Fix Our Focus
Fix Our Focus
Hebrews 12:1-2; Matthew 6:33; Psalm 105:4;
Colossians 3:2-4; Philippians 4:8-9; Romans 8:5-8; Romans 12:1-2
The start of a new year always brings a time where people are wanting to make changes for the upcoming year. We start off with these grand ‘resolutions’, only to see them fade away. In fact, there was a commercial on this week that said this past weekend was “Quitter’s Weekend”, where people walk away from their resolutions just after two weeks into the new year. So, I was thinking it’s probably best to QUIT making resolutions in the first place. We heard from Pastor Jerry last week when he quoted 2 Corinthians 5:17:
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
As a Christian, we need to focus on the new things that have and will be coming into our lives. My neighbor across the street has made a radical transformation in his life. He was challenged by a college (IWU) Master’s program class to get back into church and the Bible. He has been taking his family to church, joined a men’s Bible study, been losing weight (something he has been struggling with for several years), is training for an Iron Man event with his new Christian friends, and is boldly proclaiming “Jesus is King” thru his life, his home and online platforms. He told me he had to refocus his life and get things in order.
We all may need things to help us refocus. Talk to Debbie Davis….
Recent Cataract surgery…week 1 (One eye) vs week 2 (both)
In both high school and in college, I was the photographer for the schools’ yearbooks. The pictures had to be in focus…adjusting the lens, and the shutter speed had to be set correctly for action or low lighting shots. The camera had the ability to take the good pictures, but it was me that had to make the adjustments. The lens had crosshairs that helped me focus the subject, much like the crosshairs of a scope for a rifle. They are both necessary to be able to ‘get the shot’ or ‘hit the mark’!
With all that has happened in our world, in our country, in our state, in our homes or in our own lives, it is only natural for us to get distracted or to lose sight or focus with what really matters.
So let’s see what it will take to get us back in focus and back on track.
Hebrews 12:1-2:
“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.”
- Fix our Eyes (See where we are going)
- We are not alone in this
- Surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses
- Jesus is with us and He did it knowing the outcome.
ILLUS: Peter in the boat
- We are given instructions on how to accomplish this
Psalm 105:4 (Old Testament Instructions)
“Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually.”
- Distractions happen when we get anxious (see heading for Matthew 6:25-33 “Cure for Anxiety)
Matthew 6:33:
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
This is not for your personal justification or provisions, but rather “…it is to pursue righteousness of life in full submission to the will of God.”
Ouch! If I must submit, I am not getting what I want!!! EXACTLY!!!
So, once we have our eyes in focus, what is the next step
- Fix our Thoughts/Minds
Colossians 3:2-4
“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”
- Get rid of ‘Stinkin’ Thinkin’”
- Warning and solution
Romans 8:5-8
“For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”
- God’s remedy for our thought processes
Romans 12:1-2
“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 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.”
- Work for pure and holy thoughts.
Philippians 4:8-9
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
We all know that only God can fix us! And that happens when we fully surrender to control to Him to be our Lord and Savior. (Refer back to Romans 12:1…)
He fixes our hearts, which then leads to the fixing of our eyes and our minds and thoughts. By the leading of the Holy Spirit, we are recalibrated or realigned with God’s heart. Sadly, our human stubbornness gets in the way, and we are the only one who can “fix” that, which is by giving ALL to Him. This is not something that is “ONE AND DONE”, but rather it is a daily process. We can help in this process by positioning ourselves with these practices:
~Start the day with prayer: roll out of bed and onto your knees
(got bad knees, then sit up and bow your head)
~Read scripture or do your devotion before your shower
~Make it a habit of listening to Christian music, especially
as you shower…acoustics are great to sing along.
(radio, “Alexa, play…” or music app)
~Ask a friend to hold you accountable and encourage you as
you do the same for them.
~Do your daily “workout”.
Philippians 2:12-13: “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”