“Jesus used His power to draw a crowd, to get the attention of people so they would know He was the Son of God sent to redeem them from their sins. They would see His power and believe that He could be their salvation.
“He also got to uncover His glory, His majesty, His dominion, and His authority. When His power is revealed in a tangible, physical way, His glory is revealed for all to see. After Jesus commanded the paralytic to rise in Luke 15:17-26, the man immediately stood, and in front of everyone gave glory to God. It stirred up the entire crowd and left them in amazement. They couldn’t help but be filled with awe, saying, ‘We have seen extraordinary things today.’ The crowds in attendance that day undoubtedly went home and told everyone they knew about what Jesus had done. They probably beat on the doors in their villages, so full of good news that they could hardly contain it. The power that Jesus demonstrated that day spilled over as His glory continued to be revealed to everyone who would hear.” (Emphasis mine) (Taken from the book, “Glory Revealed,” by David Nasser, page 158)
Today, God uses His power to draw a crowd, or an individual. The same power that Christ displayed back then, is very present right now. Look around and see. You will see God’s power in good things as well as bad things. Tornadoes tore through several states leaving devastation and death behind over the weekend. In the wreckage, God is there. He will rebuild lives. Many testimonies will come out from Kentucky where God will receive all the glory. Watch and see.
God gives opportunities to see Him every day. They may come in a large package like a tornado, but mostly they come in small packages, some so tiny that you have to pay attention or else you will miss Him. God allows most of His opportunities to be somewhat disguised, so you have to seek to see. Look at Matthew 7:7-8 ESV, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”
You are alive in a wonderful time, my friend. You live in an era of God’s grace where He can be found. Just look and see. When you do see, you must move forward in faith towards His presence. Look at Isaiah 55:6-7 ESV, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that He may have compassion on Him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”
Look at 2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV, “If my people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.” Isaiah 55:6-7 NLT, “Seek the Lord while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that He may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for He will forgive generously.”
How do these scriptures display the life of someone who desires to see Christ? What do you learn about God? What extraordinary ways are you seeing God in your life?
The big, audacious question to ask is, after seeing, do you respond or does your life stay the same? In other words, do you ignore the Holy Spirit’s promptings in your heart? God wants you to see, but more importantly, He needs for you to respond. Take a look at Matthew 19:16-22 and Mark 10:17-22 and see how a young, rich man missed Christ. Even a religious leader missed Christ. Read John 3:1-21 and learn from Nicodemus. Read how the whole world except for one family missed the saving grace of God in Genesis 6-9.
Ask God to show you extraordinary things this Christmas. He will be happy to oblige. Whether you are asking for the first time or need to return back to Him for you have allowed your eyes and heart to wander away from your Lord and Savior, He is waiting with open arms. His love, grace and mercy are the greatest gifts you will receive from God.
Carol J German 