Monday - "Through His Eyes"

I really like this devotion from Greg Laurie... it captures my heart for each one of you...that today we would see the world differently... With lenses of grace, gratitude, love, peace, patience, kindness, and empathy. I pray daily that God would allow me to experience life like He intended...and I think this devotional is a step toward that direction.

See you tomorrow,
Pastor Brian

Through His Eyes
by Greg Laurie

But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
—Matthew 9:36

Everywhere Jesus went, He was very much in demand. There was always a crowd around Him, and understandably so. He was God in human form, walking through their streets. Everyone wanted something.

There would be those who always wanted a touch, like the woman who had spent all of her money on doctors, trying to be cured, but to no avail. When she touched the hem of His garment, she was restored and healed.

There is the story of the Syro-Phoenician woman who brought her demon-possessed child to Jesus, and the story of Jairus, who came and asked Jesus to touch his sick daughter.

Everyone needed something, but Jesus knew they needed more than just a healing, more than just a touch, and more than just a word. He knew the deepest need was in their soul.

We see this demonstrated time and again. Despite His incredibly busy schedule, He went out of His way to meet a Samaritan woman in a little town where Jacob’s well was located, even though she had no idea she had an appointment with God. She went to that well at that time of day because she was a social outcast.

Sometimes when people do things that are wrong, we get angry with them. Not only do we hate the sin, but we end up hating the sinner also.

Yet God wants us to see that while we can hate the sin, there is still a sinner who is loved by God. Maybe no one has ever told him or her there is another way to live.

May God give us eyes to see this world as He sees it.

Copied from http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/pastors/harvest-daily/ (May 22, 2009)

JOURNAL IT: In your journal, commit to looking at people today the way God sees them...loving them the way He so willingly loves you... It will CHANGE your life!