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This Week’s Devotional Topic
STAY FOCUSED
As I get older, it is more clear to me than ever that there are so many distractions in this world I cannot stay focused on the “main thing” without the help of an almighty God. For example: how many times have you been distracted while you are reading the Bible. Even when we pray there are sometimes distractions. There are occasionally distractions when I am in church. Throughout this life, there will always be distractions. Some of those will be good, pleasant and helpful distractions, like signs along the highway. And then there are other distractions that come along that are designed by the world, the flesh or the devil to take our minds off the things that God wants us to STAY FOCUSED on. Let us focus on those things today, such as the word of God, beginning in…
Psalm 119:24-29; 105 Your instructions give me pleasure; they are my advisers. I lie defeated in the dust; revive me, as you have promised. I confessed all I have done, and you answered me; teach me your ways. Help me to understand your laws, and I will meditate on your wonderful teachings. I am overcome by sorrow; strengthen me, as you have promised. Keep me from going the wrong way, and in your goodness teach me your law…Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Colossians 3:1,2,12-17 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek [ stay focused on ] those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Philippians 4:4-8 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 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 [ stay focused on] these things.
Galatians 5:16-18, 22-25 “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.” “…the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”
Philippians 2:3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too [ stay focused on others ] You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Romans 12:1,2 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
May God help us to “Stay Focused”.
This week’s Scripture:
Philippians 2:3; 3:7-15; 4:4-8; Psalm 119:24-29; 105; Proverbs 3:5,6; Colossians 3:1,2,12-17; Galatians 5:16-18, 22-25 and Romans 12:1,2
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