Seeing People Like Jesus Does

“When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” Mark 6:34 (NIV)

How can I know if I'm looking at life from God’s viewpoint? Think about the way I see other people.

How I see others is a great test of my spiritual maturity. It’s a better indicator of my spiritual maturity than how much Scripture I know, how often I attend church, or whether I serve, tithe, or pray.

Life is all about love and relationships. So if I want to gauge my spiritual maturity, think about how I see other people.

Consider, how God sees my wife; Valuable. Acceptable. Lovable. Forgivable. Is that the way I see my wife?

How about the stranger at the grocery store? The person who cut me off in traffic? The beggar on the street? What do I see when I look at other people? Do I see them as irritations and burdens?

What about the people I work with? Do I see them as enemies? Competition? Or do I see them the way God sees them?

All people matter to God. It doesn’t matter who they are, what they’ve done, or even what they believe. Jesus Christ died for them. He loves them. God has a plan for every person, and he wants them to have a relationship with him.

The Bible says in Mark 6:34, “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd” (NIV).

That’s the way Jesus sees people. And that’s the way I can grow to see people too. I can learn to have compassion for my own family as well as for my neighbors, community, country, and the rest of the world.

Let my spiritual vision get stronger as I learn to see people the way Jesus does.

In summary:

Mark 6:34 shows me the heart of Jesus—full of compassion for people who were lost and in need, like sheep without a shepherd. This verse challenges me to evaluate my own spiritual maturity not by religious activity, but by how I see and treat others. God calls for me to view people—family, strangers, coworkers, even those who frustrate me—with His eyes: as valuable, lovable, and forgivable. Every person matters deeply to God, and true spiritual growth means developing a heart of compassion that sees people the way Jesus does and responds with love.

Bottom Line:

Spiritual maturity for me isn’t measured by religious activity but by how I see and treat others—true growth means seeing people through the compassionate eyes of Jesus.

Where God Guides, He Provides, Obedience is the Key to Unlocking It

“My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Waiting for a miracle can be hard. Sometimes the road is cold, dark, and lonely; I may even find myself stuck in a rut. I might not know where I'm going or how long the journey will take.

No matter where I am on the way to my miracle, here are some things to keep in mind:

God is all I need.
I don’t need a big bank account, a full refrigerator, or even a job. If God wants to, he can have ravens drop food on me as his way of providing. That’s how he provided for the prophet Elijah, who was exhausted and burned-out in the desert; see 1 Kings 17. When God turns off one source of provision, he can turn on another just as easily. I can trust him for all my needs.

Where God guides, God provides.
After sending the ravens to feed Elijah, God told him to make a dangerous trip to Zarephath. There was a drought in Zarephath and very little food. Yet God provided for Elijah through a poor widow with a generous heart. When God tells me to go somewhere, go immediately. When God tells me to do something, do it right away. When God gives me direction, he will provide what I need to get there.

I must trust him one day at a time.
Why? Because some of your problems persist day after day. For instance, if I had financial problems, I'll have to deal with them every day. And so I must trust God one day at a time to provide. The Bible says, “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NIV).

God’s promises work when I'm obedient.
God often lays out his plan just one step at a time. He wants me to take the first step in obedience, and then he’ll show me the next step. Each step along the way may not seem logical, but I can obey in faith and confidence, knowing God’s way is always best. 

In summary:

Philippians 4:19 assures us that God will meet all my needs through His limitless riches in Christ. While waiting for a miracle can feel lonely, uncertain, and slow, I am reminded that God is my ultimate provider—He alone is enough. Just as He provided for Elijah through ravens and a widow during a drought, He can supply in unexpected ways. Where God leads, He also provides, but His provision often unfolds one day and one step at a time. Trusting Him requires daily faith and immediate obedience, even when the path doesn’t make sense. God's promises are activated through trust and faithful action.

Bottom Line:

God will always provide what I need—your job is to trust Him daily and obey Him step by step, even when the way forward isn’t clear.

Obedience Over Understanding

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

As a follower of Jesus, he calls me to a life of obedience—even if it appears foolish to other people, even if it doesn’t make sense financially, and even if I don’t understand it and scared to death.

Luke 5:4-5 says, “When [Jesus] had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets’” (NIV).

Jesus had stepped into Simon Peter’s boat. But he didn’t stop there. He also started giving this professional fisherman instructions on how to fish!

Notice Peter’s reaction. He didn’t argue with Jesus. He didn’t say, “Excuse me, Lord. You’re a carpenter. I’m a fisherman. And those fish aren’t biting! Who are you to tell me how to do my job?”

And he didn’t hesitate. When Jesus told him to launch the boat, he didn’t say, “Why don’t we think about this for a minute? Let’s form a committee and vote on it” or “We’re pretty dirty and tired here, Lord. How about we try again this afternoon?”

What did Peter do? He responded to Jesus with unquestioning obedience.

God has tells me to do things: Disobedience always hurts me because I miss out on God’s blessing in my life.

But when I say, “God, I don’t understand it all, but I choose to obey you no matter what,” I'll experience a life of purpose and peace. His instructions don’t have to make sense to me; I just need to follow them—trusting him in faith.

The Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).

I can trust God because he always has my best interest in mind, even if I can’t see it right away.

In summary:

Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to fully trust in God, not relying on my own limited understanding, but submitting to Him in every area of life. This kind of trust often requires obedience even when it doesn’t make sense—just like Peter in Luke 5, who, despite exhaustion and doubt, obeyed Jesus’ unexpected instruction to fish again and witnessed a miracle. God calls me to follow Him with faith, not logic, because His ways are higher than mine. When I choose obedience over understanding, I open myself to His guidance, peace, and blessing—trusting that He always has my best in mind.

Bottom Line:

Even when it doesn’t make sense, obedience to God leads to blessing—trust Him fully, surrender my understanding, and follow His lead.

When Effort Isn’t Enough: Trusting Jesus for the Breakthrough

“When [Jesus] had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’” Luke 5:4-5 (NIV)

In Luke 5, we read about Simon Peter admitting his failure to Jesus. He was a professional fisherman—and a good one. It was how he made his living. So imagine how hard it must have been for Peter to confess to Jesus, “We’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything” (Luke 5:5 NIV).

But sometimes, even the pros fish all night and catch nothing.

Sometimes I feel that way. Sometimes my best isn’t good enough, and sometimes I face situations out of my control. I can’t control the economy. I can’t control the weather. I can’t control a lot of things that affect my life.

So what should I do when I keep trying hard in my work but just don’t have much to show for it?

First, I need to get Jesus in my boat. In other words, let him be the center of my career or whatever I do each day to provide, care, or serve. Then, once I've asked Jesus to come into my boat, I need to admit my way isn’t working and let him take over. The Bible has a name for “admitting your way isn’t working.” It’s called confession, and it can be tough.

Why is it so hard for me to admit my way isn’t working? 

Here are a few reasons:

Pride. I don’t want anybody to think I can’t handle it. Instead, I try to look like I'm in charge and like I've got it all together. I want to be able to handle everything by myself, even if it means working 12 hours a day.

Stubbornness. I'm unwilling to change the way I do things. The greatest enemy of tomorrow’s success is yesterday’s success?

Fear. I can’t admit I've fished all night and caught nothing. I'm afraid people will think less of me. I'm afraid to let Jesus into my boat because he might steer it in a direction I don’t want to go.

It’s time to confess that my way isn’t working. Let go of my pride, stubbornness, and fear. See how Jesus can take my boat and fill my nets to overflowing.

In summary:

In Luke 5:4-5, Simon Peter, a skilled fisherman, humbly admits his failure after a long, unproductive night of fishing—but still obeys Jesus' instruction to try again. This story illustrates how, despite our best efforts and expertise, I sometimes come up empty due to circumstances beyond my control. When that happens, the key is to invite Jesus into the center of my work and life, confess that my way isn't working, and let Him lead. Confession requires letting go of pride, stubbornness, and fear—barriers that keep me from trusting God fully. Only then can He guide me to abundance beyond my efforts.

Bottom Line:

When my own efforts fall short, learn to invite Jesus into the center of life, surrender control, and trust His direction—He can do more with my obedience than I can with my expertise.

Short-Term Thinking, Long-Term Loss

“His followers discussed the meaning of this, saying, ‘He said this because we have no bread.’ Knowing what they were talking about, Jesus asked them, ‘Why are you talking about not having bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your minds closed?’” Mark 8:16-17 (NCV)

When I focus on the wrong things, I miss what God is doing in my life.

When my attention is only on the here and now, I miss God’s long-term plan. When I just think about comfort, I miss out on character. When I concentrate on happiness, I forget holiness. When I just want to enjoy the moment, I may not prepare for eternity.

When my thinking is short-term, I miss seeing the spiritual work God is doing all around me.

This is what happened to the disciples in Mark 8. The Bible says, “Then Jesus left the Pharisees and went in the boat to the other side of the lake. His followers had only one loaf of bread with them in the boat; they had forgotten to bring more. Jesus warned them, ‘Be careful! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod’” (Mark 8:13-15 NCV).

But the disciples missed the point: “His followers discussed the meaning of this, saying, ‘He said this because we have no bread.’ Knowing what they were talking about, Jesus asked them, ‘Why are you talking about not having bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your minds closed?’” (Mark 8:16-17 NCV).

Using yeast as a metaphor, Jesus was trying to teach his disciples a lesson about pride. When you put yeast in dough, the yeast puffs up the dough. It only takes a small amount for this to happen.

Pride in people is similar. Just a little pride can puff me up and quickly take over my life, getting me in all kinds of trouble. But the disciples didn’t understand the deeper meaning—they thought he was talking about lunch!

While Jesus was talking about the need for maturity, his disciples were talking about their next meal. That’s short-term thinking.

Whenever I think short-term, I can’t see the larger picture of what God is doing in my life. So ask God today to give me a glimpse into eternity and to help me experience the hope that comes from seeing his long-term plan.

In summary:

When I focus only on immediate needs or concerns, like the disciples worrying about having no bread, I can easily miss the deeper spiritual lessons God is trying to teach me. In Mark 8, Jesus uses the metaphor of yeast to warn about the destructive nature of pride, but his followers misunderstand, showing how short-term thinking blinds us to God’s greater plan. Like them, when I prioritize comfort, happiness, or the moment, I risk losing sight of character development, holiness, and eternal purpose. To truly grow, I must ask God to shift my perspective from temporary concerns to his long-term, eternal work in my life.

Bottom line:

Don’t allow short-term thinking blind me to God’s deeper work—I need to shift my focus from the temporary to the eternal so I can grow in faith and maturity.

Faith Over Fear: Facing Giants with God's Power

“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty . . . This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands . . . and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.” 1 Samuel 17:45-46 (NIV)

If I want to be a person of great faith, with a great dream and a great life’s work, do the very things that David did to defeat the giants of delay, discouragement, disapproval, and doubt.

Remember how God has helped me in the past.
David said in 1 Samuel 17:37, “The LORD who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” (NLT).

When I remember the ways that God has helped me in the past, it gives me confidence for the future.

Use the tools that God has given me now.
David used the tools that God provided that utilized his strengths: “Then Saul gave David his own armor . . . ‘I can’t go in these,’ he protested to Saul. ‘I’m not used to them.’ So David took them off again. He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag” (1 Samuel 17:38-40 NLT).

Don’t wait for something I don’t have—money, education, or connections. Use the tools God has already given me to face my giants with confidence.

Ignore the dream busters.
Later in life, when others were speaking against him, David had to encourage himself in the Lord: “David was seriously worried, for in their bitter grief for their children, his men began talking of killing him. But David took strength from the Lord” (1 Samuel 30:6 TLB).

When I encourage myself in the Lord, it’s not just a positive mental attitude. There is a bedrock trust in God’s grace, provision, security, and power.

Expect God to help me for his glory.
David stormed the battlefield, shouting, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty. . . . This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands” (1 Samuel 17:45-46 NIV).

Make this decision, “God, I’m not the smartest guy, the best educated, or the most talented. But I’m going to trust you. And I will do anything, anytime, anywhere in faith, even when it doesn’t make sense to me.” And then let the adventure in life begin!

God will use anybody who will trust him and expect to be used by him—not because of who I am but because it brings him glory.

In summary:

To become a person of great faith and purpose like David, I must face the giants of delay, discouragement, disapproval, and doubt by remembering how God has helped me in the past, using the tools and strengths He’s already given me, ignoring those who try to crush my dreams, and stepping out in faith expecting God to act for His glory—not because of my ability, but because of His power.

Bottom Line:

Trust God fully, use what He’s already given me, and face life’s giants with bold faith—because the battle belongs to the Lord and brings glory to Him.

Slaying the Giants Within

“Everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us!” 1 Samuel 17:47 (NLT)

Before David faced Goliath in 1 Samuel, he had to fight four other giants. But they weren’t physical giants; they were giants in his mind.

I'm far more likely to face those kinds of giants than an actual Goliath, but they can be just as big and intimidating. They can keep me from becoming who God wants me to be and fulfilling the dream that God has put in my heart. 

The first giant in facing my dream is delay. No dream is fulfilled instantly. It may be years before I see the fulfillment of my life dream. There is always a waiting period.

In David’s case, his dad held him back from the dream. After Samuel anointed David as king, Jesse told David to get back to tending the sheep!

When God’s plan contradicts somebody else’s plan, there’s going to be a delay, and people may try to hold me back. But God is faithful, and he will complete his work in his timing.

The second giant I may face is discouragement. Goliath created a climate of fear in Israel, and everybody was convinced they were going to lose the battle.

What people are I listening who say it can’t be done? Who’s putting down my dream, saying it won’t ever happen?

Sometimes I just need a fresh voice—a kid from the village with fresh eyes who says, “This giant is nothing. We can take him down.”

The third giant standing in my way is disapproval. In David’s case, his own brother questioned his motives and disapproved of him going after Goliath.

When God gives me a dream that scares other people and I go for it anyway, I will be misjudged, maligned, and misunderstood. That’s when I have to decide what matters most: the approval of others or God’s approval.

The fourth giant I may have to face is doubt. King Saul was an expert on war, and he told David he was crazy for thinking a boy could fight a warrior like Goliath.

Maybe the expert is saying I can’t do it, either. That’s enough to make me start doubting myself.

Besides, the experts are often wrong. Don’t let doubt hold me back from God’s dream for my life.

In summary:

Before David ever faced Goliath, he had to overcome four invisible giants—delay, discouragement, disapproval, and doubt—that threatened to stop him from fulfilling God’s dream for his life. Like David, I often face these internal giants that arise from people’s opinions, setbacks, or even my own insecurities. Delay may come from being held back by others, discouragement from fear-driven voices, disapproval from those close to me, and doubt from so-called experts. But as David declared in 1 Samuel 17:47, the battle belongs to the Lord, and with faith in Him, I can overcome these giants and walk boldly toward the purpose God has placed in my heart.

Bottom Line:

Before I can defeat the external giants in life, I must first overcome the internal ones—delay, discouragement, disapproval, and doubt—by trusting that the battle belongs to God.