The Focus For Greatness

Hebrews 12:1 ¶ 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.

There are many of us who would love to live our lives fully for God, but we have been held back by what the Bible calls ‘weights’. You see, when the devil sees he cannot get you to backslide easily, he starts by trying his best to take away the fire you once had for God, by showing you that it’s alright to do that thing that he knows you love doing, more and more.

The Bible says ‘And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus (Col 3:17). Examine yourself. Are you doing ALL you do in the Name of the Lord Jesus? Or you are doing some because of Him, some because of what people would say, and some because of yourself?

In 1 Cor 6:12 Paul said “Everything is permissible for me”–but NOT everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”–but I will not be MASTERED by ANYTHING.

Then he gave two examples:

1Co 6:13 “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food”–but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. (NIV)

Some Christians have let themselves be distracted from their love for God by their love for food. But this is not the only thing. Some have been overcome and distracted from their focus on their love for Christ by a relationship, by their love for pleasing others, social functions, worldly music, worldly television programs, friends, the way of the world, etc.

Anything that is not taking you forward spiritually, career-wise or in a clear way that God is showing you is probably bringing you down. Be extremely careful about it.

Jesus said in Revelation 2:2 ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. ‘BUT I HAVE THIS AGAINST YOU, THAT YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE.

Wow. What a great commendation! But stained by one blot. Where is the love you had for Me and the things of God at first? Where is the passion with which you spent time with me, and read and did My Word? Wow…

Can we examine ourselves today? Where is our focus? Is our first love still there? Would we rather talk with friends, listen to music, watch tv or browse, try to make more money, or something else, rather than spend time with God, with His people, or do His work? Do you still have the the love you first started out with, or can Jesus say this exact same thing about you today…?

Let us return to, nay, GROW in our first love for Christ. Let us do and improve on those things we used to do for Him.

All I do – business, technology, the people I get close to, are from a feeling that the Lord wants me to do this, and that this is not against His Word or His instructions to me. I do this out of a knowledge that God loves me, and as I stay with His instructions, He is taking me to somewhere VERY great, hallelujah!

The Lord is making us stand always in the center of His will, in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer

Father, I decide today to stay at every moment of my life in the center of your will. I will go where you want me to go, do what you want me to do. I will live for you Lord. I will obey you in all I do, in Jesus’ Name. You will always strengthen me by your Word and your Spirit Father, and I will win every day and every week for you. You help me Father, in Jesus’ Name I pray. Thank you Lord.