Who do you look up to?

As humans, we all look to someone’s life and actions to learn from them. Children observe their fathers and mothers in order to learn how to deal with life’s many challenges. Many children don’t get the privilege of having both of their parents present with them due to unforeseen circumstances, so they look to an aunt, uncle, brother, sister, or foster parent for the needed mentorship. However, the greatest mentorship we can get is looking unto Jesus. He is our perfect mentor. He is the true author and finisher of our faith. He teaches us what true faithfulness, maturity, love, peace, joy, respect, faith and family is. He is the door to the Heavenly Father. It is by His sacrifice that we were adopted into His family. He teaches us what a true, mature and righteous man is and does. He is the finisher of our faith. In other words, He helps us throughout our lifetime in all of our difficulties and challenges, and by His Spirit, continually strengthens our faith so that we can make it to the finish line of life in victory! Yes, we all look up to someone in life, but the perfect model and mentor is the Lord Jesus Himself. Look to Him. He is the author and finisher of your faith!

Hebrews 12:2 “looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work]”.

What are you magnifying?

I love praising God with his people in the Sunday services. There is something precious about that corporate time. However, David, who was a worshipper, took it to another level. Not only did he praise God continually, he was also very thankful for all that God did for him and his people. Psalm 69:30 says:”I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving”. Many people go to church from time to time and even sing along with the choir or the worship team. But not every “praiser” is thankful. Many continually complain about their lives, and never recognize God’s goodness which is all around them. They are so busy focusing on what they do not possess, that they miss what God has done for them. The word magnify means:” to cause to be held in greater esteem or respect; to increase in significance; to enlarge in fact or in appearance”. Are you holding your problem in greater esteem.? Are you causing your problems and issues to increase in significance? Are you enlarging the negatives around you? David continuously held God in greater esteem. For David,  God’s goodness was more significant that any problem or issue. He enlarged God’s goodness and kindness with his praises, testimonies and thanksgiving. Make an assessment today. What are you “magnifying” in your life and actions? Selah.