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Ons Vestig Ons Oë Op Jesus

Ons Vestig Ons Oë Op Jesus

Die Bybel gee ons die volgende opdrag om:

…ons oë vasgenael op Jesus, die Voorganger en Voleinder van ons geloofswedloop. Hy het ter wille van die blydskap wat daar voor vir Hom gewag het, die kruis verduur. Ja, Hy het Hom selfs deur die skande van die kruisdood nie laat afskrik nie. En nou sit Hy op die ereplek langs God op die troon!” (Hebreërs 12:2 NLV 11, beklemtoning myne).

Dit is nie ‘n reël wat ons wetlik moet gehoorsaam nie; dit is die wysheid van God om in harmonie met sy ontwerpwette te leef, hoe Hy die werklikheid gebou het om te werk, die uitwerking van sy metodes, karakter en beginsels in die werklikheid.

Een van God se ontwerpwette is die wet van aanbidding, die werklikheid dat ons word soos alles wat ons waardeer, bewonder en aanbid. Die Bybel beskryf die wet van aanbidding as verandering deur wat ons aanskou (2 Korinthiërs 3:18). Moderne sielkunde en psigiatrie noem die wet van aanbidding “modellering” – dit wil sê, ons modelleer onsself na wat ons ook al ag, waardeer, idealiseer of miskien verafgod.

Die Bybel gee direkte voorbeelde van die skade aan ons wese wanneer ons enigiets anders as God aanbid. In Jeremia beskryf die profeet die wet van aanbidding: “Hulle het waardelose afgode gevolg en self waardeloos geword” (2:5 NIV 84). En die apostel Paulus beskryf hierdie wet in Romeine 1:18-32, waar hy beskryf hoe sekere mense dit nie die moeite werd geag het om die kennis van God te behou nie, maar eerder die waarheid van God verruil het vir beelde wat hulle van diere en mense gemaak het. As gevolg hiervan het hulle gedagtes verduister, verdorwe en nutteloos geword.

Die Bybel sê vir ons om ons oë op Jesus te vestig, want dit is slegs deur Hom te aanskou dat ons gewen word om lief te hê en te vertrou en in hart en verstand verander om soos Hy te word.

Die omruiling van die waarheid oor God vir ‘n leuen is die mees verwoestende en vernietigende manier waarop ons ons oë van Jesus kan afhaal. Maar daar is ‘n ander manier, ‘n meer subtiele manier, ‘n manier waarop mense Jesus as hulle enigste Verlosser hou, en hulle sal enige ander god as die ware God verloën, maar hulle het steeds hulle oë van Jesus afgehaal en die skadelike gevolge ervaar. Twee voorbeelde in die Evangelies beklemtoon dit en dien as aanskouingslesse vir ons vandag.

Miskien is die mees voor die hand liggende voorbeeld toe Petrus op water geloop het. Solank sy oë op Jesus gevestig was, kon hy bo die stormende golwe loop – maar sodra hy sy oë van Jesus afgehaal het, het hy begin sink. Toe hy teruggedraai het na Jesus, het hy dadelik na die Verlosser uitgeroep en is gered.

Die aanskouingsles is duidelik: Wanneer ons met die storms van die lewe sukkel, kan ons oor die golwe loop solank ons ons oë op Jesus gevestig hou. Maar sodra ons dink dat ons dit op ons eie kan hanteer, sodra ons na ons maats kyk en sê: “Haai, kyk na my, ek loop op water,” begin ons sink en word oorweldig deur die lewe. En soos Petrus, wanneer ons terugdraai na Jesus, neem Hy ons hand en lig ons op. Maar soos Petrus is ons nou deurdrenk van die stormagtige waters en sal ons ‘n bietjie skoongemaak moet word.

Nog ‘n storie wat in die Skrif opgeteken is, een wat ‘n bietjie minder voor die hand liggend is, leer ook ‘n onskatbare les oor die toenemende angs, bekommernis en verkniesing wat ons ervaar wanneer ons toelaat dat onskuldige lewenservarings ons van Jesus laat vergeet en ons oë van Hom afwend.

Ons vind hierdie verhaal opgeteken in die tweede hoofstuk van Lukas:

Sy ouers het elke jaar na Jerusalem gegaan vir die Pasgafees. Toe Hy [Jesus] twaalf jaar oud was, het hulle opgegaan na die Fees, volgens die gebruik. Nadat die fees verby was, terwyl sy ouers teruggekeer het huis toe, het die seun Jesus in Jerusalem agtergebly, maar hulle was nie daarvan bewus nie. Hulle het gedink hy is in hul geselskap en het ‘n dag lank verder gereis. Toe het hulle hom onder hul familie en vriende begin soek. Toe hulle hom nie gevind het nie, het hulle teruggegaan na Jerusalem om hom te soek. Ná drie dae het hulle hom in die tempelvoorhowe gevind, waar hy tussen die leraars gesit het, na hulle geluister en hulle vrae gevra het. Almal wat hom gehoor het, was verbaas oor sy begrip en sy antwoorde. Toe sy ouers hom sien, was hulle verbaas. Sy moeder sê vir hom: “Seun, waarom het jy ons so behandel? Ek en jou vader het angstig na jou gesoek” (verse 41-48, NIV 84, beklemtoning myne).

Maria en Josef, vasgevang in die pligte van reis, pak, organiseer, praat met vriende en vertroue dat Jesus sal volg, het hulle hulle oë van Hom afgehaal. Hulle het nie ‘n ander God aanbid nie; hulle het bloot toegelaat dat daaglikse gebeure hulle aandag aflei om aan Hom te dink, om hul oë vir een dag op Hom te vestig. En dit het hulle drie dae van angstige soektog geneem om Hom te vind!

So ook, baie van ons sal onsself soms besig vind met die pligte van die lewe, pligsgetrou wees teenoor ons verpligtinge, terwyl ons nooit ons harte na valse gode draai nie, maar ons vergeet die belangrikste plig van almal – en ons haal in onskuld ons oë van Jesus af, net vir ‘n dag. En dan vind ons onsself angstig, bekommerd, benoud en voel ons dalk oorweldig, en dit kan ons ‘n dag of twee of drie neem voordat ons besef waarom ons ons vrede verloor het. Dan dink ons aan Jesus, en wanneer ons Hom vind, kan ons, soos Maria, sê, “Jesus, waarom het U toegelaat dat ek so angstig word? Hoekom het U my nie getroos nie?”

As ons luister, sal ons sy sagte stem hoor sê, “Weet julle nie dat Ek altyd my Vader se sake doen – om harte en gedagtes te genees en mense van sonde te red nie? Jy is angstig net omdat jy jou oë van my afgehaal het. Maar ek het nooit my oë van jou afgehaal nie!”

Ons enigste hoop vir gesondheid, geluk, vrede, sukses en oorwinning is Jesus Christus! Daarom moedig ek jou aan om dit jou daaglikse gewoonte te maak om jou oë op Hom te vestig! Begin elke oggend in persoonlike tyd saam met Hom, mediteer oor sy Woord, maak jou hart oop vir Hom in gebed, gee jou hele wese aan Hom oor, nooi Hom om jou paaie te rig, en vertrou Hom met hoe dinge uitdraai – want dit is deur Hom te aanskou dat ons verander word!

 

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Testimony 49

I came into the church at 21, but that is as far as it went. I was so confused about what love is. I couldn’t find it in the bible, because I am not a person that can read between the lines. I have no logic. I have read many, many books; trying to figure out the crux of the matter. They were helpful, but something was still missing. I have become very frustrated to the point of crying out to God, “Where can I go?”  I needed some basics.

I found two books, written by Timothy Jennings, MD, to be very helpful. God showed me that I had lived my whole life in fear. I didn’t even see it. Now, I do. God is so good.  I discovered the “The Remedy”  Dr. Jennings new book, “The God-Shaped Heart!” Oh, I was so excited, I purchased them right away.

I can get rid of most of my books, because “The Remedy” brings the Love of God out so clearly, even I can’t miss it. Now, I want to sit and read my Bible. Wow, what a revelation! It is just simply Awesome! I am so grateful to Jehovah Almighty for hearing my prayer for more understanding! I am so encouraged!

Jackie S.

 

Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA

 

Testimony 54

I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

My heart thrills when I listen to your bible study lessons. Literally I have gone from death to life. It is a journey I look forward to every day, as God reveals areas this distortion affects. Praise GOD! I will ever be grateful to God for this ministry and your cooperation with the Spirit!

Karen S., Portal, AZ, USA

 

Testimony 62

I would like to express my thanks to the C&R team for creating a platform from which people can learn to trust in God and grow. My life is a witness to the effectiveness of this ministry. Without believing the truth about God as you have shown, I don’t know what my life would be like. I had given up on God helping me with certain sins – it was all useless. Given that the scripture is clear and God is so good, how could I have betrayed him so many times? I was a yo-yo christian; spinning up and down. My faith and enthusiasm was driven by discoveries/threats that prophecy is about to be fulfilled. But when I watched your “Healing the Mind” seminar, it was like a light finally went on. I could see God had no plan to hurt me, the danger came from sin, and that He is working to protect me and strengthen me. Thank you for allowing God to use you. The message God gave C&R saved my life!

Antony N. – Hobart, Australia

 

Testimony 11

I would love to have a copy of “Healing the Mind” DVDs to have in my therapy office. I enjoy having clients check out materials to enhance their therapy experience. I have sat under Dr. Jennings’ teaching at an American Association of Christian Counselors convention and respect his work greatly.

K.B., LA, USA

 

Testimony 42

I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

Testimony 8

Thank you for the ministry you are sharing with us, it is a real blessing to us and especially to my husband and myself! You are encouraging us to think for ourselves and not just to except everything, without thinking it through, with God’s word!

M.K., USA

 

Testimony 9

I really enjoy with you the view of a gracious God. Thank you for sharing the work you are allowing the Lord to do in you.

L., Queensland, Australia

 

Testimony 1

Thank you! I love listening to the Come And Reason Ministries Bible study classes and am using some of your notes to get the lessons together that I will be teaching. You always have such good quotes and Bible texts and pull things together to make good sense.

T. C., IN, USA

 

Testimony 58

I have been watching your videos in The Power of Love seminar and I must say these have liberated me and have improved my relationship with the Lord. I am no longer terrified of him as I was before following your teachings.

Thando N., South Africa

 

Testimony 53

I was so blessed by a friend who gave me your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” while I was sitting in church asking God to please help me learn more about Him and help me not to be so confused and scared. That was about 2 years ago. Your books have helped me to love God even more. I’m not confused or scared anymore! I have listened to all of your bible study classes and feel like I know the wonderful people that attend every week. Thank you for all that you’re doing in spreading the true message about God and His law of love. God bless you and your whole class.

Elssy P., Modesto, CA, USA

 

Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 38

Since November 2015, when I started studying Gods word from this God Is Love point of view, my life has been transformed. My troubled marriage of 15 years has been healed and my husband and I are truly happy for the first time in 15 years. Now When I read the word of God I understand it so much better and I can’t help but see Gods love radiating through the pages to humanity. Gods word is living and active and I am blessed beyond measure to be having this amazing experience. God has given me a beautiful understanding of Jn 3:16 that amazes me more and more each day. Thank you again for your ministry.

Helen D., London, England

 

Testimony 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

T. Banda, Malawi, Africa

 

Testimony 56

I cannot thank you enough for opening my understanding to the beautiful truth of God’s Law of Love and how it applies to everything. I have been a Christian for over forty years, but I feel like I am only now seeing with my eyes open. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

Tammy Cinzio, Australia