Manifesting Jesus To Our World

{I pray} also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe (Ephesians 1:18-19 NIV).

The literal Greek translation informs us so beautifully: the eyes of our hearts having been enlightened we should n ow know the hope of our calling, this glorious inheritance, He has placed upon believers; His excelling magnificent power (Gr. dunameos; where we get our word dynamite)>

What then is our calling and what then is our salvation? Is it not to manifest God and His Son to the world around us? To do this there must be a real giving up of our self. This hope within us the magnification of Jesus in our lives is not by our own effort; it is with the excelling magnificent power. Our hearts have been enlightened; therefore, we can rise above our selves and share that hope with others.

How do we work that our in "real time?" first, we cannot do anything for our salvation. this is the work of the Holy Spirit. We can manifest what God has placed within us. Christ changes our personality. We should never go to Him for that (personality change) for if we do then we really are not going to Him at all. If we are working it our with our tongues, our brains, or our nerves, and still set in our ways then we have not really a right to say that God has saved and sanctified us. We must then forget about our selves, we have a new self, we are clothed with Christ, we are His, and He is ours. By giving up our self we will find it, lose your life and you will save it (Matthew 10:37-39). Hold nothing back; unless something dies, it cannot rise from the dead. Look for Jesus and there you will find everything.

As we consider faith the changes to make are from the inside out; we remember God is in control. No trial, temptation, or difficulty, that comes upon us is without the knowledge of God. He allows these times to test our resolve to handle them properly. King David faced many such trials yet could write, "You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me and you stoop down to make me great" (Psalm 18:35 NIV; italics mine). It is by His excelling magnificent power, His right hand that we can have the faith that He will not forsake us or leave us destitute. "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed" (1 Peter 1:6-7 NIV; italics mine). We can rise to any occasion; we have been enlightened and have that glorious hope within us. No matter how much it hurts as long as it gives God the opportunity to manifest Himself through us.

Nehemiah is a great example for us today as he wept over the condition of Jerusalem and the temple. When he heard the condition of Jerusalem he fasted and prayed. Have our hearts become tender for the condition of our family, friends, our nation, and our world? Then let us pray. Are your Afraid? Listen to Nehemiah; "I was very much afraid,...Then I prayed to the God of heaven...." (Nehemiah 2:2b, 4b NIV; italics mine). We have the power given to us, therefore we do not need to lack faith and fear the fact that while we may be broken, poured-out; He will allow this so that we can manifest Him and His Son bringing to others this life giving nourishment so that the eyes of their hearts too will be enlightened. This then is the only aim of our life; that God and His Son be manifested through us.

Today's Prayer: the prayer of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:5, 10b NIV)

O LORD, god of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for __________________ I confess my sins that I have committed against you.....give your servant success today by granting me favor. May I manifest You and Jesus in my life today. Amen