FIX YOUR FOCUS

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author 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

  • If the heroes of faith in Hebrews had looked back, they would not have obtained the prize. (Hebrews 11:15)
  • If the elders in the church of Ephesus had succeeded in discouraging Paul from going to Jerusalem, he would have missed the divine appointment to preach salvation to the Rome. (Acts 20:17-end)
  • If Jesus had listened to Peter’s sympathetic words instead of rebuking him, He would have grieved the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 16:22-23)

 

The biggest temptation we face as believers is to look at life, it’s situations and adversities from a human point of view because we are tempted to act opposed to God’s will and in doing so we are grieving the Holy Spirit of God, by Whom we were sealed for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).

Paul asked the Galatians why having begun in the spirit, they thought they could advance in their faith by human effort. “Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3 Examine your life in the light of this question.

Remember we are saved by grace, through faith. If you realise that you are judging yourself, others and your life by the standards of this world, instead of Christ’s standards, reset your focus. Fix your focus on Jesus through His Word and by His Spirit. Focusing on Him will put everything else into perspective.

GOD FIRST

18 April 2024

“Let’s take a lesson from David who was ready to be humiliated in his own eyes, so that God could be honoured. Ask yourself: Where does honouring God appear in your list of priorities? Do you thank Him for all that He has done in your life, all the way long? While men look at the outside, God looks at the motives of the heart. Instead of worrying about the opinion of others concerning you, let the motive of your heart each day be to honour God before yourself.”

THE SACRIFICE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

6 April 2024

“There is no time to do what is right. We must set our heart to obey the Word of God, all the time. God’s kind of lifestyle calls us to do what is right in the sight of God at all times, even though it is contrary to what we naturally want to do. Choosing to do what is right is a great test to the flesh.

What is the sacrifice of righteousness? Choosing to do God’s will rather than our own. When our flesh says hate, God says love. It takes sacrificial love to love your enemy and to pray for them. These are the weapons of righteousness. This is the sacrifice that Jesus looks at and rewards. Even though that might not be a grand, or outward sacrifice, it is what Jesus values.”

LIFE ANEW

1 April 2024

“When we talk of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are talking of the rare opportunity He has given to all believers to experience a new beginning – a situation in which every dead area of our lives receives life anew.

We are dead to our past and alive to our future. Sin’s power over us is broken and we now put on Christ’s new life: we live in Him, move in Him and have our being in Him. Herein lies the significance of resurrection.”