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Hebrews 12:2 NLT
Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne.
The Jesus we gaze upon is the pioneer of our faith. A pioneer is the first one to apply a way of living. Jesus demonstrated that living in complete obedience to God was a possibility. And in case we think this is the unique gift of his divinity, we are reminded that he was tested in every way as we are, yet refused to sin. Now, I am not suggesting we live a sinless life, since I like you am fractured, wilful and downright perverse at times.
Recently I have been reflecting on just how difficult it is to take every thought captive. For example, I have never really had a challenge with pornography, yet that doesn’t mean that my mind is not drawn into pornographic thinking on occasion. While I assumed, feebly, that the passing of the years and hopefully the reduction in bodily testosterone might reduce the brain’s unhealthy interest in this area, it has proven a vain hope. So I have asked myself, why it is that I am so pathetic in this area of mind management?
God’s response was to bring to my attention a little book written by an Orthodox priest who reinforces all the very basic holiness teachings within the Church. When it comes to mind management, he suggests that one immediately meditate upon an image of the crucified saviour. This in place of fighting the unclean thought-stream. Just turn one’s mind’s eye to the crucified One and declare that this is where you will make your stand.
Well, somewhat dubiously I have adopted this practice and it has worked. It requires me to choose to exercise this discipline, and when I do I find that I am carried into the presence of God, I am gazing upon the crucified One. I use my computer to search for images of the crucifixion now and together with a handful of postcards I’ve collected over the years, I turn to these as my lifeline in maintaining my way of holiness.
QUESTION: How might you switch from unhealthy and unholy thoughts to an image that will draw you back to the feet of God?
PRAYER: Jesus, help me not give in to temptation but take every thought captive.
Inspirational Breakfast with Esther Higham It seems like barely a minute goes by without the newspapers reporting a new fad diet, celeb cleansing craze or something similar. However, what about cleansing our soul?Pastor Jo Naughton popped in to speak to Inspirational Breakfast about her '30 Day Detox for Your Soul'. Toxic mindsets, influences and attitudes all have an impact on our our self-esteem and our relationship with God. How can […]
