From Drifting to Focused

Eph 4:11-16 NIV So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,  to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up  until we all reach unity in

the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves,and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming

  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Daniel 1 NIV

Focus is the result of good habits that are continually practiced.   Daniel practiced persistant consistency. RESOLVE: to come to a definite or earnest decision about something; determine to do something

Ex 3:7-10 NIV The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned  about their suffering.  So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with

Ex 3:7-10 NIV milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

The Land Between may provide our greatest opportunity for transformational growth and focus

Is life happening to you or are you happening to life?

3 reasons we lose focus We don’t have a big enough “why” we should do things We’re too comfortable We’re stretched too thin

Col 3: 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Recognize the difference between “have to” versus “choose to”

Phil 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things

Prov 16:3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established Col 3: 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ  

Take it home Choose in advance how you will respond to life events – Focus on the positive Choose a life verse from scripture to help you maintain focus Start with a word or theme for 30 days- change one thing at a time Be persistantly consistent in your habits Ask – “Who will be crying at my funeral?”

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