Wednesday, July 16, 2003

Keeping The Focus

Keeping The Focus

gtcotr/ws071603

Talking about judging others:

My wife once encouraged me by saying, “Honey, if they knew you like we knew you, they would love you like we love you.”

The point she was making was valid.

Ecclesiastes 7

20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:

22 For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

Romans 14

10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

There seems to be an unusual number of people which God has gifted with the same two gifts:

To point out the blatantly obvious through the gift of hindsight

To quickly identify what is wrong with other people

Our Aggravations & Discontentment With Others May Be A Signal That We Need To Change

If the devil cannot make you bad, he will endeavor to make you busy

When he succeeds in making you too busy, he will then make you bad and you may not even notice it … but others will!

Keeping The Focus

Keeping The Focus On You

I. Remember Where You Came From

A. Thankfulness

B. Perspective

II. Remember Where You Are Going

A. Vision

B. Direction

III. Focus On Your Calling

A. God’s Will For Your Life

B. Identify Your Grace

C. Don’t Measure Yourself By Some Other Standard

D. Running The Race To Win (No Other Competitors)

* 1 Corinthians 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

IV. Three Things To Help Keep Focus

* 2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

1. Make your calling and election sure

* 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

2. Prove all things

3. Hold fast to that which is God

Note: Keep A Healthy Pace (Commit to some obtainable goals)

* Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

V. The Essential Commitments Of Every Christian

1. Your Commitment To God (Jesus as Lord)

2. Your Commitment To Each Other (Family & Friends)

3. Your Commitment To The World (Lost Humanity)

Are you in a committed relationship:

With God? With Each Other? With Lost Humanity?