• Watch
  • Listen
  • Study
  • Articles
  • Links
  • About
Sunny Slope Church of Christ
  • Watch
  • Listen
  • Study
  • Articles
  • Links
  • About

Let's Keep Our Eyes On The Lord

12/20/2020

 
By: Gary L. Hutchens
​   “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:1-2).  
   God guided the Hebrews writer to pen this great text of encouragement, and we really need God’s encouragement right now.  The eleventh chapter of Hebrews, listing numerous Old Testament characters of great faith, sets the stage for this text.  Those individuals, being examples of dedicated faith, serve as the reference to our “being surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.”
   Right now, we’re going through an unprecedented time in our lives.  Reports of new cases of infection with Covid-19, and deaths as a result, are nonstop, and they appear to be surging again.  That reality, along with all of the regular challenges of life we face on an ongoing basis, has created a heightened level of stress daily.  What should we do, how should we respond, what should be our outlook?
   As the text above encourages, we should always be “looking unto Jesus.”  The Apostle Paul shared his outlook on life in this world, having experienced times of both abundance and great difficulty.  What sustained him and gave him assurance in the downtimes as well as during the good times?  He stated, “ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phlp. 4:11-13).
   A few verses earlier in that general text he talked about the calming assurance that we can take anything and everything to God in prayer.  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
   God knows our every need, our every concern.  As we present those needs and concerns before Him in prayer, we know He is listening, He cares, He is all powerful and He will take care of us.  As a result, He blesses us with a unique inner peace that guards our hearts and minds through Christ our Savior.
   Because we are Christians, because we are saved in Christ we can be thankful in the most difficult of circumstances.  Paul encouraged the Christians in Thessalonica, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thess. 5:16-18).  Paul first exhorted them to “Rejoice always.” 
Then he instructed them to pray continually and, as a major feature within their prayers, “in everything give thanks.”
   Even in the face of our present reality we have reason to be profoundly thankful.  A great many people are looking for deliverance through some source connected with this world.  We look for deliverance from the Creator of this world!  We will be ultimately and eternally OK as long as We Keep Our Eyes On The Lord…
​

Comments are closed.

    Author

    Gary L. Hutchens

    Categories

    All
    Dennis Stackhouse
    Gary Hutchens

    Archive

    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    March 2008
    February 2008
    January 2008
    January 2007

Member Login
SUBMIT PRAYER REQUEST
© 2019 Sunny Slope Church of Christ | All Rights Reserved
3606 N. 108th St., Omaha, NE 68164 | (402) 498-8397 | Contact Us
  • Watch
  • Listen
  • Study
  • Articles
  • Links
  • About