Fix your eyes on Jesus

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord. I woke up yesterday morning with a few verses of scripture on my heart. One included “Looking up to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” This is so important. I remember my Dad once talking about a time when there were certain obstacles with the ministry, and the Lord ministering to him with some of these verses:

“Keep your eyes on Jesus, our leader and instructor. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy He knew would be His afterwards; and now He sits in the place of honor by the throne of God. If you want to keep from becoming fainthearted and weary, think about His patience as sinful men did such terrible things to Him. After all, you have never yet struggled against sin and temptation until you sweat great drops of blood.” Hebrews 12v2-4 (New Living Translation)

“Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds. You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your [own] blood.” Hebrews 12v2-4 (Classic Amplified Version)

Beloved, we have glorious things set in front of us. We want the Lord’s name to be glorified in all that we do, we want our relationship with Him to be stronger, and we want to ensure that we keep the eternal life (knowing God and the Lord Jesus, which continues throughout all eternity). This goal and prize that is ahead of us encourages us to persevere, to endure the cross, to despise the shame regardless of what we are going through.

Furthermore, we are exhorted that in times of trials, we should consider Jesus. To consider means to ponder upon, study, deliberate, contemplate and reflect upon Him. See all that He went through. But at the end of the day He came out victorious and because of what He did, we have been brought into the family of God. I don’t know what you are going through this day, but be encouraged and strengthened as you look unto Jesus.

Prayer

Father, we thank You for Your Word this day. We thank You for Your eyes are upon us and Your ears are attentive to our cry. I thank You because many are the afflictions of the righteous, but You deliver him from them all. Blessed be Your holy name. Thank You because Your eyes roam to and fro the earth to show Yourself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are perfect towards You. Thank You so much. Our Lord Jesus we consider You this day. Thank You for what You did for us. Thank You because You are our Leader and Instructor. Thank You because You are even now interceding for us. Grant us grace in the face of adversity and trials; help us to stay strong in You forever. We pray that You will send labourers to those who do not know You in Jesus name, amen.