Monday, October 21, 2013

Cross Eyed-My Eyes Need Fixed!


I have been blessed with pretty good eyes...although I can't see far very well, and can't see close anymore.  Other than that I have pretty good eyes.  They are blue, and my wife tells me that makes up for all their deficiencies.

As I read Psalm 141 this morning I realized my eyes with all their problems do need to be fixed, but not by a doctor.  In this song David tells of facing days filled with problem people and hard circumstances.  Well, much like you and I may face.  He asks God to guard his tongue and heart (v. 3,4).  Oh how I need to hear that.  But then in verse eight he tells me what makes the difference...it's his eyes.

"But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign Lord;"

In this sin-stained world filled with trials and troubles and even good distractions, my eyes wander...and I forget that God is Sovereign and in still on the throne!  To endure, I need to fix my eyes on my God who loves me and is working all things together for good.  How do I know?  I fix my eyes on the cross where my Savior died for me.  He wouldn't do that without love and a purpose in mind.  I need to become cross-eyed to fix my eyes. Ironic, isn't it.

Heb 12:2-3
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. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

Reminds me of King Jehoshaphat in the Old Testament who, while fighting the battle God put before him, came to a point where he didn't know what to do...not good for a leader.  But his response to God was

2 Chron 20:12
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." 

Let me encourage you to get your eyes fixed today by becoming cross-eyed.

Something to consider: The Greek word for "fix" in Hebrews 12 means to turn your eyes from looking at other things to look at one thing.  That is hard for me-I'm distractable.  I wonder, what is distracting you today?

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

To Whine or To Wine


Oswald Chambers has a way of helping me buck up in the circumstances of life. A recent read...
"God can never make us into wine if we object to the fingers He chooses to use to crush us. If we are ever going to be made into wine, we will have to be crushed-you cannot drink grapes." May I become smooth and vigorous with a fine bouquet.
 

My tendency is to whine rather than to allow God to change me to wine, consumable by a thirsty world desperate for the hope of the gospel.  Only the gospel of God's grace changes me from a whiner to wine.  God may crush us, but with a redeeming purpose in mind.  May it be so.

Which will you become today?