Focusing On God

Scripture:
2 Peter 3:17-18 (NASB)

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Devotional:

Distractions are everywhere.  Driving down the road you have billboards, signs, and other advertisements.  If that isn’t enough we have the radio to play.  On top of that there are other cars on the road.  There are times when even the weather can be distracting.  When you get in a car to drive you have a purpose, a goal in mind.  You have a destination to reach.  In our lives we have a goal in mind a destination to reach.

If you watch primetime TV the show you are watching will be interrupted by commercials.  The goal of the commercial is to get you to purchase what is being advertised.  Satan has similar tactics in our lives and Peter warns us to be careful.  We are to watch ourselves and be on guard.  How can we keep our focus where it needs to be?  One way to start is by prayer.  It helps to begin your day in prayer.  To recommit yourself to God even before the day begins.  Another helpful tool to keep ourselves on track is to read scripture every day. 

I remember when I was a teenager I picked up a friend and mentor.  As he got into the car I changed the radio station from a soft rock station to a Christian station.  He asked what I normally listened to and went through all the presets on the radio.  I then realized the importance of what I listened to.  Today ninety percent of what I listen to is Christian radio.  Having the constant reminders of God helps me to keep my focus on Him.  If I listen to another station that plays a lot of music from the eighties or nineties I tend to reminisce of days gone by.  My focus becomes that of the past.  I tend to start thinking on all those things I wanted to do, or feel that I missed out on.  I start pondering what it was like back then.  It then becomes easy to yearn for days gone by.  The problem is now I have lost my focus on what it should be on.  There is nothing wrong with remembering days gone by.  It is important that they, or anything else, do not become a distraction from God.  

God is what we need to focus on.  One tool that helps me is listening to Christian music all the time.  I can take moments all through the day to offer up praise, thanks, or just to pray.  Remember 2 Peter 3:18, “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”  Focusing on God, reading scripture, praying will help us all grow in Grace and increase in knowledge.  What tools might you use?  Find what helps you keep your focus on God.

Limitations

Scripture:
Psalm 150:1-6 (ESV)

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
    praise him according to his excellent greatness!

Praise him with trumpet sound;
    praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
    praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with sounding cymbals;
    praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

Devotional:

Recently I was given the pleasure of driving one of three busses of middle school students to summer camp.  At first I was nervous since I hadn’t driven a bus in a long time.  Nancy was also nervous for me.  She doesn’t like driving large vehicles, but endures driving our big van.  When all was said and done I realized she put her discomfort of driving large vehicles on me.  Only I enjoy driving the bus full of kids.  I like our large van and driving it doesn’t bother me at all.

How many times do we put our limitations on God?  Because we cannot understand something God must also be confused.  Because we cannot accomplish it God cannot accomplish it.  On another note, how can God be all powerful?  He really cannot do…  Whatever the limitation is we place it upon Him.  We try to fit God neatly into a little box we create for Him.  However, God is limitless.  He created the heavens and the earth.  He spoke and out came the stars, Psalm 33:6, “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, And by the breath of His mouth all their host.”  By just His word God can create.  The truth is that God is limitless, we are limited.  Because of our limitations we assume God has to have them as well.  God is the Alpha and Omega; He is everything and all things.  God is the creator.  God is limitless…

Through It All

Scripture:
2 Corinthians 11:23-30 (NASB)

Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?

If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.

Devotional:

Pain, suffering, hardships seem to befall us all, especially with everything going on around us.  It can feel like things are getting worse around us all the time.  I look at what is going on in my life and at times think how hard the hardships are.  Then I read about what Paul went through.  I think about all the suffering and hardships he lived through.  How pale my sufferings are in comparison.  In fact when I really think about it what I go through pale in comparison to what other people have to endure.

No matter who you are or where you live you will experience hardships in life.  God never promised an easy life.  Look at all Paul went through.  God will allowed one of His most faithful servants suffer endure such hardships through his life.  What makes us think we are any better?  What makes us think we shouldn’t suffer?  Iron ore when mined isn’t very useful or strong, but the refined steel is another story.  Iron is brought through the fire to become strong and purified.  It is through our trials that we rely on God the most.  It is during our hardships we are refined, our faith becomes stronger.  God doesn’t cause pain and suffering.  He will use the difficult times to help us grow closer to Him and become stronger in our faith.  Otherwise we might simply forget that we need God.

No one wants to suffer or go through hardships.  Everyone wants a good and prosperous life.  God may not fill our lives with earthly riches.  He will provide for our every need.  He will protect us from our enemies.  God will strengthen us to make it through the hard times.  All we have to do is rely on Him and trust in Him.  Jesus sent us an enabler to fill us and strengthen us.  Through the Holy Spirit we are able to overcome all things.  Look at all Paul endured.  Yet his faith was unshakable.  He did not have the power to endure on his own.  Yet through the Holy Spirit he endured and helped reshape the world… 

Slipping Away

Scripture:
Luke 7:18-28 (NIV)

John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”

At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, 

     who will prepare your way before you.’ 

I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Devotional:

Doubt can cloud our minds from time to time.  Everyone doubts something sooner or later.  I recently purchased a trimmer, weed eater.  I had no doubt it would start when I first got it.  After the second use though I doubted it would ever start again.  I had to send it in the shop for repairs.  There is nothing wrong with doubting God from time to time either.  After all John the Baptist, who Jesus said there was no one greater than him, even doubted before his execution.  

There is no sin in doubting.  It is what you do because of your doubt that matters.  Jesus didn’t criticize or condemn John for his doubt.  Instead He gave praise and honored John.  We do not have to worry about God forsaking, or leaving us just because we showed doubt.  When in doubt take reassurance that Christ is with you.  Rely fully upon the Holy Spirit and trust in Jesus.  Blind faith can see you through your doubt.  Seek to relieve your doubt through scriptures and prayer.  Allow God to bring someone into your life to help you through any doubts you might have.  Look around and see His presence in all you do.  Soon you will find all doubts slipping away.  If you doubt, question.  Then look for your answers in scripture.  Seek out fellowship with other Christians.  Most importantly though, pray.  Talk to God; share your doubts with Him. Believe it or not God understands…