Get Your Focus Back (continued)

I remember during that time of seeking the Lord the urgency and deep desire I felt to want to know what God wanted me to do with my life. I wanted to know specific things like; was I on the right track and if not I was desperately wanting to make adjustments so that I could begin to do the will of God. I had read where God told Jeremiah specific things about his life and calling and now I wanted to know about my life as well.

In the book of Romans chapter 12:4- 8, the writer speaks concerning the entire body of Christ. Please read the following:

4. Just as in one [physical] body we have many parts, and these parts do not all have the same function or special use,
5. So we, who are many, are [nevertheless just] one body in Christ, and individually [we are] parts one of another [mutually dependent on each other].
6. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them accordingly: if [someone has the gift of] prophecy, [let him speak a new message from God to His people] in proportion to the faith possessed;
7. If service, in the act of serving; or he who teaches, in the act of teaching;
8. Or he who encourages, in the act of encouragement; he who gives, with generosity; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy [in caring for others], with cheerfulness

He speaks here of us having different gifts according to the grace of God given to us and that we should use them accordingly. Well, I wanted to know what God had given me and then what I was supposed to do with it. I believe that God gives us gifts to compliment our calling. Paul prayed for the church at Ephesus that God would grant them a spirit of wisdom and revelation and that their eyes (spiritual eyes) would be flooded with light so that they could know and understand the hope for which God had called them (Ephesians 1:17-18 Amplified Bible). When we pray in faith according to God’s will He hears us and grants us the request we ask of Him(1John 5:14-15). It is God’s will for us to know His plan for our lives.

God is always faithful to His Word and I can say that he truly revealed to me some of the things I am currently still doing to this day. Also, as I continue to seek and inquire of the Lord He continues to reveal things to me so that I can continue to follow His plan for my life.

Jesus said,

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Luke 11:9-10

It is the will of God that we know His general and specific plans and purposes but we must continue to seek Him and then once we receive direction, instruction, and insight we must stay focused.

Listen to the following scripture with your spiritual ears and receive what the Apostle Peter had to say about focus.

The end and culmination of all things is near. Therefore, be sound-minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer [staying balanced and focused on the things of God so that your communication will be clear, reasonable, specific and pleasing to Him.] 1 Peter 4:7

As we focus on the thoughts, plans and purposes of God our Father our thoughts will remain unspotted/untainted by the world. This will keep us clean from the filthy suggestions and advice of the wicked and our minds will stay uncluttered and clear.

And this is how we know [daily, by experience] that we have come to know Him [to understand Him and be more deeply acquainted with Him]: if we habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings).

Whoever says, “I have come to know Him,” but does not habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings), is a liar, and the truth [of the divine word] is not in him. 1 John 2:3-4

Hearing from God should be a normal occurrence for every Christian. God doesn’t just reveal His will to certain members of the body of Christ and then just leave others to figure things out on their own. The bible says that the Holy Spirit, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26)

But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth – giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message (on His own authority); but He will tell whatsoever He hears (from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him), and He will announce and declare to you things that are to come (that will happen in the future).

(John 16:13 Amplified Bible)

So, I encourage you today to seek after the full complete will of God for your life and then be obedient to plan and stay focused – you’ll not regret the journey.

For the [true] love of God is this: that we habitually keep His commandments and remain focused on His precepts. And His commandments and His precepts are not difficult [to obey]. 1 John 5:3

Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. Colossians 3:2

Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2

Now, the scriptures instruct us, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding but in all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy path. Proverbs 3:5-6

In order for us to fully trust God we must spend time with Him and get to know Him. This takes deliberate acts of focusing, this takes discipline. The Apostle Paul said, “For my determined purpose is that I may know Him…”

The word determined means: having made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it. This kind of attitude is what helps to regulate our focus. When we determine to seek the Lord and His will then this becomes our focus. Colossians 3:1-3 says, keep seeking, this denotes continued efforts, not every now and then.  The Apostle Paul also said,

For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], Philippians 2:10

Now, you may ask, how can I know what God’s plans are for my life so that I can follow them? You may have noticed in the scriptures above that we are told to – set our minds and keep them habitually focused on the things above – this involves giving devoted attention and time to God’s Word. Spending time reading and meditating in God’s Word will keep us focused on God’s thoughts, plans and purposes. Taking the time to fellowship (building a relationship) with God through His Word gives us the opportunity to get to know Him in a deeper and more intimate way. Relationships don’t just happen, you build and develop them through spending time with one another, through communication and established trust.

God specifically tells us in His Word to ask Him for wisdom if we need it (James 1:5). Well if you want to ask someone for something then that means you need to be with them and talking to them. God says in Jeremiah 33:3, “Call unto me and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

From time to time in talking with different people I ask them what their particular gift from God is, and/ or what they believe their purpose in life is. Their answer to the question many times causes me to wonder if people really believe and/or understand how significant their life and God given gifting(s) are in this life.

I remember back in the early 1990’s I set out to seek God so that I could find out some specific details about my life and purpose. Prior to this I had set aside times throughout my day to study the Word of God and learn more about the Lord, His thoughts, ways and acts. I believe this time spent in the Word of God created a desire in me to want to know my purpose and calling in life.

Psalms 37: 4-5 declares,

Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.

For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

I wanted to know God’s plan and purpose for my life so desperately I sought Him diligently. No, I don’t mean that I had to beg God to reveal His plan to me, He was more than happy to tell me so that I could accomplish His will. However, I had to prepare myself in the Word of God so that I could receive faith in order to receive His plans and purpose. The bible tells us that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). Anything we receive from God must come by faith.  We are sometimes so accustom to being the captain of our own lives that we forget to humble ourselves under the Mighty Hand of God. (1 Peter 5:6)

The Kingdom of God requires that we have faith to receive.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6 

Many times we ask God for things before we receive faith from His Word to actually believe and receive what we desire.

(Get Your Focus Back continued in next blog) Talk To You Soon!

Don’t forget to visit our websites: www.detoxifyingthesoul.com, www.harrisministriesint.com, www.beyondyourweight.com, www.nurturingnuggets.net, www.fellasofgod.com

Hello and welcome to my blog.

May the peace and presence of God be with you always.

Thank you for taking the time to invest in your future by ingesting some vital nutrients from the Word of God. My prayer for you is that as you read and meditate on what God is saying to you through these scriptures you will be enlightened by the Holy Spirit and receive strength for your journey.

God the Father says to us, Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10)

So be encouraged, you are chosen and loved of God – He will not fail you!

Now my friend, today I would like to talk to you about getting your focus back. It is so very vital that you understand God’s plan and purpose for your life. Your life is valuable to God and to those in whom He has entrusted to you to cross their paths in this life. However, what you choose to focus your attention on from day to day can determine how your life will turn out even though God has a specific plan, just for you. A vision without focus is generally an accident waiting to happen.

Focus defined:

• The center of interest or activity
• An act of concentrating interest or activity on something

As you can see from the above definition, focus is what captures (imprisons) your attention. It is the center piece of the table of your life. No matter what angle you look at your life this interest, thing, person, place, thoughts, imaginations, affection etc. has become the center of your concentration.

So let me ask you a few questions:

1. What have you been concentrating on in your life?
2. Has it caused you to drift away from God’s original instructions for your life?
3. How often do you think and/or meditate on it?
4. The things that currently have the majority of your attention and affection are they causing you to draw nearer to God or is it stealing time from your relationship with God?

Focus can be powerfully life changing. Focus can cause you to succeed or fail.

The bible teaches us to focus our attention on specific things, this does not mean you won’t be able to glance at other things as you travel life’s journey. However focus is a more deliberate, intense, single-mindedness kind of approach to something rather than just merely glancing at something from time to time. The bible instructs us;

Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3

From these scriptures we see that focus is something we must practice. Continued practice eventually makes habits, good or bad. Habits help establish how we conduct our everyday lives. Habits are the things we do on a regular basis, sometimes without even thinking about it. We don’t just happen to focus on something or someone, it becomes intentional. Focus is trained behavior, purposeful activity.

We must deliberately direct our thoughts and affections toward God’s plans, it doesn’t just happen by mere coincidence.

(Get Your Focus Back continued tomorrow) Talk To You Soon!

Don’t forget to visit our websites: www.detoxifyingthesoul.com, www.harrisministriesint.com, www.beyondyourweight.com, www.nurturingnuggets.net, www.fellasofgod.com