BE FOCUSED!

Hi! You are welcome, and its a pleasure having you here. Today, we will be exhorting ourselves on the topic: BE FOCUSED!

       It is well known that life is like a journey or a race and everybody will get his/her rewards based on how he/she takes the race. Paul the apostle said,“I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air..." (1 cor9:26). That is to say, I know my purpose on earth and i'm focused on it. I aim to finish strong! 

Join me as we take this study together.

BE FOCUSED!

      We will be taking our study from Matt.2.1 – 2 (MSG):

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory--this was during Herod's kingship -- a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around,"Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We're on pilgrimage to worship him."

From the bible passage above, it’s vivid that these scholars(wise men) had been on a long distance journey from the east of Jerusalem, been led by a star that appeared in the sky -- they followed the star patiently in order to worship the new born king– but on getting to Jerusalem, they got distracted (probably due to the population), took their eyes off the star, and started seeking man’s help till they got to Herod (an example of the devil), who only stole information from them and left them without a solution, but, directed them to Bethlehem just to keep searching. This would have cost them more than they expected: their time, provisions, energy, lives, security and so on.

Although, seeking man’s counsel and wisdom can be good, but, it is also necessary for us to know that no man can not substitute God for the foolishness of God is wiser than man (1 cor 1:25).

DISTRACTIONS

Prov.3:5-6 (KJV); 

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Looking at the world today, many are renouncing their faith in Christ, been distracted by one information or the other, thousands of suicide cases are happening due to distractions that has presented themselves like Goliaths, millions of inventions that should have glorified God have been thrown into the waste bin, youths are dying daily due to peer influence and peer pressure, and darkness keeps covering the world because the sons of the light themselves have lost focus on the purpose of their callings, being caught off by the distractions of this world.

Note: Our distractions might be different from each other based on the circumstances we face, but, I can still define it as any thing that keeps us from attaining our expected goals.

Longman dictionary defined distraction as something that stops you from paying attention to what you are doing. 

Sometimes, even as believers, we face temptations, we struggle with the sins from our old life, and a times, we later give up thinking its not possible to be free, but, i call these distractions, because, even the devil knows that as long as you are in Christ, you are crucified with Him (that is, dead to sin. Rom 6:6) and you are a new creature, old things are passed away, and all things are become new! (2 Cor 5:17). But, due to our ignorance of the word of God and presence of fears (Hosea 4:6), we permit him (the devil) to steal our joy and glory in Christ just like he did to Adam and Eve in Eden (Gen 3). So, what then is the way out?

WAY OUT!

For us to be free from this distractions, we need to see how Jesus did it, for he is our perfect example!

Heb.12:1-2 (KJV): 

“Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

I would want us to consider some few things from this scripture:

1. ENTANGLEMENTS
2. ENDURANCE
3. LET YOUR EYES BE FIXED
4. FAITH
5. NOT TAKING A STEP WITHOUT PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

ENTANGLEMENTS (OR SIN)

      One of the major weapons the devil uses to accuse and depress believers is their secret sins (unforgiveness, immorality, lusts etc.). You just have to cut them off in order to be focused. Paul said, he brings his body under subjection, so as not to be disqualified ( 1 Cor 9:27).

      Addictions, regardless of its stage, is a serial killer! You have to consciously (through Christ) cut it off.

ENDURANCE

      Sometimes, when we watch movies, we just want to know the end, so, we fast forward it, but, it’s not so in real life. In life, it’s just like a journey, and each steps we take matters a lot. We may face persecutions and challenges from the society, friends or maybe families, probably because of your faith in Christ, you just have to endure! --although it might not be easy-- don’t get distracted, because, the reward is also worth it.

      Paul said, the men of the world run for a corruptible crown but we, an incorruptible (1 Cor 9:25). 

LET YOUR EYES BE FIXED

      Jesus, knowing the joy and the glory that was awaiting him, he took his eyes off the public shame and disgrace he was going through. The bible says,“if your eyes be single, thy whole body shall be full of light" (luke 11:34). So, the more you permit distractions, the more the cost you will have to pay!

FAITH

      To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see (Heb 11:1 GNT). So, you just can’t permit doubt. How can you achieve this? You have to make a conscious and continuous building of your faith through bible study, prayers, and reading of books from trusted teachers of faith so as to finish strong.

NOT TAKING A STEP WITHOUT PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

      Prov 4:26 (GNT); “Plan carefully what you do, and whatever you do will turn out right.”

Most of the times, when I want to get involved in a thing or i'm getting tired of it, i get revived when I remember the reason why i'm doing it. This helps me a lot, I believe it can also help you too!

BEFORE YOU GO!

Have you started this journey of faith at all? Remember the bible says,“without faith, no man can please the lord" (Heb 11:6). Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). Thus, without Jesus, your journey is at risk, and you can’t end up with Him. 

Make a decision to follow him today! Accept him into your life, confess your sin(s), tell him to cleanse you and seek his grace for continuity. Jesus loves you!

Thanks a lot for your time. I do appreciate that. I expect to see you next time. Please share it, also, comments and/or ideas are welcome, as we all attain His (God) fullness.