Eyes On Jesus???        A Word from THE WORD!!! #100

Life happens–trials come and go–difficulties distract us–people annoy us–demands are hovering over our head–dishes to wash–grass to mow–wheeling, dealing, and feelings, all weigh on us seemingly continually–so what do we do?  God’s Word always gives me the answer; and while I don’t always want to hear it and obey; The Word of God IS all I need. For believe me, my friends, JESUS IS The Word of God!  He is the living Word, and the breath of the written Word, and it never fails, if I will but heed its love, wisdom, and provision.

So, let’s receive a bit of advice from God’s Word this morning…..

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin

which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience

the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus

the author and finisher

of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:1-2

This amazing passage gives us great advise about God’s work in our lives, but it’s built on chapter 11, which we often call the hall of “faith”, and while people seem to focus on the first 2/3 of the chapter with Abraham (a rich man), Moses (a powerful man), we often overlook the last part of the book, which reveals the hard truth that real faith often suffers for standing true.  It’s not the ‘name and claim it’ mentality, it’s very far from the ‘prosperity’ teaching of many, but God calls us, you and me, to a life of faith in Jesus, NOT our circumstances; for it is God to whom we will give an account, and the standard will be HIS WORD not the world’s/man’s words or ideas!

“For the word of God

is quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts

and intents of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest in his sight:

but all things are

naked

and opened unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.”  Hebrews 4:12-13

When our faith is in God not our circumstances we can stand fast in trials, tests, and difficulties as well as times of visible blessings. So, for our consideration today, let’s look at the “other” part of Hebrews 11, those who endured grievous trials–the “others” of faith; for our sufferings aren’t just God’s working “IN” us but it is also HIS provision for those affected by our faithfulness to what we say we believe, and “in whom” our faith is placed–JESUS!

“And others

had trial of cruel mockings

and scourgings,

yea, moreover

of bonds

and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned,

they were sawn asunder,

were tempted,

were slain with the sword:

they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins;

being destitute,

afflicted,

tormented;

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:)

they wandered in deserts,

and in mountains,

and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And these all,

having obtained a good report through faith,

received not the promise:

40 God having provided some better thing

for us,

that they without us

should not be made perfect.”  Hebrews 11:36-40

No matter which path God leads me/us on, I pray that I/we will be as faithful as they were?  That’s the meaning of chapter 12:1-2; we are to remember the faithfulness of others, not a stadium of people cheering us on, but a “great …cloud of witnesses” who have found GOD faithful, no matter their circumstances.  Where is your faith standing?  Is it in the Redeemer of your soul, or your circumstances!  Do you welcome the accolades, but reject the suffering?  Yes, we can stand on the promises of God, but God never promised us a life of ease, rather Jesus warned us that if we are following Him and His will there will be trials and opposition!  WILL–not–MAYBE!

“These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him that sent me.”   John 15:17-21

Our power, praise, provision, and hope is in The One who died for us and redeems us unto HIMSELF!  I belong to Jesus, so my past is forgiven, my present is secure in HIM, and my future is with THE ONE who is coming soon–‘that where HE is we will be”, blessings beyond measure and more than we can “think or imagine”!  All because of JESUS’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for ME–for YOU!  Looking unto Jesus!  If you know HIM, follow Him closely, if you don’t, call upon HIM today, He will deliver YOU!

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted

like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16

I pray that this will lift you up today, for we all have down days–but we have the victorious, glorious, King of the universe who loves us, so run to Jesus!

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

As Jesus said so long ago:

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man

hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.

21 To him that overcometh

will I grant to sit with me

in my throne,

even as I also overcame,

and am set down with my Father

in his throne.”  Revelation 3:20-21

Amen and Amen!!!

PS–This was for me today as much as for you!  Prayers for your day and the coming week, may God bless you as you pursue HIM!