" Look To Jesus "

It's pretty early, 5:15 a.m. I didn't sleep much, so I made my coffee and grabbed my devotional. Let me share what I read.
                                                           " Look to Jesus "

It's always the Holy Spirit's work to turn out eyes away from self to Jesus. Satan's work is the opposite; he is constantly trying to make us look at ourselves instead of Christ. "Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you have such a wavering hd on Jesus." All these are thoughts of self. But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self: He tells us we are nothing , but Christ is everything. Remember, it is not your hold of Christ that saves you, it is Christ; it is not your joy in Christ that saves you, it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, although that is the instrument, it is  Christ's blood and merit. Do not look to your hand that is grasping Christ as to Christ; do not look to your hope but to Jesus, the  source of your hope; do not look to your faith, but to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of your faith. We will never find happiness by looking at our prayers , our deeds, or our feelings; it is what Jesus IS, not what we are , that gives rest to our souls. If we are to overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by " looking to Jesus." Keep your eyes on Him; let His death, His suffering, His merit, His glories, His intercession be fresh upon your mind. When you awaken in the morning look to Him; when you lie down at night look to Him. Do not let your hopes or fears come between you and Jesus, follow hard after Him, and He will never fail you." Charles Spurgeon.

I needed this this morning. I needed to be reminded not to have faith in my actions, prayers or even my faith. I needed to be reminded that no matter how elequent my prayers may be, the prayer itself can do nothing. Only the Source of my prayer can. Only the Maker and Sustainer of my faith can save. What a good reminder. Let's not forget this. With out the Giver of hope, all our efforts are in vain.
May this breath refreshment and renewal into your heart this day as it did mine.