Daily Devotional
Are Your Eyes Fixed on Jesus?
“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.”
Hebrews 12:1-2
January 24, 2023
Ponder This
In a race, a runner doesn’t run while looking back at the other people. Runners lose seconds if they turn their heads any other way except facing the goal. Likewise, you must keep your eyes on the goal. Jesus puts you in the race. He sustains you in the race. And He is the goal that you’re running for. It is not great faith in God that you need; it is faith in a great God that you need. You need to quit trying to have great faith and start learning who Jesus is. The more you see Jesus, the more you understand Jesus, and the more your faith will grow.
Suppose I wanted to cross a major bridge and I’m standing on one side, afraid that the bridge can’t hold me up. So, I try to make myself believe the bridge can hold me up. I could try to work up my faith, or I could just observe the bridge. I could see cars and people going over the bridge; then the belief grows naturally. As I look at the bridge, faith is the byproduct of seeing and understanding that the bridge holds heavier weights than me. Faith is the byproduct of seeing and understanding Jesus Christ. Look to Jesus. Understand who the Christ of the Scripture is. Get in the Word of God. Look to Jesus as the author and the finisher of your faith. And lay aside the sin that dims your view of Him.
- What are some things you know about Jesus? How has that changed your relationship with Him?
- When have you struggled to keep your eyes on the goal of Jesus?
Practice This
Write down some things you look at instead of your goal of Jesus. Write down what you are hoping to find in these things when they take your focus off Him.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
