Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (MSG) Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. ***************************************************************************** Keep your eyes on Jesus and not on others; others will stumble and fall, they will fail you, but Jesus never will. This is the secret to a lasting relationship with Jesus, looking to Him, keeping our eyes on Him, trusting in Him and not in others. Sadly, fixing our eyes on Jesus is not a one-time instance and then we are done with it; it will be a daily, moment-by-moment discipline that we will forever need to make part of our life. Fixing our eyes on Him would entail turning our eyes away from other things and affixing them on Him. There will be choices that will need to be made of what holds more importance in our lives. What will your priorities be? Jesus Christ is our perfect example to follow and be like. He, Himself said to His followers, I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. -John 13:15 (NIV) The Apostle Peter reminded us of this fact, To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. -1 Peter 2:21 (NIV) Now Peter would be the perfect example of the need to keep your eyes on Christ. It was Peter who when seeing Jesus walking on the water asked if he too could do it. And it was Peter who actually came out walking on the water with Jesus in a huge step of faith. But it was also Peter who took his eyes off of his Savior and quickly began to sink, because he got caught up in the circumstances, looking at the wind and waves, failing to keep his eyes properly fixed on the One who had made this miracle possible. Time and time again I hear of Christians turning their backs on God because of the hypocrisy of other Christians or for the fact that this journey we have been called to is too difficult. RUBBISH! We are not to be looking and judging others and their failures, nor are we to be focusing on the pleasures of this World and coveting them. We have been called to a higher position and place. We are to be following the example of our Savior. Oswald Chambers encourages us in this way, Our Lord is our example of a life of self-sacrifice, and He perfectly exemplified Psalm 40:8, I delight to do Your will, O my God...He endured tremendous personal sacrifice, yet with overflowing joy. Have I ever yielded myself in absolute submission to Jesus Christ? If He is not the One to whom I am looking for direction and guidance, then there is no benefit in my sacrifice. But when my sacrifice is made with my eyes focused on Him, slowly but surely His molding influence becomes evident in my life. -(My Utmost for His Highest) The old hymn Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus by Helen Lemmel, says it so well: O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There’s light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free! Refrain Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace. Through death into life everlasting He passed, and we follow Him there; O’er us sin no more hath dominion— For more than conquerors we are! Refrain His Word shall not fail you—He promised; Believe Him, and all will be well: Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell! Refrain How important it is to keep our eyes on Jesus and Jesus alone. My friend, take the time to look full into His wonderful face today and realize that everything else will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. My Prayer: Lord, my desire is to focus totally on you and nothing else. Help me please to do so. There are so many things that vie for my attention, but I need you to be my top priority. Forgive me for letting other people and things usurp your position in my life and lovingly discipline me to keep that place of honor only for you.
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 13:40:39 +0000
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