Keep Your Eyes on Jesus!

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Hebrews 3:1,12-13 "Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness" 

 As the author of Hebrews continues to try and encourage the Jewish believers to not turn away from the faith, he gives two ideas on how they can stay strong in their faith.  

 First, he says "fix your thoughts" on Jesus.  Earl Nightengale, American author said, "We become what we think about the most."  If we keep our thoughts on Jesus and what he did and taught it will help us to stay rooted in Him.  John says it a different, "If you abide in Him, he will abide in you and you will bear much fruit."  The writer of Hebrews will say essentially the same thing in Hebrews 12:2.  One of the ways we do this is to keep reading the gospels so we become saturated with Jesus' life and words.  We can also pray to him and be reminded that the Spirit of Christ lives in us. 

 Next, he says "encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today".  Encourage means to put courage within.  We all need encouragement.  Satan is constantly looking to discourage us through our doubts, fears and sinful habits.  A discouraged Christian is usually an ineffective Christian.  Only you can seek out fellowship with other believers.  You need to be proactive in building relationship with other like minded Christ followers who you enjoy being around.  These are your true friends.  

 Most us believe we have strong faith but we should never get prideful.  We all need the author's reminder today that keeping our eyes on Christ and staying in fellowship with other believers is crucial to run and finish the race of faith.  Just today I sent a message on messenger to a friend who encouraged me to get involved in the church as a Sunday school teacher.  This was the start for me to becoming a pastor.  He reached out to me and encouraged me.  Thanks be to God for Scott Gibson.  

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