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Fixing Our Eyes Upon Jesus

Fixing Our Eyes Upon Jesus

The Bible directs us to:

Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2 NIV84, emphasis mine).

This is not a rule that we are legally required to obey; it is the wisdom of God for living in harmony with His design laws, how He built reality to operate, the outworking of His methods, character, and principles into reality.

One of God’s design laws is the law of worship, the reality that we become like whatever we esteem, admire, and worship. The Bible describes the law of worship as being changed by what we behold (2 Corinthians 3:18). Modern psychology and psychiatry call the law of worship “modeling”—that is, we model ourselves after whatever we esteem, value, idealize, or, perhaps, idolize.

The Bible gives direct examples of the damage to our being when we worship anything other than God. In Jeremiah, the prophet describes the law of worship: “They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves” (2:5 NIV84). And the apostle Paul details this law in Romans 1:18–32, where he describes how certain men did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God but, instead, exchanged the truth of God for images they made of animals and humans; as a result, their minds became darkened, depraved, and futile.

The Bible tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus because it is only by beholding Him that we are won to love and trust and are transformed in heart and mind to become like Him.

The exchange of the truth about God for a lie is the most devastating and destructive way we can take our eyes off Jesus. But there is another way, a more subtle way, a way in which people keep Jesus as their only Savior, and they would deny any god other than the true God, yet they have still taken their eyes off Jesus and experienced the damaging results. Two examples in the Gospels highlight this and serve as object lessons for us today.

Perhaps the most obvious example is when Peter was walking on water. As long as his eyes were fixed on Jesus, he was able to walk above the storming waves—but as soon as he took his eyes off Jesus, he began to sink. Turning back to Jesus, He immediately cried out to the Savior and was rescued.

The object lesson is clear: When we find ourselves struggling with the storms of life, as long as we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we can walk over the waves. But as soon as we think we can handle it on our own, as soon as we look to our fellows and say, “Hey, check me out, I am walking on water,” we begin to sink and become overwhelmed with life. And like Peter, when we turn back to Jesus, He takes our hand and lifts us up. However, like Peter, we are now drenched in the stormy waters and will have some cleanup to do.

Another story recorded in Scripture, one that’s a little less obvious, also teaches an invaluable lesson about the increasing anxiety, worry, and fret we experience when we allow innocent life experiences to cause us to forget Jesus and take our eyes off Him.

We find this story recorded in the second chapter of Luke:

Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he [Jesus] was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you” (vv. 41–48, NIV84, emphasis mine).

Mary and Joseph, caught up in the duties of travel, packing, organizing, talking with friends, and trusting Jesus to follow along, took their eyes off Him. They weren’t worshiping another God; they simply allowed daily events to distract them from thinking about Him, from fixing their eyes upon Him for one day. And it took them three days of anxious searching to find Him!

So also, many of us will, at times, find ourselves busy with the duties of life, being dutiful toward our obligations, while never turning our hearts to false gods, but we forget the most important duty of all—and we innocently take our eyes off Jesus, just for a day. And then we find ourselves anxious, worried, distressed, perhaps feeling overwhelmed, and it may take us a day or two or three before we realize why we have lost our peace. Then we remember Jesus, and when we find Him, we may, like Mary, say, “Jesus, why did you let me get so anxious? Why weren’t you comforting me?”

If we are listening, we will hear His gentle voice saying, “Don’t you know I am always doing my Father’s business—seeking to heal hearts and minds and save people from sin? You are anxious only because you took your eyes off me. But I never took my eyes off you!”

Our only hope for health, happiness, peace, success, and victory is Jesus Christ! So I encourage you to make it your daily habit to fix your eyes upon Him! Start each morning in private time with Him, meditate upon His Word, open your heart to Him in prayer, surrender your entire being to Him, invite Him to direct your paths, and trust Him with how things turn out—for it is by beholding Him that we are changed!

 

 

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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 36

Thank you and may God continue to bless you as you share with others the intricacies of how we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I must share that you have opened a whole new world to me, and I have found tremendous healing through what you have shared in two of your books, “Could It Be This Simple?” and “The God Shaped Brain.” I praise God for what you shared, what I have learned, and how I have grown and healed! My prayer is that My Precious Jesus will be seen by others in the way I live, act, talk, etc. and they may be encouraged to know He is truly a GREAT God of LOVE, desiring that no one should perish! God Bless you in your continued endeavors to present Him as He really is!

Joleen H. GA, USA

 

Testimony 52

Your unique way in spreading the truth is what we all need today. Most of us don’t recognize the contamination coming from all the lies and selfishness in the world. Because of our fear of death, we forgot how to live. Lies left and right. I was losing hope and faith, because of so many ideas that are always contradicting each other – so many questions answered by other, more complicated, questions – until I found your channel on YouTube.

You did not just give me answers, you also taught me how to answer new questions that arise in my mind. Now I see things differently. I see God’s mercy, grace, and Love everywhere, in spite of all the chaos that we all have done as humans. I don’t fear death anymore. Accepting the Truth and Love about God is truly a genuine Freedom from all the confusions, sufferings, selfishness, pain, and death.

I just wanted to say, thank you, sooooo much for revealing the real Remedy for our infected life. I have a new hope and now see the world in a different perspective!

Wheinny P., University Place, WA, USA

 

Testimony 45

I have been confused for years about what [christianity] calls [its] most disgusting teaching. It has never made much sense to me and for that reason has been evermore empty. I have listened to your class off and on and have struggled determining what is truth, because of the resistance design law encounters in the church. So, I thank God for your ministry. What you teach makes sense. It’s logical and backed up by the power of love. I have never seen that in Christ until now. I am astounded by the insight that is found when we look at God’s ministry through design law. All strength to this message, as I believe it to be the power of God.

Brendon S.

 

Testimony 13

I borrowed “Healing The Mind” DVDs from a friend and showed them at my home for a small gathering of women friends. Neither of my friends are Adventist, but they both enjoyed and embraced the messages you taught. In fact, one of the ladies prayed out loud in our group and that was the first time she had ever had public prayer.

J.B. ,Dalles, OR, 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 6

I got the book “Could It Be This Simple?” a few months ago and the reading was wonderful and I was fascinated. I lent the book to a friend at work. She is having a difficult time and the book is helping her to find Jesus and I found this very exciting. She has asked me questions and I can see her life changing.

H. S., Australia

 

Testimony 65

I have been tuning into your weekly study classes for a while now and wanted express my appreciation for the teachings that ha been a huge blessing in opening up the true message of the word. Viewing scripture under an imposed law theory always, without fail, raised more questions, concerns, and conflicting scripture interpretations that were discouraging at the very least. Looking at scripture through the design law lens has brought more truth to light for me personally and an understanding of our Heavenly Father that places Him “above all others,” where I am now more than thrilled to witness and serve Him.  I “stumbled” across this ministry a year or so ago and would only watch a few minutes at a time. But the more I listened and the longer I paid attention, the more my spiritual eyes were opened to the ever present truths of scripture. The comprehension of the great controversy and it’s origin by the lies perpetrated and perpetuated throughout the Bible on the attack of God’s character and government is truly priceless. Keep up the Good Work! Your servanthood is desperately needed in such a time as this!

Jeff D., Reading, MA, USA

 

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 18

The Healing the Mind DVD set tarted me on a journey that has changed my relationship with our loving God more significantly than any other study, and brought me to your book and Bible study podcasts, which I now listen to daily, thanks to the availability of archived content on your site and on iTunes.

Anonymous

 

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 17

The blessings of clarity and understanding you and your class inspire me to take from the word of God have impressed upon me so greatly the true, loving character of our Creator. I have found amazing freedom and joy through building a stronger, more intentional relationship with Him. What is new is that this is now a relationship built on love, reverence and respect rather than fear and obligation, and as such my eyes have been slammed OPEN as I am continually impressed by the manifestations of God’s true character in His provisions for fallen man.

T.E.H., Salt Lake City, UT, 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 10

I personally download and listen to each of Come And Reason Ministries Bible study class lessons and PDF study notes to use when teaching my class. Really appreciate the class especially when Dr. Jennings is teaching. Thank God there are persons like him doing His work and traveling to share His beliefs.

B. L.M., North Plains, OR, USA

 

Testimony 41

I have been blessed by your ministry. I have experienced personally, and deeply resonate with, the God of love and the beautiful picture of God’s character that you present. I have seen your seminar series on YouTube, read ‘The Journal of the Watcher’ book, used your mobile app, and also listen/study the bible study lesson with you each week. I concur with many of the thoughts and perspectives that you share. I understand your conclusions on natural laws vs imposed law and the legal/penal substitution (incorrect diagnosis). This makes perfect sense to me.

Bless you for all you do.

Melissa L.