Sunday, July 5, 2020

Reflection - Spiritual Journey - Keep Our Eyes Fixed on Jesus

Source (book): "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, PART I: SPIRITUAL JOURNEY, Chapter 6, "Becoming Christlike", Question 2, Page 37.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012

 

What does it mean to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus?
PHOTO: What does it mean to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus?
In Psalm 115:8, we read that those who make idols and trust in them will be like them. The principle is that whatever you look at regularly will be what you end up looking like. This may explain why many couples tend to look alike over time, or why in pet-master lookalike competitions, a man may look like his bulldog or a woman like her cat. And perhaps, this is also why folk wisdom is reflected when we say so-and-so is money-faced. If you keep on looking at money, you will end up looking like it!

This principle is also true in our spiritual journey. The more we look at Jesus, the more we will grow to be like Him. It is no surprise that Scripture exhorts us to run the race "fixing our eyes on Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2). We need to say with the psalmist, "My eyes are ever on the Lord" (Psalm 25:15), "to gaze on the beauty of the Lord" (Psalm 27:4).

To keep our eyes fixed on Jesus mean we will end up looking like Him.

To stand at the gates of heaven with a resemblance to Christ will be a kind of passport, evidence that we have been saved by His grace and sanctified (cleansed), and that we belong to God's family in heaven.


How does worldliness and temptation take our eyes off Jesus?
Worldliness may refer to the physical world (John 1:10) or to the people of the world (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2). In those senses, there is nothing wrong with loving the world. We should enjoy God’s creation and we should love worldly people who need to know the Savior.

But John also uses the word to refer to the evil, organized system under Satan, which operates through unbelieving people who are opposed to God. He writes (1 John 5:19), “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” Jesus spoke of the world hating both Him and those who follow Him (John 7:7; 15:18-19). The world operates on the basis of ungodly thoughts, attitudes, motives, values, and goals. It does not seek to promote God’s glory or to submit to His lordship. It’s in this sense that we must not love the world.

As Christians, we are called to imitate Christ by refusing to fall in love with this world. Jesus gave us the greatest commandment, which is to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength (Matthew 22:37–38). Christ accomplished what He commanded by living His entire life to please His Heavenly Father (John 4:34). For example, in the desert wilderness, Jesus was tempted by Satan for forty days and nights without food (Matthew 4:2–11). Unlike Adam and Eve in the paradisiacal garden of Eden, Christ responded to Satan's temptations with the truth of God's word and refused to obey Satan. His love for God triumphed over the temptations for worldly power and pleasures.

Jesus was tempted three times. The temptations were hedonism (hunger/satisfaction), egoism (spectacular throw/might) and materialism (kingdoms/wealth). John the Evangelist in his epistle calls these temptations "in world" as "lust of eyes" (materialism), "lust of body" (hedonism) and "pride of life" (egoism).

When men and women love the things of this world more than God they are engaged in the idolatrous sin of worldliness. Worldliness can take many forms, such as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life (1 John 2:16). Adam and Eve were guilty of the sin of worldliness when they chose to believe Satan's lie instead of God's truth and ate the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6). Eve saw what was pleasing to the eye and good for food and chose the fruit over obedience to the Creator. Instead of obeying God's command to subdue and steward the earth, mankind began to love and worship created things (Romans 1:22–23). People do the same thing today whenever they love anything more than God Himself, whether it be wealth, family or even their own lives (Matthew 10:37–39; 19:22; John 12:25).

We are a people who are easily distracted especially by all the new, shiny and exciting things that world has to offer. Therefore Satan will use the beautiful things, even good things, to draw our attention and devotion from Jesus. We become blind to the power, goodness and sovereignty of God. It will cause us to take our eyes off Jesus and focus onto our circumstances.  Worldliness and temptation do a lot of damage and cripple us in our quest for intimacy with God and personal holiness.

Worldliness and temptation caused us to take our eyes off Jesus when we fall in love with the things of this world more than God.


How does ageing influence the way we keep our eyes on Jesus?
Because most Christians can find no rest trying to live life their way instead of God's, they become weary of the daily grind as they age.

Rest for our souls is the great necessity of our spiritual lives! We need to be alone with God daily. We need to find times to get away alone. We need to get up early if necessary. Few of us are called to spend many hours in daily prayer, but all of us must spend some time. If it is impossible when the family is awake, pray before they get up. If we have no place we can do this at home, find a place to park our car on the way to work and pray in the anonymity of the passing traffic. How we do this is up to us, but we need to make time to find Christ who is the Refuge for the weary! "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29).

It is possible that some of us start will, knowing where we are heading, but the pleasures of life, the entertainments along the way, and all the attendant worries and anxieties eventually draw us off their original path. We then lost our way and forgotten our ultimate destination. Difficulties, distractions, and temptations along the way as we age influence the way we keep our eyes on Jesus.

How can we keep our eyes on Jesus?
We must learn to, first and foremost, spend unhurried time to know Jesus, listen to His voice, marvel at His character, discover His will, understand His ways, and enjoy His presence. Then our quest for knowledge and desire to do good will find fulfilment in the light of our being with Jesus.


Think about people who show more of Christ as they age. What do you think is their secret?
No Christian can lead a Spirit-filled life full of power without regularly reading the Bible. Our minds are such that we do not retain what we need to know. We need to be refreshed again and again - which includes memorizing and meditating upon God's Word regularly!

When we read the Bible, especially the Gospels, and contemplate (think about) who Christ is, what He said, and what He did, and seek to emulate Him, then we are keeping our eyes on Him. As we do so, we will be transformed into His likeness in increasing measure. "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:18). This is the secret how people show more of Christ as they age.

Picture posted by  Redbubble - Keep Your Eyes on Jesus  

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2r50c9lyOc_-uD102yP9qn5kEuA5vMXTb3lY6EI2w5Ob96wUIwzVEwRRPIMBzfbY4y_bNaNJW4FY4AFD5sgIG7lvQRGmhzRcf4sIGNSm_Cj2orGS3xxuY2gpvNQfOIE5EBL0cx7kmrc/s1600/flat%252C1000x1000%252C075%252Cf.jpg
https://ih1.redbubble.net/image.13000516.4505/flat,1000x1000,075,f.jpg
https://www.redbubble.com/people/artchances/works/9664505-keep-your-eyes-on-jesus



What does it mean to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus? How does worldliness and temptation take our eyes off Jesus? How does ageing influence the way we keep our eyes on Jesus? Think about people who show more of Christ as they age. What do you think is their secret?

What does it mean to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus?
In Psalm 115:8, we read that those who make idols and trust in them will be like them. The principle is that whatever you look at regularly will be what you end up looking like. This may explain why many couples tend to look alike over time, or why in pet-master lookalike competitions, a man may look like his bulldog or a woman like her cat. And perhaps, this is also why folk wisdom is reflected when we say so-and-so is money-faced. If you keep on looking at money, you will end up looking like it!



The principle is that whatever you look at regularly will be what you end up looking like.
PHOTO: The principle is that whatever you look at regularly will be what you end up looking like. This principle is also true in our spiritual journey.
Picture posted by Kamila Carla, mimimi on 09 December 2009

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfCc5BVaHebe8Db-z_TQE-3-EfrfDGUlWY32fSdCVfik58mcyBnv8Mr-g-HqTji9GwbpVRABpQDhZNvFVAmVRUDvuS-URFWQrOyqxqZrWF_rL4TA9QbstRnGTptRkfUYzJP9cMRkUwQs/s1600/1193779_39725298.jpg
https://kamilacarla.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/1193779_39725298.jpg
https://kamilacarla.wordpress.com/2009/12/



This principle is also true in our spiritual journey. The more we look at Jesus, the more we will grow to be like Him. It is no surprise that Scripture exhorts us to run the race "fixing our eyes on Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2). We need to say with the psalmist, "My eyes are ever on the Lord" (Psalm 25:15), "to gaze on the beauty of the Lord" (Psalm 27:4).



The more we look at Jesus, the more we will grow to be like Him.
PHOTO: The more we look at Jesus, the more we will grow to be like Him. It is no surprise that Scripture exhorts us to run the race "fixing our eyes on Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2). We need to say with the psalmist, "My eyes are ever on the Lord" (Psalm 25:15), "to gaze on the beauty of the Lord" (Psalm 27:4).
Picture posted by Małgorzata Zwierzchowska

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1sT4PjXmPKzuV_zTluupQSwCWzj5SgRTf3KkLgrC3wi0U3zHoA4HoMe-cChWfvFtkWdosU88fFZvu8_BGD9RSQ35UuHsAVXFV8h48TQj7HsTsoaXBsTC8hB1iNSvQH3HeWnMW4ISDds/s1600/478cfab5b579a8164b0283789471fe79.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/47/8c/fa/478cfab5b579a8164b0283789471fe79.jpg
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/374150681542083918/



To keep our eyes fixed on Jesus mean we will end up looking like Him.

To stand at the gates of heaven with a resemblance to Christ will be a kind of passport, evidence that we have been saved by His grace and sanctified (cleansed), and that we belong to God's family in heaven.



To keep our eyes fixed on Jesus mean we will end up looking like Him.
PHOTO: To keep our eyes fixed on Jesus mean we will end up looking like Him.
To stand at the gates of heaven with a resemblance to Christ will be a kind of passport, evidence that we have been saved by His grace and sanctified (cleansed), and that we belong to God's family in heaven.
Picture posted by Glory5fm - Little girl looking on to Jesus in the night

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9U02a7tEbK-w6FGKBAUiNZjMSEooGSqN8xq1Pyq8PUrackAqnXjsgSP-ft8eJjcyZ46DBb9rBZw2v9hBPzlveThNcIhb7HGbradYl7HOQQHqHX23FtJbfSsO2HCxm0vLrTon766mQiRc/s1600/6ea3b397c61a1cf3d2d3f55742cb788b.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/6e/a3/b3/6ea3b397c61a1cf3d2d3f55742cb788b.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AaCjrgwOSEvYmI5OhCHkwcsFlKn5lRWNCu29leWkLShGY6jtseFG9FE/



How does worldliness and temptation take our eyes off Jesus?
Worldliness may refer to the physical world (John 1:10) or to the people of the world (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2). In those senses, there is nothing wrong with loving the world. We should enjoy God’s creation and we should love worldly people who need to know the Savior.



Worldliness may refer to the physical world (John 1:10) or to the people of the world (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2).
PHOTO: Worldliness may refer to the physical world (John 1:10) or to the people of the world (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2).  In those senses, there is nothing wrong with loving the world. We should enjoy God’s creation and we should love worldly people who need to know the Savior.
Picture posted by Sonia Perry on 16 February 2019

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCBeNcEd0XY4zSxnpqggx_AVLkU6wqv2CsGplY_8nmD4XBLyhXLPdnd_eEtYtMLAg9EPnSMZBbajVoQ75-b8O8CgpVEe0anxgfWGSeRU2eF28DOE09BhUEeIvhXjiTBoOfJBSpHWz8HM/s1600/carnevale-venezia-eventi-2019.png
https://i1.wp.com/equitaliani.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/carnevale-venezia-eventi-2019.jpg?fit=1920%2C1267&ssl=1
https://equitaliani.com/2019/02/16/carnevale-di-venezia-2019-eventi-esclusivi/



But John also uses the word to refer to the evil, organized system under Satan, which operates through unbelieving people who are opposed to God. He writes (1 John 5:19), “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” Jesus spoke of the world hating both Him and those who follow Him (John 7:7; 15:18-19). The world operates on the basis of ungodly thoughts, attitudes, motives, values, and goals. It does not seek to promote God’s glory or to submit to His lordship. It’s in this sense that we must not love the world. [2]

 

John uses the word 'worldliness' to refer to the evil, organized system under Satan, which operates through unbelieving people who are opposed to God.
PHOTO: John uses the word 'worldliness' to refer to the evil, organized system under Satan, which operates through unbelieving people who are opposed to God. The world operates on the basis of ungodly thoughts, attitudes, motives, values, and goals. It does not seek to promote God’s glory or to submit to His lordship. It’s in this sense that we must not love the world.
Picture posted by MIRTRUD on 06 February 2020 - Satan

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5DOzlDQSwNWsaz8GNUBOd6EyfpEewXzs-GQJOa-c70n2v1aOz5cTmp6hNAtPRfa0irh8yrNDcF1QjP_stGjMXfsmyLS3_GSuS2NC97fALH3-XYw5Uik2__VzuTMplaArImFI9u767c0/s1600/ddpurds-1c0c3726-0607-40c2-8210-e50038a8f888.png
https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/9e3621ff-7d07-4b0b-a114-690afa8ab20f/ddpurds-1c0c3726-0607-40c2-8210-e50038a8f888.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOiIsImlzcyI6InVybjphcHA6Iiwib2JqIjpbW3sicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvOWUzNjIxZmYtN2QwNy00YjBiLWExMTQtNjkwYWZhOGFiMjBmXC9kZHB1cmRzLTFjMGMzNzI2LTA2MDctNDBjMi04MjEwLWU1MDAzOGE4Zjg4OC5wbmcifV1dLCJhdWQiOlsidXJuOnNlcnZpY2U6ZmlsZS5kb3dubG9hZCJdfQ.LGJ66Y7Rwj7wz5HwMfE3Cla8qsqLrJAqXCSVaX7dLpU
https://www.deviantart.com/mirtrud/art/Satan-829485856



As Christians, we are called to imitate Christ by refusing to fall in love with this world. Jesus gave us the greatest commandment, which is to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength (Matthew 22:37–38). Christ accomplished what He commanded by living His entire life to please His Heavenly Father (John 4:34). For example, in the desert wilderness, Jesus was tempted by Satan for forty days and nights without food (Matthew 4:2–11). Unlike Adam and Eve in the paradisiacal garden of Eden, Christ responded to Satan's temptations with the truth of God's word and refused to obey Satan. His love for God triumphed over the temptations for worldly power and pleasures. [3]


As Christians, we are called to imitate Christ by refusing to fall in love with this world.
As Christians, we are called to imitate Christ by refusing to fall in love with this world.
PHOTO: As Christians, we are called to imitate Christ by refusing to fall in love with this world. Jesus gave us the greatest commandment, which is to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength (Matthew 22:37–38). In the desert wilderness, Jesus was tempted by Satan for forty days and nights without food (
Matthew 4:2–11). Unlike Adam and Eve in the paradisiacal garden of Eden, Christ responded to Satan's temptations with the truth of God's word and refused to obey Satan. His love for God triumphed over the temptations for worldly power and pleasures.
Artwork by Heinrich Hofmann - The temptation of jesus (Luke 4:1-13)
Picture posted by phillipmedhurst on Thursday, 15 June 2017 - Art, Bible, Gospel, Jesus Christ, Life of Christ
gif file generated by Animated Images Effects Generator at
http://www.webestools.com/animated-images-effect-generator-effects-gif-images-picture-blog-gif-fx-images-animated-effect.html
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilT4f3lg1Rbh1muy_DldjOuzYhQPcczWNR0Kp86YJImqD9YIYTojb64mXC7QKQC5rtZlPkSPGCCpgUqb9MA5QFURUhZD-T2fuegQBP9zHrkqEzxlR9jeo9YAWs0Hb34VTUGF5-QifiiEQ/s1600/weiche-von-mir-satan.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23DuJm-JdrtzrBDZ1ZutZulMnJR97Pr6l5UiwC-aQkqJvLbNr-DeUPnIaQgLE6u5-XyFDgMF67ktWIaKlg0vaMB68u4urg-BE78JT6XWN1UZOkYQzK-94Kq25ER-UNCKwUXioX1GpeCE/s1600/weiche-von-mir-satan.gif
https://thebowyerbiblegospels.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/03-heinrich-hofmann-weiche-von-mir-satan-kommet-zu-mir-bild-4-original-drawing-in-pencil-luke-4_1-13.jpg - (weiche-von-mir-satan.jpg)
https://thebowyerbiblegospels.wordpress.com/2017/06/15/phillip-medhurst-presents-drawings-of-christ-by-heinrich-hofmann-colourised-03-the-temptation-of-jesus/
https://www.google.com.sg/imgres?imgurl=https://thebowyerbiblegospels.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/03-heinrich-hofmann-weiche-von-mir-satan-kommet-zu-mir-bild-4-original-drawing-in-pencil-luke-4_1-13.jpg&imgrefurl=https://thebowyerbiblegospels.wordpress.com/category/prints/page/21/&h=1097&w=796&tbnid=WPzPa86dnL3EtM&tbnh=264&tbnw=191&usg=K_0qumez6mb6jfDSGsHcvw-oE5L-s=&hl=en-SG&docid=lcxiaQOA2oIvpM
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/12/reflection-joy-to-world.html



Jesus was tempted three times. The temptations were hedonism (hunger/satisfaction), egoism (spectacular throw/might) and materialism (kingdoms/wealth). John the Evangelist in his epistle calls these temptations "in world" as "lust of eyes" (materialism), "lust of body" (hedonism) and "pride of life" (egoism).



Jesus was tempted three times.
PHOTO: Jesus was tempted three times. The temptations were hedonism (hunger/satisfaction), egoism (spectacular throw/might) and materialism (kingdoms/wealth). John the Evangelist in his epistle calls these temptations "in world" as "lust of eyes" (materialism), "lust of body" (hedonism) and "pride of life" (egoism).
Illustration by A. Bida - Temptation of Christ
Picture posted by Restored Traditions

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj00xMisuTjp1NgdEV8VcW1nhbeApLoeOqCYb16JtrITQ_L9odhWjesIVaT6J3DeuWhZwfoqqi9SfNtafsKLIlDZvCY7hHywL288LTnFZTjzkuTSvGGd8YQhQRhYFkLVF1vT4zDreNZMY/s1600/bida-temptation-christ_2048x_1.png
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0250/2340/products/bida-temptation-christ_2048x.jpg?v=1535467620
https://restoredtraditions.com/products/temptation-of-christ-bida



When men and women love the things of this world more than God they are engaged in the idolatrous sin of worldliness. Worldliness can take many forms, such as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life (1 John 2:16). Adam and Eve were guilty of the sin of worldliness when they chose to believe Satan's lie instead of God's truth and ate the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6). Eve saw what was pleasing to the eye and good for food and chose the fruit over obedience to the Creator. Instead of obeying God's command to subdue and steward the earth, mankind began to love and worship created things (Romans 1:22–23). People do the same thing today whenever they love anything more than God Himself, whether it be wealth, family or even their own lives (Matthew 10:37–39; 19:22; John 12:25). [3]


Worldliness can take many forms, such as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life (1 John 2:16).
Worldliness can take many forms, such as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life (1 John 2:16).
PHOTO: Worldliness can take many forms, such as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life (1 John 2:16). Adam and Eve were guilty of the sin of worldliness when they chose to believe Satan's lie instead of God's truth and ate the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6). People do the same thing today whenever they love anything more than God Himself, whether it be wealth, family or even their own lives (Matthew 10:37–39; 19:22; John 12:25).
Artwork by Yuri Klapouh (1963, Ukrainian), posted by Catherine La Rose on 25 April 2013
Picture saved by Nikki York to YURI KLAPOUH
gif file generated by Animated Images Effects Generator at
http://www.webestools.com/animated-images-effect-generator-effects-gif-images-picture-blog-gif-fx-images-animated-effect.html
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYZSj7ozPzcYGQvRvMKYOWXLle4YTwQVRlQTBN6EJ2aOfd_cU_YTKeOaBkroUXQUm1C7-WOEMGsrtPiVzP_VxyQZgGCb5f7R_hKCEGVXRzA6j2N3RlIlRPjBh-1eHS6QWyE4S8-rymSM/s1600/9d48c9ac785f08a33fe410978d7636ef_21.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwCEZ4uFgFoB8EA6yLetHbVg80uOfwtZjVyCelpzh1-HGGPQZeJLZijR0oZ4ei5avL-lwx2_HzBp2VBUw26BOQ7xyasfWiGYsJZ3Sg-X7GjYnrP08sWt7pCMM7d6xtGL2D2_Sb0B6sqE/s1600/9d48c9ac785f08a33fe410978d7636ef_21.gif
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/9d/48/c9/9d48c9ac785f08a33fe410978d7636ef.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/326581410456932658/
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2016/01/reflection-evidence-for-lilith-in-bible.html



We are a people who are easily distracted especially by all the new, shiny and exciting things that world has to offer. Therefore Satan will use the beautiful things, even good things, to draw our attention and devotion from Jesus. We become blind to the power, goodness and sovereignty of God. It will cause us to take our eyes off Jesus and focus onto our circumstances.  Worldliness and temptation do a lot of damage and cripple us in our quest for intimacy with God and personal holiness. [4]


We are a people who are easily distracted especially by all the new, shiny and exciting things that world has to offer.
We are a people who are easily distracted especially by all the new, shiny and exciting things that world has to offer.
PHOTO: We are a people who are easily distracted especially by all the new, shiny and exciting things that world has to offer. Therefore Satan will use the beautiful things, even good things, to draw our attention and devotion from Jesus.We become blind to the power, goodness and sovereignty of God. It will cause us to take our eyes off Jesus and focus onto our circumstances.  Worldliness and temptation do a lot of damage and cripple us in our quest for intimacy with God and personal holiness.
Picture posted by 4Kwallpapers.WIKI
gif file generated by Animated Images Effects Generator at
http://www.webestools.com/animated-images-effect-generator-effects-gif-images-picture-blog-gif-fx-images-animated-effect.html
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8RyfmMuBhqPXa35I2VvV_mBt6rYi4eh7PGBSAWF6-DQF43GtiYRVRsudxB4oI5eHgROI7pTOgDtSf4WRl2urHztVaY4N8FUQNj8pwNN2jMg1NSvcYEdQsReJfiZvHkrkzPDucGk4EFg/s1600/216348.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7ivfh886xsaVTVtjFMaQiiNF8OEMJLeIdwadTtEMp8tbougmj_RSeDNAd9k4K-y_ERdUFYGIumIRI3S4rOj1s2lfnguYNTSuvEuQ5CDWKPov3laAnw-1SAMgfjrJfUjWq9fYW-4UdD4/s1600/216348.gif
https://4kwallpaper.wiki/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/216348.jpg
https://www.google.com.sg/imgres?imgurl=https://pvckerup.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/lilith-2.png?w%3D237%26h%3D315&imgrefurl=https://pvckerup.wordpress.com/tag/lilith/&h=314&w=237&tbnid=1sBuRaX7sdutpM&tbnh=258&tbnw=195&usg=AI4_-kQAU4gKCQBoXqnDccdG3xwjz05ZKQ&vet=1&docid=gpJ9XzUhLOrnBM&hl=en-SG#h=314&imgdii=b5dz8eECPY3B6M&tbnh=258&tbnw=195&vet=1&w=237



Worldliness and temptation caused us to take our eyes off Jesus when we fall in love with the things of this world more than God.


How does worldliness and temptation take our eyes off Jesus?
How does worldliness and temptation take our eyes off Jesus?
PHOTO: How does worldliness and temptation take our eyes off Jesus?
Worldliness and temptation caused us to take our eyes off Jesus when we fall in love with the things of this world more than God.
Artwork by Yuri Klapouh (1963, Ukrainian)
Picture posted by Masters of painting on Tuesday, 29 September 2015
gif file generated by Animated Images Effects Generator at
http://www.webestools.com/animated-images-effect-generator-effects-gif-images-picture-blog-gif-fx-images-animated-effect.html
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7d-QycwHZbTlA1UceFC37gEAW-DwNibBCtLzSlw5U24VtwbUp8IPbOdjNbf_D89hdx_djq7SSNpRaFSRDHtUwsualcQG3HPP3AWQ_CrkIWhyphenhyphenspRJZq6wqV6Hy8s37T8Uo7oahWxjorI/s1600/43.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsNGBicm3E1pLFvoEaCE3zmhEMPImbSaupXJZz6ydK2zBnH8omustqPgNqqNqJIhnNE3jKpSpEHF6SiLKXQrQAcB_uKmA7FKGH9DIhaX1aACkLYFRl-EKyUWvhnRi0iSKusJ_4jFRhQU/s1600/43.gif
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k2ETNVMLNEI/VgpY_uxzQzI/AAAAAAAAot8/3h_G8KVOPGM/s1600/43.jpg
https://tvorchestvof.blogspot.com/2015/09/yuri-klapoukh.html



How does ageing influence the way we keep our eyes on Jesus?
Because most Christians can find no rest trying to live life their way instead of God's, they become weary of the daily grind as they age. [7]

 

Because most Christians can find no rest trying to live life their way instead of God's, they become weary of the daily grind as they age.
PHOTO: Because most Christians can find no rest trying to live life their way instead of God's, they become weary of the daily grind as they age.
Picture saved by A Loving to Magical warriors magical beasts - Busy Day by ashpwright on DeviantArt

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKZP8d34ZJrMI60qGUpbbdB36-uQm3KjWT1A-Cfk8Fa68cp0vIQtA0z3e-TEuUTOHA4EmBHg9VkA1ppo9rx1CKP-TS2nrsQF4hlQzSaaiovEGyCq7jMCmZszlFE3_4h5m6M_iC0fDlbQ/s1600/f0bf9bc653c60bf05fa962ae4772d7c9.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/f0/bf/9b/f0bf9bc653c60bf05fa962ae4772d7c9.jpg
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/361132463869752967/



Rest for our souls is the great necessity of our spiritual lives! We need to be alone with God daily. We need to find times to get away alone. We need to get up early if necessary. Few of us are called to spend many hours in daily prayer, but all of us must spend some time. If it is impossible when the family is awake, pray before they get up. If we have no place we can do this at home, find a place to park our car on the way to work and pray in the anonymity of the passing traffic. How we do this is up to us, but we need to make time to find Christ who is the Refuge for the weary! "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29).



Rest for our souls is the great necessity of our spiritual lives! We need to be alone with God daily. We need to find times to get away alone.
PHOTO: Rest for our souls is the great necessity of our spiritual lives! We need to be alone with God daily. We need to find times to get away alone. We need to make time to find Christ who is the Refuge for the weary! "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29).
Picture posted by BibliaTodo
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVqkMqOZnaxpQr00BlX_E_Kr08oWUQyapagDb2Hfhneg0awSAM9DvF8x-BJz-_80EFcwzGzL92ebc5WldCiaF8rexSdXEW3QYkmJYzWKS2hHW0TdGv-n5T8KmvnAHzB0gItJq5IFIYZw/s1600/en-con-185-Come-to-me-if-you-are-weary-and-burdened.jpg
https://www.bibliatodo.com/En/christian-pictures/files/2018/01/en-con-185-Come-to-me-if-you-are-weary-and-burdened.jpg
https://www.bibliatodo.com/En/christian-pictures/come-weary-burdened-will-give-rest/en-con-185-come-to-me-if-you-are-weary-and-burdened/

 

It is possible that some of us start will, knowing where we are heading, but the pleasures of life, the entertainments along the way, and all the attendant worries and anxieties eventually draw us off their original path. We then lost our way and forgotten our ultimate destination. Difficulties, distractions, and temptations along the way as we age influence the way we keep our eyes on Jesus. [6]

 

It is possible that some of us start will, knowing where we are heading, but the pleasures of life, the entertainments along the way, and all the attendant worries and anxieties eventually draw us off their original path.
PHOTO: It is possible that some of us start will, knowing where we are heading, but the pleasures of life, the entertainments along the way, and all the attendant worries and anxieties eventually draw us off their original path. We then lost our way and forgotten our ultimate destination. Difficulties, distractions, and temptations along the way as we age influence the way we keep our eyes on Jesus.
Picture saved by ✨♓️ ᚨᚱᛁᛖᛚ ♓️✨ to 🐇🥀The Forgotten Boy🥀🐇 in My Favorite Characters

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4hrEH5XPQi9HgPNWaqj1lpIWGjCn9mZhHn3ZyI1BdKVntBm8TrM8z9vMa8vkIGH5laJwR7Vyt5mDSm8GEtCj6XQygz_apZMdZ-wlBNh-NCw8o6U5Q1fdiQ-fy9AxT7xz1_AVdI8wZXw/s1600/879617945e5079945301dad0c92923ec.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/87/96/17/879617945e5079945301dad0c92923ec.jpg
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/809803576721440854/



How can we keep our eyes on Jesus?
We must learn to, first and foremost, spend unhurried time to know Jesus, listen to His voice, marvel at His character, discover His will, understand His ways, and enjoy His presence. Then our quest for knowledge and desire to do good will find fulfilment in the light of our being with Jesus. [5]

 

How can we keep our eyes on Jesus?
PHOTO: How can we keep our eyes on Jesus?
We must learn to, first and foremost, spend unhurried time to know Jesus, listen to His voice, marvel at His character, discover His will, understand His ways, and enjoy His presence. Then our quest for knowledge and desire to do good will find fulfilment in the light of our being with Jesus.
Picture posted by Jan Mayes Dunn

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtyd0XCYm9n5mYuPVACTsY-_mOaNaG5AWYCmJAcnx2RxhmzzONxc_SJHQZ6h6YXq3zDuNg2Lsxb0M1GARM4wp3WeBic_ZFrX4gZm0GvF_eLQI6SgWXu01C6OQdXL4qQMyf6ChzfaYzec/s1600/727998bce166f4210dc301cfb46a9c66.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/72/79/98/727998bce166f4210dc301cfb46a9c66.jpg
https://www.pinterest.cl/pin/630926229035862796/



Think about people who show more of Christ as they age. What do you think is their secret?
No Christian can lead a Spirit-filled life full of power without regularly reading the Bible. Our minds are such that we do not retain what we need to know. We need to be refreshed again and again - which includes memorizing and meditating upon God's Word regularly! [7]


No Christian can lead a Spirit-filled life full of power without regularly reading the Bible.
PHOTO: No Christian can lead a Spirit-filled life full of power without regularly reading the Bible. Our minds are such that we do not retain what we need to know. We need to be refreshed again and again - which includes memorizing and meditating upon God's Word regularly!
Picture posted by admin, Bible Study Outline, on 15 August 2012

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxLqCdOU9ty6L2v9NtL4gxUPJdQ7tcxExqIw8NYnk-FigPBzWh9E1sD-qpt5eRnCRc5Ansqkv_cqJgIEM2cV642U4QVZQWSZuvI1uUvDCT0xb7KNH_OHkyqk91LVuAYQtBeVaPa1O4Es/s1600/prayer-hand.png
http://biblestudyoutlines.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/prayer-hand.png
http://biblestudyoutlines.org/category/bible-study-lessons/page/39/
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2015/06/reflection-pauls-biblical-accounts.html



When we read the Bible, especially the Gospels, and contemplate (think about) who Christ is, what He said, and what He did, and seek to emulate Him, then we are keeping our eyes on Him. As we do so, we will be transformed into His likeness in increasing measure. "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:18). [1] This is the secret how people show more of Christ as they age.


When we read the Bible, especially the Gospels, and contemplate (think about) who Christ is, what He said, and what He did, and seek to emulate Him, then we are keeping our eyes on Him.
PHOTO: When we read the Bible, especially the Gospels, and contemplate (think about) who Christ is, what He said, and what He did, and seek to emulate Him, then we are keeping our eyes on Him. As we do so, we will be transformed into His likeness in increasing measure (2 Corinthians 3:18). This is the secret how people show more of Christ as they age.
Picture posted by Empowering creativity

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vg35KUupq3Rihq1vEJSt63EGUm1UWJWrQNRuSnCzxVO0Vv-6HOUPBDG7QROtopmLudBMx5CnZXuTnsL7ICkFvtfJsGptm7-em1SspbxnHb8UWQHsWn28hupKWkL_x-FCI7qG2ltQxME/s1600/204n25.jpg
https://i.imgflip.com/204n25.jpg
https://imgflip.com/i/204n25



Dear Lord
Dear Lord
PHOTO: "Dear Lord, We learn that whatever we look at regularly will be what we end up looking like. This principle is also true in our spiritual journey. Please help us to look at Jesus and grow to be like Him. We would like to say with the psalmist that our eyes are ever on the Lord, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord. Because by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus mean we will end up looking like Him.

We pray that one day we can stand at the gates of heaven with a resemblance to Christ. This will be a kind of passport, evidence that we have been saved by His grace and sanctified, and that we belong to God's family in heaven.

We learn from the Bible that the word ‘worldliness’ refers to the evil, organized system under Satan, which operates through unbelieving people who are opposed to God. Jesus also spoke of the world hating both Him and those who follow Him because the world operates on the basis of ungodly thoughts, attitudes, motives, values, and goals. It does not seek to promote God’s glory or to submit to His lordship. Because of this reason, help us to imitate Christ by refusing to fall in love with this world. We want to have our love for God to triumph over the temptations for worldly power and pleasures.

Worldliness and temptation do a lot of damage and cripple us in our quest for intimacy with God and personal holiness. Please stop worldliness and temptation from causing us to take our eyes off Jesus.

It is possible that some of us start will, knowing where we are to live life according to God’s way but the pleasures of life, the entertainments along the way, and all the attendant worries and anxieties eventually draw us off their original path. We then lost our way and forgotten our ultimate destination. Please prevent difficulties, distractions, and temptations along the way as we age from influencing us the way we keep our eyes on Jesus.

Help us learn to spend unhurried time to know Jesus, listen to His voice, marvel at His character, discover His will, understand His ways, and enjoy His presence. Then our quest for knowledge and desire to do good will find fulfilment in the light of our being with Jesus.

We need Your help to lead a Spirit-filled life full of power by regularly reading the Bible, so that we retain what we need to know. We need to be refreshed again and again - which includes memorizing and meditating upon God's Word regularly.

When we read the Bible, especially the Gospels, and contemplate who Christ is, what He said, and what He did, and seek to emulate Him, then we are keeping our eyes on Him. Help us to understand and follow this secret, so that we can show more of Christ as we age successfully.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!
"
Picture posted by loswl1, Inspiks Market on 02 April 2010 - Calm in the Storm
gif file generated by Animated Images Effects Generator at
http://www.webestools.com/animated-images-effect-generator-effects-gif-images-picture-blog-gif-fx-images-animated-effect.html
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGbsNinR6n95cp9i3_vkXGudPx-t1OfOa90lYhcXzCLzKvDHt5dochte7hTyEroLHRBWRQvH9sgZzzTaHz4pDl23eXxW8bD2oYYs5fpx3ML5z7ChWkQIbF8oHW4vQ6oc1Yt2yg5Ne_0c/s1600/1a0d959c0d0edfeeafdeeae69cf2ac4d_1.png
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95noTygJ4XlSo87Dh3N_sD6H3SngnoW_1p541eWY2-wBl8UH_PU5ou9xM2FUaLTBKi15ZoRf30C9_VewI7Reb14eYv6qhfsciB3AgdxUF-n7EpfAVnwNjzoMog_9HDVL8YLOi9olGBEA/s1600/1a0d959c0d0edfeeafdeeae69cf2ac4d_1.gif
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/1a/0d/95/1a0d959c0d0edfeeafdeeae69cf2ac4d.jpg
https://www.inspiks.com/40-cross-images/


Reflection - Spiritual Journey - Keep Our Eyes Fixed on Jesus
Source (book): "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, PART I: SPIRITUAL JOURNEY, Chapter 6, "Becoming Christlike", Question 2, Page 37.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012







Also from the same author, Robert M. Solomon

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon


'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html
 


"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020

https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html




Reference
[1] From "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, Copyright © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon, ISBN 978-981-14-1836-5, PART I: SPIRITUAL JOURNEY, Chapter 6, "Becoming Christlike", Page 33-37.

[2] Steven J. Cole, Pastor, Lesson 90: What in the World is Worldliness? (John 17:13-19), posted on 26 April 2015, https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-90-what-world-worldliness-john-1713-19

[3] Got Questions Ministries, Compelling Truth, What is worldliness? What does the Bible say about worldliness?, https://www.compellingtruth.org/worldliness.html

[4] Jen Thorn, serves alongside her husband, Joe, at Redeemer Fellowship, 9 Ways Satan Seeks Your Destruction, https://www.christianity.com/christian-life/spiritual-growth/9-ways-satan-seeks-your-destruction.html

[5] From "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, Copyright © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon, ISBN 978-981-14-1836-5, PART I: SPIRITUAL JOURNEY, Chapter 5, "Being with Jesus", Page 31.

[6] From "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, Copyright © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon, ISBN 978-981-14-1836-5, PART I: SPIRITUAL JOURNEY, Chapter 1, "Remembering Origins and Destination", Page 5-6.

[7] John S. Barnett, Living Hope for the End of Days: 365 Daily Devotionals from the Book of ..., page 394-401, https://books.google.com.sg/books?id=SovmTYHUK-IC&pg=PA386&lpg=PA386&dq=How+does+ageing+influence+the+way+we+keep+our+eyes+on+Jesus?&source=bl&ots=iqwYSbbkVv&sig=ACfU3U2oUrqGyKH31Rd3srKkZyx9T_TT0Q&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiDmbOopabqAhWo6nMBHQxUBicQ6AEwDHoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=How%20does%20ageing%20influence%20the%20way%20we%20keep%20our%20eyes%20on%20Jesus%3F&f=false


New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

1 John 2:2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+2%3A2&version=NIV

1 John 2:16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+2%3A16&version=NIV

1 John 5:19 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+5%3A19&version=NIV

2 Corinthians 3:18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+3%3A18&version=NIV

Genesis 3:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+3%3A6&version=NIV

Hebrews 12:2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+12%3A2&version=NIV

John 1:10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A10&version=NIV

John 3:16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A16&version=NIV

John 4:34 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+4%3A34&version=NIV

John 7:7; 15:18-19 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+7%3A7%3B+15%3A18-19&version=NIV

John 17:13-19 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+17%3A13-19&version=NIV


Luke 4:1-13 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+4%3A1-13&version=NIV
 

Matthew 4:2–11- https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A2%E2%80%9311&version=NIV

Matthew 10:37–39; 19:22; John 12:25 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+10%3A37%E2%80%9339%3B+19%3A22%3B+John+12%3A25&version=NIV

Matthew 11:28-29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-29&version=NIV

Matthew 22:37–38 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22%3A37%E2%80%9338&version=NIV

Psalm 25:15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+25%3A15&version=NIV

Psalm 27:4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+27%3A4&version=NIV

Psalm 115:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+115%3A8&version=NIV


Romans 1:22–23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+1%3A22%E2%80%9323&version=NIV