Being self-focused brings pride or depression
It can lead to self-pity, hatred, fear, and deception
Magnifying one’s self only magnifies one’s faults
Or even worse, you feel above as pride exalts

Likewise, do not keep your gaze fixed on each other
Both good and bad you will find in your brother
Jealousy, competition, and worthlessness are born
Leading to hatred, resentment, pride, and scorn

Instead keep your gaze fixed intently upon Me 
Examine Me closely to find grace and mercy
It will take eternity to perceive all My glory
Magnify Me to escape self-important vain-glory

Take control of your thoughts, make them subject to you
Keep your gaze upon Me and My Presence pursue
Feed your faith with My Word and it will surely grow
My promises and rewards I will freely bestow

Love you will then find and be able to share
Of your brother’s sins and faults you will not be aware
Love is always the most excellent way
It leads you from darkness to never-ending day

Debbie Furey
February 14, 2023

1 John 3:2 – “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”

Romans 8:29 – “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”

2 Corinthians 3:18 – “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

Matthew 14:22-36
Luke 18:9-14
2 Peter 1:3-11
1 Corinthians 13