by David Brenneman
Seems the theme of what passages that I read this morning are about focus. Not the car but the state of mind.
"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as to avoid hitting air; but I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified." 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NASB
Focus, self-control, determination, even stubbornness would be included.
Why do children often whine at one parent and then the other? Attempting to wear down the parent in order to gain something. To honestly break their resolve and focus at where they come from.
We are really the most easily distracted of beings. We joke about dogs and their inability to focus at times and at the same time commend heavily those that do.
We have an enemy upon coming to Christ for salvation that is one we must take with complete seriousness.
He would love it for us to take his work as a joke. He gets a kick out of us promoting movies and television shows that make it seem like he's not that bad. That he's actually equal with God. Equal with Jesus.
Which he most certainly is not. He wants the worship and adoration due only to Jesus Christ and God the Father as well as the Holy Spirit.
He will use everything he is permitted to the maximum possible potential in order to twist minds. To keep people from the truth of God. To keep those who have found salvation in Christ Jesus from living out their faith. To convince them that they don't need to give a hundred percent to Jesus. That they deserve this or that, after all they've earned it!
We are in a war. This war is escalating.
This war has been going on for centuries.
This war is over the very Throne of God.
This war has casualties. People convinced to their dying breath that it's God who's been lying to them. Only to wake up to the real truth in Hell. Every single human being wakes up in Heaven, if they have indeed placed their faith and trust in Christ Jesus alone for salvation. Or they wake up in torment in Hell for rejecting Jesus Christ.
Our focus is always on the table.
Our focus is always at risk.
We are here if we are indeed Believers, to further the gospel of Christ Jesus. We have a purpose in Christ to work towards sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. To live a focused life. To live a life that says "Hey! Come this way! Come over here to be rescued!"
We easily fail when our even smallest of excuses gains footing. We were hurt so we take ourselves out of the equation. We had this or that happen so we stop doing what we were called to do in Christ. The passage in Psalm 23 says THROUGH the valley. Not collapsing to the ground in defeat looking for a way to live life living with the failure.
We are not to let the world tell us how to live for Jesus.
We are told to be steadfast. To DO that which is for US to be doing in Jesus name regardless of what we went through to get there. With resolve. With determination.
Removing what is or has been in our way.
You were hurt you say? So was Jesus when He suffered the verbal and physical abuse of His accusers. He said that He overcame, so can you.
You have a lot going on? Jesus says to leave it at His feet. He will help deal with it.
You have this or that emotional baggage weighing on your mind? Quit trying to handle it by doing what the world offers for solutions. If we believe that Jesus is indeed doing a work in us, we have to trust Him enough to stay on the road HE sets before us. To go THROUGH that valley of the shadow of death. Changing jobs isn't going to always be the answer. I know. Been there done that many times. Until we let go and let God do what He has purposed in us we will repeat that lesson at the new job. The world's solutions are not God's solutions.
Stay focused. Sink your feet in the ground in standing in your faith in Jesus Christ.
Start doing like you see in recovery efforts. Tossing debris and things without a second thought to get to what is truly precious and valuable in Christ Jesus.
The battle belongs to the Lord but you must be willing and determined to do what He tells you. You prolong your time in that valley when you use your solutions or the world's solutions rather than God's answer.
The Prodigal Son's return only came after a decision that accompanied resolve to do what He knew what was right in his Father’s eyes.
What distractions are you embracing from this world?
What distractions have you chosen instead of a true walk with Jesus?
Where is your resolve to live for the one who saved You?
No comments:
Post a Comment