Focus on Jesus!

I know there are so many struggles that we face in today's world. Unexpected sickness and trials. Unexpected loss. Having to make difficult decisions that maybe others don't understand. Just struggling to even keep going amid the enemies tricks and lies. But in the middle of the toughness of life, the pain and ugliness, the turmoil and heartache of this ole sin sick world, is when a focus shift needs to take place. When there is a focus shift back to Jesus and His Holy Spirit, God moves. Lives are changed. When the focus is shifted to what Jesus has the power and ability to do, people tarry in prayer and praise Him until they receive what they need from God. We are in a desperate hour of a FOCUS shift needing to take place. The enemy has us bound up by his hinderances and distractions, that we've just quit trying to push through them. 

The Lord has been dealing with me about this focus shift ALL year long. He's molding and teaching me to shift my focus to Him. When I do this, it becomes a whole lot easier to push through and carry on when the unexpected happens. He is teaching me to give Him my all, even if others around me aren't giving God their all. Why? Because of these words He spoke to my heart through the Holy Spirit:

Their praise doesn't determine your praise. Their prayer doesn't determine your prayer. Their peace doesn't determine your peace. Their focus doesn't determine your focus. Their walk doesn't determine your walk.

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 

(2 Corinthians 4:18) 

Stand Firm!

I stay in the throne room of God a lot these days... in the sanctuary of my bedroom... God meets me here with much peace, comfort, and reassurance of His goodness, power, mercy, and love. So many nights, for years now, I wake up in the wee hours of the morning and I know God is wanting to talk to me. I pray. I focus on Him. I trust Him completely. 

God has told me this: "STAND FIRM and keep your focus completely on Me. When it starts to detour, I'll help you get it back on Me where it needs to be, if you harken your ear to Me and listen"! • He's been faithful to do that over and over. He's reminding me to STAND FIRM and see His goodness at hand, to STAND FIRM in this season of life and on what directon He told me to go in. To STAND FIRM and know that He will give me the endurance to get through whatever is coming my way. 

God has reminded me of the unshakable faith I've kept during some of the most difficult times of my life, because you either trust God completely or your don't; faith and fear can't take up residency at the same time in your heart and mind. Either you're going to allow faith to drive out the fear or allow fear to drive out your faith. And, you can't ride someone else's coat tails when it comes to faith, you've must dig into the word of God and grab a hold of faith for yourself. 

When I stay in the throne room of God, it doesn't mean I'm oblivious to what's going on in the world, but it does keep me secure in knowing that despite corruption, chaos, and compromise going on within this sin sick world... God is still in control and I do not fear, knowing there is no other God before Him. He changes not. He still speaks to His sons and daughters, unlike those who worship idols that can't talk and answer you back. He is aware of what's going on; His plan and purpose will unfold, because God knows what He is doing. No season is wasted. I continue to lay my head down on my pillow each night having complete peace, confidence, and assurance in God! 

"You have always been patient. You have always been kind. You're consistent through the ages. Oh, what a friend of mine. So I'll remind my soul to bless You. STANDING FIRM upon Your truth. Knowing You cannot be shaken. 'Cause I've seen what You can do. God, You are good. In the morning I'll sing, You are good. In the evening, I'll sing You are good. You are good to me." 

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*Words from "You Keep On Getting Better" by Maverick City Music*