1 Timothy 4:16 – “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

Today, I am drawn to something from a question in my heart that arose from reading the report of the ten naysayers in the Book of Numbers.   God had already told Moses to watch and see if His Word was true.  The advanced recon scouts all agreed—the Land is All God said it was. BUT… Their buts got in the way of faith.

• They Saw the goodness of the land, but they failed to see God.  
• They Saw the problem.
• They Saw the giants were the children of giants, the descendants of giants.  

That’s All They Could See.  Joshua and Caleb saw the land, the plenty, and embraced the promise.   The promise was greater than the problem.

The question in my heart is: “What Are You Seeing?”   Like most, I have times when I see the problem so clearly that I forget the demonstrated faithfulness of God.   Their words were We Can’t!    They were right; they couldn’t, not in their own power.  

The victory was not dependent upon them to do it.   Their responsibility was to Trust and Obey.  God never asks us to “do” His job, but He “always” expects us to be available in obedience.  

• Our focus determines our faith.  
• Our focus shapes our confidence.  
• Our focus is the doorway to transformation.  
• What we focus on shapes in us who we become.

I love the rendering of 1 Timothy 1:13-16, “Mercy Kissed Me!  I was ignorant, but God flooded me with such incredible grace it was like a river overflowing its banks and filled me to overflowing with faith and love for Jesus.  I was captured by Grace! “   I love that.  Many need to be kissed, captured, and overflowed by Grace.  It is transforming.   Too often, we live lives that do not reflect transformation.

What do we See?  What we see is affected by the development of the Gifts and Grace in us.  Too many minimize their gifts and call.   Why?  They see themselves in their inadequacy rather than God in His sufficiency.   God says, “My Grace is made perfect in weakness.”

Let the gift and call drive you to fulfill God’s purpose.   1 Timothy 4:16b – “…for living what you preach or claim to believe will release salvation inside you and to all those who listen and observe.”

What do you see?  It is manifested in what you say and do.  It is reflected in your attitude, thoughts, and desires.  What do you see?   I cry that the words of the song become my testimony and yours – I See Jesus!

When we See Him, we see the Victory and become the Victory!