Wednesday, June 8, 2022
Focus on the Lord, have faith in God’s ability regardless of the circumstances, despite the storms.
Paul the apostle wrote in Ephesians 3:20 – 21 (KJV),
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Stay focused. When I pray (ask or think), stay focused on the promises of God, not the problems I may be experiencing. Keep my eyes on Jesus. Have the mind of Christ given to me by my Heavenly Abba in whose image and likeness I am created. As I present my body to God a living sacrifice which is a daily habit, I no longer conform to my old way of thinking and acting. I am transformed by the renewing of my mind. It’s a process.
Just like He did with Moses who asked to be shown God’s glory (kavod in Hebrew), Yahweh is still proclaiming and declaring His Name to us when we’re in His Presence. Linger in His Presence…… close your eyes and imagine after you pray, believe that He is right there with you.
Linger, stay right there, and as He passes you, He proclaims His Name in your hearing: I AM!
I am whatever you need me to be right now – Advocate, Brother, Counselor, Father, Friend, Healer, Provider, Saviour. I am Alpha and Omega, not a cliché. I do what I say I do.
Mark Twain once said, “You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.”
When your thoughts are whacked, wandering to and fro with worry, you are out of focus.
You may feel like a tiny mouse – scampering and scurrying about in search of something to eat. You realize a change is taking place and your source of food has been moved. You begin to panic and doubt may try to set in. But if you close your eyes and focus on your sense of smell, you will be guided straight to the cheese!
Trust in God’s great goodness (Psalm 31:19), His great grace and great power (Acts 4:33), His great mercy (1 Chronicles 16:34, Psalm 86:5, Micah 6:8, Luke 6:36, James 2:13, 1Peter 1:3, 1 John 1:9), His great peace (Psalm 119:165), His great joy and His great love (Proverbs 10:12, 1 Peter 4:8, John 3:16, 1 Corinthians 13:13).
Daniel 9:4 And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us.
In Genesis, Abram had to focus on Jehovah Jireh his provider when faced with obeying God who asked him to sacrifice his only son Isaac. He may have been thinking “Lord, you called me the father of many nations but you want me to sacrifice this son of promise?”
The widow woman who was faced with debt left by her husband who died and now might lose her son to the debtors, she had to focus on the instructions given to her by Elijah. She may have been saying to her self, “Take what I have in my house, the little bit of oil, go borrow empty vessels from my neighbors, and do what? Get to pouring???”
Peter had to focus on Jesus’ Word in the midst of storm and raging waves and do what? Walk on water? Peter may have said to himself, “why did I ask to go where Jesus was? What was I thinking?”
So I remind myself and now say to you FOCUS. With every fiber of your being, focus. Your life and legacy depend on it.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
FOCUS. You will be glad that you did. I know I am, because of Jesus, the Great I Am!