Eyes on what will change my life . . .

A man of prayer wrote that Christians are too satisfied with mediocrity to the point that if someone is living a ‘normal’ Christian life, others say that person is a super saint.

Tozer says, “We have measured ourselves by ourselves until the incentive to seek higher plateaus in the things of the Spirit is all but gone.”

“Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed. I do not want to appear to be frightening you with my letters. For they say, ‘His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.’ Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present. Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” (2 Corinthians 10:7–12, italics mine)

In measuring myself against others, I might consider myself a cut above average, or a poor example of a believer, depending on how the day is going. The Bible says don’t do that. For one thing, my judgments are affected by pride and self-pity . . . 

“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” (Proverbs 27:2)

“For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” (2 Corinthians 10:18)

Not only that, the standard for my Christian life is Jesus Christ. God’s goal is that I am like Him:

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Romans 8:28–29)

Don’t compare myself with others, only with Jesus. The good news about that is as we look at Him, we become like Him. This is true with lesser comparisons — the more I look at and am with another person, the more I pick up their speech patterns and habits, including those less desirable! Who wants to be like other people when God wants me to be like His Son. Far better to gaze at the perfect One . . .

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Spending time with Jesus is not only profitable in discovering the will of God and deepening my prayer life. It is also vital in the transformation that God wants for me. Being like Jesus is the ultimate, the highest goal. How could I be satisfied with anything less? He sets me free from this trap of evaluating myself continually by the lives of other people and at the same time raises the standard for us all.

I’m not there yet.

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Jesus, thank You for being the image that I am supposed to reflect. You forgive me when I fall, meaning I can forgive myself. You urge honest confess of sin so our sweet fellowship is not broken. You keep my eyes on You instead of letting me wish I was like so and so and glad that I’m not like that other person, helping me accept others where they are and encourage them to focus on You. Blessings to You and thanks for Your love.

Excited to see Jesus

Christians are instructed by God to be watchful and in anticipation for the return of Jesus Christ. Some think it will never happen, but most of the discussion is about when rather than if.

Jesus gave signs of the end of this age and the beginning of the next heralded by His Coming. Peter repeated what the Lord said, and the early Christians fully expected it to happen soon. Now, two thousand years later, some of my fellow travelers are still saying, “Are we there yet?”

Today, I read these verses and find myself longing for His return . . .

“And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:17–21)

Most of my desire to see Jesus comes from the state of the world. Earthquakes by the dozens, extreme weather, political and moral chaos — when will it end? Or will it? A slide downhill happens easily while making it more positive can take decades, even centuries.

It seems much of the world has turned its back on God. Little wonder that the media seldom reports on what God is doing — such as reaching people in the Middle East through dreams and visions, and bringing thousands of soldiers in at least one American military base to faith in Christ. We can turn our backs on God, but that does not stop Him.

Tozer’s remarks are positive and hopeful. He says that God dwells in a state of perpetual enthusiasm, delighted with all that is good and lovingly concerned about all that is wrong. He does His work in a fullness of holy zeal, filling people with delight and fire at His presence.

The first disciples gave their lives to serve their Savior. They were convinced of His grace and truth and wanted the world to know. They changed this planet forever. A few contemporary Christians have that same zeal. One said, “I'm having too much fun declaring & demonstrating the Kingdom of God, it's okay if He waits till he returns!" (R. Alan Woods, 2013)

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Lord Jesus, faith in You ought to continue with those results. We ought to boldly share our faith, unconcerned with those who mock us and with a a zeal that affects our world, changing that increasing sense of hopelessness to the perpetual enthusiasm that comes from loving You with all our heart — and from an eager desire to see Your face.

Faith overcomes spiritual adversaries

A pastor’s wife told us that her husband often struggles with things that seem to have no other reason or purpose except that our spiritual enemy is trying to mess up his walk with Christ. I know that war. If the devil cannot get me thinking against God’s written will, he will attack my body, or appeal to my pride. Sometimes I wonder if there is a target painted on my heart.

Tozer says there is. The target is the Spirit of Christ in me that draws enemy fire. Most people will not understand why they feel antagonism toward Christians nor will they recognize the enemy using them to persecute believers. A few will but in either case, it is Jesus that bothers them (unless of course I’m acting like a real jerk).

Note how quickly and directly Jesus experienced this attack as He began His ministry . . .

“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’ The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.” (Mark 1:9–13)

Other passages about this incident say that Satan left Him for a time, yet the war went on, just as it does for God’s people. As soon as we believe, the Spirit comes in and the adversary attacks. Our only defense is faith and our spiritual sword — the Word of God.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints . . . .” (Ephesians 6:10–18)

Tozer calls this the war that never ends. My first reaction was a groan yet it must be that way. Satan is after Jesus who lives in me and Jesus says “I will never leave you or forsake you” therefore the battle will not be over until God casts that enemy into the lake of fire.

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Jesus, faith in You is my position of defense and Your Word is my weapon. These days, what I especially need is the ability to recognize his attacks. I get discouraged and self-focused and run with that too long without realizing this is one more attack to keep me from putting to use all You have given me to defeat the enemy and live for You.