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And He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town; and when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. And he looked up and said, 'I see men like trees, walking.' Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. Then He sent him away to his house, saying, 'Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town.
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Today’s message
I started by talking about perception because it directs our life. It is not denying reality. It is seeing the right way. Two people look at the same glass, and one sees it half empty; the other, half full. The water is the same. What changes is the interpretation. Faith does not paint things rosy; it aligns the view with God. When perception distorts, we call the process of abandonment, correction of rejection, and silence of God absence. Clarity is not shouting louder; it is discerning better. Today, God wants to touch not only your eyes but the way you read what you live.
In Bethsaida, they brought a blind man. Jesus did not start with his eyes; He took him by the hand and led him out of the town. Environments shape perceptions. In the wrong places, wrong advice sounds sensible. Outside the town, Jesus heals in two stages: first, shadows like trees walking; then, clear vision. The process is not proof of divine weakness; it is wisdom to shape you. And, in the end, the order: do not return to the town. There are scenarios that God uses to reach you, and there are scenarios from which He takes you to preserve you.
Four Lessons from Bethsaida
- God can take us out of our comfort zone to fulfill His purpose in us.
- Wrong environments distort our perception; Jesus took the blind man out of the town.
- A step-by-step process is not abandonment; it is care that matures vision and heart.
- Do not return to the place that blinded you; obey the direction that preserves your faith.
Clarity is not the quantity of vision; it is the quality of discernment.
Maybe you are in the middle of the 'I see like trees' stage. Do not be discouraged. The message of the cross seems foolishness to those who perish, but to us, it is the power of God. He who began a good work will complete it. And if you call what you live silence, revise: often it is not God who is silent; it is us who are quiet, close the Bible, and swallow prayer. Breaking this cycle starts with a simple question: Lord, what are You teaching me here?
How to Adjust Your Perception
- Before complaining, ask God what He is teaching in this situation.
- Break the silence: pray sincerely and return to the Word consistently.
- Stop judging intentions that never existed; ask for forgiveness and reconcile.
- Embrace processes and people: bless those who come; do not see brothers as a threat.
Use this new perspective at home, at work, and in church. Seek environments that reinforce Kingdom values. If God pulled you out of the spotlight, it is not humiliation; it is preparation. He does not just want to give you vision; He wants to give you discernment. When your perception changes, your reaction changes. And when your reaction changes, your future also changes. Walk with Jesus by the hand, accept the process, and do not return to the town. He adjusts your eyes so you can see as He sees.
Did you know
- Bethsaida means 'house of fishing' and was a city linked to fishermen; Peter, Andrew, and Philip were from there (John 1:44).
- Jesus pronounced woes against Bethsaida for unbelief in the face of many miracles done there (Matthew 11:21).
- The 'sign of Jonah,' mentioned by Jesus, points to His death and resurrection on the third day (Matthew 12:39-40).
Key phrases
- Perception is not about what we see, but how we interpret what we see.
- Wrong environments distort our perception.
- Perhaps the greatest danger of faith is not total blindness, but distorted vision.
- Stop judging intentions that never existed.
Translated from the Portuguese original.
Seek
To seek today
Go deeper
Go deeper
Mude a sua Percepção - Pr. Jovino Leonardo
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