Change Your Focus

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:14 (NAS)

Have you ever seen a baby learn to walk?  Struggle, stand, step, stumble, repeat.  Human ability to achieve a goal is evident by the number of people strolling all over the world.

As adults we say, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."  Not only is that not the definition of insanity, nor was it a saying of Albert Einstein's, it's often used as an excuse to give up.  Apply that concept as it was intended: you can't expect your life to improve when you continue abusing substances.  In other situations, you have to realize that to reach your goals you have to put in the work.  Struggle, stand, step, and when you stumble, repeat.

So what is your focus, what is your goal?

If your goal is to be happy, your focus is on you, and you're on the road to narcissism.  If your goal is to make others happy, your focus is on others, and you'll be miserable because people are never satisfied.  When your goal is to make God happy, your focus is on Him, and everything that's not important fades out of view.  Your vision is sharp and your purpose is clear.

Serving God isn't always easy or fun, but when you keep your focus on Him, it's simple, and the rewards last literally forever.

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."  Hebrew 12:1-2 (NAS)

When you realize how big God is, you won't have to run away from your battles.  You won't want to.  You'll suit up in His armor and Run to the Battle.

Change the Filter

"and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,"  Ephesians 4:23 (NAS)

Negativity is all the rage right now.  Victimhood is a badge of honor, and anxiety and depression are in vogue.  If you're satisfied with that, read no further.  If you're ready for the alternative, gear up.

You feel unloved, not because no one loves you, but because you've been unloving. You feel unaccepted because you don't accept. You don't trust, not because others are dishonest, but because you are.  You're suspicious because you yourself have ulterior motives.  You're greedy not because others are selfish and stingy but because you are.

Once you have allowed Christ to change your heart and change your mind, blinders fall off your eyes and you see clearly.

When you allow God to love others unconditionally through you, you open yourself up to receive unconditional love.  Your motivation switches from trying to manipulate people, to a desire to get to know people.  When you live an honest life, you easily distinguish trustworthy people from deceivers.  You stop wasting energy trying to gauge everyone else because you're free from having to do so.  You give because you know you've been blessed, not because you judged someone as deserving.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."  Romans 12:2 (NAS)

If you're approaching life through the filter of your trauma, all you're going to achieve is more trauma.  Let God change your filter.

Don't Be Salty

Guest post today, from Genesis 19. Special thanks to writer Francie Simpson, because I couldn't have said it better myself.

Don't be salty!

Remember when Lots wife turned to look back at Sodom and she turned to stone? That's really the only time we hear about her. But she lives in infamy because she did exactly what the Lord told her NOT to do, you don't look back. We don't even know her name, only that she turned to a pillar of salt. 

So why was it such a bad thing, to turn and look to see what was happening? Because God had rescued her out of certain death. At the behest of Lots cousin Abraham,  God sent two of His Angel's into Sodom to rescue Lot and His family and bring them to safety before the city was destroyed. But the wife, she turned to look back at all she was leaving, she didn't keep her eyes on Father who was rescuing her with His mighty hand. She was hung up on the past..

Abba wants us to keep our eyes on Him, our new identity,  our new life. Where there is no shame, no guilt, no condescension.  We will misstep, we are human.  the enemy will take that opportunity to jump on that and speak lies in your ear, things like " You're trash, you're not worth anything, no one wants to be around you,  God can NEVER forgive you for this." That's a lie from the pit of hell.

Let me tell you, There is not one human being on the entire face of this earth who has not fallen down, and probably more than once. Not a single one. Do you turn your back on your kids when they mess up or do something you don't agree with? Or do you love them, pray for them, and eagerly wait for them to come back home? Don't believe the lies! We all fall short of Grace, but it is there for us anyway.  I have many things I wish I hadn't done, but they are a part of my testimony.  I made mistakes raising my kids, I said things to my parents I wish I hadn't and I made MANY other mistakes..  Those things used to eat at me. (I used to say it was catholic guilt..)  It used to keep me from thinking i was worthy of hearing my Father talk to me, to call my name. But God taught me that my past is exactly that. Past. It is not who I am anymore.  Everything changes when you realize your identity in God. You're a daughter, a son, you are CHOSEN. 

We are all prodigals. At some point we were all in the pig pen lamenting our choices in life. So go home. Accept the love of the Father. Let Him put a new robe on you, one that will never fall off. No matter what. Even if you stumble and fall. Let Him give you a new pair of sandals for your feet to stomp on the enemy. 

Don't be salty, like lots wife.

Hello?

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;"  John 10:27 (NAS)

Feel like you just can't hear from God?  Want to do something important, and you're praying about what He would have you do, and it seems like He's not getting back to you?

Time for a gut check.  Or maybe we should call it a heart check.  You're waiting for a major assignment, but how about the minor ones?  You'll make a large charity donation, but will you pay your bills on time and set aside money to provide for your household in an emergency?  You're prepared to share the gospel on the street, but do you act like Jesus to the drive through employee when your order is messed up?  You're willing to travel and take time off work for a mission trip, but are you willing to stop at the grocery store for your family?  Every week, year after year, whether anyone thanks you or not? 

"His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave.  You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'"  Matthew 25:23 (NAS)

When you've sincerely asked for a revelation of what you might be missing and you're still not hearing any special directions, keep plugging away at everyday life with a positive attitude, because you're laying your foundation for the next step.  And keep listening so you'll hear Him when He gives you the next step.

No More Roadblocks

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."  Ephesians 2:10 (NAS)

There are so any roadblocks in the way of the work God has for us to do though, right?

We don't have time.  Or do we?  We all have the same God-given 24 hours a day.  If we're too busy to do what God's telling us to do, we're too busy.  Whatever you're doing that isn't what God's calling you to do, cut it out.

We have too many ailments.  Can we actually say with straight faces that we can't fulfill the calling of the Great Physician because we're too tired or sick or anxious or depressed?  Whatever condition is holding you back, seek healing.

We believe we're not qualified.  Whatever qualifications you're missing, pursue them.  Still feel like you're not qualified?  You're right.  Whatever the Lord is calling you to do, you're going to need His help for it.  That's what the Holy Spirit is for.

"but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."  Acts 1:8 (NAS)

There's a lot of work to do, and it's going to take all of us.  Let's do this.

Maybe It's You

"All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight,

But the Lord weighs the motives."  Proverbs 16:2 (NAS)

We like to talk about what the church should be and do.  The church needs to sing more/fewer hymns, with more/fewer instruments, and more/fewer vocalists.  The church should preach more/less on the topics of repentance, tithing, baptism, marriage.  The church ought to be involved in politics.  Or not.  The church isn't offering enough for college age, elderly, young adults, or low-income single fathers of left-handed preschoolers with hazel eyes.

Do you realize you are the church?  If an area of ministry is on your mind a lot, you'd better pray up, because it could be God calling YOU to do it.

Host a hymn night.  Learn guitar.  Compose new music.  Preach online.  Start a blog.  Write a book.  Get involved.  Volunteer.  Build a Bible study group.  Open your home.  Teach your neighbors how to garden, cook, grill an excellent steak, or whatever you know how to do.

And not with the mindset that since the church won't do it, you'll just have to do it yourself.  That's a garbage attitude, and you know it.  Why should someone else do what God assigned to you?  If you can't do it with pure motives and an open heart, pray until you're willing to let the Lord clean up your soul.  Then get to work.

"Commit your works to the Lord,

And your plans will be established." Proverbs 16:3 (NAS)

Emotions On Notice

"He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.'"  Matthew 26:42 (NAS)

Legend has it that cattle dislike a storm and will try to outrun it, ultimately prolonging their misery, while buffalo will face the storm and run through it in a much shorter time.  Whether true or not, there's a lesson.

Avoidance of negative feelings is the god of our current society.  Does God care about your feelings?  Yes.  Are your feelings His main concern?  No.  What is?

"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"  1 Peter 1:14-16 (NAS)

Your emotional state is not as important as your spiritual state.  Jesus acknowledged how He felt, but He lived out what He was sent to do in spite of how it made Him feel.  Living for God will often be hard on your feelings.  Let God help you face that and get through it.  Quit trying to serve your feelings and start living to serve your Father.