Hebrews 12:2 (TPT)
We look away from the natural realm and we focus our attention and expectation onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God!
Crucial Points to note!
- Every person’s eyes are turned towards something, someone, or somewhere.
Everyone whether intentionally or unintentionally places his or her trust in something or someone. Even atheists or agnostics still trust in something or someone and rely on such a thing, person or place as a source of help when the need arises.
Psalm 121:1 (CSB)
I lift my eyes toward the mountains.
Where will my help come from?
2. Whom or where do you turn to first? Who or where is your backup?
The first pointer to whom or where your eye is fixed is what or who comes to mind immediately you need to solve a problem. Who or where is your backup or alternative solution to any challenge you may face? Answers to those questions will likely provide some clarity as to where your eye is fixed.
3. Anything, place, or person that you readily turn to may ultimately become a god in your heart.
It is so easy to idolize someone, something or someplace that always proffers the answer that you need. And that is why as a Christian you want to check your life actions constantly to be sure that you have not replaced the Almighty God with something, someone or someplace in your heart. This could be intentional or unintentional.
4. The Almighty God does not accept divided worship and attention.
Clearly written in the scriptures are several instances where God says tells Isreal, God’s own people that they should never worship any other God but the living God, the creator of heaven and the earth (Exodus 34:14, Matthew 4:10). God had never minced words about this – No alternative to me! Just like no man or woman would ever want to share his wife or her husband with his or her ex. In the same way, God is jealous, very jealous over his relationship with anyone that is “His own”- bought with a price and washed by the blood of Jesus
Exodus 34:14 (NLT)
You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you.
Exodus 34:14 (NLT)
Never worship any other god, because the Lord is a God who does not tolerate rivals. In fact, he is known for not tolerating rivals.
Your motive matters!
Acts 3:1-9
1. One afternoon Peter and John went to the temple for the three o’clock prayer. 2. As they came to the entrance called the Beautiful Gate, they were captured by the sight of a man crippled from birth being carried and placed at the entrance to the temple. He was often brought there to beg for money from those going in to worship. 3. When he noticed Peter and John going into the temple, he begged them for money. 4. Peter and John, looking straight into the eyes of the crippled man, said, “Look at us!” 5. Expecting a gift, he readily gave them his attention. 6. Then Peter said, “I don’t have money, but I’ll give you this—by the power of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk!” 7-8. Peter held out his right hand to the crippled man. As he pulled the man to his feet, suddenly power surged into his crippled feet and ankles. The man jumped up, stood there for a moment stunned, and then began to walk around! As he went into the temple courts with Peter and John, he leapt for joy and shouted praises to God. 9. When all the people saw him jumping up and down and heard him glorifying God,
The lame man at the beautiful gate eagerly turned his eyes and expectation to Peter and John. He looked to the apostles expecting that his monetary need will be met, but thankfully, they pointed him to the Lord Jesus!
- Who have you been focusing your attention and expectations on?
- What is that need of yours that you have been looking for assistance in all the wrong places?
- You may have even been looking perhaps at the right place but in the wrong way or with the wrong expectation.
- Desist from looking to Jesus for His hands only, seek for His face, seek to know His person.
- Jesus has more than butter and bread to offer you.
- Jesus wants to satisfy more than your immediate need, he wants to satisfy also your eternal need.
- Jesus wants to give you more than “money” or what money can buy. Jesus wants to pour His Spirit upon you so that your “crippled feet and ankles” can receive strength. He wants you to “jump up, leap for joy, shout praises to God” and be a beacon of light and help to your world.
- And my dear Friend, you cannot be all that you have been created to be if you keep Turning your Eyes to and in the wrong direction.
Will you be willing to pray with me on what you just read?
Prayer: Father Lord, I choose to Turn my eyes to you. Help me to turn away from all the alternatives that I have placed before my eyes. You have promised that as I seek you, I will find you. Help me Holy Spirit to seek the Father and find Him. As I Turn to the Lord, I receive God’s light upon my path in Jesus name. Amen.
Tolulope Victoria Balogun
Excellent Life 2023!