January 02, 2015
Every Christian wants a pure life...a life free from the impurities and distractions that destroy us and pull us away from ""simple, pure, devotion to Jesus Christ."" But, what is the path to purity? Not just moral purity, but holiness in every dimension?
OUR FOCUS
A pronoun repeated thirteen times in eight verses by the inspiration of God would surely seem to be relevant! The Psalmist points us in one direction for success. And a vision turned to Christ alone all the time is the only answer!
Read Psalm 119:9-16 noticing the word ""You"" or its equivalent.
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.
10 With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.
12 Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes.
13 With my lips I have told of all the ordinances of Your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways.
16 I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word.
The songwriter agrees:
""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.""
If Christ fills our vision and our activity, everything else will pale in comparison.
OUR ACTION
The successful believer is the one whose vision is filled with Christ. Who thinks of Christ, meditates on Christ and responds to Him.
Now, read the passage again, noticing HOW we are to do this...our actions in focusing on Christ.
My favorite poem sits on my study wall and is a daily reminder that the goal of all of my study and work is one thing and one thing alone.
“I read Thy Word, O, Lord each passing day and in Thy sacred page find glad employ;
But this I pray…Save from the killing letter.
Teach my heart-set free from human forms-the holy art of reading Thee in every line, in precept, prophecy, and sign,
Till all my vision filled with Thee Thy likeness shall reflect in me. Not knowledge, but THYSELF my joy, for this I pray.”
J.C. MacCauley
May 08, 2025
All of us are dramatically shaped by how we view ourselves. Some have too low a perspective; some too high. To be imbalanced here is harmful in either direction.
May 06, 2025
We spend our lives trying to gain certain things and are full of joy when we get them. Our first car, our first job, our first home. Reputation, and prestige, and influence. The list is long. But is it possible to have all those things and not have the most important thing?
April 30, 2025
And then he said with a twinkle in his eye that had seen nine decades plus, “I believe this may be the best season of my life!”
