How serious are we about becoming mature Christians?

Spiritual Growth in the Christian Life – how serious are we about becoming mature Christians?

A.W. Tozer said: “If a man wants to be used by God, he cannot spend all his time with people.”

 

After we have been born again, we need to grow in the Lord Jesus.

There are only a few ways to do this, including:

✅Finding a Bible-believing church and attending the services offered – go as much as you possibly can.

✅Spending time with God
– speaking to Him through prayer
– hearing Him speak to you through His Word

✅He may speak to you via other means – through another one of His children, or through a message from the pastor at church, or through circumstances … BUT most of all He speaks through His Word.

Before reading His Word, ask Him to speak to you – and don’t stop reading until He does.

Even if you are not wanting an answer to a specific problem at the time, make sure the Lord speaks to You each time you read His Word.

4 Questions to consider in your Christian walk:

🔰Are you and I really into the Word of God?

🔰How much time do you and I spend with the Lord every day?

🔰How does that compare with the time we spend doing other things?

🔰When last have you heard the Lord speak to you through His Word?

(Bible challenge by Gill Lourens)

 

The Generation That Will Not Pass Away ….

Did you know that one of the most important teachings of Jesus about the end times is found in the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24 & Luke 21)?  Why is it so important to understand this passage correctly? What generation will watch the fig tree blossom and not pass away?    What is the fig tree all about?

Matthew 24:32-35: “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near.  In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door.  I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place.  Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.”
We also find a similar passage in Luke 21: ‘“So, when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” Then He (Jesus) gave them this illustration: “Notice the fig tree, or any other tree.  When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near.  In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near.  I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things have taken place.  Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.”’ (Luke 21:28-33)

There are three types of “trees” which symbolize Israel in the Bible:

• The Vine
• The Olive Tree
• The Fig Tree

The Vine is a symbol of the SPIRITUAL privileges of Israel (Psalm 80, Isaiah 5, Jeremiah 2)

The Olive Tree is a symbol of the RELIGIOUS privileges of Israel with its roots deep in the patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac & Jacob (Hosea 14 & 17, Isaiah 24, Psalm 52, Psalm 128, Romans 11)

The Fig Tree is a symbol of the NATIONAL privileges of Israel (Hosea 9, Jeremiah 24, Matt 24)

Jesus teaches His disciples about “end times” … He uses the illustration of the FIG tree.   The fig tree refers to NATIONAL Israel.   He highlights the fact that the generation that SEES the rebirth of Israel (1948) will witness everything falling into place as per all the prophecies in the Old Testament (Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel and others).  Jesus says clearly that “THIS generation”, the generation that sees all these things starting to fall into place, can KNOW that HIS RETURN is VERY near!!

We must remember that the Olivet discourse refers to the things that are going to happen to Israel as a nation.   But Jesus stops the discourse to address His disciples specifically here to highlight the fact that the generation that sees the fig tree’s branches budding and its leaves beginning to sprout, (the rebirth of Israel) will be the last generation before He returns.    What a thought!!!  What amazing times we are living in!!

I can hear some folk say, “how long is a generation?”.   No, it is not 40 years as some tend to think.  The best way to explain it is, “An average lifespan of a group of people living at the same time constitutes the length of a generation”. As someone explained, “you can have a 12-year old on the one hand, and a 92-year old on the other hand – an eighty-year difference between the two.   But everything you see together makes you the generation that is watching those things”.  So, it is the lifespan of a GROUP of people.   And it is THIS generation that WATCHES these things coming together, that the LORD is talking about!

As the Bible tells us equally clearly, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows…” (Matthew 24:36), BUT …. “Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you.  For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.  But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief …” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-4)

What we need to remember also is that as Believers in Jesus, we have been grafted into the Vine and can enjoy all the Spiritual privileges bestowed on Israel, God’s chosen people.  In the same way, as Believers in Jesus, we have been grafted into the Olive tree and enjoy the religious privileges of Israel – we are no longer the “wild olive” referred to in Romans 11.   BUT … we cannot be grafted into the fig tree as the fig tree stands for NATIONAL Israel and references to the fig tree always refer to Israel as a nation.

Also, remember that the Church has NOT replaced Israel.  Do not let anyone try to convince you of that.   The very reason the Church has confidence in God, is that He is a covenant-keeping God.  His promises never fail.  He has promised that He will restore Israel, bring her back to life (see Ezekiel 37), and He is doing that in fulfillment of His Word.

So, what do you SEE happening now?   Do you SEE Israel back in the land?  Do you SEE the land of Israel prospering?  She has one of the strongest economies in the world; she is the forerunner in so many technological and scientific breakthroughs.  Do you SEE that Israel is blooming – the deserts shall blossom!  Isaiah 35:1 says: “Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses.”

All that is left for us now is to BELIEVE God’s Word, SEE that His Word is true and everything is falling into place.

“Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near.  In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door.  I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place.  Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.”

In the next blog, I will be highlighting more about Israel and the convergence of signs around us which are shouting out the message, “Get ready! – The King is coming soon”!

 

Should a Christian support or celebrate Halloween?

daysmeditations

Should a Christian be supporting or celebrating Halloween?

Regrettably the popularity of Halloween is growing exponentially. Sadly, even many Christians do not appear to see the evil inherent in this custom and have almost tried to “Christianize” it!

There are enough articles out there to tell you what Halloween is all about and there is no question as to where it comes from and that it something a Christian should have nothing to do with. It is totally dark!

The Bible tells us to put away deeds of darkness (Rom.13:12) “The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day (of the Lord’s return) has drawn near. So, let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light.” (Romans 13:11-12)

The Bible also tells us…

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There is a Man … Guest Blog

Lorraine Lorenz is the author of the excellent Daily Devotional book …
“Amber’s Story – Walking back into the Light“

There is a Man …

There is a Man who needs no commendation
Or flattering platitudes from this old earth
So far beyond all human exultation
Is He, we only wonder at such worth

There is a Man who needs no commendation
No words at best could well describe His fame
No deeds we do, no excellent ovation
Could bring true honour to His perfect Name

There is a Man who needs no commendation
He is and was and evermore shall be
He occupies the very highest station
He owns the universe and you and me

There is a Man who needs no commendation
But for our sakes He left His home above
The highest price He paid to bring salvation
To lost mankind, He gave Himself in love

There is a Man who needs no commendation
Replaced in human hearts, who should adore,
By many a world view, falsehood, speculation
We choose to honour these and Him ignore

There is a Man who needs no commendation
From this deriding world with hostile view
Dark days of late give rise to expectation
Of coming judgement; then friend, what of you?

Poem copyright: Lorraine Lorenz 2011
(Used by permission)

His Amazing Word and Works …

“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;…”  (Psalm 19:7-8 ESV)

I have been doing a study in the Psalms just recently, and thought I would share a thought or two about Psalm 19.

Psalm 19 is like a “mini” Psalm 119.   It is as if the Psalm 119 expands on the concepts introduced in Psalm 19.

The Psalm is basically divided into two parts:
Verses 1-6: God shows Himself TO the World
Verses 7-14: God shows Himself IN His Word

In verses 1-6 the Works of God are constantly revealed to everyone – day and night, throughout the world.   “They speak without a word or sound. Their voice is silent in the skies”.     Through what God has created and put in place, there is no speech or language where their voice is not heard!!   In the New Testament, Romans 1:18-21 reminds us that man is actually without excuse.  Please take the time to read these portions of Scripture for yourself.  It is amazing what you will discover.

Let us look closer at verses 7 and 8: “The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart.  The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living” (New Living Translation)

All the following are ALL synonyms for the Word of God
The Law of the Lord
The Testimony of the Lord
The Statutes of the Lord
The Commands of the Lord

The Law of the Lord can also read …. His Teaching/His Direction/His Instruction
The Law of the Lord is PERFECT – it converts/revives/restores/makes new the soul

The Testimony of the Lord means … to bear witness.  It bears witness to the Truth of God’s Word
The Testimony of the Lord is SURE/TRUSTWORTHY.   It makes wise the simple

The Statutes of the Lord put another way is … His Governing via orders/charges/precepts
The Statutes of the Lord are RIGHT … and they bring joy to the heart

The Commandments of the Lord … His Divine Order
The Commands/Commandments of the Lord are PURE…  they enlighten the eyes. Put differently, give insight to life.

It is just so uplifting to realize that His Word is ALIVE, it is TRUE.  It is our Guidebook for living.   If you’ve never discovered the joy of reading God’s Word and getting to know Him better, why not start today.   The more I read and study His Word, the hungrier I get to know more and learn to love Him more and more.

If you have any questions about this passage, reading the Bible, Bible Study Methods, or getting to know the Author of the Bible, please do not hesitate to contact me via the link below

 

A World in Chaos?

Have you ever seen the world in such a chaotic state?

There is political chaos and instability wherever one looks!   There is so much fake news around one tends not to know what the truth actually is … Modern technology is being used to maneuver images and videos to make it look as if people are saying something they never actually said.  Utterly sickening to see this being used in the political arena and also in general to try to smear people’s character.  It is even being used to mute what doctrinally sound Bible teachers are saying, and replacing their solid teaching with false teaching, thereby causing confusion amongst believers too.

Immorality is spiraling out of control. Children are growing up in a confused world, a world with an “if it feels good, do it,” mentality.  But let us face it, that mentality can lead to some pretty disastrous consequences.

The world is being fed lies to such an extent, they are believing the lie, rather than the Truth.  Climate change/Global warming being another one of the lies.  Yes, for things that we CAN control, I do believe we should take action.  But the truth is that the biggest factor influencing the earth’s temperature is certainly NOT one we can control.  In fact, the biggest climate change that’s coming upon the earth is certainly not going to be man-made and no amount of demonstrating will change that…

Folks, we are seeing clear signs of the character and mindset of people during the Tribulation period the Bible teaches us about … a period of time which is soon to come about.   This is the period of time when the Antichrist (the lawless one) will be revealed and occurs just after the catching away of the Church (true believers in the saving work of Jesus on the Cross/Christ-followers).   He cannot be revealed while the Church is present here on earth.  As 2 Thessalonians 2 reminds us:  “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed (the Antichrist), whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them a great deception, that they should believe all these lies.  Then they will be condemned for not believing the Truth and for enjoying the evil they do.”

Just a quick reminder that what is happening globally, the convergence of all these signs and changes in society, should be a wake-up call to all.

Yes, there have always been wars, rumours of war, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, famines, etc, etc … but the frequency and intensity is increasing dramatically … Don’t take my word for it … you only need to look at secular and scientific reports.

Anyone who denies this, is only fooling themselves and putting the proverbial “head in the sand”!

The rapture of the Church is closer than it has ever been and we need to be sure we are ready …

One of the warnings the Lord Himself gave us – and He stressed this in Matthew 24 – “take care that no one deceives you”… this is a clear and very important sign of the imminency of the return of the Lord. There is incredible deception in the world today … and it is evident in many churches also … !!

So … “… be on the alert [be prepared and ready], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come].” (Matthew 25:13)

If you want to know more about this topic, or want to find out how to be ready for the Lord’s return (and you need to be), contact me for more info.

10 Warning Signs you must not ignore!

Imagine, if you will, the hustle and bustle of stage hands, getting ready for a big event, the opening night of a show or play, or getting the set ready for filming.   Lots of pushing things into place, hammering, frantically making necessary adjustments to accommodate changes in the script, because the unexpected happened.

Well, this is what is happening in our world today – THE PRECURSORS OF THE TRIBULATION PERIOD ARE ALL AROUND US……

There are so many people around the world who genuinely feel as if the world is falling apart.

• Law and order disintegrating
• Governments in chaos
• Nationalism is being scorned and Globalism being promoted
• Situations and events generally being described as unprecedented
• People are being fed lies and fake news about climate change, evolution, Biblical Truths, economic issues, religious issues, world peace and so much more.
• The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and surveillance systems is going into overdrive.  There has been an incredible escalation of intrusive technology invading our homes, paving the way for the Antichrist
• The Decline of The Character of Mankind is declining rapidly now:
  • A Depraved Mentality (Romans 1);
  • Lovers of Self (II Timothy 3);
  • Godlessness, Immorality and Lawlessness Abound – A Return to the Days of Noah
• Increase in antisemitism and anti-Bible-believing Christians is rising very rapidly
• And then of course, tragically, the shocking Escalation of Apostasy and Mocking of Bible Prophecy from within the churches, Bible colleges and universities, etc.   The “falling away” which the Bible tells us about!
• There has been a tragic rise of evil.  The Bible says that in the last days “evil will wax worse and worse” (2 Tim 3:13). During 2018 and this year so far, we have seen paganism and witchcraft soar as Christianity declined and Millennials express the opinion that “they do not need God”.

But, the opposite side of the coin is this – instead of the world falling apart, things are actually falling into place.

For those who love the Lord Jesus, study His Word and who understand the times, we do recognize that things are falling into place, and what we are seeing come together are the precursors of the Tribulation Period.   These things are all around us (and the Bible speaks about this VERY clearly).  Therefore, how much CLOSER are we to the time when the Lord Jesus will come to take His children to be with Him before God pours out His wrath on an unbelieving and Christ-rejecting world.  We do not know the day nor the hour, no one knows except the Father.   But His Word does tell us, and describes very clearly, the times we will be living in when those events take place.

So, the “stage hands” are very busy getting things ready for the “show” to begin. Following the rapture or catching away of the Church, the Bride of Christ, there will be seven years of Tribulation like the world has never seen before.    That is a subject on its own.   You do NOT want to be left behind when the Lord Jesus comes to take the Church (His children) home.  More info will be shared about this in one of my future posts.

If you know the Lord as your Saviour, you can be assured that He has prepared for you a place.  He loves us and has promised that He will keep us FROM or OUT OF the time of Tribulation which is coming upon the whole world.  “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth” (Rev 3:10)

When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, he gave them reassurance as to the appearing and the return of the Lord Jesus.  Here is what he wrote to them:

“Now as to the times and dates, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. ² For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the [return of the] Lord is coming just as a thief [comes unexpectedly and suddenly] in the night. ³ While they are saying, “Peace and safety [all is well and secure!]” then [in a moment unforeseen] destruction will come upon them suddenly like labour pains on a woman with child, and they will absolutely not escape [for there will be no way to escape the judgment of the Lord]. ⁴ But you, believers, [all you who believe in Christ as Saviour and acknowledge Him as God’s Son] are not in spiritual darkness [nor held by its power], that the day [of judgment] would overtake you [by surprise] like a thief; ⁵ for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We do not belong to the night nor to darkness. ⁶ So then let us not sleep [in spiritual indifference] as the rest [of the world does], but let us keep wide awake [alert and cautious] and let us be sober [self-controlled, calm, and wise]. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. ⁸ But since we [believers] belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope and confident assurance of salvation. ⁹ For God has not destined us to [incur His] wrath [that is, He did not select us to condemn us], but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰ who died [willingly] for us, so that whether we are awake (alive) or asleep (dead) [at Christ’s appearing], we will live together with Him [sharing eternal life]. ¹¹ Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing” (1 Thes. 5:1-11 – Amplified Bible)

To summarize: Jesus is coming back again, perhaps today. God has allowed some of us to see the stage being set,  indicating very clearly, based on God’s infallible Word, that we are in the last hour. We are privileged to know what time it is. Many do not!

I believe that it is less than one-minute to Midnight. Headlines are a herald of His coming.

So, “You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected” (Matthew 24:44).

Are YOU ready?

Other Scriptures referred to in this article include:
Colossians 3:1-7
Matthew 24:21
Revelation 3:7-13

If you are not sure that you are ready, please fill in the contact form and request free information to help you.

Are you a true disciple of Jesus?

If you have come to know the Lord as your Saviour, have you thought about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus?
Here are two thoughts – one to challenge & one to encourage!

✝️This is the challenge:
In Mark 8:34 we read:
“Whoever desires to come after Me (be My disciple), let him deny himself and take up his cross (of self-denial), and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life (reputation, position, possessions, standing) will lose it, but whoever loses his life (reputation, position, possessions, standing) for My sake and the Gospel’s, will save it. 

✝️Here is the encouragement to help you become a true disciple of Jesus!
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13)
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

Now more than ever, we need to take our Christian walk seriously and grow deeper in Christ. Time for playing church, being a Sunday Christian, following Jesus afar off, is over. Total commitment to Jesus and the powerful message of the Cross is essential and so fulfilling, especially as we see the day of His return fast-approaching

The Lord bless you and strengthen you as you follow in the footsteps of the Master!

Less of Me …

I think we all agree that we’re living in a very self-centred world.

It is what “I” want.   It is about “I am” this and “I am” that and “I am” everything.    It has even infiltrated the “church” and Christian thinking.   Saying “I am beautiful” “I am strong” “I am awesome”  “I am …… on and on and on” and tagged on right at the end (to so-called Christianize it) you might find “I am His”  or “I am a child of the King”.   Many of the modern Christian songs revolve around “I“, “me” and “self“.  Many of the messages we hear these days are about “self image“, “living your best life now“, “believing in yourself“.

Woe!!   Stop right there …    Everything we are, we owe it all to Him.

Remember what God’s Word says:  I AM is one of God’s majestic names:
“YHVH” is the Hebrew word that translates as “LORD” and is found more often in the Old Testament than any other name for God (approximately 7,000 times)!  YHVH comes from the Hebrew verb “to be” and is the special name that God revealed to Moses at the burning bush. “And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM; and He said, thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, I AM has sent me to you… this is My eternal name, and this is the name you shall call Me from generation to generation(Exodus 3:14-15)
So, YHVH declares God’s absolute being – the source of absolutely everything, without beginning and without end.  The LORD who revealed Himself as YHVH in the Old Testament is revealed in the New Testament as Yeshua (Jesus).  Jesus shares the same attributes as YHVH and clearly claims to be YHVH. Jesus presents himself as the “I AM.” Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM.” (read about it in John 8).

So why am I on about this?

As we see the day of our Saviour’s return fast-approaching, we need to get our priorities and our mindset right.  We need to put Jesus first.  Yes, we are many things IN CHRIST, and which can be backed up by Scripture and used in the right context! But, pushing self to the fore in a more humanistic way is certainly not glorifying to Jesus our LORD.   Hence the reason I share this beautiful poem written by a dear friend of mine …  “LESS OF ME”

More of Thee LORD, more of Thee,
More like Jesus would I be.
Self-denied, may others see,
More of JESUS – less of me.

More of Thee LORD, more of Thee
When showers of blessings fall on me
Within life’s sunshine may it be
More of JESUS – less of me

More of Thee LORD, more of Thee
When Satan’s hosts close in on me
Then let, Oh LORD, my reactions be
More of JESUS – less of me.

More of Thee LORD, more of Thee
Time passes all too fleetingly
Through changing years still this my plea,
More of JESUS – less of me.

More of Thee LORD, more of Thee
Till perfected in Heav’n I’ll be
And say throughout eternity
ALL of Jesus, NONE of me!¹

 

If you have any questions or comments or a request for prayer, please do not hesitate to contact me.

¹ Poem by Gill Lourens

War and Peace …

The book of James was written to Christians, and more specifically to those who were facing trials and persecution. Due to threat of persecution and trials, they were tempted to compromise their Christian commitment and relapse into accommodating worldly practices. James spoke as a pastor to these Christians and urged them to develop spiritual stamina but also, in no uncertain terms, urged them not to compromise in their walk with the Lord.

Sadly we see too much compromise in the church today and doctrinal error creeping in.

With this background I share the following…

I heard a message recently from James 4:1-12 titled “War and Peace”

It highlighted 3 important points:

• The Problems among us are rooted within us  (1-5)
  

  “What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God….”

• The Promises to us come from above us (through God’s infallible Word)  (v6)
  

  Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the Spirit He has placed within us should be faithful to Him. And He gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

• The Prescription for us must be taken by us  (7-12)
  If we want to live lives that please God and submit ourselves to God, then we need to follow His Prescription.  This is found clearly in verses 7 to 12 of James 4.

  • Submit to / humble yourselves before God.

  • Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

  • Come close to God, and God will come close to you.

  • Wash your hands, you sinners;

  • Purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

  • Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.

  • Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

  • Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters.

  • If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbour.

  • Receive the One Who was judged for our sin (on the cross of Calvary)

So, as a follower of Christ, we must remember we are in a spiritual battle.  We need to “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil” (Eph 10:11).  We need to be serious about our walk with the Lord.  “… pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body. Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life. Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech. Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead” (Proverbs 4:20-25).   As the New Testament also clearly says:  “Let us 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).