Fix our eyes on Jesus

 The blessedness of contemplating Jesus

Various authors

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

Hebrews 12:2, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus!"

There is no sweeter occupation for the soul than to set its gaze steadily upon the Lord Jesus Christ. He who was once despised and rejected by men, is now exalted in the heavens. The heart that contemplates His beauty, drinks deeply of Heaven's own joy.

The world seeks gratification in a thousand fleeting things, but the  believer finds his satisfaction in contemplating Jesus. This contemplation is not mere wandering thoughts--it is a sanctifying gaze that changes the heart. "I meditate on You through the watches of the night." (Psalm 63:6). In the silence of the night, when all earthly distractions fade, the soul communes with its Savior--and finds in Him a peace which surpasses all understanding.

The Scriptures declare that the man is blessed whose "delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night!" (Psalm 1:2) Even more so, what joy is found when the soul meditates upon the living Word Himself, Jesus Christ! To fix our eyes upon Him, is to behold the fountain of mercy, and the King of glory.

This world with all its vanities beckons us to fix our minds below. But the Spirit calls us higher: "Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things!" (Colossians 3:1-2) True blessedness is not found by looking  within or around--but by looking upward to the Savior who reigns.

To meditate upon Jesus, is to be transformed into His likeness! (2 Corinthians 3:18) As we contemplate His love, His sufferings, His righteousness, and His glory . . .
  our faith is strengthened,
  our repentance is deepened,
  and our hearts are drawn heavenward!

The more we gaze upon Him in faith and love--the more the Spirit conforms us to His image.

Would you be made strong against sin?

Would you be filled with peace amid trials?

Would you be stirred to greater holiness?

Then set your eyes daily on the Lord Jesus!
 
In contemplating Him, we behold . . .
  the beauty that surpasses all beauty,
  the love that exceeds all loves,
  the glory that shall fill all Heaven.

Blessed are those who fix their hearts on Christ--for their joy shall never wither, and their hope shall never fail.

When we meditate on His sin-atoning wounds, we are melted in repentance.

When we contemplate His righteousness, we are filled with assurance.

When we consider His sovereign reign, we are strengthened with hope.

When we behold His coming glory, we are stirred to holiness.

Would you be kept from sin?
Then gaze upon the crucified and risen Lamb.

Would you live above this vain world?
Then anchor your soul by frequent meditation upon your Savior.

"Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus!" Hebrews 3:1

Humility in Controversy.

 May we also follow his humility in controversy

“Often have I been wont to declare, that even although he[Luther] were to call me a devil, I should still not the less hold him in such honour that I must acknowledge him to be an illustrious servant of God” -Calvin, Letters, 4:433

Self-Strength

 The "mortification of sin from self-strength to the end of self-righteousness, is the soul and substance of all false religion." #JohnOwen

Unworthy Prayer

 "Do you doubt whether God has heard you, because you are a sinner? then cling to the word and say: Though I am a sinner and unworthy, yet I have the command of God, that tells me to pray, and his promise that he will graciously hear me, not because of my worthiness, but for the sake of the Lord Christ…

Pray, not regarding your worthiness or unworthiness, but your need and his word upon which he tells you to build; especially since he has placed before you and put into your mouth the words how and what you are to pray for…so that you joyously send up these prayers through him, and can lay them in his bosom, that he may lay them by his own worthiness before the Father…

As a Father he has promised to hear and help us…pray with hearty confidence, and rely upon this prayer, as assuredly heard, and await help."

—Martin Luther, Commentary on the Sermon on the Mount

Not One Trial

 “In heaven, we shall see that we had not one trial too many.”

— Charles Spurgeon

He Loved Us

 “He loved us when we could not have been worse or further from him than we were.”

— Charles Spurgeon

The Next Trial

 “Welcome the next trial as a friend that forces you to slow down and live utterly dependent on God.” – Joni Eareckson Tada

Evidence His Willingness

 That sea of sin, that sea of wrath, that sea of trouble, that sea of blood that Jesus Christ waded through, that sinners might be pardoned, justified, reconciled, and saved, doth strongly evidence his 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 to save sinners…

—Puritan Thomas Brooks, Works 1:148

Spiritual Attack

 The spiritual attack you're under is your flesh and satanic forces trying to keep you from fulfilling God's will. The stronger it is, the closer you are. Fight back with the Spirit, prayer, the truth of Scripture, personal praise, and worship, and the prayers of mature believers.

--online post.

Be much alone.

 "Be much alone with God. Do not put Him off with a quarter of an hour morning and evening. Take time to get thoroughly acquainted. Converse over everything with Him. Unbosom yourself wholly - every thought, feeling, wish, plan, doubt - to Him." -Horatius Bonar.

Refer it Back to God

 But we are short-sighted creatures, not only unworthy--but unable to rightly choose for ourselves.

If the choice was left to us--it would be our wisdom to refer it back to God.

We may be sure that He does not willingly grieve or afflict us. He takes no pleasure in seeing us weep and mourn--rather, every day brings us ten thousand proofs that He delights in our prosperity.

Whenever we are in heaviness, therefore, there is a need-be for it--faithful are the wounds of such a Friend! Our trials are made no sooner, nor longer--than the necessity of the case requires. He who wounds--has promised likewise to heal. He is all sufficient, and can give more than He will ever take away from His redeemed people. I trust she will find power to commit herself, and her every concern, into His hands; and that she will have reason to acknowledge, from day to day, that He does all things well!

Whatever the outcome may be--our Lord is wise and good in all His dealings. His mercies to us are new every morning--and as numerous as the minutes of our lives!

One of the excerpts from John Newton's Letters.

Share in Suffering

  From Don Green.

At the recommendation of the incomparable Phil Johnson, last year I read an older biography of Charles Spurgeon by W. Y. Fullerton. It was superb and a privilege to read.

Spurgeon, as most know, was often opposed during the course of his ministry. As I prepare for an online session to encourage pastors and elders on February 10, I give you this quote from Spurgeon as a preview of coming attractions:

"If we never offended, it would be proof positive that we did not preach the Gospel. They who can please man will find it quite another thing to have pleased God. Do you suppose that men will love those who faithfully rebuke them? If you make the sinner's heart to groan, and waken his conscience, do you think he will pay you, court and thank you for it?"

My brothers, your adversity in ministry is a sign of approval and blessing, not a cause for discouragement and resignation. Better and more noble men than us have walked rocky paths in ministry, only to enter glory triumphantly (albeit with scarred feet) as a result. They would all tell you it was worth the cost.

So look up for grace and persevere below. You must. And by grace, you will stand, for Christ is able to make you stand.

So preach with all your heart tomorrow, and may the Lord send His blessing on the Word as you do. I, for one, am on your side.

"Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 2:3).

Beveridge

  I cannot pray, except I sin. I cannot preach, but I sin. I cannot administer, nor receive the holy sacrament, but I sin. My very repentance needs to be repented of and the tears I shed need washing in the blood of Christ.

~ William Beveridge

Were They as Great as

  That blood that hath cleansed so many from sin, and from such multitudes of sin, in their several capacities, can cleanse you from 𝘢𝘭𝘭 your sins, were they as great as all those jointly that have been cleansed by it from the beginning of the world.

—Stephen Charnock, 3:531

Bradford Prayer

 “O dear Father, be merciful unto me, and forgive me all my sins; and of thy goodness give me thy holy Spirit to open mine eyes that I may see sin, the better to know it, the more truly to hate it, and most earnestly to strive against it, and that effectually both in myself and others. Again grant me the same thy holy Spirit to reveal unto me the remedy of sin by Christ only, and to work in me by faith to embrace the same thy Christ and mercies in him; that I may henceforth be endued with thy holy Spirit, more and more to begin and obey thy good-will continually, and to increase in the same for ever.”

- John Bradford, Meditation on the Lord’s Prayer, Vol. I: The Works of John Bradford, p. 134.

Leave it all in the Hands

 "Leave it all in the Hands that were wounded for you." -Elisabeth Elliot.

We don't need now

 "God has promised to supply all our needs. What we don’t have now, we don’t need now."

-- Elisabeth Elliot.

Riches in Christ

"There are riches enough in Christ to pay all your debts, and to satisfy divine justice to the utmost farthing, without being beholden to your prayers, tears, or humiliations. Kings love no consorts; power is impatient of participation." -- Thomas Brooks: