Fw: seeing the invisible

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Rob Smith <toanosmith@yahoo.com>
To: Rob Smith <rsmith@mycwa.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 10, 2016 9:09 AM
Subject: seeing the invisible

My wife, Shirley, has had severe back pain over the past few weeks.  Following medical direction she has had an x-ray and an MRI to reveal the condition of her back.  The MRI clearly (to the neurosurgeon's eye) revealed the location and extent of the problem and led to his recommendations.  Thinking about these diagnostic tools it made me realize that sometimes we need help to see things that are normally invisible.  Recently Shirley and I were listening to a pastor teaching about Jesus as the visible expression of the invisible Father.  In the upper room, right before the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion, Philip asked Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us."  Jesus replied, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip?  Whoever has seen me has seen the Father."  God knew that we needed a clear picture of who He was and what He was like and so He sent Jesus to provide a visible picture of the invisible God.  And we have a need for help with other invisible things.  Interestingly, He also sends his invisible Spirit to dwell within believers to reveal truth through God's word and search within our hearts to help us see issues that need to be addressed (like a spiritual MRI).  In John, chapter 14 Jesus says of the Holy Spirit, "he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." 

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It's good to be reminded that even the invisible things can be made visible when it is necessary for us to understand and benefit from them!  And it is interesting that God wants us to be part of His plan to reveal His secrets to the world.

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As Paul said to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 2:7 "But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory."

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blessings,

Rob Smith