FOCUS! Keeping Our Eyes on Jesus in a Near-Sighted World (Part 10)

It was a perfect move. I’ve been playing online chess for several years and most of my opponents have been kind and friendly and, well, encouraging me in my growing expertise in the game.

Until Bill. Bill had a very high ranking and severely criticized me for bringing out my queen way too early. [If you’re not a chess player, cheer up. My illustration will be done soon]. I knew he was right, but he didn’t have to be so snarky about it!

When all of a sudden, I took my next move — and checkmated him! It was purely by accident. No foresight had gone into my move. To charge me with well-thought-out strategy would be a gross overstatement. One move. And I had him. Snarkiness and all.

He texted me something like, “Of all the dumb luck!” with a few &%*$’s thrown in for good measure! And he never played me again.

I just stared at the board, cerebral pride growing in my head. I had success. Against a much more worthy opponent! And I couldn’t stop looking at the board. I wanted to take a picture of it, have it canvassed, and mounted on our living room wall among all the pictures of the grandchildren (the wife said “No!” to my idea). I was successful. I had won!

In our post this morning we want to think about SUCCESS. We’ve considered how SUFFERING (both self-inflicted as well as others-inflicted) can get our eyes off Jesus. But what about when things are going well? When we’ve closed that big deal, hit that home run, remembered our anniversary (trust me, guys — you’ll only forget your wedding anniversary once).

There are many aspects of SUCCESS that we could think about, but the one that gets our eyes off Jesus is . . . PRIDE. Many biblical texts warn against ungodly PRIDE (there is a godly kind), a focusing on self and one’s SUCCESSES. For example, we read —

Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

2 Chronicles 26:16 – “But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.”

Psalm 10:4 tells us that “In his pride the wicked man does not seek [God]; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

Proverbs 11:2 reminds us that “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

When we exalt ourselves instead of the Lord, Isaiah 2:11 tells us, there are consequences: “The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.”

James 4:6 warns us of opposition from God Himself: “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’”

In a sense, ungodly pride is robbing God. We read in Psalm 31:23 “Love the Lord, all his faithful people! The Lord preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full.”

When we find ourselves in what some have called “the terrible squirrel cage of self,” we would do well to remember Proverbs 16:19 which says, “Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.”

We read of Lucifer’s (the devil’s) fall in Ezekiel 28 – “In your heart you became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.” (v. 17).

But we must also remember that there is a godly pride which we should cultivate. Romans 11:13 has Paul testifying, “I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry.” It is right to speak or write words of encouragement to others, as Paul does in 2 Corinthians 4 – “I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.” And there is even a text that tells us we can take pride in ourselves! We read in Galatians 6:4 that “Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else,”

“What do you have that you did not receive?” (I Cor. 4:7). Any SUCCESSES that we experience — if they are honorable ones before the Lord — ought to drive us to thank Him. We do not, nor should we, strive to be failures, but we must refuse to let SUCCESS turn our vision from the Lord to ourselves.

It’s easy to criticize a quote like the following from Bob Dylan: “What’s money? A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do.” But if “what I want to do” is to become more like Jesus . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time for a Great Video: Brian Regan on the Eye Exam!

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you will know that I’m working on a new book entitled Focus: Keeping Our Eyes on Jesus in a Near-Sighted World. So, the issue of VISION is very important to me. Hope you enjoyed this video. Have a great day!

 

FOCUS! Keeping Our Eyes on Jesus in a Near-Sighted World (Part 3)

“Teacher eyes.” That’s what you call them. A concentrated stare that will melt the face of any pre-teen or teenager who dares to look into those laser-focused eyes.

My wife has “teacher eyes.” They have come in very handy during her years of being a high school teacher. And, sometimes, when I’ve done something bad, she turns those eyes on me and . . .

There are a variety of words we use when we are talking about our eyes’ doing what they are supposed to do: stare, bore into, glance, dart, peek, gaze, etc.

We are thinking one more day about this amazing text in Hebrews 12. There we read —

“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 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. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

By faith we see this “great cloud of witnesses” who have predeceased us. We observe ourselves and “throw off everything that hinders” us in this race which is “marked out for us.” We focus our eyes on the life-track before us and we determine to “run with perseverance” that race. And we “fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

But wait! Are we talking about real objects, real people that can be seen with our physical eyes? No. That “great cloud of witnesses” is presently with the Lord Jesus. But, by faith, we recognize their example in walking by faith and not by sight! We don’t physically remove clothing (strip down) to run our race. This is a metaphor for getting serious about living out the Christian life God has purposed for us. And we don’t literally see a race track with lines and other racers. And, sadly, we don’t actually see our Savior at the end of the track urging us on.

Unless we understand that “fixing our eyes on Jesus” means living by faith. It means seeing those things that are eternal but are not presently visible to our human eyes. It means turning our gaze from the many enticing sights of the world to consciously directing our attention to the “pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

It is certainly counter-intuitive to speak of fixing our eyes on something or Someone we cannot actually see. But the term “see” is often used, not of physical vision, but of careful consideration, determined concentration, focused attention. And that’s what we are to give to the Lord Jesus.

And our looking to and at Him reminds us of His great sacrifice for us. Amazingly the writer to the Hebrews describes Christ’s atoning mission as “the JOY set before him.” We will think about that JOY in our next post. (to be continued)

 

 

FOCUS! Keeping Our Eyes on Jesus in a Near-Sighted World (Part 2)

When I was in high school my best friend Ronnie had a pair of Buddy Holly black horn rim glasses. They looked so cool. I asked him one day if I could wear his glasses at school and he said yes.

I’m not sure how to describe the effect those glasses had on me that day, but “babe magnet” would not be an exaggeration. I got more attention from the ladies that day than all my years of tricks on the elementary school’s jungle gym combined.

So, I went home (after giving Ronnie his glasses back) and said, “Mom, I think I need glasses!” She said, “Let’s go get your eyes examined this afternoon.”

I knew I was going to be in big trouble. I knew the eye doctor would do his exam (with an eye chart I hadn’t memorized) and say to my Mom, “Mrs. Dixon. Your son’s eyes are perfect. I suspect he wants glasses as a kind of, how should I say this?, babe magnet.”

Instead, he comes out of the exam room and says, “Mrs. Dixon, I’ve completed your son’s examination — and he not only needs glasses. He needs to wear them all the time.”

I immediately drew the conclusion: There is a God in heaven and He loves me!

In this series of posts we are working on the topic of focusing our eyes on the Lord Jesus. And, yes, these posts are the rough beginning of a new book. We want to think through the issue of consciously directing our attention to the Savior in a world that is blind, or near-sighted, or deliberately closing its eyes to the gospel.

Let’s think a bit more about the passage we quoted in our first post — Hebrews 12 —

“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 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. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

We are in a race. We are to run that race unhindered, throwing off everything that will slow us down or entangle us. We are to run that race with perseverance. And that race is not some haphazard dash through the woods. It is a race that has been “marked out for us” (v. 1).

But what are we do with our eyes? We are to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (v. 2). Fixing one’s eyes is the idea of looking away from one thing and at another. We are to concentrate our gaze on Jesus.

Our FOCUS is to be on the Lord Jesus. We are not tourists who are admiring the passing scenery as we run. Nor are we to look behind us at the other runners. We are to “fix” our eyes on Jesus who has gone before us. Who waits for us.

Today’s Challenge: Ask yourself, “Am I fixing my eyes on Jesus as I seek to run the race He has marked out for me? Or is my attention on the passing scenery or on other runners? In our next post we ask how we might sharpen our FOCUS on the Savior. (to be continued)

 

 

Developing a 2020 Vision for the Lord (Part 3)

Friends: We are thinking about the incredible possibility that awaits us as we anticipate a brand new year — 2020. The expression “2020” reminds me of my first eye exam in high school — when I memorized the eye chart before going to the doctor’s! (I don’t know why). As we face this new year, we have the opportunity to use our EYES to become more like the Lord Jesus. We can study His life in the Scriptures. And, by God’s grace, become more conformed to His image.

Secondly, I want to focus on the truth that I am not to be conformed to the world! The expression “the world” is used in three ways in the Word: the planet, the people of the planet, or the pagan system opposing God and the things of God. It is in this third sense that the Jesus-follower should determine, “I will NOT let the world around me determine my life, set my priorities, rule my heart!”

The classic passage on this issue, of course, is Romans 12:1-2 where we read —

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.“

The third priority that should shape my vision for 2020 is a deep desire to get into God’s Holy Word! I’ve been recently going through the longest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 119. It extols God’s Word in many ways. As the apologist Francis Schaeffer put it, “God is there — and He is not silent!” He has communicated a great deal of information in His Word — and we neglect it to our peril!

Would you pray this prayer with me for 2020? “Lord, help me to love Your Word, to read Your Word, and to study Your Word much more intensely this year. Forgive my laziness and lack of discipline, Father. Guide me in setting specific goals for getting into Your Holy Word this year. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

 

 

 

Developing a 2020 Vision for the Lord (Part 2)

Friends: We are thinking about the incredible possibility that awaits us as we anticipate a brand new year — 2020. The expression “2020” reminds me of my first eye exam in high school — when I memorized the eye chart before going to the doctor’s! (I don’t know why).  As we face this new year, we have the opportunity to use our EYES to become more like the Lord Jesus. We can study His life in the Scriptures. And, by God’s grace, become more conformed to His image.

The second truth that I want to focus on for this New Year is not to be conformed to the world! The expression “the world” is used in three ways in the Word: the planet, the people of the planet, or the pagan system opposing God and the things of God. It is in this third sense that the Jesus-follower should determine, “I will NOT let the world around me determine my life, set my priorities, rule my heart!”

The classic passage on this issue, of course, is Romans 12:1-2 where we read —

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.“

We must (1) recognize the world’s influences in all its many forms and (2) determine to resist being molded by that system!

Would you pray with me this morning the following prayer? “Lord, the world, the system opposing You, is all around me! Please give me wisdom in identifying its many efforts to squeeze me into its mold and to turn me away from the truths of Your Word. I don’t want to become a hermit, Lord, but I want to live a godly life right here. On this planet. But I need Your help. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

 

 

 

Developing a 2020 Vision for the Lord (Part 1)

Friends: What an incredible possibility awaits us as we anticipate a brand new year — 2020. When I hear the expression “2020,” I can’t help but think of one’s eyesight. I remember memorizing the doctor’s eye chart when I was in high school, not knowing that I would one day need to wear glasses all the time!

As you and I face a new year, a year that will challenge us to have 20/20 vision, may I suggest several major truths that we must understand and focus on if we are to be faithful followers of the Lord Jesus? I want to use the eyes God has given me to see His plan for me in this coming year.

What is His plan for you and me in this New Year? Let’s notice this morning that His plan is to make us more like His dear Son. We read in —

Romans 8:29 “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”

If you and I are to daily be conformed to the image of His Son, we must study what the Scriptures say about His Son!  We also read in 2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

The follower of Jesus is to “and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” (Col. 3:10).

Would you pray the following prayer with me this morning? “Lord, I want to become more like my Savior in 2020. Please work on me through Your Holy Spirit and Your Word to bring about some serious growth in my likeness to Your Son. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

 

Optical Illusion! How’s YOUR vision?

Okay! Okay! I don’t understand how this works, but it does! How we see things is really critical, don’t you think? How do I see the world? My neighbors? My church?

I want a God-kind-of-vision. My view of life is often distorted, blurred, self-centered. Yours?