07
"Intentional Discernment"
Aaron Cordeiro“At Lystra, a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be [f]made well, said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he leaped up and began to walk. (Acts 14:8-10)
At first glance my attention goes right to the last part of this verse, “And he leaped up and began to walk.” Right? It’s not every day you see a lame man from birth leap up and begin to walk! So, what is the catch? Usually what precedes the miraculous will give us clues to what the catch might be. It says when Paul “fixed his gaze on him and had seen that the faith to be made well.” This word to fix your gaze seems like a weird, awkward stare, but it’s not. The word means to discern, observe, and look with intention. In other words, when we chose to intentionally notice where people are at in life, we just may be able to meet them with God’s best better. Discernment is the ability to judge well. Hebrews chapter 5 speaks about those who are mature in the faith are those who are discerning. Philippians 1:9-10 speaks about increasing your love and adding to it, knowledge and discernment. Hebrews chapter 4, says the only way to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart is through the word of God. Intentional discernment happens through deliberate time in the word of God, which will always precede the miraculous.
More and more I realize how important intimate time with God is through reading His word daily. God is very intentional, and I want to be more intentional especially with discernment or the ability to judge well. God is the one who decides whether or not we are in the faith, but the judgment I’m talking about is, meeting people where they are at. Like trying to discern where my wife and kids are at and if there is anything I can do that day to shepherd them closer to the Kingdom of God.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for a great reminder on discerning with intentionality. I don’t want to just pass people by because I’m busy, tired, or in a rush. Intentional discernment will always precede the miraculous. Thank you Lord for being intentional with me, and choosing to be with me, to save me and lead me. Amen
