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
March 11, 2025
God knows what He is about. Always include in your request the greatest prayer—the prayer of surrender. “Lord, Your will be done.” This is the prayer, when humbly prayed, that will always be answered and yield the most valuable result from the God who loves us best ... even if the answer is hard.
March 05, 2025
Every created man or woman must make their choice. What will you do with God? Will you embrace or reject Him? Draw near or run away? Trust and serve Him or doubt God and serve yourself? This foundational choice determines everything.
March 04, 2025
As you evaluate your faith, is it “God and?” God and others. God and the world’s ideas. God and my best thoughts thrown in. God and some money. God and a clear path. Or simply: God. Are you vainly clinging to the idea that you need more than Him?
