Christian Fellowship Community Group
A safe place for Christians who Love Jesus Christ to meet and ask for prayer and share scriptures from the bible. We value the posting of Christian music, poems, stories and also personal testimonies. Please let us know your needs, concerns and have some fun getting to know each other. We treat each other with respect.
THE LOOK OF FAITH
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith"
This means, the eyes of our heart, namely, what we are thinking and what mentally occupies us (Col. 3.1-2); and there are all kinds of looks, for example, the look backwards, that leads us into doubt; this is displeasing to the Lord. "Who looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God". Furthermore, there is a downward look, which is the look of death and ingratitude, that turns away from life, light and heaven. We also look around us, full of self-confidence - such look brings us nothing but weakness. It is said of Goliath that he looked around, while the trusting David, whose eyes were fixed on God, approached and killed the giant. Who looks around this way exposes the weak points in his armour.
The look inside ourselves evokes fear and discouragement and leads us into the defeating experiences of Roman seven. If we look to ourselves we will never come to rest or peace, for what can we expect from ourselves? Why look for life in a dead body? Our natural being will never satisfy us.
The look to people leads to disappointment, no matter how promising it may seem at first. In the same way brings any look to the visible world only confusion, distraction and defeat. Who is at home in the world of feelings and senses has lost sight of God and is bound by this world.
We can find for all these wrong directions one common name: 'The look of doubt'. Even the look to our precious experiences and divine manifestations can turn out to be harmful, if we want to dwell and depend on them.
The look of faith counts on the Word of God. It looks up to Jesus. It discovers good things everywhere and turns away from everything that has no light, life or stillness in it. It looks to divine things, the things of the Spirit, of light and victory. It is occupied with the thoughts of God and the things, Christ has purchased for us. This look is only ours, if we are in Christ and Christ is in us as our sole hope and salvation - to whom we are completely surrendered.
How glorious to know that the Lord is faithful and will never forsake us, whether we feel His presence or not. We are in Him and He is in us and hence dead to our own life and a new creation in God's sight.
We would dishonour God by doubting that we are in spirit, soul and body complete new creations, no matter what we feel or see. Through the Blood, shed for us on the Cross, we are purchased for God and our look of faith rests on Him and His Word alone. All hurts, illness, unholy things, temptations, doubts, complaints, coldness, lack of love, discouraging and unfriendly thoughts, everything that does not belong to God and is not in harmony with Him, all ungodliness and worldly lusts have to be denied. (Titus 2.12) In the name of Jesus and in His authority we declare ourselves free from all that we see and feel on us and then we turn to the Lord with jubilation, who will make manifest this step of faith. Is your will totally surrendered, keep on praising and thanking your God for the things that are already yours. Remain in the freedom you are called for and look to Christ, who is able and willing to keep you in it. (by M. von Brasch)
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith"
This means, the eyes of our heart, namely, what we are thinking and what mentally occupies us (Col. 3.1-2); and there are all kinds of looks, for example, the look backwards, that leads us into doubt; this is displeasing to the Lord. "Who looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God". Furthermore, there is a downward look, which is the look of death and ingratitude, that turns away from life, light and heaven. We also look around us, full of self-confidence - such look brings us nothing but weakness. It is said of Goliath that he looked around, while the trusting David, whose eyes were fixed on God, approached and killed the giant. Who looks around this way exposes the weak points in his armour.
The look inside ourselves evokes fear and discouragement and leads us into the defeating experiences of Roman seven. If we look to ourselves we will never come to rest or peace, for what can we expect from ourselves? Why look for life in a dead body? Our natural being will never satisfy us.
The look to people leads to disappointment, no matter how promising it may seem at first. In the same way brings any look to the visible world only confusion, distraction and defeat. Who is at home in the world of feelings and senses has lost sight of God and is bound by this world.
We can find for all these wrong directions one common name: 'The look of doubt'. Even the look to our precious experiences and divine manifestations can turn out to be harmful, if we want to dwell and depend on them.
The look of faith counts on the Word of God. It looks up to Jesus. It discovers good things everywhere and turns away from everything that has no light, life or stillness in it. It looks to divine things, the things of the Spirit, of light and victory. It is occupied with the thoughts of God and the things, Christ has purchased for us. This look is only ours, if we are in Christ and Christ is in us as our sole hope and salvation - to whom we are completely surrendered.
How glorious to know that the Lord is faithful and will never forsake us, whether we feel His presence or not. We are in Him and He is in us and hence dead to our own life and a new creation in God's sight.
We would dishonour God by doubting that we are in spirit, soul and body complete new creations, no matter what we feel or see. Through the Blood, shed for us on the Cross, we are purchased for God and our look of faith rests on Him and His Word alone. All hurts, illness, unholy things, temptations, doubts, complaints, coldness, lack of love, discouraging and unfriendly thoughts, everything that does not belong to God and is not in harmony with Him, all ungodliness and worldly lusts have to be denied. (Titus 2.12) In the name of Jesus and in His authority we declare ourselves free from all that we see and feel on us and then we turn to the Lord with jubilation, who will make manifest this step of faith. Is your will totally surrendered, keep on praising and thanking your God for the things that are already yours. Remain in the freedom you are called for and look to Christ, who is able and willing to keep you in it. (by M. von Brasch)
here is something from a devotional I posted before:
THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT
It's said the king of Saudi Arabia once invited a famous golfer over for a tournament. Before the man returned home the king said, "I'd like to give you a gift. Anything you want; name it." The golfer declined politely, saying he didn't need anything. But the king was adamant, so he conceded, "Well, Your Highness, I collect golf clubs." He imagined perhaps a gold putter or a diamond-studded driver. Imagine his shock weeks later when he got a letter containing the deed to a 2,000 acre golf club! Paul says, "God can do....far more than you could ever imagine....in your wildest dreams." Kings don't think like we do, and when you serve the King of Kings that's doubly true! God's plan for you is far beyond anything you could envision for yourself. The Psalmist said the Lord had dealt "bountifully" with him (Ps 13:6 NKJV). God values the smallest effort-its the small-mindedness He objects to! If you truly believe He is directing your steps and that goodness and mercy follow you all the days of your life, expect great things from God. Leon Nacson says, "Always anticipate the best outcome for yourself and others, because when what you expect is just more of the same, that's what you get!" Remember, "Faith is being sure of what...we do not see" (Heb 11:1 NIV). So even when you can't "see" it, trust God to work on your behalf, to arrange for you to be in the right place at the right time, and for other to go out of their way to help you-and watch God work.
Is His grace sufficient for our complete sanctification here on earth, so that we can await the bridegroom as a bride that is without spot, wrinkle or any blame?
Great post Walter
O Spirit of truth and of wisdom, Spirit of understanding and of counsel, Spirit of joy and of peace! I want what you want, because you want it, as you want it , when you want it.