LOOKING TO JESUS

 

Scripture Hebrews 12:1-4 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking unto Jesus, the  author and  finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Observation This life of faith is one of endurance and focus.

Application Keep my eyes, my  focus, on Jesus and that victory which is guaranteed because He endured the cross and defeated death and reigns forever at the right hand of God.

Prayer Thank You Jesus for enduring the cross and defeating death for me. I would run this race with endurance, laying aside that which would weigh me down, and keep my eyes, my focus on You.

ADVENT-The Journey to Christmas

 

God isn’t in the business of meeting expectations. He’s in the business of blowing them out of the water. Jesus is an incredible example of God’s exceeding goodness. Through Jesus, God met needs the Jewish people didn’t even realize they had. He provided much more than the fleeting prosperity of an earthly kingdom. He established His eternal kingdom, provided salvation, reconciled humans to right relationship with God, and brought hope to a broken world.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence things not seen. Romans 8:24; (2 Cor. 4:18; 5:7)

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Solid and Surrounded

 

 Scripture Psalms 125:1-2 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.

Observation Those who trust in the Lord are on solid ground which cannot be moved.

Application My faith and trust is in the Lord, my solid rock and surrounding mountain.

Prayer Thank You Lord for being my solid ground and surrounding mountain.

In Part . . . In Full

 

 Scripture I Corinthians 13:12-13 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1st John 3:2 2 Corinthians 5:7

I Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace . . .

Observation A glimpse of the glory, strength, power, presence, peace, love, etc. . . . of God is what we experience now but one forever day we will see Him in full, in all His glory and majesty.

Application I would live seeking to draw nearer, know better my God and Father and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and look forward to that eternal day when I will know, see, experience Him in ALL His glory and majesty.

Prayer Thank You Jesus for opening the doors of heaven that I might know and experience Your presence both now, in part, and forever, in full.

Eternal Word

 

Scripture Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

Mark 14:61b-62 “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? ”Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

Observation The things of this world are temporary, but God’s Word is eternal.

Application I will put my faith and trust in God’s Word.

Prayer Father, thank You for letting me know You and Your Word. My faith and trust is in You, Your Word, and the eternal life and salvation You purchased for me through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Trust,Obey, and Have Faith

 

Scripture  Mark 3:35- Whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.-Jesus

Mark 4:9-He who has ears to hear, let him hear!-Jesus

Mark 4:23- If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.

Mark 4:40 “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

Observation Jesus shares over and over with the people and pretty much says, You better listen, and the evidence will be when you show by your actions that you really hear, believe, live out, have faith in what I am teaching.

Application I would put my faith/trust wholly in Jesus, in God’s Word. I would not only listen to but be a doer of God’s Word.

Prayer Dear Jesus, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, I would put my faith in and be a doer of Your Word.  I would show through my actions that I trust in, believe in You and Your Word.

My Redeemer Lives

 

Scripture Job 19:25-26 I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God,

Observation In the midst of pain, suffering, loss, Job’s trust/faith was in a Living Redeemer that one day he would meet/see face to face.

Application No matter what I am facing, how trying things may get, my hope, my faith, my trust is in a Living Lord, my Savior and Redeemer Who I will one day, with a new body, see face to face.

Prayer Thank You, Jesus, for Redeeming my soul and giving me an eternal hope/home and future with a new body, no more sickness or pain and I’ll see You face to face and spend eternity with You.

Confidence in Christ

 Scripture Psalm 118 :8-9 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.

Observation Trusting in the Lord is far better than trusting men/princes.

Application I will put my trust in the Lord Jesus Christ above and before all else.

Prayer Thank You, Jesus, for Your love and forgiveness. My faith and trust and confidence is in You.

Eternal Word

 Scripture Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades but the word of our God stands forever.

Observation God’s Word is eternal.

Application I would put my faith/trust in God’s Word.

Prayer Thank You, my God and Father for Your Word. Thank You for Jesus, The Word made flesh opening the door that I might know You and receive the gift of eternal life.

An Eternal Inheritance

 

  Scripture   I Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Day Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,   to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,  who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Observation God, my gracious and merciful Father has purchased for me the gift of salvation and eternal life through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a gift that is imperishable, undefiled reserved in heaven and protected by His power through my faith in Him.

Application My faith and trust are in Christ alone for the gift of salvation and eternal life.

Prayer Father God, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to do what only He could do in purchasing for me and all who would believe, the imperishable gift of salvation and eternal life. Thank You for making heaven my home.

God's Word is my Pure Shield

 Scripture Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.

Observation God’s Word is pure and will shield/protect us if we trust in Him.

Application I will trust God/His Word to be my shield/protection.

Prayer Father, thank You for Your pure/holy Word, my constant protection, today and everyday my faith/trust are in You.

Safety and Security

 

Scripture Proverbs 29:25-26 The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. Many seek the ruler’s favor, but justice for man comes from the Lord.

Observation Safety and security come from God but reverence for man is a snare.

Application I would trust the Lord and His justice.

Prayer Father, my faith, and trust are in You. Thank You for being my place of safety and security.

Only Faith

 Scripture Matthew 9:2 Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”

Observation The faith of others can result not only in physical healing but people receiving forgiveness of sins.

Application I would be diligent in my prayers for others and seize every opportunity to bring them to Jesus.

Prayer Lord God, I would seize every opportunity  to bring others to Jesus.

Trustworthy Doer

 

Scripture Joshua 22:5-Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.  

Observation God is a keeper/doer of His Word.

Application I would put my faith/trust in God’s Word.

Prayer Father, today I am thankful that I can put my complete faith/trust in You and Your Word.

Fruit of the Spirit

 

 Scripture Deuteronomy 26:11-Then . . .  you shall rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your household.

Galatians 5:16-I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Observation  Walking in the Spirit will produce fruit.

Application I will seek to walk in the Spirit.

Prayer Father, thank You for all the good things You bless me with, above all, the presence of the Holy Spirit living/abiding in me. May my life bear fruit for Your glory.

God's son through Faith

 

Scripture  Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Observation/ Application  Through/by placing our faith in Jesus Christ we become sons of God.

Prayer Thank You Father for sending Your Son Jesus so that I through faith in Him may become Your son.

Only Jesus

 

Scripture Mark 10:27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” Job 42:2; Jer. 32:17; Matt. 19:26; Luke 1:37

“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”- Mark 10:33-34

Observation Two chapters in a row, about what is and is not possible. The third time Jesus tells of His death and resurrection. What’s impossible for man is possible for God.

Application My faith and trust is in an omnipotent God.

Prayer Father, I trust that You can do what I cannot. Thank You for sending Jesus to pay the price for me to have eternal life.

 

A Doer of God's Word

 

Scripture

Numbers 1:54 Thus the children of Israel did; according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so they did.

Acts 24:14-15 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.

Observation The children of Israel did as God commanded and Paul worshipped God, believing in and being a follower/doer of His Word.

Application I, too, put my faith and trust in, and seek to be a doer of God’s Word.

Prayer Father, thank You for giving me access to Your Holy Word. I put my faith and trust in and seek to be not just a hearer/reader of Your Word, but a follower/doer.

ONLY JESUS

 SCRIPTURE-Leviticus 22:21 And whoever offers a sacrifice of a peace offering to the Lord, to fulfill his vow, or a freewill offering from the cattle or the sheep, it must be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no defect in it.

II Corinthians 5:21 God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 

OBERVATION-only the sinless Son of God, Jesus, can pay the price, make atonement for our sin.

APPLICATION-my faith and trust is in Christ alone for the forgiveness of my sin.

PRAYER-Thank You Father for giving/sending Your one and only Son, Jesus, to pay the price, to make atonement, for my sin. Thank You, Jesus, for being obedient to Your Father. Thank You both for loving me so. 

A GOOD MAN

 

Scripture Acts 11:23-24 -When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

Observation These verses are a description of Barnabas when he was sent out from the church in Jerusalem to Antioch.

Application I, too, would be a good man, an encourager, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.

Prayer Father, I thank You for Your grace. Let me be, this day, and every day that You bless me with, a good man, full of Your Holy Spirit and faith. May my life be an instrument in Your hands that others may come to know You.