Where We Fix our Eyes....

A few weeks ago, our youth group intern Douglas preach a great message from Colossians 3:3-15. The main verses he focused on was verses 1-4, which says, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

The main point was: "What does it really mean to set our minds on things above?"

When our minds are on earthly things- it shows. When our hearts desire earthly things, the results are anger, rage, malice, slander, hatred, lust, sexual immorality etc.When we are on the "throne" of our hearts- everything is
'me-centered,''my way,''my needs,' my wants,' When God is not on the throne of our hearts our 'vision' is blurred only to see what benefits us and what effects us.

When our eyes are on Jesus and He is on the throne of our hearts he gives us a panoramic view of the needs of those around us and what best honors and glorifies Him! God takes us fron a 'selfish,'me-centered attitude and changes us to a 'God-centerd' attitude! When our hearts are His the results show- compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness,peace and love. (v. 12-14)

It is so easy to rule our own hearts, so easy to become distracted by the earth that we become blinged by earthly possessions and desires that we forget our real inheritance is in Heaven! Genesis 25-27 tells the story of Jacob and Esau. Esau was so hungry that he was willing to sell is birthright- his father's inheritance in order to get a bowl of soup! He was willing to give up the wealth of his father just to satisfy his temporary hunger. Don't be like Esau- willing give to up our heavenly inheritance just to get a 'bowl of earthly soup.'

The world will always be tempting and grabbing for our attention- but all of this is unsatisfing. As Jesus told the Samaritian woman is John 4:13-14 "Jesus answered, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'"

When we taste what the world as to offer, we will only want more so satisfy our 'hunger.' When we taste what God offers, we will always be satisfied. he will always be enough.

God looks through our skin and into the deepest parts our hearts.He sees what we really love, what we crave and hunger for. Every thought, action, desire, things said and unsaid is open for God to see. Do we want God to see a 'me-driven' selfish, lustful, arogant heart or a 'God-driven' humble, compassionate, patient, loving heart committed to the will of God?

Hebrews 4:12-13 says,"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

So let us fix our eyes on Jesus and leave this wasting away world and cling to the One who never changes-never fails. He is more than enough!

I can say freely that I have not mastered the dethroning process, no one ever will. It will always be a daily, constant dying to self and surrendering to Jesus.

As Hebrews 12:1-3 enourages, "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. 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."