Focusing on Jesus

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Speaker Notes

Hebrews 12:1-3

12.1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Corrie ten Boom:

Look around and be distressed;
Look inside and be depressed;
Look at Jesus and be at rest.

“I See Jesus” by Annie Johnson Flint 

I don’t look back: God knows the fruitless efforts,
The wasted hours the sinning, the regrets;
I leave them all with Him Who blots the record,
And mercifully forgives, and then forgets 

I don’t look forward, God sees all the future,
The road that, short or long, will lead me home,
And He will face with me its every trial,
And bear for me the burdens that may come. 

I don’t look round me: then would fears assail me,
So wild the tumult of earth’s restless seas;
So dark the world, so filled with woe and evil,
So vain the hope of comfort or of ease. 

I don’t look in; for then am I most wretched;
Myself has naught on which to stay my trust;
Nothing I see save failures and short-comings,
And weak endeavors crumbling into dust. 

But I look up – into the face of Jesus,
For there my heart can rest, my fears are stilled.
And there is joy, and love, and light for darkness,
And perfect pease, and every hope fulfilled.

http://blessedquietness.com/journal/homemake/ajf-seejesus.htm

Paul’s church: North River Community Church in Pembroke