31-32 gives us this promise:
31 So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. 32 And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.
My prayer for you today is that you will continue to have the eyes of YOUR heart enlightened so that you will know, always, what belongs to you as a blood covenant partner with God through the blood of Jesus! Then you will be able to continue to teach the Word to your girls and the eyes of their understanding will see clearly what God has for them! Here is another new song from the Hillsong Young and Free album "Youth Revival" called "In Your Eyes":
IN YOUR
EYES
Verse]
Skylines and crowded streets
Calling my attention
The limelight and empty dreams
Grieving my affections
But there is a perfect Voice
Waiting above the noise
Jesus my only choice
When all the lights are screaming
[Chorus]
Then I
I get lost in Your eyes
And find the clarity to life
The world when all the colors rage
But I'm not gonna look away, no
I get lost in Your eyes
[Verse 2]
I've read all the glossy guides
To living in contentment
I've heard all the pretty lies
And all of them are vacant
But You are a love unique
My heart, my identity
Jesus you're all I need
And see the rest is nothing
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
