Fix Your Eyes on Jesus

Focused on Jesus

“… let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus …”
Hebrews 12:1c-2a


I can remember running the Boston Marathon and being completely exhausted in the last few miles. I knew there was a huge Citgo sign a mile from the finish line. I would look at that sign and tell myself, “If I can just make it to that sign, I only have a mile to go.”

For a marathon, you might focus on a Citgo sign. But in the spiritual life, you focus on a Person. You rivet your gaze firmly on Jesus Christ.

You think about his life. You read about him in the Scriptures. You memorize verses about Christ. You pray to him. You call out to him. You sing to him. In every way, you fix your eyes on Jesus.

If we keep our gaze fixed on Christ, then we can endure in the challenges and struggles we face. That’s what the next verse tells us: Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (12:3). Jesus endured tough times. If we stay focused on him, we too can endure.

Three practical suggestions to help you stay focused on Jesus:

· Take unhurried time to meet with Jesus every day. My suggestion: Take an hour. Let other things go but don’t neglect time with Jesus. It is your greatest privilege.

· Practice the presence of God throughout the day. He is right there with you all the time. Live in his presence. Talk with him. Draw close.

· Sing to him. Worship music is powerful. It is soul-transforming. It helps you stay focused on Christ.

By Pastor Jeff Wells, Woods Edge Church, The Woodlands , Texas

Church

A Dead Church

To the angel of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.
I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
Revelation 3:1


Can you imagine being in a church and hearing these words from Jesus? “People consider you to be a spiritually thriving church but I am not fooled. You are dead spiritually.”

Jesus is saying that a church can have a reputation for being a God-honoring, spiritually alive congregation and yet be spiritually dead. That indictment has nothing to do with size. It has everything to do with heart.

I do not presume to know what was in God’s mind for the church in Sardis, or what is in God’s mind for churches today, but here are some differences between dead churches and alive churches.

A dead church has the practice of religion; an alive church has the presence of God.

A dead church has a form of religion; an alive church has the power of God.

A dead church seeks to impress people; an alive church seeks to please God.

A dead church is marked by comfortable Christianity; an alive church is marked by fierce loyalty to Jesus.

A dead church has the formality of prayer; an alive church is devoted to prayer.

For a dead church, it’s all about the church; for an alive church, it’s all about Jesus.

A dead church is infused with tradition; an alive church is infused with the Holy Spirit.

A dead church has lukewarm ritual; an alive church has heartfelt worship.

A dead church is willing to compromise; an alive church has a zeal for holiness.

A dead church trusts God for the comfortable; an alive church trusts God for the impossible.

A dead church has inward focus and minimal impact; an alive church has outward focus and worldwide impact.

A dead church feels like a country club; an alive church feels like a spiritual army.

O God, may we be a church that pleases you! Above all else, may we be pleasing to you!