We are coming out of a dark season right now. 2013 was a hard year for almost everyone. All around me I see my weary brothers and sisters; and I too have been feeling worn down from this world. However, it is just that- a season (For more on "seasons" try Ecclesiastes 3).
When we enter tough times in life, it can make it really difficult to see Jesus. Even if we are seeking Him, I think we sometimes don't realize how we are actually viewing the world. We tend to focus on all the bad that is happening and take it as reality. We see our loved ones struggling up close and personal and think, "Jesus will never get through to them." Do we forget the God we serve? The all-powerful creator of the heavens and the earth? He certainly hasn't forgotten us! Our names are engraved on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:16)!
We beg our Lord to save us from our hardship, to intervene somehow. And then we forget that He answers those prayers. We focus on what we see and forget what He sees. He sees it all and He knows what is happening in every detail of our lives. He has not forgotten us. That is why we must fix our gaze upward.
2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (NIV)
Colossians 3:1-2 So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth (HCSB)
Not that we shouldn't be praying for change, but we should have the right mentality when we do so. We can't live in broken spirits from what we see in this world run down by evil. For we know the truth! And the truth is that we serve a God who has no limitations. Whose ways are greater than our ways. We serve a God of miracles who sees the big picture that we cannot comprehend. Shouldn't that make us look at difficulties a little differently? Shouldn't we be recognized as Christians for having peace and joy through trials?
James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (NIV)
I think that Christians need to change their perspectives. We cannot go around focusing on all the things of this world that we can't change; that's exhausting. It wears you down pretty quick when you find yourself carrying that burden. That is why we need to continually seek Christ and remember His bigness and His promises. Focus on what we know is the truth, not on what we can see.
In this new season we are entering, we will need to have endurance. We will need to be able to focus on the unseen truth to live joyful lives in the fullness of Christ. Besides, when you keep your eyes on Heaven, it'll only make you more excited to go there! Who cares if everything does go down all around us as long as we have Jesus! Like Paul put it in Philippians 1:21, living is Christ and dying is gain. (NIV)
As we seek the fullness of Christ more and more, let's remember to keep our eyes totally fixed on Him. Let's make the decision today that He knows better than we do and we can stop praying like He doesn't. Trust Him. Let's fight the good fight and run this race with endurance!
Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (NIV)
1 Timothy 6:11-12 But you, man of God, run from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the faith; take hold of eternal life that you were called to and have made a good confession about in the presence of many witnesses. (HCSB)
Romans 5:3-4 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (NIV)
James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (NIV)
When we enter tough times in life, it can make it really difficult to see Jesus. Even if we are seeking Him, I think we sometimes don't realize how we are actually viewing the world. We tend to focus on all the bad that is happening and take it as reality. We see our loved ones struggling up close and personal and think, "Jesus will never get through to them." Do we forget the God we serve? The all-powerful creator of the heavens and the earth? He certainly hasn't forgotten us! Our names are engraved on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:16)!
We beg our Lord to save us from our hardship, to intervene somehow. And then we forget that He answers those prayers. We focus on what we see and forget what He sees. He sees it all and He knows what is happening in every detail of our lives. He has not forgotten us. That is why we must fix our gaze upward.
2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (NIV)
Colossians 3:1-2 So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth (HCSB)
Not that we shouldn't be praying for change, but we should have the right mentality when we do so. We can't live in broken spirits from what we see in this world run down by evil. For we know the truth! And the truth is that we serve a God who has no limitations. Whose ways are greater than our ways. We serve a God of miracles who sees the big picture that we cannot comprehend. Shouldn't that make us look at difficulties a little differently? Shouldn't we be recognized as Christians for having peace and joy through trials?
James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (NIV)
I think that Christians need to change their perspectives. We cannot go around focusing on all the things of this world that we can't change; that's exhausting. It wears you down pretty quick when you find yourself carrying that burden. That is why we need to continually seek Christ and remember His bigness and His promises. Focus on what we know is the truth, not on what we can see.
In this new season we are entering, we will need to have endurance. We will need to be able to focus on the unseen truth to live joyful lives in the fullness of Christ. Besides, when you keep your eyes on Heaven, it'll only make you more excited to go there! Who cares if everything does go down all around us as long as we have Jesus! Like Paul put it in Philippians 1:21, living is Christ and dying is gain. (NIV)
As we seek the fullness of Christ more and more, let's remember to keep our eyes totally fixed on Him. Let's make the decision today that He knows better than we do and we can stop praying like He doesn't. Trust Him. Let's fight the good fight and run this race with endurance!
Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (NIV)
1 Timothy 6:11-12 But you, man of God, run from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the faith; take hold of eternal life that you were called to and have made a good confession about in the presence of many witnesses. (HCSB)
Romans 5:3-4 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (NIV)
James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (NIV)
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