Fixing My Eyes on Jesus: Faith

Anne Graham Lotz , Author, faithgateway.com

The Risk of Faith

“Come,” [Jesus] said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. — Matthew 14:29

The older I get, the less I want to take risks. How about you? In today’s financial world, that’s probably a wise thing. But a cautious attitude in your spiritual life can cause you to procrastinate to the point you become disobedient.

God has not given us a “spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power” (2 Timothy 1:7). Living a life of faith requires taking risks, from our perspective, because we can’t physically see what lies ahead, hear audibly what God’s saying, or know what He’s thinking. We have to trust Him as we choose to give Him our children, our jobs, our homes. Even our comfort.

Learn from Peter. He never would have known he could walk on water if he hadn’t stepped out of the boat.

Discover the power of God. Step out of your comfort zone. Take the risk of faith.

A Tree… or a Twig?

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. — Psalm 1:1-3

God plants you and me in our faith to grow us into “trees” of righteousness. He uses adversity to make us strong. And He leads us to endure — not “somehow,” but victoriously as we choose to trust Him.

King David knew that the secret of victory over adversity was a conscious choice to trust God. He cried out in prayer,

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?… But I trust in Your unfailing love. — Psalm 13:2, Psalm 13:5

David exercised his will to trust God even when he didn’t feel like it. He had learned to walk by faith, not by feelings.

What about you? Will you grow into a tree of righteousness—or remain a twig? Will you have victory over adversity—or remain defeated? It’s your choice.

Choose to be strong! Choose to trust in Him!

Just Look Up!

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. — Hebrews 12:2

My mother told me the story of a former navy officer who kept up his weapons skills to qualify as a deputy sheriff in the county. Each year he was required to renew his permit to keep his status as a deputy. One year, however, he wore new glasses to the target range, and when sweat steamed up his glasses, he totally lost his focus on the target.

When my mother asked, “What in the world did you do?” he quoted the advice of his navy instructor: “When you lose sight of the target, remember your position.” He remembered where he’d last seen the target and pulled the trigger. He hit the bull’s-eye every time!

Ephesians 1:18 is a prayer that

the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you.

That hope is Jesus!

Stop looking ahead, looking around, or looking back. Keep your focus on Jesus. Just look up!