Sunday, March 28, 2010
What Am I Trying To Prevent?
What am I trying to prevent? I am trying to prevent people from perishing in their sins, crime in my neighborhood, peoples' lost dreams and hopes for the future due to their sin, preventing a further drifting away from Jesus, Biblical illiteracy, people forgetting what it means to be truly a disciple of Jesus, people forgetting that our only true hope is in the kingdom of God, people from not knowing that Jesus is the way that they must follow, my own degeneration as a Christian, pollution by recycling, letting my yard grow wild and not putting chemicals on my lawn, my kids failure, my wife from feeling unloved, people from not reaching their full potential, preventable health problems.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
How I Deal With Stress
Pastors Blog Kevin Jesmer 2-3-10
There are a lot of people under a lot of stress these days. I once saw a picture of a little baby wearing shades with a caption saying, “I don’t do stress.” I wish it were as easy as just saying it, to overcome stress. I thought I would share with the world how I try to overcome stress. Maybe someone may benefit from it. There are three components to overcoming: physical, psychological and most importantly spiritual. I strongly feel that all three components are needed to have victory over stress.
First, physical. Physical means to overcome stress, for me, include walking my dog 3-4 times a week in a local park, enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. I go to a small, quiet, local gym to stretch and work out times a week. I try to eat healthy and when it is possible, get enough sleep. And how about plenty of water and a multivitamin?
Second, psychological. This has to do with our inner thought world. I try to have a positive mental attitude towards stress, for most of the battle is waged in our own minds. “Whatever doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.” “No pain no gain.” We need to find a positive purpose for being in our stressful environment. There are ER nurses who really thrive in stressful environments. I am trying to embrace stresses knowing that I am getting stronger in my inner person to be a better pastor, shepherd, nurse, father and husband. We need to learn how to roll with the punches and to let things roll off of our backs. In other words don’t let things get to you. Deal with issues as they come and move on. Learn something from the moment and move ahead. Be willing to stand alone, if need be. We get stressed thinking that nobody is helping us and nobody cares. Well that may be true. Nobody may be helping and only a few people care. People expect us to keep the wheels greased and make things run smoothly or get lost. Accept this fact and stop expecting things from others and learn how to stand and fight. Be patient with yourself. This does not mean lowering the bar. It means be patient. A lot of our stresses have to do with wanting something to happen soon, but as with all things of quality in this world, it takes a lot of hard work, and time for quality outcomes. Lastly, surround yourself with friends that support you and encourage you and make you laugh sometimes. I thank God for friends at church, work, at the gym and especially for my family. All of these help me to overcome stress.
Third, spiritually. We get stressed out because there are things in our daily lives that seem overwhelming. They may be. But Christians have the Creator of the heavens and the earth on our side. We can pray to this God and he listens to us. 1 John 5 14-15 reads, “14This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” We can lay all our burdens on God and he will deal with them for he is mighty and he cares. 1 Peter 5:6-7 reads, “6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” We can not trust the things of the world. There are only a few people we can trust. But they may be thousands of miles away. But we can always trust in God who is at our side 24/7. Psalm 31:14-15 reads, “But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." 15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.” Trusting God is hard to do, but those who can do this can be set free from tons of stress. We need to find out what God wants us to do and stick to it faithfully. Jesus gives a very warm invitation to those who are weary and burdened while living in this stress laden world. The invitation is found in Matthew 11:28-29, “ 28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Answering this invitation is a surefire way to overcome all that makes our souls weary and burdened. The yoke Jesus talks about is the yoke of mission. Jesus wants us to co-work with him in doing his mission in this world. Taking our minds off of our problems and focusing on what God wants us to do is a way to overcome stress. And to be certain the yoke of going it alone and dealing with stress in the ways that this world deals with it, is a heavier yoke than serving our Christian mission.
I hope this helps you to overcome stress in your life. Include all three components, physical, psychological and spiritual in your quest to overcome.
There are a lot of people under a lot of stress these days. I once saw a picture of a little baby wearing shades with a caption saying, “I don’t do stress.” I wish it were as easy as just saying it, to overcome stress. I thought I would share with the world how I try to overcome stress. Maybe someone may benefit from it. There are three components to overcoming: physical, psychological and most importantly spiritual. I strongly feel that all three components are needed to have victory over stress.
First, physical. Physical means to overcome stress, for me, include walking my dog 3-4 times a week in a local park, enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. I go to a small, quiet, local gym to stretch and work out times a week. I try to eat healthy and when it is possible, get enough sleep. And how about plenty of water and a multivitamin?
Second, psychological. This has to do with our inner thought world. I try to have a positive mental attitude towards stress, for most of the battle is waged in our own minds. “Whatever doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.” “No pain no gain.” We need to find a positive purpose for being in our stressful environment. There are ER nurses who really thrive in stressful environments. I am trying to embrace stresses knowing that I am getting stronger in my inner person to be a better pastor, shepherd, nurse, father and husband. We need to learn how to roll with the punches and to let things roll off of our backs. In other words don’t let things get to you. Deal with issues as they come and move on. Learn something from the moment and move ahead. Be willing to stand alone, if need be. We get stressed thinking that nobody is helping us and nobody cares. Well that may be true. Nobody may be helping and only a few people care. People expect us to keep the wheels greased and make things run smoothly or get lost. Accept this fact and stop expecting things from others and learn how to stand and fight. Be patient with yourself. This does not mean lowering the bar. It means be patient. A lot of our stresses have to do with wanting something to happen soon, but as with all things of quality in this world, it takes a lot of hard work, and time for quality outcomes. Lastly, surround yourself with friends that support you and encourage you and make you laugh sometimes. I thank God for friends at church, work, at the gym and especially for my family. All of these help me to overcome stress.
Third, spiritually. We get stressed out because there are things in our daily lives that seem overwhelming. They may be. But Christians have the Creator of the heavens and the earth on our side. We can pray to this God and he listens to us. 1 John 5 14-15 reads, “14This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” We can lay all our burdens on God and he will deal with them for he is mighty and he cares. 1 Peter 5:6-7 reads, “6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” We can not trust the things of the world. There are only a few people we can trust. But they may be thousands of miles away. But we can always trust in God who is at our side 24/7. Psalm 31:14-15 reads, “But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." 15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.” Trusting God is hard to do, but those who can do this can be set free from tons of stress. We need to find out what God wants us to do and stick to it faithfully. Jesus gives a very warm invitation to those who are weary and burdened while living in this stress laden world. The invitation is found in Matthew 11:28-29, “ 28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Answering this invitation is a surefire way to overcome all that makes our souls weary and burdened. The yoke Jesus talks about is the yoke of mission. Jesus wants us to co-work with him in doing his mission in this world. Taking our minds off of our problems and focusing on what God wants us to do is a way to overcome stress. And to be certain the yoke of going it alone and dealing with stress in the ways that this world deals with it, is a heavier yoke than serving our Christian mission.
I hope this helps you to overcome stress in your life. Include all three components, physical, psychological and spiritual in your quest to overcome.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Why We Need Jesus And The Gospel To Keep Our Spiritual Resolutions
Why We Need Jesus And The Gospel To Keep Our Spiritual Resolutions
1. We Need To Have Clear Direction “9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.”( 2 Corinthians 5:6)
2. We Need To Have Faith In the Almighty Creator God. “He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matt 17:20)
3. We Need To Have God’s Hope. 2 "I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” (Gen 12:2)
4. We Need To Have God’s Forgiveness. “10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" 11"No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." (John 8:10)
5. We Need To Know Our Present Condition “25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.”(James 1:24)
6. We Need To Trust In God’s Faithfulness. ““"May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day,”(Gen 48:15)
7. God Gives Us A Reason To Try To Make A Change. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
8. Jesus Provides An Environment For Us To Change “ 22Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Tim 2:22)
9. Jesus helps us to Substitute worldly things for spiritual things.
10. Keep the focus on the goal. “2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
1. We Need To Have Clear Direction “9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.”( 2 Corinthians 5:6)
2. We Need To Have Faith In the Almighty Creator God. “He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matt 17:20)
3. We Need To Have God’s Hope. 2 "I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” (Gen 12:2)
4. We Need To Have God’s Forgiveness. “10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" 11"No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." (John 8:10)
5. We Need To Know Our Present Condition “25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.”(James 1:24)
6. We Need To Trust In God’s Faithfulness. ““"May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day,”(Gen 48:15)
7. God Gives Us A Reason To Try To Make A Change. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
8. Jesus Provides An Environment For Us To Change “ 22Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Tim 2:22)
9. Jesus helps us to Substitute worldly things for spiritual things.
10. Keep the focus on the goal. “2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Husbands….Love Your Wives
Colossians 3:19 reads, "Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them."
Pastor’s Blog Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF 9-12-09
We talked a lot about Christian wives and how the husband is the head of the household. But what about Christian husbands? Colossians 3:19 reads, "Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them." Paul might have brought this up because Christian men, influenced by Roman custom, were not used to treating their wives with respect and love. But Christian men must be different than your typical “Ancient Roman” man. How should a man love his wife? “Love” here, does not mean physical love “eros”. Physical love is limited. Paul means “agape” love, which is God’s love for people. Think about Jesus’ love for us. A husband must love his wife as Christ loved the church. Listen to what Paul says in Ephesians 5:25-28, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.” Jesus loved us unconditionally. Husbands need to reflect this love with their wives. Jesus’ love is also a love that takes the initiative. When there is a spat between a husband and a wife, someone has to take the initiative to restore the relationship. God is also evangelical in his love. With this in mind, we can determine to reveal Jesus to our wives. God’s love is unconditional and sacrificial. The best way is to have sincere concern for her spiritual life. Mostly Jesus gave up his life to save us. Husbands should commit their lives to loving their wives. If there is still confusion, then husbands should think about how much they love their own bodies. Then they will know how to love their wives.
The love of God is like heavenly sunshine. Love is like living water to a thirsty soul. A woman is like a beautiful flower that can blossom into fullness with heavenly sunshine. Just as men need a wife’s respect to grow as a man, a woman, with her husband’s love can blossom and grow. Then they continue to be more and more beautiful and spiritual. When children see and hear their parents loving and respecting each other, they can be very secure and happy. Indeed the best gift that a father can give their kids is to love their mother.
Paul tells Christian husbands not to be harsh with their wives in verse 3:19b. A husband should never be harsh. As we already established, women are like flowers. Men are rough and can easily crush flowers. Men try to protect their pride. They want respect. If a husband does not feel respected then some men react by being harsh. A man’s harsh treatment of his wife can come from a lack of understanding about humanity, thoughtlessness and selfishness. It could come from a lack of experience with the grace of God themselves. It could be a very bad habit. A husband should never be harsh. When a person is harsh it generally means that they are loosing their means of control. Harshness is a last desperate attempt to stay in control. There are other ways than to resort to harshness. What about praying for and serving each other instead? Ultimately, we need to realize our weaknesses and ask for God’s help. Then men will surely be husbands who can love our wives as Christ loved the church and God can be glorified.
Colossians 3:19 reads, "Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them."
Pastor’s Blog Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF 9-12-09
We talked a lot about Christian wives and how the husband is the head of the household. But what about Christian husbands? Colossians 3:19 reads, "Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them." Paul might have brought this up because Christian men, influenced by Roman custom, were not used to treating their wives with respect and love. But Christian men must be different than your typical “Ancient Roman” man. How should a man love his wife? “Love” here, does not mean physical love “eros”. Physical love is limited. Paul means “agape” love, which is God’s love for people. Think about Jesus’ love for us. A husband must love his wife as Christ loved the church. Listen to what Paul says in Ephesians 5:25-28, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.” Jesus loved us unconditionally. Husbands need to reflect this love with their wives. Jesus’ love is also a love that takes the initiative. When there is a spat between a husband and a wife, someone has to take the initiative to restore the relationship. God is also evangelical in his love. With this in mind, we can determine to reveal Jesus to our wives. God’s love is unconditional and sacrificial. The best way is to have sincere concern for her spiritual life. Mostly Jesus gave up his life to save us. Husbands should commit their lives to loving their wives. If there is still confusion, then husbands should think about how much they love their own bodies. Then they will know how to love their wives.
The love of God is like heavenly sunshine. Love is like living water to a thirsty soul. A woman is like a beautiful flower that can blossom into fullness with heavenly sunshine. Just as men need a wife’s respect to grow as a man, a woman, with her husband’s love can blossom and grow. Then they continue to be more and more beautiful and spiritual. When children see and hear their parents loving and respecting each other, they can be very secure and happy. Indeed the best gift that a father can give their kids is to love their mother.
Paul tells Christian husbands not to be harsh with their wives in verse 3:19b. A husband should never be harsh. As we already established, women are like flowers. Men are rough and can easily crush flowers. Men try to protect their pride. They want respect. If a husband does not feel respected then some men react by being harsh. A man’s harsh treatment of his wife can come from a lack of understanding about humanity, thoughtlessness and selfishness. It could come from a lack of experience with the grace of God themselves. It could be a very bad habit. A husband should never be harsh. When a person is harsh it generally means that they are loosing their means of control. Harshness is a last desperate attempt to stay in control. There are other ways than to resort to harshness. What about praying for and serving each other instead? Ultimately, we need to realize our weaknesses and ask for God’s help. Then men will surely be husbands who can love our wives as Christ loved the church and God can be glorified.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Let’s Get excited About The Mystery Of The Gospel
"My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ." (Col 2:2)
Pastor’s blog: Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF 8-7-09
Everyone loves a mystery. People are intrigued by mysteries. They want to solve a mystery before anyone. Thomas Jefferson’s friend and mathematician, Robert Patterson, encrypted a message over 200 years ago. People have been trying decode his text since then and finally someone has. It turns out that the mystery text is actually the Declaration Of Independence. Robert Patterson was a genius to make an encryption that would stymie our best minds for two hundred years.
But there is mystery that God has given, that could never be solved by even the most clever of people. It is mystery that no person could even have conceived, even if they were told. (Acts 13:41) It is mystery that must be revealed to us by God himself. And this mystery that was hidden from ancient times, has now been revealed. The mystery of God is Christ himself…Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col 1:27) In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. When Christ dwells in our hearts, we are encouraged in heart and united in love. The other part of the mystery is that God wants to save all people, even the Gentiles. When Gentiles accept the gospel, then they, too, are indwelt by Christ. They have the same hope to reign with Christ in the heavenly kingdom. You may think that this obvious. But to millions upon millions of people, these facts are still a mystery and many aspects of this mystery may be still mysterious to you. My question is, why are we so excited about discovering the meaning of small mysteries, and ignore understanding the greatest and most glorious and ancient mystery of all, the mystery of the gospel of Jesus?
"My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ." (Col 2:2)
Pastor’s blog: Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF 8-7-09
Everyone loves a mystery. People are intrigued by mysteries. They want to solve a mystery before anyone. Thomas Jefferson’s friend and mathematician, Robert Patterson, encrypted a message over 200 years ago. People have been trying decode his text since then and finally someone has. It turns out that the mystery text is actually the Declaration Of Independence. Robert Patterson was a genius to make an encryption that would stymie our best minds for two hundred years.
But there is mystery that God has given, that could never be solved by even the most clever of people. It is mystery that no person could even have conceived, even if they were told. (Acts 13:41) It is mystery that must be revealed to us by God himself. And this mystery that was hidden from ancient times, has now been revealed. The mystery of God is Christ himself…Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col 1:27) In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. When Christ dwells in our hearts, we are encouraged in heart and united in love. The other part of the mystery is that God wants to save all people, even the Gentiles. When Gentiles accept the gospel, then they, too, are indwelt by Christ. They have the same hope to reign with Christ in the heavenly kingdom. You may think that this obvious. But to millions upon millions of people, these facts are still a mystery and many aspects of this mystery may be still mysterious to you. My question is, why are we so excited about discovering the meaning of small mysteries, and ignore understanding the greatest and most glorious and ancient mystery of all, the mystery of the gospel of Jesus?
Saturday, August 1, 2009
"Fast Food" God
The God Of The Bible Is Not A “Fast food” God
1 Samuel 7:2, “It was a long time, twenty years in all, that the ark remained at Kiriath
Jearim, and all the people of Israel mourned and sought after the
LORD….”
Pastors Blog Kevin Jesmer 7-17-09
Throughout the Bible God has revealed what he can do when a person, or a group of people live by faith for twenty years. From the Bible we can see that God sent Isaac to Abraham and Sarah after 25 years of living by faith in God’s promise. In 1 Samuel 7 we see that Israel was changed when Samuel faithfully taught the Bible and prayed for 20 years. Moses spent 40 years being trained in the desert before he was ready to return to Egypt to lead his people to the Promised Land. In this country we are used to fast food. We have a change of President every four years. We change our career path by getting a four year bachelor’s degree. We expect change in at least four years. We think that if a small house church doesn’t outgrow itself and have to move into new facilities in 4 years then it is being unfruitful and God is not blessing it. But this is not so. The God of the Bible is a God who works over 20 year periods of time (or even more) to bring about his good purpose.
This celebration was especially significant for another reason. It was held in a conference room in the heart of Triton College, on the Fourth of July weekend, at that. Triton College actually opened its doors to us. Literally, for 16 years they could not penetrate the culture of Triton College. But lately, the Triton Bible Club, has become an integral part of the Triton College Community. They were voted “Outstanding Student Group” for one year. Last year, Pastor Teddy was invited to be a prayer servant during the NIU Shooting memorial. Some Bible club members are studying the Bible at Triton UBF church. Indeed, God is raising Triton UBF to be a ministry for Triton students. This has all come about after twenty years of faithful Bible study and prayer. May we repent of our impatience and our “fast food” mentality when it comes to doing the work of God. May we wait in God’s time and let God work according to his plan. All we need to do is pray and be faithful to our mission.
1 Samuel 7:2, “It was a long time, twenty years in all, that the ark remained at Kiriath
Jearim, and all the people of Israel mourned and sought after the
LORD….”
Pastors Blog Kevin Jesmer 7-17-09
Throughout the Bible God has revealed what he can do when a person, or a group of people live by faith for twenty years. From the Bible we can see that God sent Isaac to Abraham and Sarah after 25 years of living by faith in God’s promise. In 1 Samuel 7 we see that Israel was changed when Samuel faithfully taught the Bible and prayed for 20 years. Moses spent 40 years being trained in the desert before he was ready to return to Egypt to lead his people to the Promised Land. In this country we are used to fast food. We have a change of President every four years. We change our career path by getting a four year bachelor’s degree. We expect change in at least four years. We think that if a small house church doesn’t outgrow itself and have to move into new facilities in 4 years then it is being unfruitful and God is not blessing it. But this is not so. The God of the Bible is a God who works over 20 year periods of time (or even more) to bring about his good purpose.
This celebration was especially significant for another reason. It was held in a conference room in the heart of Triton College, on the Fourth of July weekend, at that. Triton College actually opened its doors to us. Literally, for 16 years they could not penetrate the culture of Triton College. But lately, the Triton Bible Club, has become an integral part of the Triton College Community. They were voted “Outstanding Student Group” for one year. Last year, Pastor Teddy was invited to be a prayer servant during the NIU Shooting memorial. Some Bible club members are studying the Bible at Triton UBF church. Indeed, God is raising Triton UBF to be a ministry for Triton students. This has all come about after twenty years of faithful Bible study and prayer. May we repent of our impatience and our “fast food” mentality when it comes to doing the work of God. May we wait in God’s time and let God work according to his plan. All we need to do is pray and be faithful to our mission.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Spiritual Lessons from Jogging
Spiritual Lessons I Learned From Attempts To Jog
Hebrews 12:2, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Pastor’s Blog: Kevin Jesmer 3-28-09
It has been my dream to be able to jog two miles with joy and relative ease. But I have not got there yet. I do a lot of power walking. But recently I tried to incorporate a short jog at the end of my power walk, about 1/3 of a mile. Through this experience I learned something spiritual about perseverance. At the beginning of my attempt to run I had a goal in my mind, my house. That was my long term goal. I found that I could only keep running if I kept my eyes focused 10 feet in front of me. As soon as I lifted my eyes to try to see my home I lost all power, thinking I will never make it. I had the goal in my mind, but when I stopped looking at the small tasks before me, I could not go on.
In some ways this helps me to understand spiritual life. Our spiritual life is likened to a race. Paul writes, in Hebrews 12”1-3, “ 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” The ultimate goal of our Christian lives is to know Jesus, enjoy Jesus, become more like him, have a right relationship with Jesus and be with him forever in the Kingdom of Heaven. And so we fix or eyes on Jesus. This is like me having a goal to run to my house. But we have smaller goals in our day to day walk with Christ. These have to do with our daily mission. These tasks can be overwhelming. We can easily despair and give up when facing all we need to do. We need to take these one step at a time, knocking them out one at a time, through faith, hope, prayer and obedience. We need to tackle each of them with the larger goal in mind, Christ. That is like running with your eyes 10 feet in front of you, keeping in mind that the final destination is home. “Inch by inch anything is a cinch.” This makes me thankful for my Christian faith. Without Jesus I would not know the ultimate goal of all I do. My day to day life would be overcoming task after task without a ultimate destination in my mind. This would be maddening to me. It would make me despair of life. I could never persevere and keep running the race of life. It is truly a gift from God, and a source of strength, to have Jesus as our ultimate goal in our spiritual race. May you fix your eyes on Jesus and tackle each smaller task with faith, hope, prayer and obedience as you run you race of life with perseverance.
Hebrews 12:2, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Pastor’s Blog: Kevin Jesmer 3-28-09
It has been my dream to be able to jog two miles with joy and relative ease. But I have not got there yet. I do a lot of power walking. But recently I tried to incorporate a short jog at the end of my power walk, about 1/3 of a mile. Through this experience I learned something spiritual about perseverance. At the beginning of my attempt to run I had a goal in my mind, my house. That was my long term goal. I found that I could only keep running if I kept my eyes focused 10 feet in front of me. As soon as I lifted my eyes to try to see my home I lost all power, thinking I will never make it. I had the goal in my mind, but when I stopped looking at the small tasks before me, I could not go on.
In some ways this helps me to understand spiritual life. Our spiritual life is likened to a race. Paul writes, in Hebrews 12”1-3, “ 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” The ultimate goal of our Christian lives is to know Jesus, enjoy Jesus, become more like him, have a right relationship with Jesus and be with him forever in the Kingdom of Heaven. And so we fix or eyes on Jesus. This is like me having a goal to run to my house. But we have smaller goals in our day to day walk with Christ. These have to do with our daily mission. These tasks can be overwhelming. We can easily despair and give up when facing all we need to do. We need to take these one step at a time, knocking them out one at a time, through faith, hope, prayer and obedience. We need to tackle each of them with the larger goal in mind, Christ. That is like running with your eyes 10 feet in front of you, keeping in mind that the final destination is home. “Inch by inch anything is a cinch.” This makes me thankful for my Christian faith. Without Jesus I would not know the ultimate goal of all I do. My day to day life would be overcoming task after task without a ultimate destination in my mind. This would be maddening to me. It would make me despair of life. I could never persevere and keep running the race of life. It is truly a gift from God, and a source of strength, to have Jesus as our ultimate goal in our spiritual race. May you fix your eyes on Jesus and tackle each smaller task with faith, hope, prayer and obedience as you run you race of life with perseverance.
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