Nougat 1

How do we keep the faith in trying times? Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

So, I don’t know about you but I get easily distracted. And that’s sometimes to my disadvantage, as my focus slips from where it ought to be at any particular moment. In this side of Heaven that is a challenge if the shifts in focus results in my losing sight of what and Who matters most. And sometimes I do.

This reminder is also a promise for it offers sweet rewards for those who focus on Jesus. Firstly we have the assurance that even before the ‘rewards’ show up, Jesus is ready and raring to get us sorted out. For He initiates our faith. It suggests that Jesus has a plan in place for our faith – the question is, have we stopped to notice.

Since Jesus works from the end to the beginning, we are assured that the plan, like those for the exiled Israelites, is to give us Hope FOR our Future with Jesus. In fact that is The Promise. Romans 6:8 and 2 Timothy 2:11 assure us that our positionality with Jesus grants/denies access to the Promises. So we choose Jesus to share in His glory, remembering that dishonor and Death are part of the equation.

Unfortunately, there are those who want the easy way out. In those moments Jesus is NOT The Focus. For what seems like Life, Levity and honor take priority. We forget that even the seed dies to become the tree. There’s glory on earth for us, alongside the dishonor and Death. And we know that there’s Death in Christ that realizes Power with as well as eternal life; and there’s also physical Death that Christ has already conquered.

My focus then needs to remember this to the extent that even when distracted, I remain focused on Jesus, Who persevered and sits in the place of honor in Heaven. For in staying focused on Jesus, I also will be swathed with Heaven’s rewards. And if God does that for me, I guarantee that you will benefit similarly when you focus on Jesus. Whachu gonna do?

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May all we seek be found in Christ