"An old eagle eye." Have you ever heard that saying? When I was young I had 2/30 vision-I was told that was real good. My memire (grandmother) would ask me to thread her sewing needles and sometimes pull out those unwanted chin hairs for her. She told me I had an eagle eye.
An eagle can spot its prey from miles away and be quick reacting so he can catch dinner in no time at all. All eagles are renowned for their excellent eyesight. They have two foveae or centers of focus, that allow the bird to see both forward and to the side at the same time. Bald eagles are capable of seeing fish in the water from several hundred feet above while soaring, gliding, or even in flapping flight. This is quite an extraordinary feat since most fish are counter-shaded, meaning they are darker on top and thus harder to see from above. An eagle's eye sharpness is at least four times that of a person with perfect vision. The eagle can probably identify a rabbit moving almost a mile away. That means that an eagle flying at an altitude of one thousand feet over open country could spot prey over an area of almost three square miles from a fixed position.
It is amazing what you can see when you open your eyes!
Ephesians 1:18-19
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, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength.
Let the eyes of our understanding be opened. When we see Christ in us we realize our true nature and then we may partake in His divine nature!
2 Peter 1:3-4
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Christ in us the hope of glory will swallow up all that is not of His nature. As we allow Holy Spirit to open the eyes of our hearts we will see what binds us and holds us captive. When those things are exposed the light of Christ will cast them out so we will be able to live free.
It is important that we are not walking around with closed eyes pretending all is well with our souls. Rejoice as the Spirit of truth reveals those hindrances to you. For our Father God loves us enough to quicken our spirit man into His righteousness. As we are made aware of sin the refiners fire will come in to purify so we may be presentable in the Father's sight.
God's reflection will be seen in us by those we are in contact with. It will be our fruit-His nature and character: love, joy, peace, long suffering, goodness, meekness, and self control. They will encounter first hand a sight of the living God through us! Through us they will be drawn to eternal life.
Our eyes, the mirror to our souls, will be like the eagle's that gets its prey!
dianne
Monday, January 24, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Stage Three: The Sight of the Eagle
Luke 9:62
Jesus replied, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
For lack of vision my children perish. This is a good reason to be like an eagle. Their vision is sharp allowing them see clearly. Sharp vision is also discerning. No one ever deceived Jesus. He knows their thoughts and the intentions of their hearts.
Hebrew 4:12
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
The eagle does not only have sharp eyes, he is swift in action. Our faith should allow us to be swift also. Those who act upon the Lords callings will be swift to act on His requests, swift to believe in His word, and swift to obey.
The encouragement for today is to lay those things aside that tie you to this earth. Then your flight will be sure. And I mean ALL those things that keep you earthbound. So arise. Spread your wings into the arms of our heavenly Father. He awaits. You always knew you were different! And now you know why. The Lord has chosen you and ordained you to soar out over the earth to see where you may be of service.
In Him and through Him do we live and breathe...dianne!
Jesus replied, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
For lack of vision my children perish. This is a good reason to be like an eagle. Their vision is sharp allowing them see clearly. Sharp vision is also discerning. No one ever deceived Jesus. He knows their thoughts and the intentions of their hearts.
Hebrew 4:12
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
The eagle does not only have sharp eyes, he is swift in action. Our faith should allow us to be swift also. Those who act upon the Lords callings will be swift to act on His requests, swift to believe in His word, and swift to obey.
The encouragement for today is to lay those things aside that tie you to this earth. Then your flight will be sure. And I mean ALL those things that keep you earthbound. So arise. Spread your wings into the arms of our heavenly Father. He awaits. You always knew you were different! And now you know why. The Lord has chosen you and ordained you to soar out over the earth to see where you may be of service.
In Him and through Him do we live and breathe...dianne!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Stage Two: The Flight of the Eagle
So have you begun the process? Are you sitting still before your Father God allowing the Holy Spirit access to those idols in your life? Are you taking a good look at your character recognizing and plucking out the flaws? If you are in this process it might be painful, but remember that our Father God's love pours in like honey filling the hurts and wounds with His love and protection.
Psalm 139:1
Even there your hand will guide me; your right hand will hold me fast.
Joshua 1:5
No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Or are you a chicken, earthly bound and tied to iniquity and injustice? Chickens are dirty, narrow minded animals bound to an area producing the same old same old day after day. Are you a chicken? Arise oh man of God. Don't be rebellious.
Hebrews 12:5-8
And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined-and everyone undergoes discipline-then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.
The rebellious eagle who does not want to leave the nest gets a wing beating from its mom. All of a sudden those large warm protective wings of the past become an enemy of that baby chick. Then the babe has no place to go but onto the back of its parent. Then off they go for a ride this babe will not soon forget. When all appears to be going smoothly and the babe is enjoying the ride the parent dives and leaves the chick to fly on its own.
Ephesians 4:13-16
Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work
As the eagle learns to fly so do we learn how to live by faith. There are times when we are soaring high achieving what the Lord has for us then, whoops like the eagle, it seems as if the bottom has fallen out from under us. But not really as the Holy Spirit is still there allowing us to retreat-to refuel for the new heights that lie ahead This is the process of life until we come into our fullness in Christ Jesus.
Mathew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Back to the eagle-the parent continues the process with its chick until learning is complete. If her chick continues to be rebellious and refuses to fly the parent flies high much higher than before and drops the chick one last time. As the parent fly away it cries knowing that the babe might crash to its death onto the rocks below.
2 Thessalonians 3:5
May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.
There are some of us who are rebellious also and we are destined to die and not live. Some of us love the safety of our Father's love but hate discipline. Thank God for His patience and long suffering, for He works them together for our good.
Sometimes you might think it is better to remain a chicken in the safety of the barnyard. For me I choose to soar and I will allow my choices in the circumstance and environment of life to be instruments of testing so that my nature will become more like His. I know my trials will reveal my heart condition and my rebellion and stubbornness must be dealt with.
I might add when an eagle fails all will see, for he falls from a high place when the chicken fails there is nowhere to fall except in the barn yard.
Today I will leave you with these thoughts:
On the other hand Eagles:
Romans 8:5
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
Revelation 2:10
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown.
Have I convinced you? Are you ready to not only soar but see with the vision of the eagle?
Psalm 139:1
Even there your hand will guide me; your right hand will hold me fast.
Joshua 1:5
No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Or are you a chicken, earthly bound and tied to iniquity and injustice? Chickens are dirty, narrow minded animals bound to an area producing the same old same old day after day. Are you a chicken? Arise oh man of God. Don't be rebellious.
Hebrews 12:5-8
And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined-and everyone undergoes discipline-then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.
The rebellious eagle who does not want to leave the nest gets a wing beating from its mom. All of a sudden those large warm protective wings of the past become an enemy of that baby chick. Then the babe has no place to go but onto the back of its parent. Then off they go for a ride this babe will not soon forget. When all appears to be going smoothly and the babe is enjoying the ride the parent dives and leaves the chick to fly on its own.
Ephesians 4:13-16
Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work
As the eagle learns to fly so do we learn how to live by faith. There are times when we are soaring high achieving what the Lord has for us then, whoops like the eagle, it seems as if the bottom has fallen out from under us. But not really as the Holy Spirit is still there allowing us to retreat-to refuel for the new heights that lie ahead This is the process of life until we come into our fullness in Christ Jesus.
Mathew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Back to the eagle-the parent continues the process with its chick until learning is complete. If her chick continues to be rebellious and refuses to fly the parent flies high much higher than before and drops the chick one last time. As the parent fly away it cries knowing that the babe might crash to its death onto the rocks below.
2 Thessalonians 3:5
May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.
There are some of us who are rebellious also and we are destined to die and not live. Some of us love the safety of our Father's love but hate discipline. Thank God for His patience and long suffering, for He works them together for our good.
Sometimes you might think it is better to remain a chicken in the safety of the barnyard. For me I choose to soar and I will allow my choices in the circumstance and environment of life to be instruments of testing so that my nature will become more like His. I know my trials will reveal my heart condition and my rebellion and stubbornness must be dealt with.
I might add when an eagle fails all will see, for he falls from a high place when the chicken fails there is nowhere to fall except in the barn yard.
Today I will leave you with these thoughts:
- Chickens don't fly
- Chickens are confined to the barnyard
- Chickens sleep in one place
- Chickens lay eggs in one place
- And chickens eat dirt
On the other hand Eagles:
- No barnyard can hold an eagle down
- Eagles die if they are not free--alive in the freedom of the heavens just as we are alive in the Spirit of our Father.
- There is always room where eagles gather
- They have unlimited revelation and truth flows like a river
- Eagles have no creeds, by laws, or ridged beliefs
- Eagles have heavenly worship-where freedom of the Spirit provides deliverance and love
- Eagles do not fall into a dull boring routine like the "barnyard chicken"
- Most important when there is a storm eagles do not run around like chickens with their heads cut off. They soar above the storms of life where they are consumed by God's presence.
Romans 8:5
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
Revelation 2:10
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown.
Have I convinced you? Are you ready to not only soar but see with the vision of the eagle?
Monday, January 3, 2011
Stage One: The Eagle Venture
Isaiah 40:3
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Begin at the beginning-that is what I am trying to tell myself. How my human self wants the grand finale without the preparation and labor of love which is the process and journey in this world. Just give me the trophy-the fame and the glory. Notice the focus is on "me". I am so glad Jesus' focus was on the Father and His love for us and not on himself. If it was self, He would not have gone to the cross.
When a baby bird is born it is sheltered and cared for in its nest. So are we. There comes a time when we either decide to leave that shelter or we eventually are made so uncomfortable that we must leave. Some may say we are coxed out of that comfy environment into the big unknown world. Remember we do live in this world but belong to the next for as believers, heaven is our home.
The eagle is a great bird. I marvel on its strength and abilities. It has an instinct to know when it is time to hibernate-to regenerate and cast off its outer coat so it can remain the eagle he is. So the eagle finds a cliff in the mountain and his labor of love begins by stripping himself of all his adorning beautiful feathers. He goes through this painful process so that he may become more elegant, more beautiful.
We too are like that eagle. We are to "mount up" in the process by sitting still waiting on the Lord, revealing to him our shortcomings, and allowing the process. As the process goes forward we find ourselves taking off earthly pleasures, removing ungodly traits, and destroying every idol of the world that we hold in our hearts. We do this so that we too may soar with our heavenly Father; so that we may also be a light in the world as Jesus taught us.
Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 27:14
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Romans 8:25
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently
Psalm 37:34
Hope in the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.
It is time for us eagles to soar with the Holy Spirit as our guide. He will make our nest uncomfortable for us. Just as the bird breaks up the nest so that the bird feels the twigs pricking as its body so the Holy Spirit prompts us into being uncomfortable so that we prepare for our next flight. The Holy Spirit allows those ungodly things to prick at us so that we may be led to become that person of purpose He destined us to be.
Hebrews 6:2
Instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
Hebrews 5:12
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food.
Galatians 4:1-2
What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.
Warning signs of potential growth:
Stay tuned for Stage two. Until then ask yourself if you are you ready to take the plunge? May Faith arise and may you be assured that your Heavenly Father will light the way. Begin the process. Your loving Father awaits.
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Begin at the beginning-that is what I am trying to tell myself. How my human self wants the grand finale without the preparation and labor of love which is the process and journey in this world. Just give me the trophy-the fame and the glory. Notice the focus is on "me". I am so glad Jesus' focus was on the Father and His love for us and not on himself. If it was self, He would not have gone to the cross.
When a baby bird is born it is sheltered and cared for in its nest. So are we. There comes a time when we either decide to leave that shelter or we eventually are made so uncomfortable that we must leave. Some may say we are coxed out of that comfy environment into the big unknown world. Remember we do live in this world but belong to the next for as believers, heaven is our home.
The eagle is a great bird. I marvel on its strength and abilities. It has an instinct to know when it is time to hibernate-to regenerate and cast off its outer coat so it can remain the eagle he is. So the eagle finds a cliff in the mountain and his labor of love begins by stripping himself of all his adorning beautiful feathers. He goes through this painful process so that he may become more elegant, more beautiful.
We too are like that eagle. We are to "mount up" in the process by sitting still waiting on the Lord, revealing to him our shortcomings, and allowing the process. As the process goes forward we find ourselves taking off earthly pleasures, removing ungodly traits, and destroying every idol of the world that we hold in our hearts. We do this so that we too may soar with our heavenly Father; so that we may also be a light in the world as Jesus taught us.
Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 27:14
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Romans 8:25
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently
Psalm 37:34
Hope in the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.
It is time for us eagles to soar with the Holy Spirit as our guide. He will make our nest uncomfortable for us. Just as the bird breaks up the nest so that the bird feels the twigs pricking as its body so the Holy Spirit prompts us into being uncomfortable so that we prepare for our next flight. The Holy Spirit allows those ungodly things to prick at us so that we may be led to become that person of purpose He destined us to be.
Hebrews 6:2
Instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
Hebrews 5:12
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food.
Galatians 4:1-2
What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.
Warning signs of potential growth:
- Are you restless and uncomfortable with yourself, your surroundings, your life style, your habits and lacking in Godly discipline?
- Are your loved ones, people in general, and places you frequent getting you anxious and short tempered or antsy?
Stay tuned for Stage two. Until then ask yourself if you are you ready to take the plunge? May Faith arise and may you be assured that your Heavenly Father will light the way. Begin the process. Your loving Father awaits.
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