There are many things that can cause us to lose our focus on the Word of the King. Notice I said "can cause" us to lose our focus, not "will cause" us to lose focus. What you focus on is a choice. For example:
Wealth, entertainment, sleep deprivation, homelessness, hunger, sickness in your body, family who want you to be someone you are not, people who want you to help them fulfill their dream, and of course, relationships. The list is endless! This is only a fraction of what could cause you to lose your focus on His Word. This is why it is vital to have a solid foundation that is based on faith in His Word; not on any religious philosophy.
It is so important that we set our priority, before distractions set in.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today."
The evil one has many tempting distractions to throw at you to cause you to lose your focus from the Lord God's Word if you allow it. Yes, anything can be a distraction if you allow it! Fame, money, internet, TV, husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend and even your children! Can you identify your top three distractions?
"I was going to read and study the Word this evening, but_________ one of my favorite movies came on and before I knew it, I was falling asleep."
"I just started reading when ___________ called and I couldn't be rude and not answer!"
"I was going to spend time in prayer, but _________"
Fill in your blanks! The more excuses that pile up, the blurrier your focus on the Lord God becomes. It is inevitable! But:
"You shall have no other gods before me."
During the time Jesus was in the wilderness, being offered things of this world by the evil one, the Lord Jesus stayed focused on His purpose and assignment. When the enemy of the Kingdom offered Him the pleasures of this world, the King quoted His Father's law. Next the devil took Him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”
“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only Him.’”
Another very serious distraction comes from close family members who aren't filled with the Holy Spirit, and who don't have a clue who the Lord Jesus is. They may only attend a religious institution, yet they want to give you advice on how to live a righteous and holy life. They may even go so far as to chide you for being "too spiritual" and a "wet blanket" at family events. Do you recall what the Lord Jesus stated when His parents and siblings came calling on Him while He was focused on His Father's business? The Lord Jesus' response was straight forward and to the point: As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, His mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to Him. Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they want to speak to you.”
Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then He pointed to His disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”
That should be the viewpoint of ever Kingdom citizen concerning their families and the Kingdom. Do you recall what King Jesus stated to His public?
“Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.
‘I have come to set a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
Your enemies will be right in your own household!’
“If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it."
It is the Word of the living God that will save and keep your focus on the Kingdom, not your religious beliefs. Whenever you find yourself losing focus, remember what King Jesus said to Thomas when he wanted to know the way: "When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.”
“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where You are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me."
Keep focused on the Word to stay on course!
Remember, your faith in Him is your greatest asset in the Kingdom.
Matthew 6:33-34; 4:8-10; 12:46-50; 10:34-39 John 14:3-6
All NLT, unless noted
W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
Wealth, entertainment, sleep deprivation, homelessness, hunger, sickness in your body, family who want you to be someone you are not, people who want you to help them fulfill their dream, and of course, relationships. The list is endless! This is only a fraction of what could cause you to lose your focus on His Word. This is why it is vital to have a solid foundation that is based on faith in His Word; not on any religious philosophy.
It is so important that we set our priority, before distractions set in.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today."
The evil one has many tempting distractions to throw at you to cause you to lose your focus from the Lord God's Word if you allow it. Yes, anything can be a distraction if you allow it! Fame, money, internet, TV, husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend and even your children! Can you identify your top three distractions?
"I was going to read and study the Word this evening, but_________ one of my favorite movies came on and before I knew it, I was falling asleep."
"I just started reading when ___________ called and I couldn't be rude and not answer!"
"I was going to spend time in prayer, but _________"
Fill in your blanks! The more excuses that pile up, the blurrier your focus on the Lord God becomes. It is inevitable! But:
"You shall have no other gods before me."
During the time Jesus was in the wilderness, being offered things of this world by the evil one, the Lord Jesus stayed focused on His purpose and assignment. When the enemy of the Kingdom offered Him the pleasures of this world, the King quoted His Father's law. Next the devil took Him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”
“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only Him.’”
Another very serious distraction comes from close family members who aren't filled with the Holy Spirit, and who don't have a clue who the Lord Jesus is. They may only attend a religious institution, yet they want to give you advice on how to live a righteous and holy life. They may even go so far as to chide you for being "too spiritual" and a "wet blanket" at family events. Do you recall what the Lord Jesus stated when His parents and siblings came calling on Him while He was focused on His Father's business? The Lord Jesus' response was straight forward and to the point: As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, His mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to Him. Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they want to speak to you.”
Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then He pointed to His disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”
That should be the viewpoint of ever Kingdom citizen concerning their families and the Kingdom. Do you recall what King Jesus stated to His public?
“Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.
‘I have come to set a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
Your enemies will be right in your own household!’
“If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it."
It is the Word of the living God that will save and keep your focus on the Kingdom, not your religious beliefs. Whenever you find yourself losing focus, remember what King Jesus said to Thomas when he wanted to know the way: "When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.”
“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where You are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me."
Keep focused on the Word to stay on course!
Remember, your faith in Him is your greatest asset in the Kingdom.
Matthew 6:33-34; 4:8-10; 12:46-50; 10:34-39 John 14:3-6
All NLT, unless noted
W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
