Re: [FamilyofGod] What do you SEE?
wanda
Prov.28:13- he that covereth his sin shall not prosper, but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them , shall have mercy.
From: Michael J. Knight <michaelnight82@
To: FamilyofGod@
Sent: Wed, June 30, 2010 6:12:59 AM
Subject: [FamilyofGod] What do you SEE?
What do you SEE?
I read about a man the other day who just returned from a visit to Niagara where he lived in Clifton Hotel close to the Falls. While there, he had an experience that I would like to share with you.
When first arriving there, he was very much annoyed and disturbed by the noise of the waterfalls. He could hardly hear any sound besides this "roar." But as time went on, he grew accustomed to it. Believe it or not - it had become quite quiet to him.
This account brings me to a Scripture in the Bible that I feel led of the Lord to share with you today. It is found in Acts 17:16 and says - "Now while Paul waited for them (Silas and Timothy) at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry."
This verse tells us that Paul "saw" something and, resultantly, had a definite reaction to what he "saw."
Now, we have to understand that there were many other people in Athens at the time who saw the very same things that Paul did, yet they experienced "no reaction" - at least not like his.
This verse tells us that his "spirit" was "stirred." That means that his spirit was provoked...his mind was excited...his soul was troubled...and his heart was grieved. In other words, he was greatly upset.
Now, remember, no one else in the crowd was "feeling" what Paul was "feeling."
What was it that he "saw" that upset him so?
Acts 17:16 explains - "when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry." Athens was a city that was full of temples and idols. It far exceeded others in the worship of gods. More idols were there than in all the rest of Greece combined. In fact, it was said of Athens that you could more easily find a god there than a man. This place was addicted to idolatry - having altars even to such things as Mercy, Shame, Fame, Desire, and Rumor.
Paul's spirit was moved to the deepest depths when he saw the evidence of gross idolatry to which this city was devoted. He was also exasperated to see God so dishonored and robbed of the homage due His Name.
Throughout the Bible, we find others who were also affected by what they "saw" happening in their world around them.
Exodus 32:19 says - "And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot..."
Numbers 25:6-7 says - "And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel...And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar...saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand."
Psalm 119:158 says - "I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not Thy word."
Mark 11:11 and 15 says - "And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when He had looked round about upon all things...began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves."
Mark 11:13-14 says - "And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, He came, if haply He might find any thing thereon: and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves...And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever..."
Luke 19:41 says - "And when He (Jesus) was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it."
John 11:33 says - "When Jesus therefore saw her (Mary)weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled."
2 Peter 2:7-8 says - "...Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)"
Whether it was Paul grieved in his spirit at seeing Athens totally given over to idolatry...Moses angry at seeing the golden calf... Phinehas provoked at seeing an Israelite bring a Midianitish woman into the camp when they were experiencing judgement from God for that very sin...the Psalmist grieved at beholding sinners blatantly breaking God's laws...Jesus upset at seeing His Father's house become a "den of thieves," Israel missing her God-given assignment to bear "fruit" for the nations, or suffering humanity like Mary and Martha at the tomb of their brother Lazarus...or Lot vexed in his soul after seeing the filthy deeds of the wicked - each one had a REACTION of some sort following what they "saw" !
There are two questions that the Holy Ghost wants to ask each and every one of you - O Saint of God, what do you "see" and what sort of reaction - if any - is it causing in you?
Paul's spirit was "stirred" when he saw the city of Athens given over to idolatry.
What about you? When you look around and "see" what's happening in your world, what is "stirring" your "spirit" - what is troubling you, grieving you, or making you upset?
Or have you become like the man who grew accustomed to the "roar" of the Niagara Falls? The "sound" didn't annoy or disturb him any more. In fact, it actually became quiet after a period of time where it didn't bother him in the least.
The Holy Ghost wants you to "see" what's going on in your world. He doesn't want you to grow accustomed to the evil or suffering around you, but to be upset about what you are "seeing" - so upset that it provokes a reaction in you - to weep, pray, fast, warn, cry out, preach and teach.
To God be Glory.
Love & Prayers,
Michael J. Knight.
http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/A-C- T-S/
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and I could say, "I used everything that you gave me."
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