John G. Elliott
Weekly Devotional
Your attitude reveals your heart and your heart reveals you.
Please keep in mind John's Music CDs for Christmas gifts.
Music Samplers at www.JohnGElliott.com
The Divine Order
“As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects man” (Proverbs 27:19)
Attitude is a door opener. Attitude is a door closer. Attitude can clear a path through a host of obstacles or attitude can construct obstacles that shut down the ablest of souls. One noted Bible teacher actually said “Attitude is everything.”
People are drawn to a person who radiates a positive, healthy frame of mind. Opportunities seem to gravitate toward people who maintain a vibrant mind-set. Hopefulness is an attitude that springs from the well of faith. Disciples who maintain hopefulness have taken a firm grip on Scriptures such as“God causes all things to work together for good. . .” (Romans 8:28). They learn to anticipate “good” coming out of any situation. They are not afraid of the future because they “see” the good Lord God having gone on before them and working on the completion of an overall design.
What you believe determines what you see. Not the other way around. Faith is the “seeing-power” behind the “eyes of the heart” (Ephesians 1:18). The Apostle Thomas was awarded the infamous title of Doubting Thomas because he got it backwards. “Unless I see. . . I will not believe it” (John 20:25).Thomas did not yet understand that first you must “see” before you can see. This is the Divine Order. Our Master put it this way, “Believe and you will see” (John ). To believe is to see with the heart. Then, and only then, do we taste the delicious fruit that faith produces.
The Divine Order does not pose a problem for the student of science or the person who considers themselves “logical.” The “natural” eye, even when aided by all manner of devices and technology that increase the accuracy of observation, is still a very limited form of perception. The person who seeks to understand the vast spectrum of life in this universe solely or primarily through scientific observation, is uniquely myopic and seriously limited. Such an approach accumulates data but is ill-equipped to determine meaning and purpose.
The Word of God is the true optic nerve behind “sight”. The maturing pilgrim can enter into a situation where everything they see with the natural eye speaks of impossibility, defeat and hopelessness; yet they cling to the Word and thus are enabled to “see” what most people cannot. Some might call this “positive thinking” – and it is undoubtedly so – faith will always look for the God-side of things – the One Who is the most forward-thinking and positive Being in the universe.
2013 Galestorm Music Inc
Go to www.JohnGElliott.com
People are drawn to a person who radiates a positive, healthy frame of mind. Opportunities seem to gravitate toward people who maintain a vibrant mind-set. Hopefulness is an attitude that springs from the well of faith. Disciples who maintain hopefulness have taken a firm grip on Scriptures such as“God causes all things to work together for good. . .” (Romans 8:28). They learn to anticipate “good” coming out of any situation. They are not afraid of the future because they “see” the good Lord God having gone on before them and working on the completion of an overall design.
What you believe determines what you see. Not the other way around. Faith is the “seeing-power” behind the “eyes of the heart” (Ephesians 1:18). The Apostle Thomas was awarded the infamous title of Doubting Thomas because he got it backwards. “Unless I see. . . I will not believe it” (John 20:25).Thomas did not yet understand that first you must “see” before you can see. This is the Divine Order. Our Master put it this way, “Believe and you will see” (John ). To believe is to see with the heart. Then, and only then, do we taste the delicious fruit that faith produces.
The Divine Order does not pose a problem for the student of science or the person who considers themselves “logical.” The “natural” eye, even when aided by all manner of devices and technology that increase the accuracy of observation, is still a very limited form of perception. The person who seeks to understand the vast spectrum of life in this universe solely or primarily through scientific observation, is uniquely myopic and seriously limited. Such an approach accumulates data but is ill-equipped to determine meaning and purpose.
The Word of God is the true optic nerve behind “sight”. The maturing pilgrim can enter into a situation where everything they see with the natural eye speaks of impossibility, defeat and hopelessness; yet they cling to the Word and thus are enabled to “see” what most people cannot. Some might call this “positive thinking” – and it is undoubtedly so – faith will always look for the God-side of things – the One Who is the most forward-thinking and positive Being in the universe.
2013 Galestorm Music Inc
Go to www.JohnGElliott.com
Editor's Note: John is a good friend. He led many of our conferences in Charlotte, NC back in the 1990's. We love his music too!
Steve Martin, Love For His People
P.S. And he likes sushi too!
