✝ Daily Encouragement (9/29/23) "Dimming the Things Of Earth"

Published: Fri, 09/29/23

A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber.

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Friday, September 29, 2023

Our Amish neighbor up the road has a harvest wagon selling pumpkins and gourds grown on the farm. We stopped by and bought some pumpkins Wednesday afternoon and it's a joy to see the children come out to greet us.
(Click on photo to enlarge)

"Dimming the Things Of Earth"

Message summary: The things of this earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. The key is where we fix our eyes. May the Spirit help us to fix our eyes on Jesus!

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"But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on His Law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2). "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, 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. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (Romans 12:1-3).

John R. W. Stott once admitted the truth that many of us have felt but failed to confess:

“The thing I know will give me the deepest joy – namely, to be alone and unhurried in the presence of God, aware of His presence, my heart open to worship Him – is often the thing I least want to do."

Candidly I identify with that and I am sure I am not alone. The noise of this world can be deafening and distracting. And yet it's hard to break away from it. And too often I really don't want to.

Consider the apostle Paul's statement in this regard: "For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do" (Romans 7:15).

1) "What I want to do I do not do" I want to keep a steady focus in life on Jesus.

2) "But what I hate I do" I hate so often getting my focus on the things of this earth.

Just over 100 years ago hymn-writer Helen H. Lemmel wrote:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace

I first recall singing it during our Bible College days in the mid-seventies. In fact the one and only time I lead a song service in Bible College this was the song we sang. (Early on I learned that song-leading was not my gift)

Today let us consider these lines from the song.

The things of this earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

What a great joy to experience the things of earth growing strangely dim!

This happens at various times:

The times of worship when we gather with others.
An intentional focus when we hear His Word being preached.
Times in our personal devotion when we especially sense His presence and the reality of His truth as we read His Word, meditate on Him and pray.
When we are in nature and especially cognizant of His creation such as David when he declared, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge" (Psalm 19:1,2).
Always seek to keep a focus on the eternal perspective rather than the earthly. Memorize, meditate upon and appropriate Scriptural truth that reinforce this such as this one I memorized early in my life but still need to appropriate! "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You" (Isaiah 26:3).

The things of this earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. The key is where we fix our eyes. May the Spirit help us to fix our eyes on Jesus!

Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13 )

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, even the world recognizes the need to get apart from the busyness of one’s day and meditate. May we do so by fixing our eyes on Jesus. I’m so thankful that Your ear is attentive to my cry and that Your eyes are on the righteous. Though I may have many troubles You deliver me from them all as I wait upon You. For You tell me to wait on You, be of good courage, and You will strengthen my heart. I stand upon that promise today in Your name. Amen.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Turn Your Eyes" Watch video on YouTube Sovereign Grace Music

An Inspiration Of Song - the story behind the song Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus Watch video on YouTube

"Wait On You" Watch video on YouTube Elevation Worship & Maverick City

"Psalm 5" Watch video on YouTube Maranatha! Music

Ester's cake for her 5th year service anniversary at Fuddruckers. Today I will be joining her as she shares it with her fellow workers.

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