Focus: March 20, 2013

TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY MARCH 20, 2013.

FOCUS

DEFINITION:

A center of interest and activity; bring into focus a clear vision.

SCRIPTURE:

But you, a man of God, flee from all of this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I Timothy 6:11-12.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

So many people today are focused on the wrong things. More are self-centered and focused on themselves and getting what will make them happy. They have their own agenda.

In chapter 9 of Acts, we are given the account of the Apostle Paul’s conversion. Paul had his own agenda. Before Paul was converted to Christianity, his focus had been on the persecuting of Christians. His focus was driven by his inward desire to fulfill the law as he understood it. God confronted Paul on the road to Damascus to change his focus. God temporarily blinded Paul physically so that he could see spiritually. Paul was like an out of focus camera. Before a camera is properly focused the true picture cannot be seen clearly.

When Paul met Jesus he had a clear vision of his out-of focus life. From that point in his life, Paul changed his focus and his agenda. He focused on Jesus alone and on spreading the message of Jesus’ love and forgiveness that brings salvation to all who believe. He fled from his old desires and pursued righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. He had a new agenda --- to fight the good fight of faith and to take hold of eternal life.

Despite times of great physical discomfort and emotional trials he was consistently focused on the fact that he was under God’s sovereign hand. His focus on the Lord kept him from being resentful and walking away from his faith despite persecution. He faithfully continued throughout his life to be focused on the Lord and preaching the gospel.

Paul learned early in his walk with the Lord to focus on God’s sovereignty rather than his own will. When our focus is not on the Lord and we start thinking that our enemies and difficulties are in control of our circumstances we are defeated.

In Psalm 103:19, the Psalmist tells us that, “God has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.” He is in absolute control and our focus in life needs to be on Him at all times. We may not understand His reasons for permitting hardship or pain in our lives, but His plan is always for our good and His glory.

We can learn, as believers, from Paul. He was focused on his godly purpose rather than on his personal desires and earthly gain. Pain, whether in the body or the heart, often absorbs all of our attention. Paul’s words and life style reminds us that there is no victory to be had when we dwell on our hurts.  For example, Paul rejoiced when the guards that were guarding him while he was in jail found Christ. Paul focused on loving his enemies and winning them to the Lord even in the midst of his own personal tribulations.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in John 4:35.

Do not say there are still four months and then comes the harvest. Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest.

PRAYER:
Help me and my family to focus today on our heavenly Father, and Your love and Your goodness.  Keep us from allowing trials and suffering to defeat us and cause us to lose our focus on Jesus and His message of love and salvation.