Monday’s Ministry Encouragement: Written to encourage you, my friend in ministry, to be refreshed and renewed as we live for Christ and look toward the Bema.
Who are you seeing this morning as you review yesterday in ministry?
Is it that lost soul that came to receive Christ as Savior?
Is it that face that used to be in that now empty pew and has left your church because of some point of disagreement?
Is it that dear saint of God that always smiles and cheers you along the way as you greet each other at the door?
Is it the face of one who just seems to know how to discourage you after you have been encouraged?
No matter whose face you see this morning, whether a sweet reminder from yesterday or not, there is only one face that truly matters this morning!
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. (Hebrews 12:1-3)
The admonition to “look to Jesus” has the idea of totally looking away from something or someone and looking to something or someone. This is a fixed, focused gaze upon our wonderful Savior! Nothing distracts us from Him.
Now who and what do you see this morning?
Do you see the humble, holy, forgiving, loving, kind, gentle, giving, righteous, submissive, interceding Savior? Gaze upon Him. Talk to Him. Come and rest awhile beside the still waters (Psalm 23; Matthew 11:28-30).
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.
Jesus, to You we lift our eyes
Jesus, our glory and our prize
We adore You, behold You, our Savior ever true
Oh Jesus, we turn our eyes to You.
“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest.” (Corrie Ten Boom)
From A Pastor's Heart 