Stay Focused
I'm not a football person but my husband is. Every now and then I will watch a game with him. Sometimes I ask questions and from that I understand the logistics of the game. One of the things I understand is that when a team close to the end zone, about to make a touch down, the defense tightens up. The opposing team does all it can to keep its opponent from scoring.
1 Peter 4:7 says, "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." The enemy, our opponent, knows the end is near. He also knows when you are in faith and the end of what you are believing for is near. So, what does he do? He tightens up his defense because he doesn't want you to score! He doesn't want you to believe that God is going to come through. He is doing everything he can to get you to either stop praying or not pray at all.
When this happens, you must make a decision to Stay Focused. Recognize that the enemy is trying to distract you and get your focus off of God. Don't fall for the okie doke! Stay Focused! God is going you move on your behalf, BUT in order to see it you must Stay FOCUSED! Look at this acronym for FOCUS.
Fix Your Eyes on Jesus. Hebrews 12:2a says, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..." That word "looking" in the Greek means to look steadfastly or intently toward a distant object. It means to behold or fix the mind upon. It carries the connotation of looking unto Jesus and away from everything else that distracts.
If you fix your eyes on Jesus you will not be distracted and He will give you the faith to Overcome the Obstacles. 1 John 5:4 says, "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world--our faith." Faith in God is all you need to overcome any situation that you are faced with. In the midst of the improbable and the impossible, hold fast the confession of your faith, for He who promised is faithful.
Obstacles in life come, but instead of worrying about them, Commune With God in Prayer about them. Life happens to everyone, so instead of worrying about things that happen in life, pray! Philippians 4:6 in the NLT says, "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." Whatever you are faced with was either permitted or planned by God. Therefore talk to Him. Commune with Him, pouring out your heart before Him and allow Him to speak to your heart about what is going on in your life.
When you commune with God in prayer, He will help you to Understand His Will, work and way in the matter. Proverbs 2:6 says, "For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." This is why the enemy is so vehement about getting you distracted. He knows you will faint if he can get your focus off of God. However, if you know that you know that God is working it all out for your good, you will continue in prayer until you hear Him giving you clear direction and guidance for your life.
All that is left to do now is Stand. Ephesians 6:13 says, "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." This is the final piece of staying focused. You have Fixed Your Eyes on Jesus, Overcome the Obstacles and Communed with God in Prayer. Now you that Understand the Will of the Lord, Stand! If you don't understand what the will of the Lord, stay in prayer and stand until you do.
Remember, the end of all things is near. The goal is in sight and the enemy has tightened up his defense. You have been running well, so don't grow weary in prayer. He who gives you justice is near and your breakthrough is on the way. Remain sober and watchful in prayer and you will score for God's kingdom purpose for your life. Stay Focused!
1 Peter 4:7 says, "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." The enemy, our opponent, knows the end is near. He also knows when you are in faith and the end of what you are believing for is near. So, what does he do? He tightens up his defense because he doesn't want you to score! He doesn't want you to believe that God is going to come through. He is doing everything he can to get you to either stop praying or not pray at all.
When this happens, you must make a decision to Stay Focused. Recognize that the enemy is trying to distract you and get your focus off of God. Don't fall for the okie doke! Stay Focused! God is going you move on your behalf, BUT in order to see it you must Stay FOCUSED! Look at this acronym for FOCUS.
Fix Your Eyes on Jesus. Hebrews 12:2a says, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..." That word "looking" in the Greek means to look steadfastly or intently toward a distant object. It means to behold or fix the mind upon. It carries the connotation of looking unto Jesus and away from everything else that distracts.
If you fix your eyes on Jesus you will not be distracted and He will give you the faith to Overcome the Obstacles. 1 John 5:4 says, "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world--our faith." Faith in God is all you need to overcome any situation that you are faced with. In the midst of the improbable and the impossible, hold fast the confession of your faith, for He who promised is faithful.
Obstacles in life come, but instead of worrying about them, Commune With God in Prayer about them. Life happens to everyone, so instead of worrying about things that happen in life, pray! Philippians 4:6 in the NLT says, "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." Whatever you are faced with was either permitted or planned by God. Therefore talk to Him. Commune with Him, pouring out your heart before Him and allow Him to speak to your heart about what is going on in your life.
When you commune with God in prayer, He will help you to Understand His Will, work and way in the matter. Proverbs 2:6 says, "For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." This is why the enemy is so vehement about getting you distracted. He knows you will faint if he can get your focus off of God. However, if you know that you know that God is working it all out for your good, you will continue in prayer until you hear Him giving you clear direction and guidance for your life.
All that is left to do now is Stand. Ephesians 6:13 says, "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." This is the final piece of staying focused. You have Fixed Your Eyes on Jesus, Overcome the Obstacles and Communed with God in Prayer. Now you that Understand the Will of the Lord, Stand! If you don't understand what the will of the Lord, stay in prayer and stand until you do.
Remember, the end of all things is near. The goal is in sight and the enemy has tightened up his defense. You have been running well, so don't grow weary in prayer. He who gives you justice is near and your breakthrough is on the way. Remain sober and watchful in prayer and you will score for God's kingdom purpose for your life. Stay Focused!
Love, peace and blessings,
Dr. Sheila
Amen! I love this acronym! Standing strong in this faith test, focusing on the word and praising God for the breakthrough even though the enemy has tightened his defenses!
ReplyDeleteTGBTG!