Tag: Focus

Stumbling And Falling

Romans 11:11

There are some who stumble, and there are some who fall. The former can be good, but the latter, not at all.

God chastises His children, to shift their minds to Him, but when a child falls, the decision was all on them.

In those times we stumble, it’s easy to stand aright, but falling from the hand of God, can make you lose your sight.

Be careful not to stumble, be certain not to fall, but if you lose your focus, the stumble trumps the fall.

A Song Of Grief

Amos 5

v.1 “Hear ye this word which I take up against you, even a lamentation….

v.2 The virgin of Israel has fallen… there is none to raise her up…

v.3 For thus saith the Lord God…

v.4 …Seek ye me, and ye shall live…

v.5 But seek not Beth-el… and Beth-el shall come to nought…

v.6 Seek the Lord, and ye shall live…

v.7 Ye who turn judgment into wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth…

v.8 Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning…

v.12 For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins…

v.14 Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you…

v.15 Hate the evil, and love the good…”

Mind Your Business

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you. That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.” (vs. 11-12)

“Focus on your own business, and leave mine alone. Only then will you begin to understand where you belong.” -Ell

Redeeming The Time

Ephesians 5:1-20

Money can be refunded, property can be restored, even health can be renewed, but there’s one thing that can never be replaced once it’s been used, and that’s time. Life on earth is indeed short, and many today won’t live beyond the years their ancestors were blessed to see. This is mostly due to the change in the quality of foods and resources, but mostly, lack of faith in the God who created all things. Knowing the average lifetime for humans is roughly threescore and ten, every person on the planet who’s capable of learning, and has a desire to please God should make redeeming the time top priority in their lives. The days are evil, and the love of God amongst men is fleeting, but to those who boldly live according to godly standards, fulfilling God’s will is a must. Lost time can never be recovered, but with the time we have left, let’s make a conscious effort to value it, by doing things that will have a positive, and eternal effect.

Walking Through The Impossible

Matthew 14:22-33

If you had the opportunity to switch places with the apostle Peter, on the night he walked on the water to meet Jesus, would you accept? Imagine being the only person in history to do the impossible, and live to tell others about it!

When the men on the ship saw a figure walking on the sea, they became terrified, thinking they were seeing a ghost. But, Jesus told them, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” The men undoubtedly knew the voice of Jesus, as they had been following Him for quite some time, but of all who were on the ship, Peter alone acted on faith, and asked to join Jesus on the water. After accepting Jesus’ invitation, Peter stepped down out of the ship, and began walking on the water. As I sit and write this lesson, I’m looking at the water as boats sail by, and wonder what thoughts ran through Peter’s mind as he took his first steps on water. Well, the Bible mentions, Peter gave more attention to the boisterous winds rather than Jesus, and he began to sink because of fear. Jesus immediately stretched forth His hand and caught Peter, to save him from drowning.

While focusing on Jesus, Peter was able to do the impossible, but the moment he placed his focus on his problems, his faith wavered, and he began to sink. Although we may not walk on water, we will face tough situations in life, but if we keep our focus on Jesus, we’ll walk through all that we face, and come out on the other side. On the other hand, if we focus on the wind and waves, we’ll sink in all our problems and difficult situations. Don’t allow your inadequacies to take precedence over the awesome power of Christ.

Are You Hungry?

Matthew 5:1-12

If men desired God the way they hunger and thirst after natural food, they would eventually become overwhelmed (in a positive way) with all the great knowledge and godly wisdom that comes from above. I notice how people strive to eat healthy, paying close attention to the details in what they consume, and many different “health” diets are available for all who desire a change in their eating habits. While food for the body is essential for growth and development, food for the soul is of vital importance also.

We learn from the Scriptures, Old and New, “man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.” (Deuteronomy 8:3). Spiritual food helps our inner man grow in godliness, and allows us to gain greater understanding of the way of holiness. In the same way food must be consumed then digested, the Word of God must not only be read, but meditated on, day and night.

Some people read a few positive and uplifting Bible verses here and there, then expect to understand what God expects from them. This is equivalent to having a McDonald’s diet, and hoping to eventually develop into an Olympic body type. Yeah… that ain’t happening. Discipline is required not only in food consumption, but also with Bible learning. We must take God’s Word serious, and seek to grow daily from it. Meditation is not a five minute thing, but it can often become hours of careful and intense study, in order to fully understand even one verse of Scripture.

In all, the Bible is literally our spiritual buffet, and all we need to survive in the spirit realm, is enclosed in that holy book. Read God’s Word, meditate on it, and allow your spirit to be fed daily.

“We live this life for purpose and reason, but not too long, for only a season.” – Ell

Transparency

Acts 7:9-15

When I wake up in the morning, and open my eyes to see the new day, God is with me. As I turn over in bed, regaining feeling in my numb legs and arms, God is with me. When I gather enough strength to plant my feet on the floor, and slowly rise upright, God is with me. As I wash, then gird myself for the day ahead, God is with me. When I think of what the day will bring, God is with me. As I travel on the dangerous highways, going to and fro, God is with me. When I spend all day, pushing to make it through another day of hard labor, God is with me. As I deal with the pressures of life that come by way of those who are evil, wicked, or even my foes, God is with me. When I try to smile, stay positive, and keep a straight face, to hide the hurt, pain, and shame inside me, God is with me. As I give strength to others, when I require strength for myself, God is with me. When those who i thought were for me, turn against me, God is with me. When my body goes through seasons of sickness and pain, God is with me. When those I love, lose their lives, God is with me. When those I don’t know perish, and my heart still feels pain, God is with me. When the enemy attempts to knock me off track, God is with me. As I sit and write this tonight, exhausted from another long day of work, God is with me. When I consider, I am still alive, healthy, and have a sound mind, it’s because God is with me. I love the Lord, indeed I do. It’s because of Him, I can not, and will not give up. I am thankful for all who strive to live holy, in an unholy society; to all who are committed to staying true to God’s will. Be strong, be vigilant, stay faithful, because God is with you.

If you die today, where will you spend eternity?

Ell