Keeping Our Focus on Jesus
3/5/2024
"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
- Hebrews 12:2 ESV
Ever felt overwhelmed, discouraged, or just plain tired from life's challenges? It happens to the best of us. But in Hebrews 12:2, we get a powerful reminder of where our attention should be—on Jesus Christ, the one who perfects our faith.
The verse kicks off with a simple command: "Look to Jesus." It's like a nudge to consciously turn our gaze towards Him. When we keep our eyes on Jesus, things start making sense. We remember His teachings, His example, and the promises He made. And guess what? He's there for us, in every situation, offering strength, comfort, and guidance.
Jesus isn't just the one who got the ball rolling on our faith journey; He's also the one who fine-tunes and strengthens it every step of the way. Our faith isn't a stagnant pool; it's more like a lively river, growing and flowing as we stick with Him.
Jesus endured the cross for our sake, enduring unimaginable suffering and shame so that we may have eternal life and relationship with God. He did this out of love for us and with the joy of fulfilling His Father's will. His sacrifice is a powerful reminder of the depth of His love for us and the lengths He was willing to go to save us.
Despite facing the ultimate pain and suffering on the cross, He stayed rock-solid. Why? Because He had His eyes fixed on the bigger picture—the joy of redeeming humanity and fulfilling God's plan.
Similarly, we're urged to keep going in our faith journey, knowing that the tough times are just a blip compared to the eternal glory ahead. With Jesus as our focal point and His ultimate victory in mind, we can face challenges with courage and hope, knowing He's already conquered it all.
And let's not forget Jesus' exaltation mentioned in Hebrews 12:2. After enduring it all, He's now seated at the right hand of God's throne, showing off His authority and majesty. That's a huge reminder that our struggles aren't pointless. Just as Jesus rose triumphant, we too will share in His glory if we stick with Him.
As we face our own trials and struggles, let us remember the example of Jesus and fix our eyes on Him. Let us trust in His faithfulness and His power to see us through every situation. Just as Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God, interceding for us, we can have confidence that He is with us every step of the way.
So, as we journey through life's ups and downs, let's keep our eyes on Jesus—the one who gives us strength, shows us how to endure, and offers us hope like no other. Let's lean into His unwavering love and stay committed to our faith, knowing He's got our backs every step of the way.
May we find strength and encouragement in knowing that Jesus is the source of our faith and the one who will bring it to completion. Let us lean on Him in times of trouble, knowing that He is our firm foundation and our constant guide.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
- Hebrews 12:2 ESV
Ever felt overwhelmed, discouraged, or just plain tired from life's challenges? It happens to the best of us. But in Hebrews 12:2, we get a powerful reminder of where our attention should be—on Jesus Christ, the one who perfects our faith.
The verse kicks off with a simple command: "Look to Jesus." It's like a nudge to consciously turn our gaze towards Him. When we keep our eyes on Jesus, things start making sense. We remember His teachings, His example, and the promises He made. And guess what? He's there for us, in every situation, offering strength, comfort, and guidance.
Jesus isn't just the one who got the ball rolling on our faith journey; He's also the one who fine-tunes and strengthens it every step of the way. Our faith isn't a stagnant pool; it's more like a lively river, growing and flowing as we stick with Him.
Jesus endured the cross for our sake, enduring unimaginable suffering and shame so that we may have eternal life and relationship with God. He did this out of love for us and with the joy of fulfilling His Father's will. His sacrifice is a powerful reminder of the depth of His love for us and the lengths He was willing to go to save us.
Despite facing the ultimate pain and suffering on the cross, He stayed rock-solid. Why? Because He had His eyes fixed on the bigger picture—the joy of redeeming humanity and fulfilling God's plan.
Similarly, we're urged to keep going in our faith journey, knowing that the tough times are just a blip compared to the eternal glory ahead. With Jesus as our focal point and His ultimate victory in mind, we can face challenges with courage and hope, knowing He's already conquered it all.
And let's not forget Jesus' exaltation mentioned in Hebrews 12:2. After enduring it all, He's now seated at the right hand of God's throne, showing off His authority and majesty. That's a huge reminder that our struggles aren't pointless. Just as Jesus rose triumphant, we too will share in His glory if we stick with Him.
As we face our own trials and struggles, let us remember the example of Jesus and fix our eyes on Him. Let us trust in His faithfulness and His power to see us through every situation. Just as Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God, interceding for us, we can have confidence that He is with us every step of the way.
So, as we journey through life's ups and downs, let's keep our eyes on Jesus—the one who gives us strength, shows us how to endure, and offers us hope like no other. Let's lean into His unwavering love and stay committed to our faith, knowing He's got our backs every step of the way.
May we find strength and encouragement in knowing that Jesus is the source of our faith and the one who will bring it to completion. Let us lean on Him in times of trouble, knowing that He is our firm foundation and our constant guide.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
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