Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - WordAction - The Foundry Publishing House of Kansas City, Missouri, United States - The Global Church of the Nazarene for Thursday, 11 January 2018 "Keep Focused on Christ" by Susie Shellenberger - Hebrews 12:1-13Hebrews 12:1 So then, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us, too, put aside every impediment — that is, the sin which easily hampers our forward movement — and keep running with endurance in the contest set before us, 2 looking away to the Initiator and Completer of that trusting,[Hebrews 12:2 Habakkuk 2:4] Yeshua — who, in exchange for obtaining the joy set before him, endured execution on a stake as a criminal, scorning the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.[Hebrews 12:2 Psalm 110:1] 3 Yes, think about him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you won’t grow tired or become despondent. 4 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in the contest against sin.
5 Also you have forgotten the counsel which speaks with you as sons:
“My son, don’t despise the discipline of Adonai
or become despondent when he corrects you.
6 For Adonai disciplines those he loves
and whips everyone he accepts as a son.”[Hebrews 12:6 Proverbs 3:11–12]
7 Regard your endurance as discipline; God is dealing with you as sons. For what son goes undisciplined by his father? 8 All legitimate sons undergo discipline; so if you don’t, you’re a mamzer and not a son!
9 Furthermore, we had physical fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them; how much more should we submit to our spiritual Father and live! 10 For they disciplined us only for a short time and only as best they could; but he disciplines us in a way that provides genuine benefit to us and enables us to share in his holiness.
11 Now, all discipline, while it is happening, does indeed seem painful, not enjoyable; but for those who have been trained by it, it later produces its peaceful fruit, which is righteousness. 12 So,
strengthen your drooping arms,
and steady your tottering knees;[Hebrews 12:12 Isaiah 35:3]
13 and
make a level path for your feet;[Hebrews 12:13 Proverbs 4:26]
so that what has been injured will not get wrenched out of joint but rather will be healed.
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Jesus was resolute in accomplishing His Father’s will. He kept himself in perfect alignment with God. Think about what He faced: The Pharisees challenged Him, the disciples misunderstood Him thinking He’d lead a political takeover and set up His kingdom on earth, and the authorities tried to trick Him. When He headed to Jerusalem for the last time, He knew His death on the cross was imminent. Yet He steeled himself toward the city. He never wavered.
He maintained His focus on God because He imitated His Father. In Ephesians 5:1, Paul instructs us to imitate Jesus; when we do that, we’re actually imitating God himself.
With job responsibilities, family needs, financial stress, and full calendars, how can we keep from stressing out? By resolutely fixing our attention on Christ. When we note all that He suffered-on our behalf-the struggles we encounter seem trivial.
When we surrender to the Lordship of Christ, the Holy Spirit will help us fall into alignment with our Father. How can we maintain this alignment? By steadfastly fixing our gaze on Christ. When this becomes our lifestyle, we won’t lose heart.---
Hymn for Today: "I Am Resolved" by Palmer Hartsough
1. I am resolved no longer to linger,
charmed by the world's delight;
things that are higher, things that are nobler,
these have allured my sight.
Refrain: I will hasten to Him,
hasten so glad and free;
Jesus, greatest, highest,
I will come to Thee.
2. I am resolved to go to the Savior,
leaving my sin and strife;
He is the true one; He is the just one,
He has the words of life.
Refrain: I will hasten to Him,
hasten so glad and free;
Jesus, greatest, highest,
I will come to Thee.
3. I am resolved, and who will go with me?
Come, friends, without delay;
taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit,
we'll walk the heavenly way.
Refrain: I will hasten to Him,
hasten so glad and free;
Jesus, greatest, highest,
I will come to Thee.
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Thought for Today: In other words, do not let yourselves be conformed to the standards of the ‘olam hazeh. Instead, keep letting yourselves be transformed by the renewing of your minds; so that you will know what God wants and will agree that what he wants is good, satisfying and able to succeed.(Romans 12:2)
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Please pray: For the development of Christian leaders in Lebanon.
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