Tomorrow

So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.  For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.  2 Corinthians 4:18

 

There are times that I have the tendency to come unraveled when faced with too much pressure and stress.  Earlier this week was one of those days.  Following a series of unforeseen events that transpired at work and at home, I pretty much felt defeated by the time the day ended on Monday.  As hard as it was, I really made an effort to keep my focus on Christ as best I could.

God promises us all that the troubles looming in our lives today will not last forever.  So, our goal should be on focusing our attention away from our hurt and pain and looking towards the things that will last forever-God's never-ending love, His gift of grace and mercy, and eternity in heaven with Him.

When you fix your eyes on Him, your present troubles will be seen as only temporary because you know that they won't last for long.

We can live our lives with confidence today because we have a greater hope in God's promises for our lives tomorrow.  

End of the Innocence

For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect).  But when the complete and perfect (total) comes, the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away (become antiquated, void, and superseded).  1 Corinthians 13:9-10

As I approach 40, the more I realize I simply don’t have all of the answers to life.  This is a far cry from my attitude of being a childish and immature teenager, where I was convinced that I knew everything, much to my parents’ amusement.  

I can now see these same tendencies in our oldest son, who recently turned six this summer.  We have had multiple disagreements about our favorite comic book characters and he doesn't realize that I just may know a little more than some of the boys in his kindergarten class.  (After all, I have been a comic book nerd for most of my life now!)

We must change our attitudes and thinking from believing that we know it all, to trusting God  and living with unanswered questions.

No matter where we are in our walk of faith, God will continue to lead us and in doing so, He requires us to fix our eyes on Him, and follow Him one step at a time.

Lunge Forward

…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:2

Today’s Daily DEVO has been a few days in the making.  I have noticed that when God wants to make a point with me, He repeats Himself quite a bit, just like I sometimes do with my own children.  The past few weeks have been crazy busy between work and home (all is well, of course) but I have lost my focus on Jesus in some ways…

Yesterday’s devotional from the exceptional Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, used the analogy of a spinning ballerina keeping her eyes focused on a fixed point to maintain her balance.  We too, must do the same.

Despite our circumstances or hectic schedules, we must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ.  If we focus our gaze on our circumstances for too long, we will become confused and dizzy.

Focus on Jesus and maintain your footing, steady and sure!

Hurt

So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.  For things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.  2 Corinthians 4:18

It's hard to not be troubled by all that's going on in the world today.  Mounting tension growing in the Middle East, the economy still in dire straits, the number of foreclosures continue to grow every day, and our country's political system is full of corruption. 

Regardless, God promises us that the troubles looming in front of us will not last forever.  Our goal should be to shift our focus away from the trouble we now see and look instead to the things that will last forever-God's love, his gift of salvation, his care for us, and eternity in heaven with him.

When we live with a heavenly perspective, it puts the hurt and troubles we experience in this world in their proper place-temporary and we know they won't last.

We can live with confidence despite our struggles today knowing that God promises each of us a world where there is no more hurt or pain.

Drifting

So Jesus said to them again, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.  All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.  I am the door ; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy ; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:7-10

Last week was undoubtedly one of the most difficult and most stressful weeks I have had at work this past year. By Friday afternoon, my mind had just checked out as I was exhausted and worn out from a multiple series of events.  Being totally honest, I really struggled to find the inspiration to even write the Daily DEVO this week.  I am glad to say that the weekend provided a well-needed opportunity for me to catch my breath.  At some point, I either read another devotional or a passage of scripture that got me thinking about how Jesus resisted the Enemy during His 40 days in the wilderness.  He submitted to God’s lead and never took His eyes off of His loving Father.

Jesus’ example is one that we too should emulate in our daily lives.  It’s easy to be so preoccupied with our day-to-day lives that we adapt a worldly mindset.  When our thoughts turn away from God, we become dangerously self-dependent and let our guards down.  When we do, the Enemy always seems to strike.

We know that God will win the ultimate victory, but Satan will stop at nothing to lead us astray with his many lies and deception.  Don’t let the world fool you into trying to manage your life on your own.  Keep your eyes on Christ, stay alert and keep connected to His truth!

Tomorrow

So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.  For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.  2 Corinthians 4:18


I have an uncanny knack of coming unravelled when facing trouble.  I was in such a great mood to start the work day on Friday, but by 5pm and after a series of crazy events, I felt pretty much defeated. 


God promises us all that the troubles looming in our lives today will not last forever.  So our goal should be on focusing our attention away from our hurt and pain and looking towards the things that will last forever-God's never-ending love, His gift of grace and mercy, and eternity in heaven with Him.


When you fix your eyes on Him, your present troubles will be seen as only temporary because you know that they won't last for long.  


We can live our lives with confidence today because we have a greater hope in God's promises for our lives tomorrow.