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

City Union Mission - Kansas City

City Union Mission – Kansas City
http://www.cumission.org/

This afternoon I left work at 2 and headed over to the City Union Mission in Kansas City. Upon arriving at the mission I was introduced to Brett, the volunteer coordinator. As Brett and I began to share stories of mentoring addicts and homeless men, the Holy Spirit began to fill the room. My eyes would well up every time we shared a new story. I was amazed by the compassion that was so alive in Brett. After visiting for a while we went next door and took a tour of the facilities that the transient community calls home on cold winter nights. As we walked the halls of the mission we were greeted numerous times by men that were staying the night. The faces of the men would light up when we would greet them and smile. A simple smile would bring forth a since of worth to the hearts of men that are in a position in life that is connected with so much shame. During the tour we met two men that were very cordial and open to talk about the Lord and the supernatural works that He has been doing in their lives. As we stood talking to the two of them Brett asked me to share the testimony of Jesus in my life. When I began to talk I could feel love for Jesus come alive inside of my heart. The two men listened intently to every word and respond with words of praise for our Savior. I was instantly reminded of my trip to Nashville Rescue Mission this past May. I saw myself sitting in the NRM and hearing God speak to me about Him being all I need in order to live. These men had nothing in the eyes of the world but I saw two of the wealthiest men that have ever walked on this earth. Their hearts were full of Joy and there was a Peace in their spirits that verified that the Holy Spirit was active in the hearts. I was challenged by the very short conversation with the two of them. I feel challenged in my relationship and in my dependence on the Lord as a provider for all my needs. I went into the mission thinking about how I could impact the lives of men and I left feeling forever changed by the Love that has captured the hearts of two broken lives.

My heart is convicted by the lack of desperation for God in my life. I am looking forward to my time at City Union Mission and the refining that I know the Lord will do in me by way of men that are completely dependant on Him for their every need

Texas Trip

My trip has been daily conversations that have been soaked with the presence of the Lord.
One of my friends in Dallas that was with me during my drug years has been hanging out with me and asking tons of questions. I have been blown away how the Lord is opening doors to minister to him.

Another friend of mine that is going through a real tough time in a custody battle of his 4yo little girl (she is an angel), has opened up and I have been able to pray over him and the Lord is taking him deeper in the word. We were driving down the road the other day after dropping his daughter off to her irresponsible mother and my friend was filled with fear and anxiety. I told him that the Lord did not want him to fill that way and I steeped out on a limb and just started praying. As he was driving and I was praying he looked at me and said "I want to pay you to pray for me anytime I need help". That opened the door for me to help him with his own prayer life.

On Saturday my oldest sister graduated with her masters degree. I have been the only male in her life until a few years ago. When we got home from her ceremony I hugged her and told her how proud I am of her and that I know that she had made great sacrifices with her family and friends in order to go back to school. She smiled with tears in her eyes and told me how much she appreciates me and how thankful she is that I made it home to be with her on her special day.

I rode home from her graduation with my cousin that is very agnostic. He is a very intelligent young man and has had a very messed up life. The conversation turned to what I have been doing over the past 5 months. I began to tell him about real Christianity as opposed to many people he has encountered that fly the Christian flag. By the end of the one hour drive, he was interested in reading the bible and checking out the christian faith. So cool!

Yesterday, when I arrived in Houston my dad and step mom were sitting in the airport to greet me when I got off the plane. The ride back to my dad's shop was great. We all talked and laughed together, I was very encouraged to say the least.

After picking up one of my dad's trucks to drive around this week, I went and visited some guys that I did business in the past. One of the men I spoke to is a brother in the faith and a competitor of my dads company. He is in the process of moving to a new building and he is getting out of the used equipment business do to the increasing market for new surplus equipment. During our 3 hr visit he tells me that he is going to palletize his used overstock and arrange a semi to bring it to me in KC. He is going to consign the equipment at 1/5th of the wholesale price and allow me to send him a check monthly until I have sold all of the equipment. This is an unbelievable blessing. This will allow me to have inventory to get going without investing all of my capital at the start. I was almost in tears. He also gave me great advice about how to set things up and he spoke some much blessing over me. He told me how proud and encourage his is in regards to the maturity that the Lord is bringing about in my life. I was so amazed.

I have 3 -4 people to see everyday for the rest of this week I need your prayers:
1. time with the Lord
2. sensitivity to The Spirit
3. words of encouragement on my lips
4. energy to keep up with this schedule

Mark 14:1-11

Random thoughts on the following passage

Why this waste?
Mark 14:1-11

There were many believers at the time of this passage and Jesus was drawn to dine at the house of a leper. Simon had to be overwhelmed with joy due to the presence of the Son of God sitting at his table. The Lord of all creation dining with a social reject just as He had done many times before. Simon’s heart full of encouragement due to his friendship with the most loving man to ever walk the face of this earth.

As Jesus is sitting at Simon’s table he knew that his death was near. His disciples gathered around to listen and converse with the one they had laid down their lives for. I imagine the disciples a group of confused men that constantly needed reminding of the purpose of the incarnation. I know I would have needed reminding, I would desire for Jesus to take His place as an earthly king just like the disciples did.

Amongst the conversations a woman enters the room. Out of character for a woman to enter a room of men I can imagine the initial thoughts of the men. Unashamed and without concern for tradition she approaches Jesus. Confidently as an expectant child she enters the room and comes before the Lord of all creation. Mary’s heart was so full of love for Jesus that she desired nothing else other than to serve him with all that she had. As the men watched her break the flask their jaws dropped. My first thought would have been one of conviction due to the level of devotion and sacrifice this woman displayed. Our hearts are convicted when we see others that are more devoted to Jesus than we are. We often times judge them of try to find something to discredit them. The greater the sacrifice that we witness, the great the conviction is on our hearts. To see such a loving devotion for any man is uncommon. Mary’s logic in pouring her inheritance and sustenance over Jesus’ head was baffling. Jesus’ heart must have been so blessed by the Father showing His love and devotion through the act of this woman. God was preparing the heart of Jesus and the followers. The other men in the room learned many valuable lessons that day.

To see grown men cry under the conviction of a love offering will change perspectives without the utterance of a word. When the disciples were corrected by Jesus for speaking harshly to Mary, they understood once again that the Lord’s ways were different from theirs.

Overcomers

Overcomers

To him who overcomes and does my will to the end,
I will give authority over the nations.
Revelation 2:26


Revelation contains seven letters to seven churches. All seven letters contain a promise to those who overcome. What does this mean for us? How do we overcome?

Overcomers are not just Christians, but Christians who live for Jesus Christ and not for themselves. We become Christians by believing in Jesus and receiving the gift of eternal life.

But so many Christians live largely for themselves and give lip-service to Christ. They are not overcomers. They will spend eternity in heaven, but they will miss out on the rich rewards of the kingdom, including the reward of Revelation 2:26 to help rule the nations in eternity.

Overcomers are not just Christians, but Christians who are fully devoted to Christ, fully surrendered to Christ, fully committed to Christ. They are passionate worshipers who love God and seek God and obey God.

These are the overcomers. They are not perfect, but they are sold out to Jesus Christ. They want to please him with all their hearts.

Does Jesus Christ consider you an overcomer? Are you surrendered to Christ’s Lordship in your life?

You will not regret it. For all eternity, for unending billions of years, you will not regret it.

Give him your whole life.

First Love

First Love

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand
and walks among the seven golden lampstands …”
Revelation 2:1


The church at Ephesus had been started by Paul. It was a strong church and the gospel radiated from Ephesus throughout the entire province. At the time Revelation was written, thirty years later, the church was still strong. The believers worked hard for the gospel and persevered despite severe persecution.

However, there was a fatal flaw in the church. Jesus challenges them with words that must have made their blood run cold: “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love” (2:4).

The church was full of people who worked hard for God, but they had left their first love. They were workers, but not worshipers. They had religious duty; they did not have a love affair with Jesus.

Jesus is looking for people who will love him back. Jesus is looking for worshipers. Jesus is looking for people who have an incurable disease – the disease of being smitten with Jesus.

Are you smitten with Jesus? Do you have a love affair with Jesus? Did you start out with a white-hot passion for Jesus and yet now the fire has grown cold?

Above all else, God wants to be loved. He wants to be wanted.

How is your heart these days? How is your heart for Jesus? Have you left your first love?


First Love, Part 2

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.
Revelation 2:4


Antoine de Saint-Exupery said, “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people together to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the sea.”

I believe his insight applies to the Kingdom of God. If you want to build a church that pleases God, don’t recruit people to tasks and projects and ministries, but rather teach them to long for Jesus.

Above all else, a church must be a place where the people long for Jesus, where the people are pursuing Jesus, where the people are falling in love with Jesus.

There was a great church in Ephesus, founded by the Apostle Paul. They were tremendous lovers of God. But thirty years later, Jesus sends them the sobering message: “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love” (2:4).

Fortunately, Jesus tells them what to do to recapture that first love. “Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first” (2:5a,b). Three things: Remember. Repent. Repeat.

First, remember. “Remember the height from which you have fallen.” If you can, deliberately think back about your feelings and thoughts and actions during your first weeks and months as a follower of Jesus Christ. Remember!

Second, repent. “Repent ...” Jesus gives the Ephesian church a simple one-word command: Repent. Come to God in brokenness and repentance. Come to God in confession and surrender. Ask God to change you.

Third, repeat. That is, repeat the things you did in your early Christian life. “Repent and do the things you did at first.” Did you pray fervently? Sing from your heart? Gather with Christian friends? Eagerly read the Bible as a love letter? Give generously? Share your faith freely?

Keep your first love for Jesus. Nothing is more important.

Thomas Dubay, in his book The Evidential Power of Beauty, tells a story about a teenage girl in the atheistic Soviet Union who knew nothing of the Bible, nothing of the doctrines of the church, nothing of the differences between denominations. She also knew nothing of Jesus. Until one day she chanced upon a copy of Luke’s Gospel. When she finished reading it, her immediate reaction was, “I fell in love with him.”1

May that response mark our lives – at the beginning and at the end of our journey with Jesus. “I fell in love with him.”



1Gire, “The Divine Embrace,” 52.