Focus
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment and the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself’” (Matthew 22:37-39 NIV)
If you want your life to count, you have to focus it. I adopted a saying years ago that I do my best to live by and it is "Your focus will determine your finish!" I have learned this applies to every area of your life but none more than in our relationship with Jesus Christ. The world and the modern church tells us we can and should multi task, that more is better and if you are not doing more, you are failing. I am here today to challenge that way of thinking, Matthew 6 tells us not to worry and chase but to focus and in Matthew (6 v. 33 NIV) is tells us to Focus..."Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven and His righteousness, and all things will be given to you as well."
Jesus said there are two things that are more valuable in life than anything else: loving God and loving each other.
Have you ever wondered why God didn’t just take you to Heaven when he created you? Why did he put you on Earth? You’re only here for 100 years at the most, and you’re going to live for eternity in Heaven or Hell. Why didn’t God just take everybody to Heaven?
The Bible is very clear that God put you here on Earth to do two things: to learn to love God and to learn to love other people. Life is not about acquisition, accomplishment, or achievement of career or ministry. It’s not about all the things the world tells you it’s about. You’re not taking your career to Heaven. You’re not taking your car to Heaven. You’re not taking your house to Heaven. You're not taking your ministry accomplishments to Heaven, but you are taking your character you’re taking you.
God put you on Earth for 80 to 100 years so you can learn to love him with all your heart and learn to love others. Life is one giant lesson in love and if we will focus our minds on our relationship and love for Jesus, then the residual effect will be our love for others. I believe if our love for Jesus is what we Seek first in our lives and is our focus then EVERYTHING else is taken care of.
My challenge for us today is to Focus on our love for God and see where He will take us!
In His Grip
Pastor Matt Meadows