\'OPEN THE EYES OF OUR HEARTS (PART I)

November 16th, 2022

SCRIPTURE: "In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you, and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I PRAY THAT THE EYES OF YOUR HEART MAY BE ENLIGHTENED, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come."
Ephesians 1:13-21

Blindness, it seems, is an almost universal disorder, wherever and however you attend to the news, entering all matter of influencers from institutions of higher learning, to executive, judicial, and legislative bodies within government, across different venues of art and entertainment, and even within the various species of our spiritual and religious orders.

In his letter to the Ephesians Paul offers a prayer within the substance of his discourse: "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened..." This was offered to believers who, being in Ephesus, were subject to the cultural and social influences of the occult, especially as anchored upon the established worshipping of Diana [or Artemis] as a goddess. Indeed the temple of Artemis was described as one of the seven wonders of the world, and as the waterways became unmanageable in Paul's time, tourism and trade associated with Artemis worship became the chief means of economic survival. Ordinary shipping commerce other than that, came to a close.

While Artemis worship was the main attraction, tagging along comfortably was the increase of magic and sorcery, as well as prostitution's legitimacy. This is the setting by which a yet still young 'church' had its beginnings. Rome, as overseer, was not a friend.

Our manner of contemporary blindness isn't much different, and neither is the call upon believers today:

We have to see clearly, before we can rightly touch others... Open the eyes of our heart, Lord!
And with such a revival,

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

"O' taste, and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 34:8a
We are invited to 'see!’ And then 'be' His witnesses.

Prayer-
Dearest God, thank You for the blessing of Yourself in this life, and the lifting that comes of knowing You, in Christ Jesus. May today's walk reflect the appreciation for Your unlimited grace and highly specialized mercy towards me and towards mine. Guide me to bless You today. Quicken within me that which is given, to the blessing of others.
In Psalm 36:9 You've offered "For with Thee is the fountain of life; In Thy light we see light." Open the eyes of my heart, I pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.
Submitted by Bro. Brockington