FOCUS. During the last meeting I was privileged to have with Pastor Chuck, he gave me valuable advice that I’ll apply for the rest of my life on this earth. I will also recommend it to everyone I meet, since this advice is trustworthy.

He told me how beautiful things can come into our lives and then become the first thing our minds think about. He told me to FOCUS, and to give my first thoughts to Christ, and continue to think on the things of Him first and foremost, and allow every other thought to fall under that. He told me to never lose Focus on what God is calling me to, for I don’t ever want to miss out on what He has set before me.

I think of the word FOCUS, and this is what comes into mind. To focus is not a one time thing, but it’s something that must be done continually. In the Bible, Paul says we must renew our minds. (Romans 12:1-3) Focusing is a constant renewing of the mind. The mind is the battle field in which the enemy tries to get access into our lives. So the mind is in need to be reminded of God’s Love and Grace each morning.

 ^“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

– 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Christ says to seek FIRST the Kingdom of Heaven and its righteousness. He is calling us to FOCUS: A constant seeking after the things of God. Things in this world may look promising, attractive and good, but the “good” things of the flesh are nothing to compared to the good things of the spirit–which in Truth, is far more attractive than anything else. What your heart desires is what your heart it focused on, and what you are focused on is where your heart is. Where your heart is, there your treasure will be also. Is your heart with Christ or with this world? Has the world caused you to think that the things of God are too religious and “boring”?

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

– Matthew 6:33

It’s so much easier to desire the results without wanting to do the work that it takes to get there. When you want to build muscle, you have to go through the long painful process of working out. The results are something everyone desires: Strength, endurance, and the feeling of being healthy. The results are, by far, more attractive than weakness, grogginess, and the feeling ‘blah’. Every time I’ve started to  work out, I’ve never really enjoyed it. But after the results started to appear, I really did enjoy it. Yet, it’s not really the work I enjoy, but the results, and because I like the results so much, I persevere through all the work.

The same goes for the spiritual body. we must work that out also. Now just to be clear–I’m not talking about salvation, since salvation is obtained by the Grace of God, through Faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. We, however, as Followers in Christ, are called to pick up our Cross daily and Follow Him. These are words from the very mouth of Jesus.

“Then He [Jesus] said to them all: “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.”

– Luke 9:23

Many people act as though  following Christ is easy and painless. They make it seem that if we are in Christ, then everything in our life will go very smoothly and there will be no pain, no attacks by the enemy, no suffering or trials, and we will have the perfect life. This is totally false!

Did Jesus really enjoy carrying His Cross, a splintered tree on His bleeding and ripped up back, to a rocky hill, where He would have His hands and feet pierced with nails? He knew he would be humiliated  and on display for everyone to gaze their eyes upon Him as He suffocated.

Does that sound easy? When Jesus told us to pick up our Cross and follow Him daily, was He really telling us it would be easy? Absolutely not! It’s a painful, painful process, but you are guaranteed the best results possible! An unexplainable Joy! Undeniable LOVE! Treasures in Heaven! A Future Glory! The list goes on.

So what keeps us from working out our spiritual body? What keeps us from prayer? What keeps up from soaking in God’s Word? What keeps us from loving others as God has called us to love? Is it fear? Is it relationships or things that we have put before our relationship with God? Is it because it seems boring to grow?

Whatever it may be, set Your FOCUS on CHRIST! START today. Never assume it will be easy, but that it will be worth it! FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS!

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

– Hebrews 12:1-3