Have you ever been surprised or amazed by something you saw or experienced? I know I have. Everything from crazy driving to beautiful sunrises, I think I’ve seen it all. But today hasn’t taken me outside the walls of my home yet.

I love to sit and think of what it would be like to be a follower of Jesus. Can you imagine sitting around the fire at the end of the day and reflecting upon what was seen and heard?

“Can you believe Jesus touched that person with leprosy? And more amazingly, did you see the leprosy disappear?” “Oh, that’s nothing! Did you hear Jesus say that we were to love our enemies? That apparently includes Samaritans!”

Oh the fireside chats.

But then, just to be sure they were watching and paying attention, Jesus walked to the cross, died for the sins of the world, and then rose from the dead, just as He said He would.

After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to quite a few people on different occasions. And slowly but surely, the believers believed. Jesus was alive! And He continued to amaze and surprise them.

On one such occasion, Jesus appeared to ten of the disciples. Finally after eating a piece of broiled fish, Jesus convinced these men that He was who He said He was and that He was truly alive.

Then He began speaking to them. Jesus reminded them of the words of the prophets. Of His fulfillment of their words.

And then Jesus did something wonderful. “He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:45)

Not only did Jesus want them to acknowledge that He was alive, but He wanted them to understand why He was alive. Their lives changed in that moment. They began to understand all that He had told them and how it was going to affect the world.

Oh, how important it is for us to understand Scriptures. To really understand. To study God’s Word. To know for ourselves that Jesus is alive and what a difference that makes in our lives.

I would urge you today, not to take my word (or any ones word for that matter) on the teachings you read on this blog. Check out my words and teachings for yourself. Do your own study of Scripture. You’ll be amazed at what God desires for you to know and understand.

My prayer is the Apostle Paul’s prayer and it’s been part of my blog from day one. See it to the right? “I pray also 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 the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:18-19)

Allow the eyes of your heart to be enlightened. Allow your heart to be changed. Allow God to work in your life. Allow His great power to work through you. And don’t be surprised by the change that it makes.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna