Where Are You Looking?
by Pastor Timothy Burdick
“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” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
If you are looking down at the ground it’s hard to see the sky, but most live lives looking at road blocks rather than rainbows. By saying this I don’t mean to imply that life doesn’t have its problems; it does. But the way you deal with them is what counts. Someone has said that, “problems are the platform on which God’s power can be displayed.” So let me ask: When you have a problem, where is your focus?”
While you may have lost your job or a spouse, and you don’t think that life is worth living any more, I’m here to assure you that it IS worth living.
But let’s back up, for while the idea of focus is important it’s even more important what or who you focus on. For many things try to steal our attention, and many things compete for our time.
The author of Hebrews tells us that we need to focus on Jesus in order to be affective as we run life’s race. But before we can do that completely, first he says that we need to let those who went before us encourage us. They were our mentors, if you will. Facing all kinds of situations they triumphed with God’s help. Look at Chapter 11 of Hebrews and think about how God has been faithful in your life. All of those obstacles you thought were insurmountable were nothing to Him. Today, take the impossible situation that you face to the one who said, “All things are possible.”
Next, we need to get rid of any sins and snares that entangle us and would obstruct our vision. “But how do I do it?” You might ask. - Simply by confessing these hindrances to the Father, I would answer. But too many times what we call "confession" is simply a half-hearted apology. True repentance is a change of heart and mind that allows you to walk away from things that once overcame you.
What is weighing you down today? Don’t let it stop you from achieving God’s best. If you were going to run a marathon, you wouldn’t start out by putting a weight on your shoulders, would you? But sadly enough, many people run the race of life in this way. Are you one of them? According to God’s Word you don’t have to be weighed down any longer, for you can live a life of joy and victory.
We will look into these verses in more detail next time, so please join me then. Until then, let God work in your heart and have a beautiful week.
Visit Pastor Timothy at New Vision Ministries website www.mynvm.org
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