The Power of Focus!
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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, 2 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.
As I reflected on this message I was reminded on the time I ran track at Williamson High. I was not very athletic but I has some speed and some endurance. No enough speed for the 40 yard dash competition and not enough endurance for the cross country competition. I was assigned to run the 800. For those who are not familiar with the 800 it is two time around the track.
During my training for the competition I ran pretty fast and I was in the lead the first time around the track, I keep the lead the second time around. As, I was going down the final stretch I became curious about how much I was in the lead and I looked back.
As I looked back two runner shot passed me like a bullet. That lesson helped me to understand the importance of staying focused. As I turn my head to look back I could hear my coach in the background screaming don’t look back stay focused.
I should have not looked. According to an article from womensrunning.com. Because it signals a negative shift in the mindset of an athlete. When a runner looks backwards, it is typically because they are afraid someone is catching up with them. They are no longer running to win: they’re running to avoid losing.
I lost the race because I had the wrong mindset, I was afraid of losing, and not focus on winning.
How many of us have the wrong mindset when it comes to running the race of life?
How many of us are afraid, fearful to lose?
How many of are not focused on winning ?
Today, if you receive this WORD you will receive a mindshift that will cause you win the most important race in life . The race of stedfast faith, confidence, and obedience to God through being empowered by Christ.
Why should we submit our lives Christ, to His Word, and Way of doing things?
Why should we repent and change our way of thinking?
Because the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Matthew 3:2
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
As we begin our continue our journey on this don’t look at sins, transgressions , past mistakes, hurts, pains, faults, losses, and failures.
Stay focus on the assignment, mission,and the God -given plan for your life. Jesus came to restore the King’s - Dominion back to us.
God’s righteousness, peace, joy in the Holy Ghost and favor with God and man.
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
Staying focus will help us have the kingdom Luke 12:32
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
The power of staying focus, is the Key to Kingdom success and victory.
You are destined to be:
fruitful- be productive (staying connected,
multiply- to increase ( being faithful)
subdue - be over ( casting down imagination that are exalted against God)-
dominate- rule over the gifts and things God has for you. ( Not rule over each other.
Lack of focus, lack of keeping our eyes Jesus and receiving the prize of abundant and eternal life.
Abundant and eternal life begins right now.
Focus can benefit in this life and the life to come.
An article by about Warren Buffet and Bill Gates stated focus and clarity were the key attributes that help them achieve their wealth.
Focus can help us achieve our God given purpose and provisions.
Jesus said in Matt 6:33
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
How to stay focus?
Don’t look back ,
As a pastor that loves people one of the things that hurt me the most is when people that I oversee return back to their sinful lifestyle, bondage and habits. While serving in the Navy on ships I saw I sin easily beset people who received Christ.
I lived with them on the ship and I saw their backsliding up close an personal and I sure they saw my flaws also.
This turning back grieved the Holy and it like crucifying Christ again. We all must stay focused and not look back.
Consider Lot wife
17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
2 Peter 2:21–22 (KJV 1900)
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Don’t get distracted. ( Look unto Jesus)
Today distraction is so easy to fall into because we have some information both good and evil at out finger tips.
Forget those thing behind
Don’t dwell on past victories or past fail. Stay in present and pursue righteousness.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Peter got distracted Matt 14:22-33
Matthew 14:22–33 (KJV 1900)
22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
Take off the old thing that weigh us down.
Set you affections
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Saturate your mind in the Word of God. Listen to day and night
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.