Fixed Attention

Fixed Attention

2 Corinthians 4: ¹⁶ For this reason we never become discouraged. Even though our physical being is gradually decaying, yet our spiritual being is renewed day after day. ¹⁷ And this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble. ¹⁸ For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever.

 

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Short pants were in and it was hot! Notice I didn’t say shorts. I wore them outside as we played. Unfortunately, my fashion choice gave mosquitos more opportunities for their evening snack.

 

With tens of bites on each leg, I sat inside miserable. The itching was overwhelming. Dinner didn’t seem to taste good because of my distraction. Sitting was uncomfortable and we had another six days to be there. “Don’t think about them” someone said. All I could think about were the bites.

 

• Mosquito bites seem small but somehow draw my attention.
• When I am uncomfortable, I only want to see a path to comfort.
• My focus on scratching the problem made the healing process extended.

 

Because JESUS died and was raised from the dead, we can have eternal life. Paul says “for this reason we never become discouraged.” He was the poster child of going through trouble. His troubles were very large in comparison to mosquito bites, yet he provides some great advice for facing large and small troubles.

 

My Observations

• Faith is something GOD loves for me to focus on.
• Joy is a gift GOD loves to give me daily.
• Eternal rewards are the true prizes GOD wants me to seek.

 

The unseen things like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control are what GOD wants me to have in abundance. This fruit is the best meal to place my attention on.

 

Whenever life becomes challenging, GOD wants me to seek the fruit of the Spirit, so I can endure and persevere. I am glad GOD loves the unseen fruit to focus my attention on.

 

Challenge

• Have you ever felt more rested when you were not focused on the problem?
• What does the writer say about never becoming discouraged?
• What things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good report, virtuous or praiseworthy can you focus on today?

All Eyes on Who?

Psalm 71: ⁵ For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord,
    my confidence since my youth.
⁶ From birth I have relied on you;
    you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.
    I will ever praise you.
⁷ I have become a sign to many;
    you are my strong refuge.
⁸ My mouth is filled with your praise,
    declaring your splendor all day long.

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Gleaming smiles caught my attention from the two girls looking in my direction. My friend and I were riding a crowded bus home after a long tiring day at school. I decided to show my chivalry by giving one of the onlookers my seat and my friend did the same. The one who stared the most opened her mouth and asked me a question. “Hey boy…” I got excited! “What’s your friend’s name?”

• In the past I wanted to be noticed.
• In the past I wanted to get accolades
• In the past I wanted to receive high honor awards.

I didn’t want to be on TV, I just wanted to be noticed. I got tired of being overlooked and wanted some recognition. I combed my hair, changed my clothes and added humor to my language. I was not to be ignored. Then it happened, I was the center of attention. But what was my message, more of me. There has to something more to my life than pointing to my accomplishments.

• When I point my life to GOD there is no failure.
• When I point my life to GOD there is no embarrassment.
• When I point my life to GOD there is no calamity.

When I accept GOD’s plan and HIS sovereign will, I can never say “look at me” or “look at what I did.” I must give credit to GOD and keep my praise of HIM even rather than up and down. I will praise HIM in high times and in low. Instead of pointing to me, I will point to HIM with praise, no matter what’s going on.

• Are you trying to hide?
• Do you feel embarrassed about something?
• Can you stop pointing at yourself for a minute and point people to GOD?
• Will you accept where HE has you and view “praise” as the prize rather than your future rescue story?
• Will you stop trying to feel special and know you ‘are’ special to GOD?

When I’m weak HE is strong

2 Corinthians 11: ³⁰ If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

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“This is my year” I thought to myself. The promotion would be mine because our team worked hard and we delivered on time and well within budget. Now it was time to tell people about our accomplishments. Every year we would do performance appraisals and I listed all the things “I” oops “we” had accomplished.

When I didn’t get the promotion a mentor told me I need to learn how to brag about myself without sounding like I’m bragging. I wonder if GOD wants me to do this.

• When I brag about myself I’m seeking approval from people who may not have my best interest in mind.
• When I boast about my accomplishments I overlook the one who made them come true.
• When I brag about my actions I may be trying to cover up flaws.

Boasting draws the attention to me and once everyone is watching, I need to keep on boasting otherwise they will see my broken parts. This vicious cycle does not work well with the LORD because I leave HIM out of the picture.

• When I show others my weaknesses it takes their eyes off of me and puts them on the LORD.
• When I show others my defects it enables others to bring their defects to the LORD.
• When I show others my problems it opens the door for people with the same problem to give it to the LORD.

“Why am I bragging” is the question I had to ask myself. Is it to get another award or accolade? Do I feel better when others celebrate “my” accomplishments? Well, to tell the truth I believed bragging was my way to the top. BUT GOD wants me to use the light inside of me to focus the attention on HIS SON.

HE doesn’t want me to be proud of my weaknesses rather HE wants me to openly admit I have them and HE is the forgiver and gives me eternal life. He wants my weakness to point to HIS strength.

• Are you busy trying to be something in front of people?
• Are you seeking approval from people who cannot see GOD inside of you?
• Can you stop trying to seek human approval and seek GOD’s blessings?
• Will you open yourself up to show your weaknesses so you don’t have to hide any longer?

Keep your mind on GOD as much as possible

1 Corinthians 7: ³² I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs —how he can please the Lord. ³³ But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— ³⁴ and his interests are divided.

An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband.

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Sitting in church my mind wandered thinking about the laundry list of things I had to do that week. Something around the house needed repair, banking needed to be done, and the large project I was working on required attention. As I tuned back in the singer was singing something about GOD or something then my mind went back to my list. It was hard to focus that day.

• The worlds list seems to distract me.
• The worlds list seems to get longer and longer each day and there is always something for me to do.
• The worlds list seems to add pressure for me to achieve rather than serve.

I don’t believe Paul was against marriage rather he was “for” following CHRIST as much as possible.  He realized that GOD is the most important being in our lives and that’s where I should spend the bulk of my time. Marriage is great but it comes with distractions away from GOD.

• I should spend as much time with the LORD as I possibly can.
• I should see time is short and my contribution to the world should be on growing GOD’s kingdom.
• I should make time for my family after I have made time for the LORD.

As much time as I can spend without worrying about life I should be thinking about GOD. I know it’s difficult not to let life get in the way BUT GOD has called me to talk to HIM, serve HIM, laugh with HIM and be with HIM daily.

• Are you distracted away from GOD?
• Can you remove your distractions for a moment and pay attention to what GOD is saying to you?
• Will you take time to just “be” with GOD today?