Shift Focus
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I guess we can all agree that all the talk around pandemics, new normals and covid-19 are getting old. Sorry to bring it up again but I have a point. Let’s take a break shall we? Not burying our head in the sand let’s shift focus.
I have found when I choose to dwell on things differently perspectives change and new life is breathed and right about now I am ready for change.
I am ready for a shift in my focus on the pat number of weeks and I am ready to move it in a new more positive direction. I need it and you do too!
Here we are believe it or not entering Spring, or at least we hope we are here in Newfoundland and these last couple of days may not have seen a lot of sunshine like on Monday but it is Spring and that means new life! This past Sunday we celebrated Easter Sunday, New life through an empty tomb in the fact that we celebrate the victory that the grave is empty and our savior lives!
How’s that for a shift in focus?
A few weeks ago we looked at
Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
That’s a shift in focus the more I look to Him, the more I look at what He has done for me, the more I look at how blessed I am , I get excited and I see things in His light!
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
We need to get our eyes off of what we don’t have, what we can’t do, what we can’t see and look at who He is, who we are to Him and what He has blessed us with and where we are today because of Him. Thinking like this, reflecting like this is food for my soul, it puts a srping in my step and gives me a fresh outlook for what is to come.
Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good,
and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
The wise of heart is called discerning,
and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it,
but the instruction of fools is folly.
The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
Take a closer look at verse 24
Kind words are like honey—
sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Who are you? Are you a person who is sweet? Do you focus on the positive? Are you a person who dwells on the negative?
I feel like a bit of a repeating record on this matter in the past number of weeks but I have a source of strength and that strength is Jesus Christ and keeping Him as my focus in these times has certainly been a help to me and I know it will be for you if you will let Him in!
I want to be a gracious person, filled with His love, so that it exounds, pours out to others, I pray that this would be our reaction to our present circumstances.
Earlier this week we shared a verse on my social media which I love to start my day doing - that is looking at God’s word then sharing it with others because God’s word makes an impact and transforms people. So here’s the verse I shared:
Love one another John 13:35
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
So here’s my question: How have you been showing love to friends and neighbours?
The greatest example of love ever shown was Jesus Christ.
He gave His life for us!
It did not end there either!
In my devotions I have been reading in the Bible app a devotion on Redemption and there is thought that I would like to share with you from it today:
“What does the resurrection of Jesus mean?
If the power of death resides with sin, and if sin has been defeated, then death has had its power stripped away!
This is why death could not and cannot hold Jesus. This is why the tomb could not contain Him. He conquered sins and this conquered death. That is what the resurrection means. It is evidence that the cross worked! God raising Jesus from the dead shows that sin and death have been defeated once and for all.
And theres more good news the defeat of death does not just apply to Jesus it is true for all who put their trust in Jesus! That means us, it is true for us!
One day when Jesus returns death will be swallowed up forever! Those who know the Lord will live with Jesus forever!”
Not only did He die but He made a way through his death then resurrection to bring eternal life to all of humanity. He not only died but He is ALIVE!
His love lives on and brings so much transformation even today because of what happened on that cross so many years ago! How’s that for impact? How’s that for shift in focus? Starting to see new light hey?
Our challenge is to be examples of love.
If we have received it we are to share it!
So today I share it! I shout it! I want the world to know that this love is life changing supernatural and totally available!
When I was younger I was taught the song love is something if you give it away you end up having more. This simple truth is a reality that Jesus Christ lived out and because of His love for us He changed the world!
So share love, share encouragement it is much better than dwelling on fear or getting angry or being stalled by circumstances.
This week I read an illustration from Our daily bread which I would like to share:
Encouraging words help people heal faster of their ailments
Positive effects of words is not just limited to only our health.
The Bible says this:
Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,
and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.
So if you are looking for encouragement here’s a place you can find it:
God’s word - it is a place that speaks encouragement to us and equips us to bear up under even the most unthinkable circumstances.
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
See, God has come to save me.
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
The Lord God is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.”
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Would you be known to speak gracious words?
Are you an encourager?
Do you live basquing in God’s blessings or are you burdened and weighed down with fear, anger or resentment?
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
Help us God to take courage, be strong, stand in your strength and blessing to shift our focus on you and our blessings!
So when you need to shift your focus?
Look to the light!
Nothing changes your perspective, shifts your focus than sunshine, why?
Because it is light!
Who is light?
Jesus
Shift your focus
Let His light shine on you
Change your outlook and let it give you a fresh perspective
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His Wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace!
Life into dry bones!