LOOK UNTO JESUS!
- By Greg Hooker
The Word of the Lord says, "Look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith". In other words, our life began with Jesus and it will end with Jesus. All that's 'inbetween', however, depends mostly upon us. Let me see if I can explain: You get up in the morning to face another day of work, work, work. The bills are delinquent. The morgage is about to go into foreclosure. The kids need braces. The kitchen cupboard is bare. And the IRS is knocking heavily at your door.
Now, what are you going to do? What is your attitude going to be for the day ahead? Will it be looking, dwelling, and meditating on these problems glaring back at you like a hideous monster? If that be the case, then you will be chained to them until you are pushing up daisies and your memories are long forgotten! You see, problems never leave, they are simply replaced with a different set of problems - misery turns to pain; pain turns to discouragement; discouragement turns to gloom, despair and agony on me! You get the picture!
Let me give you an alternative (you do have a choice). You hop out of bed, rub the sleep from your eyes, fix a cup of joe, settle in your favorite recliner, reach over and pick up THE BOOK, thumb to the book of Psalms, and inhale the rich, robust, aroma - not of your coffee - but of the living, breathing, life-changing Word of God! That, my lovely brethren, is the way to do it! Grasp the God of the Word and the Word of God will sit the tone for your entire day!
All of a sudden the Lord's begins to speak, the joy comes flooding into your parched and dry soul, and you find yourself talking to the BEST FRIEND that will never leave, nor forsake you! He will be with you throughout the day - comforting, strengthening, and putting a spring in your step that would make Bugs Bunny envy!
You see, my friends, it's all about 'attitude' of the mind (I will determine to dwell on Christ), and 'altitude' of your heart - "looking upward unto Jesus!"
Can I be straightforward and honest at the risk of making the Devil have a conniption fit? The reason many of you have such terrible lives is because you choose it! You don't believe the Word of God. You don't trust in Jesus. You don't seek the Spirit's wisdom. You won't turn to the Book with the quarter-inch of dust on it. And you live your life no different than those who are not born again! Hey, I'm just telling the truth!
Many of you can't wait to get up in the morning and immerse yourself in all your problems and cares. You go to bed worrying, which, by the way, is sin; and arise with a sigh that can be heard around the world, as you start wringing your hands, gritting your teeth, and moaning and groaning over bills, problems, and other angry goblins that are simply out of your control!
Why not do this instead, "look unto Jesus"? He is the One who can turn water into wine! He is the One who can mend the broken hearted! He is the One who can calm the angry seas and abate the storming weather. He is the One who can put the pieces of your life back together! He is the One who can provide every conceivable need you have and then some! He is the One who will give you peace as you walk through the valley of the shadow of death! He is the One!
Friends, did I tell you to "LOOK UNTO JESUS"? I sure hope I did, because He is such a good and gracious friend.
Dear Jesus, help us all to fix our eyes upon you. You, and you alone, are the only One who can give us joy and victory in the midst of all that life may hurl at us. In your name I pray, Pastor Greg.
- By Greg Hooker
The Word of the Lord says, "Look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith". In other words, our life began with Jesus and it will end with Jesus. All that's 'inbetween', however, depends mostly upon us. Let me see if I can explain: You get up in the morning to face another day of work, work, work. The bills are delinquent. The morgage is about to go into foreclosure. The kids need braces. The kitchen cupboard is bare. And the IRS is knocking heavily at your door.
Now, what are you going to do? What is your attitude going to be for the day ahead? Will it be looking, dwelling, and meditating on these problems glaring back at you like a hideous monster? If that be the case, then you will be chained to them until you are pushing up daisies and your memories are long forgotten! You see, problems never leave, they are simply replaced with a different set of problems - misery turns to pain; pain turns to discouragement; discouragement turns to gloom, despair and agony on me! You get the picture!
Let me give you an alternative (you do have a choice). You hop out of bed, rub the sleep from your eyes, fix a cup of joe, settle in your favorite recliner, reach over and pick up THE BOOK, thumb to the book of Psalms, and inhale the rich, robust, aroma - not of your coffee - but of the living, breathing, life-changing Word of God! That, my lovely brethren, is the way to do it! Grasp the God of the Word and the Word of God will sit the tone for your entire day!
All of a sudden the Lord's begins to speak, the joy comes flooding into your parched and dry soul, and you find yourself talking to the BEST FRIEND that will never leave, nor forsake you! He will be with you throughout the day - comforting, strengthening, and putting a spring in your step that would make Bugs Bunny envy!
You see, my friends, it's all about 'attitude' of the mind (I will determine to dwell on Christ), and 'altitude' of your heart - "looking upward unto Jesus!"
Can I be straightforward and honest at the risk of making the Devil have a conniption fit? The reason many of you have such terrible lives is because you choose it! You don't believe the Word of God. You don't trust in Jesus. You don't seek the Spirit's wisdom. You won't turn to the Book with the quarter-inch of dust on it. And you live your life no different than those who are not born again! Hey, I'm just telling the truth!
Many of you can't wait to get up in the morning and immerse yourself in all your problems and cares. You go to bed worrying, which, by the way, is sin; and arise with a sigh that can be heard around the world, as you start wringing your hands, gritting your teeth, and moaning and groaning over bills, problems, and other angry goblins that are simply out of your control!
Why not do this instead, "look unto Jesus"? He is the One who can turn water into wine! He is the One who can mend the broken hearted! He is the One who can calm the angry seas and abate the storming weather. He is the One who can put the pieces of your life back together! He is the One who can provide every conceivable need you have and then some! He is the One who will give you peace as you walk through the valley of the shadow of death! He is the One!
Friends, did I tell you to "LOOK UNTO JESUS"? I sure hope I did, because He is such a good and gracious friend.
Dear Jesus, help us all to fix our eyes upon you. You, and you alone, are the only One who can give us joy and victory in the midst of all that life may hurl at us. In your name I pray, Pastor Greg.