Daily Focus

There is so much going on these days. . . . political battles, global warming threats, economic challenges, rumors of continuing pandemics and more. There is so much going through our minds. How does one navigate through each day without getting frazzled? It takes a daily focus . . . or refocusing . . . upon these things.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9)

Keeping things in focus helps to keep our minds at ease. When things hit us in the face, a keen focus on the things that matter will help us navigate life. For the believer, that focus is God and His Word!

Relax . . . Stress kills!

Our minds are terrible things to waste! I have heard that on commercials for years, focusing upon our kids' education. However, Paul stated the same right here in his letter to the believers in Rome in the first century! His focus was not upon education in a worldly sense however. 

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:5-8)

Focusing our thinking on worldly desires and issues will lead to an early death. Stress kills for sure . . . strokes, heart attacks, and more. Chasing the world will also lead to spiritual death; separation from God! Yet chasing after our relationship with God and seeking to please Him brings a peace beyond human understanding. 

It has been proven that those with a personal relationship with God live longer or at least a more peaceful life. We know Who is in control . . . not the President, not the money regulators, and definitely not the news casters! We place our trust in God and God alone as we navigate this dying world with one goal in mind . . . to make others to know Him as well.

RELAX!

God will applaud you!

Why do we do things anyway? What or who is our motivation? As believers, many times we do things without notice. We can get a bit jealous at times and even feel forgotten, invisible and left out. I know I do at times. But it is ok. Eventually, God will applaud you!

Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.  Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. (Matthew 6:1-2)

All the attention , rewards, and applause in this world can never compare to God's rewards . . . His applause. Just imagine stepping into eternity and hearing, "Well done, my good and faithful servant. Great is your reward!"

Don't make it a habit!

Morning prayers and devotions....prayers over meals....SONday worship.... don't make it a habit!

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. ( John 15:13-14)

Jesus gave His life for us! Let that sink in for a minute. What are we doing for Him?

A few minutes of rehearsed prayer....an hour a week at best....a necklace around our necks?

He gave His life for us....can we live our lives for Him?

How to . . .

Some often wonder, " How can I possible walk closely with God?". Here's a how to guide . . . plain and simple. Stop following the world!

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)

The only way to follow closely with God is to stop thinking like the world. The pathway to heaven is narrow and a struggle. The highway to hell is wide, slippery, fast, and yes, dangerous. We have to choose daily which way we travel.

It begins with the mind.

. . . but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:14-15)

THINK about it!

Can they see see Jesus in me? Am I experiencing an identity crisis?

Can they see Jesus in me? 

Can we ask ourselves that question today? If I say I am a believer in Christ Jesus, can others see Him in my everyday actions and hear Him in my words . . . or am I experiencing an identity crisis?

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one I in them and you in me so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. (John 17:20-24)

Jesus prayed for us to be like Him . . . unified with Him so others would get to know Him through us? Do we identify with Jesus so closely that when others are around us they experience God's presence?

Let's ask ourselves: Can they see Jesus in me?

How to fight

We have all heard the saying (and scripture) that the battle is not ours, but the Lord's. Yet we continue to fight our battles they way we choose with the weapons we choose. However, Paul here tells us how to fight our battles:

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ . . . (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

Living in the presence of God and in His will and by His Spirit gives us peace knowing we are trusting God and not ourselves or others? When is the last time God failed?

Let's fight with God and not against Him!

Turn back to God

Give honor where honor is due and never forget that God is always present! Despite the awful memories of 9-11-2001, we can look back and still see God's presence. It could have been worse. It can still be worse. While we continue to pray for those who suffered such devastating losses, many look back and see God's hand upon their lives that day. I am one of them . . .

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1)

I can only pray that we as a Nation can turn back to God. We saw what can happen in just a few minutes on 9-11. We saw how a pandemic can change the world in just weeks. What more needs to happen before God says enough is enough?

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance. (Psalm 33:12)

Please continue to pray for those who rush in to serve when others run. We are eternally grateful!

God knows our struggles!

God knows our struggles!

For to be sure, He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him . . . . (2 Corinthians 13:4)

Be assured, God knows our struggles. Whether it is circumstances getting us down or just the feelings of rejection, dejection, and isolation, God knows. Jesus went through it all while living on this earth . . . much more than we could ever imagine! We must learn how to rely only upon Him at times in this life! 

Just before dying, Jesus was at His lowest point . . . alone, abandoned and left naked in front of all to see upon the cross.

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (Matthew 27:46)

Yet on SONday morning, God the Father raised Him up! Oh, God knows . . . He cares!

Stop trying so hard!

We can never make up for what God has done for us. We can never out-do Him or out-give Him. So stop trying so hard!

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.  For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son . . . (Romans 8:1-3)

What Jesus has done for us on the cross is enough. We cannot do any more to obtain God's forgiveness but accept it and walk in it. I once thought I had to be right before God could forgive me. I was constantly trying to be perfect so God would finally accept me. It was frustrating. It was insane!!!!

Then someone introduced me to the words in the Bible so I could understand. Yes, I was a sinner, but only Christ's sacrifice on the cross and is overcoming the grave could save me from myself. I had to admit it and accept it for what it was!

It is His grace and mercy, not my efforts to reach Him. He reached out to me . . . . and He is reaching out to you! Will you admit your sin and accept His sacrifice for your eternal life?

Romans 3:23 Romans 5:8 Romans 6:23 Romans 10:9-10 1 John 1:9

What is your life source?

 Stay connected or die!

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (John 15:4-5)

What is your life source? What do you absolutely need to survive on a daily basis? Some would just die without coffee. Others need sports 24/7 to exist. Some turn to drugs, sex, alcohol . . . Many simply cannot survive without other people's applause and approval. 

Listen to Coach Prime: https://fb.watch/mT-JGKKlce/

We have to stay intimately connected to God in order to survive this world as a believer. Trusting the world and its traps is deadly! Without Him, we can do absolutely nothing of value guys!!!!

What (Who) is your life source?