"FOCUS ON THE LORD"

On the journey of life, there is much to distract us from focusing on our Lord and His word. Very few Christians wake up and intentionally decide to abandon their faith. Falling away from God more often
is a gradual process. Each time we skip a worship service or neglect our daily devotions or prayer, life makes it easier to miss them again and again until God and His Word ceases to be meaningful in our lives.

"Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet,
and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Luke 10:38-42

This passage shows how Martha is remembered for her impatience and excessive concern for mundane matters, whereas Mary is remembered for her spiritual desire and discernment. Mary's act of annointing Christ in anticipation of His death is a lasting memory for her. While Martha was distracted showing hospitality instead of listening to Jesus' message.

Distractions can stand in the way of a close relationship with God. The devil entices us to place a higher priority on business and social activities than on Spiritual well-being.

Now, take your Bibles and read Jesus' parable of the lost son in Luke 15, Chapters 11-32. This is a good example of losing focus: The younger son was entitled to one-third of his father's estate and
asked his father for it (v12). In just a matter of a few days he "gathered all together" (meaning that he turned it into cash) and left his father to waste the money (v13). After he spent it all, he began to want
(v14). He then became a citizen ot that country and sought work because he hungered. He was summoned to feed swine, which would have been unbearably degraded by Jews (v15). He comes to
realization that he has done wrong and must repent (v17&18). Having claimed his birthright, the son had no further claim on his father's estate, so he asked to be made as a hired servant because he would not resort to begging (v19). His father had not yet heard his confession, yet ran to greet him and embraced him (v20). The son rehearses his speech, but the father's graciousness presents an entirely different result from the one the son had evisioned (vv. 21-24). The older son valued his ow higher privilege, and despised his brother who had squandered his portion. He was annoyed that his brother was being lavished with mercy and kindness (vv.25-28). The father is joyful that his son "was lost," but is now "found". The younger son lost focus due to greed, with the realization of sinning, ending with repentence and forgiveness. The whole story is a moving portrayal of a loving God's persistence in seeking out the lost.

Another Biblical focus point was in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus asked his disciples to watch "for one hour":

"Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then said he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy." Matthew 26:36-43

Jesus' question, "What, could ye not watch with me one hour?' is just as appropiate for us as it was for the disciples. Most church worship lasts one hour. No matter how long your worship service is, are you using the time to hear God's Word through your pastor? Are you concentrating during prayer? Are you singing the hymns with praise? What is your heart and mind focused on? Are you letting your mind wander to perhaps dinner plans, a vacation coming up, work left undone, the afternoon's football game? All of these things distract us on focusing on God's Word and worship to Him. As you occupy a church pew each Sunday, keep watch with Jesus and "focus" on His love for us!

Application: Although we too easily become distracted from God on our journey, God always rejoices when we repent. He is ready and eager to welcome us back. He sent His Son to suffer and die for us to bring us back to Him. Keep focused on Jesus, and He in turn will rivet your focus on the God who loves us and helps us to fight off all that would distract us from Him.

Today's Devotion: "And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of people sought to destroy him, And could not find what they might do: for all the people were
very attentive to hear him." Luke 19:47,48

Sometimes we look so intently toward the top of our mountain that we stumble over the steps leading to it. The journey begins just where you are with God's blessings in every step. May God Bless you
all, as you focus on the steps you take with the Lord today!