Keeping Our Eyes On Jesus

[LauraA]

Have any of you ever allowed yourselves to get your focus off Jesus, even for a short time? What does it take for you to realize you need to realign yourselves with Him? How do you do it? What do you think you can do to prevent it from happening?

Recently I attended something that was a lot of fun, very God centered, very much a blessing. We had a really special time laughing, praising God, enjoying people....all the right things. But in the midst of it, I was given a very subtle, kind hearted reminder to keep my eyes focused on Jesus.

Since then, I've prayed and prayed about it. I've been thinking on those words, scrutinizing myself, my motives, my thoughts, my heart. I can definitely see why the person saying it thought I needed it. I was giggly and just caught up in being kind of silly. Yeah, even people in their 50s do that. lol. Anyway, I've literally laid awake several nights contemplating it all, and I have to admit, the person was right on. I appreciate the motive behind the words...to keep me focusing on the author and finisher of the faith. Period.

I'm thankful for those who are courageous enough to speak the truth in love.

Have you experienced anything like this before? Feel free to share it if you are comfortable to do so.

Jesus Bless You.

[CamperGirl]

Wow Laura..this happened to me last night!

It was the last night of the Anual National Forsquare Church Convention, since it was in our hometown this year my church was the host of the event. So my church worship team lead worship for the first portion of the event that night. It was amazing to see my worship team up on stage with all these lights and smoke, leading thousand and thousands of people from different states and countries in worship--it was a sight to see.

But in the middle of all this 'awe' I felt like I was missing out on the real worship behind the event. I couldn't put my finger on it...Later than night, we got word that our denominational leader Jack Hayford, was steping down as president of the church. So we had some people come up and speak a little about his life. One of the ladies that came up (I believe they said she was the creator of the TV show 'Touched by an Angel') said that Jack was the kind of man who wouldn't not want all this time focused on him, and that instead, he would want us to be right where Jack himself was---right at the foot of the cross.

It was such an eye opener for me! To 'be at the foot of the cross' is to fully have our eyes upon God, being a humble servant of Christ. Earlier that night, I was to wrapped up in 'look at how amazing they are!' but I then relized that as wonderful as everyone was that night on that stage, the reason we were all gathered was for the purpose to worship GOD and to keep our eyes focused on GOD. :o

[LauraA]

Wow, Sarah. Thank you for sharing that. It's so easy to get caught up in the fun of it. Well, that's not the right way to say it....it's ok and good to have fun worshipping the Lord, if it's Him we are worshipping, and not the fun we are having. lol. You know what I mean.

I love how the Lord so gently speaks our name in a room full of people. It would be so easy to say/think, "The preacher is speaking to someone else. I don't do that." But He has a way of getting our attention and prompting us to take heed. I appreciate that.

[DawnAurora]

I'm forever having to haul my attention back onto Him. Especially now with such an impossible looking task ahead of us. Only PART of it is taking 3 dispensaries and convincing the communities to buck 53 years of full support from HAS to set off on their own with few guaranteed funds. In seven months, approximately. My perpetual response is about like Gideon's - 'WHAAATT! Come back here and say that up close and in Person!'

The Lord is sovereign and has said He has a mighty work planned for this area, but is is easy to make like the disciples on the lake and freak at the waves rather than keeping our confidence on Christ that He's Up To Something. All I can do is pray for dear life and keep hauling my nerves back in front of Him. GRACE!!!!!!!!!

[Psalms23]

WoW, Talk about a "God Thing" ! First off I need to thank you for posting this thread. This is something that has been on my find the past few days...esp. today. I had a rough day today.

Have you ever got to the point that you are so far off the path..you start feeling lost, although you don't really think you are lost? I have been feeling like that lately.

A few hours ago, I was down at the YMCA Camp that I work at. Connie (friend) and I went on a evening walking since it was nice out. The camp has different roads..one that takes you to the cabins, lake, horse barn/stables, ect. Every road down at camp has a name relating to where it is and where it takes you. As Connie and I were talking, we passed a road sign that said "Stable Road". As you can guess, the road takes you to the stables, aka horse barn. Tonight, I read the sign in a different way then what everyone else would. Tonight, it was a great reminder that as you go through you Christian Walk, we need to keep on the Stable Road. As you get off the stable road, you start running into hills, valleys, and fallen trees. What are those three things going to do to you? Its going to slow you down and bring you trials to over come. There are going to be a point in time when you are going to fall and slide down the hill. Which brings me to something I had just I found on google.com (http://weblog.tfalg.org/christian-devotions/fallen-down-get-back-up/)

Weblog Reads:

For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. -Proverbs 24:16

Beyond the simple message of this verse, there’s also a hidden source of joy. A just and righteous man falls down seven times. Seven times!? Surely we are not beyond hope if we’ve fallen or struggled with something, if even a just man can fall seven times, and yet rise up again.

The joy comes in adjusting our expectations. Trouble comes upon the best of us: but it’s all in how we deal with our adversities that determine our character. For Jesus has said:

In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. -John 16:33




I want to encourage everyone to turn around and head back to the stable road. Once we get to the stable road, lets all run the race that the Lord has place before us!

Hebrews 12:1-3
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.


Thanks everyone for being open about what is taking place in your life behind close doors. Even though its tough and not easy sharing it with everyone, it is still an encouragement.

Thanks and God Bless You All,
Aaron

[LauraA]

Aaron, you are such an inspiration to me. You have such a gift with your words. Even when you are hurting and feeling fragile, you somehow are able to turn it around to minister to others.

Yes, I have felt that way many times...lost. I know that our precious Jesus is full of love and patience. He is longsuffering. I know that it takes more than a bad day to fall from His powerful hold, but inside there are times that I feel so bad that I feel lost. I guess it's a feeling of unworthiness that overtakes and messes with my mind. We are all unworthy and undeserving of Him, but when I'm feeling real low, I have trouble grasping onto the power of His grace and forgiveness. Know what I mean? I'm having trouble explaining it.

I love how you can look around you and find beauty, Aaron. Your photos amaze me. And your story of seeing the road sign, "Stable Road" is so cool! I can just picture how the Lord dropped the name of that road into someone's mind many years ago, for such a time as this. He knew that it would jump out to you and help you back to the right path, the stable road. Praise God!

Your post here was anointed and I believe many will read it and be blessed. Thank you, Aaron, for being open and sharing your heart with us again. Seriously. You are a blessing!

[LauraA]

I'm forever having to haul my attention back onto Him. Especially now with such an impossible looking task ahead of us. Only PART of it is taking 3 dispensaries and convincing the communities to buck 53 years of full support from HAS to set off on their own with few guaranteed funds. In seven months, approximately. My perpetual response is about like Gideon's - 'WHAAATT! Come back here and say that up close and in Person!'

The Lord is sovereign and has said He has a mighty work planned for this area, but is is easy to make like the disciples on the lake and freak at the waves rather than keeping our confidence on Christ that He's Up To Something. All I can do is pray for dear life and keep hauling my nerves back in front of Him. GRACE!!!!!!!!!


I don't know how you do it, Dawn! Well, I do. Jesus. But you know what I mean. lol. The stress and pressure of your job would flip me right over the top. You must have an extra thick version of the amour of God on! And it's covered with the garment of praise! And since it popped into my mind, I'll add the joy of the Lord. Keep walkin' and holding fast to the author and FINISHER of our faith. His grace is sufficient! I pray for you often.