Manifestation

​Would you agree it is quite enjoyable to watch people grow spiritually?  Yet often the growth that is so evident to us in others goes unnoticed by the one being observed.  I suppose in one respect it’s similar to watching the changes in my children as they extend vertically.  On the white painted wall behind our bedroom door is a ladder of pencil marks each proclaiming a new climb in inches.  Periodically they will ask my wife or me to measure them to see how they are doing in their quest for height.  Without that pencil-marked wall, each of my three kids would have a tough time gauging their growth. 

Meditation
1 Corinthians 1:4-6-- I always thank my God for you because of God’s grace given to you in Christ Jesus, that by Him you were enriched in everything—in all speech and all knowledge.  In this way, the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you,
John 1:14,16--The Word became flesh and took up residence among us.We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth . . . Indeed, we have all received grace after grace from His fullness. 
 
If we believe that spiritual advancement is validated by the Lord manifesting Himself to us we are apt to become discouraged.  So many Christians crisscross the planet to wherever God is performing live to experience first-hand His power and presence. While this may render mountain-top experiences, it suggests a denial or misunderstanding of God’s valley-workings and His ever quiet omni-presence.  

By conceptualizing a God who must perform signs to prove He is at work in us we are tempted to worship the signs and miss God altogether. The power of our Father is less often grasped in visible dynamic expression.  Yet His invisible dynamic impression is constantly occurring.  So, if someone you know cannot apprehend the changes God has wrought in his or her life and you can—be a wall marker!  Share the character changes you’ve seen the Master Artist sculpt for His glory.  
 
Inspiration
We look to God to manifest Himself to His children: God manifests Himself in His children, consequently the manifestation is seen by others, not by us.  It is a snare to want to be conscious of God; you cannot be conscious of your consciousness and remain sane.—Oswald Chambers in God’s Workmanship
 
©1998 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box. Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)