Blog Article Tags
We love building relationships. Subscribe to our blog to receive weekly encouragement in your email inbox.
Search Blog Posts
- Details
Written by Deanna Brooks, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas
We often sing:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
These words, by Helen Lemmel, speak of Scriptures written long ago about our focus in life.
The author of Hebrews writes: “… looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…” (Heb 12:2a ESV).
Other versions refer to Jesus as “author and finisher” (KJV, NKJV, ASV), or “originator and perfecter” (NASV).
My daddy, who grew up on a farm, used the example of a farmer plowing with an old-fashioned hand plow. His rows were straight because he focused on a post or tree in the distance as he plowed instead of looking down at the ground or around at the scenery.
Paul wrote: “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col 3:2).
Our everyday life has things that distract us; it may be necessities such as our work or family, or being focused on the pleasures of life.
When Matthew tells of Peter walking on the water, he writes: “… So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” (Mt 14:29-30).
Look at what Matthew says:
1. Peter asked to go to Jesus (Mt 14:28).
2. Peter got out of the boat (Mt 14:29).
3. Peter walked on water (Mt 14:29).
4. Then, Peter began looking around at the storm… the winds and waves… became afraid… and began to sink (Mt 14:30).
Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and began watching the storm. That is when he had a problem.
We do the same thing when we encounter the difficulties of life, whether it is relationships, finances, health, or something else. That’s what delights the evil one— for us to forget that Jesus is our Rock.
David wrote: For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken (Ps 62:1-2).
Back to Peter: the verses following his cry for help tell us that Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter and together they went back to the boat. This means Peter walked on water a second time… with Jesus at his side. Redemption does this for us when we look to Jesus as Peter did.
Jesus does the same for us when we look to Him.
There is a common quotation that gives me peace about the storms of life:
“Sometimes God calms the storm, but sometimes God lets the storm rage and calms His child.”
When we focus on Jesus, trusting Him to keep His promises and always be with us, the storms of life have less power over us.
Long ago Moses wrote: Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you (Dt 31:6).
Isaiah restated that promise in different words:
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isa 43:1b-3a)
Fixing our eyes on Jesus means we look for Him in the everyday events of life, and seek to do His will. It means trusting He intercedes for me when I don’t know how to pray, when life tumbles in and the words will not come.
The question I ask is: In my life, what keeps me from focusing on Jesus, my Redeemer?
- Details
Written by Lisanka Martínez, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Venezuela
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. (Ec 3:1 NIV)
Knowing how to wait on God, trusting He will always give us what He knows we need in His time, and He tells us what we should or should not do, requires practice and our firm commitment.
In my early Christian life, I had only a faint idea of how to tell others about Jesus. I also had a hard time volunteering to pray publicly for fear of making a mistake and giving a bad testimony (more than just stage fright). Even though I was always willing to serve and help in whatever was asked of me and wherever it was needed, I knew that I was not giving all of me. n my home I spent very little time in prayer or study of the Word. Nevertheless, I continued to read the Bible occasionally, attend classes, women’s gatherings, Sunday service, and teach children’s classes.
As we all know, God shapes us step by step through good and bad times as we accumulate experience. In my case, I am ashamed to confess there were moments when I failed and doubted my faith, the affection and interest of my brothers and sisters, and even the meaning of life. However, I kept attending, I kept serving, I kept trying to understand, and I kept taking my family to church activities until I understood what a commitment to Christ is.
In the past if someone asked for prayer, I thought, "Let's pray now." When someone needed comfort, I was there even though I only repeated the usual phrases and struggled to express myself. But now that I am more fully committed, I also pray even when they don't ask for it, and I continue to do so until I see an answer to that request. If I see that someone needs comfort through a hug or a kind word, I will give it to them, and if I am far away, I communicate with heartfelt phrases of empathy and love. In the past when physical effort was needed to do something, I did it, but only mechanically. Now due to my current health condition, if I want to support an activity that requires physical effort beyond my capacity, I know I can ask for help from others, and I collaborate in everything I can. I am now encouraged when I have the opportunity to knock on doors and invite others to a church campaign or activity. I go with enthusiasm and I love to look for the lost. My commitment has become stronger.
Knowing exactly when my commitment to Christ increased is a difficult thing—it may have been when I was disabled and had to leave my job as a preschool teacher. However, at that time I increased my involvement in Sunday school work. It could also have been when my girls left the nest, sadly, because I could have been a better example for them. But during that time, my health kept me very busy and mostly focused on prayer. Then came the time of the pandemic where, thanks be to God, my husband and I were able to dedicate ourselves to reading and studying the Word daily, contacting brothers and sisters from other places. Thanks to the technological resources inspired by God, we were learning, having the desire to study more every day, practicing what we had learned, and sharing it with others.
I now understand that committing to Christ is a pleasure, that we must feel love, accept responsibility, have enthusiasm, dedication, and desire to learn and feel very good with each step we take in that direction. I also know this commitment will sometimes tempt us to try to overcome obstacles on our own and fatigue or discouragement may result. It is a task that tests us many times and does not always give the expected results.
If we dedicate our time to working for the Lord, He will bless it. I know I should not give up when adverse situations arise. My health is going through hard times; I pray while I cry because of the pain, but I also praise very strongly. When I want to attend an activity but my economic situation prevents me from doing so, I ask those who attend to send me photos, audio, or videos of the activity, and I share them, feeling grateful for the technology. Every day, I share with someone about God and the Gospel of salvation.
Do you think we should commit only when physically and emotionally well? Does your financial situation influence your work for the Lord? Let us remain committed even when we are faced with challenging times.