Scripture
Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
~Hebrews 12:1-2, NLT
Quote
“For every look you take at yourself, take ten looks at Jesus.”
~Robert Murray McCheyne
When Jesus began talking to His disciples about His departure, their hearts grew heavy. They were very troubled. In John 14 Jesus is comforting His disciples with promises of heaven and the Holy Spirit. Jesus assured them that He was going on ahead of them to prepare for their coming and He assured them that they knew the way. Thomas said, “We don’t even know where you are going so how can we know the way.” Jesus said, “I AM the way…No man can come to the Father except through Me.” This is why Philip said, “LORD, show us the Father and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father!” This brings the first chapter of Hebrews to mind, “God’s Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds, who is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation {express image} of His nature.” This is why Jesus told the disciples, if you want to see the Father, look at me. Only Jesus can make such a bold claim. He is literally the perfect example. Martyn Lloyd Jones says Christ revealed the Father in three distinct ways: [1] His perfect life [2] His miracles and [3] His teaching. Jesus is the only man who ever stood before a crowd and said, “Who among you can convict me of sin?” {John 8:46} He is the only man who can back that question up with a perfect life.
Paul was bold enough to tell the Philippians…Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. Some one noted that Paul said this only once, perhaps he learned as I did that it is unwise to make ourselves examples. It can get you into a lot of trouble. Christ is our example. He is the one we look to and the one we follow. If you take my advice, you will never exalt yourself as the one to follow. Don’t do anything that would cause others to look to you rather than looking to Jesus. You may feel rather successful in some areas but my advice is to be thankful but not prideful. Don’t point to yourself, point to Jesus! He can handle success; you and I cannot. Jesus never failed at anything and yet He was not proud. It is just one more proof that He was God. 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.
Extra
The old blog had a stat counter on it and I was just curious about the new blog. I began writing blogs in July of 2009. When I retired from DBC I had to get my own domain so this blog began around 2017. So there are eight years of the old blogs and 149,734 hits which is not that many, around 70 readers per day. In the last 6 years the readers have dwindled. We average about 40 per day now with 156 being the most ever in the new era. I think in the old we went over 200 several times. Two blogs have been picked up by others but nothing has ever been close to going viral. We do the blogs as a daily discipline. I would probably do them if I had five readers. We are very thankful for our faithful 40 readers. We discontinued our News Letter, THE DIGEST because it was so expensive and the blog fees keep going up but I think we are paid up until January of 24. We take one day at a time. Thank you for reading.
We got some good news on Lincoln: he is not in relapse, PTL. I know Andrea and Eric are released. Thank You Jesus for answering prayer. Prayer Partners; we are helping Chris Martin in REVIVAL May 21-24. Please pray that I will be obedient to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to do the preaching. Pray for the anointing. All is vain unless the SPIRIT of the Holy One comes down.
Have a great Wednesday!
I read your blog every day as does Logan? Well I know he reads it because of what he says sometimes about it, but keep up this amazing work brother Jack, I enjoy you.