God Space 2 Acts chapter 17 verses 16 to 25

Blind rider Ben Felton (left) and his guide Kevin Magee

Member of the NZ Blind Jacks

Physical sight and Spiritual sight Ephesians 1 v18, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people… Matt 5 v8, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.”   2nd Corinthians 5 v7, “We walk by faith not by sight”.

The Practice of Noticing requires us to take our eyes off ourselves and focus on God and other people. Noticing will help us see God’s work in the world and see people as people, rather than mere targets for evangelism or potential new church members. Ask God to increase your awareness of people around you and what God is doing. Noticing things about people can lead to insight about what they are feeling… Noticing opens an opportunity to respond… Hebrew word “Knowledge” = Responsibility

16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city. 17 He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there. 18 He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, “What’s this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he’s picked up?” Others said, “He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods.” 19 Then they took him to the meeting of the Areopagus, “Come and tell us about this new teaching,” they said. 20 “You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it’s all about.” 21 (It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.) 22 So Paul, standing before the meeting of the Areopagus, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice [Greek - theoreo] that you are very religious in every way, 23 for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about. 24 “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, 25 and human hands can’t serve his needs - for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need.

Do you sometimes have “a holy hunch”? How do you decide if it’s really from God? There are opportunities for spiritual conversations if we are open and available to God and let’s not wait until we feel like it! A daily prayer of openness: “Lord Jesus, as I interact with others today, help me to see them as you do.” David Watson’s daily prayer: “Lord give me the eyes to see and the grace to seize every opportunity for you.”

For the next month, will you pray the daily prayer every morning, keep a record of things you have not noticed before and ask God what he wants you to do about them?

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