Do you ever wonder what’s going on in the spiritual realm? For those that know Jesus, there is this reality that we put our faith in what we can’t currently physically see. When we gave our lives to Jesus, we stepped into a life of faith based on His work on the cross. Yes, we have actually experienced Jesus and continue to daily through the Holy Spirit, and although we see the evidence of the work and presence of Jesus all around us, we haven’t actually seen Him yet, unlike many in the New Testament that we read about.
Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Faith is consistent throughout the Bible. But our hope and promise is that one day our faith will be our sight as we WILL physically see Jesus!
Here is the summary:
In the Old Testament, God’s people were not able to physically see Him because His glory was too much for them to take in. But God made Himself known to them through the tabernacle, signs and wonders, using leaders to speak through, like Moses and the Prophets being just a few, and many more ways. Then, God sent his son Jesus Christ in the flesh to be born among us and save us from our sins. As Jesus grew older and made claims to be God and even performed miracles, some believed and some didn’t because of their lack of faith. Jesus then died, resurrected, appeared to his disciples, hundreds of others and then even the Apostle Paul. Jesus then ascended back to Heaven, and sent us the Holy Spirit. God now makes his tabernacle (dwelling) in our hearts. Although this is an invisible presence, we are the outward expression of the inward change and power of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit within us.
So, if we have not yet seen Jesus, how do we have spiritual awareness in our lives? Here are a few thoughts I’ve processed:
- There is an invisible behind the visible.
Heaven and Earth are two separate places. We currently dwell on Earth and Jesus currently dwells in Heaven with the Father (although He is also omnipresent and in our hearts). Heaven triumphs over Earth because Heaven is without sin. Although we currently live in this world that is tainted by sin, we bring a glimpse of Heaven to Earth now as we live for Jesus and share Him with others. One day, Heaven and Earth will be one and there will be no more sin! In the mean time, each of us are either controlled by the darkness or the light, sin or holiness. Satan and his demons are the force behind the darkness. The Father, Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit are the force behind the light. Our actions will overflow from whichever one we belong to. One day, God will ultimately triumph over evil, and still does today when we live in that power. But until the end, Satan still influences people away from God. Our physical reality is an overflow of the spiritual reality we identify with.
- Spiritual warfare is real.
Growing up, I had this picture in my room of a father kneeling at his sons bedside praying for him. In the window behind the father praying is an image of a dark figure trying to enter the room and a light figure protecting the room. This represents the light protecting the son from the darkness, as the father is praying. I didn’t quite understand this picture growing up, but the older I get the more I understand it. Spiritual warfare is real and is happening all around us. When we pray, there is power! When we don’t pray, there is weakness, vulnerability and the temptation to sin. Jesus fights our battles on our behalf when we come to Him. The enemy is constantly trying to distract us and get in our heads. But Jesus is also constantly standing on our side. The question is, which one will we surrender to?
This verse is a powerful reminder that the spiritual realm is directly involved in our lives and spiritual warfare is real.
Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
- Spiritual awareness makes us more in tune with God.
I don’t know about you, but in 2021, I want to be more in tune with God! If 2020 has taught me anything, it’s taught me my need for God. Apart from Jesus, I have NOTHING sustainable. Often times, it isn’t until many comforts are taken from us, that we begin to see how strong or weak our faith is. How can it be that Christians can still have perfect peace, when everything around seems out of control? The answer is faith and Spiritual Awareness!
When we set our minds, hearts and affections on Jesus, we begin to look at things like Jesus does. We know that Jesus sees the bigger picture. We know that this world is not our home. We know that Jesus provides for us. We know that His Word alone is truth, not culture, politics or the news. We know that prayer brings us peace because Jesus is with us. We know our purpose and mission for living. And we know that one day Jesus will make all things right! We are in tune with the Lord through Bible reading, prayer and community. We have spiritual awareness.
Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you.”
My personal prayer for this year is more spiritual awareness in my life. Because everything else in my life overflows from that. Will you join me?
Writing this blog made my think of the song ‘Evidence’ by Josh Baldwin. Check it out HERE!
Also, if you don’t know Jesus or have questions, please reach out to me!
Matthew Weaver 
Good word – special picture and message…Dad