KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON HIM - PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME

KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON HIM *PASTOR CHRIS* SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH, 2014
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:1-2).

Some Christians wrongly assume they can achieve perfection by their works; but Christian perfection isn't in the perfection of our works but on the vision of Christ; you have to look at Him. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

The Word of God is the mirror of God, and Jesus is the Word made flesh. As you behold Him in the Word-through study and meditation-you're changed from glory to glory. For example, Colossians 3:9-10 says, "Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." Notice that the reason you 're not supposed to lie isn't because of the command, "Thou shall not lie," but because you've put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Christ: that's what you set your gaze on.

The way to set your gaze on Him isn't as you would a picture on the wall, but through His Word in your heart, keeping your focus on the image and vision of who you are in Him and what He's made you. That's meditation; as you behold or contemplate the glory of God, you are metamorphosed; you understand what it means to be in Him, and for Him to be in you. When you recognize yourself in Him, and Him in you, all the stress and struggles for perfection will be over.

PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for your Word, which I receive into my heart with meekness and faith. As I meditate on it, I increase in grace and in the knowledge of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY
Romans 12:2
Living Bible (TLB)
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you.

Hebrews 12:1-2
Living Bible (TLB)
12 Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us.
2 Keep your eyes on Jesus, our leader and instructor. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterwards; and now he sits in the place of honor by the throne of God.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1 Year Reading Plan : Matthew 26:31-56 Exodus 34-35
2 Year Reading Plan : Acts 16:11-18 Psalm 5-6