Monday 17 December 2018

OVERCOMING THE ENEMY CALLED DISTRACTION BY POWER OF FOCUS.

OVERCOMING THE ENEMY CALLED DISTRACTION BY POWER OF FOCUS.


With all the distractions of our electronic age. . .we can easily spend valuable time, energy and resources on things that have nothing to do with our dreams, goals or vision.

This scenario is what used to be referred to as majoring in the minors or simply said, wasting time on things that won’t change the quality or direction of your life.  Otherwise, known as … losing focus.

The first example of losing focus appears in Genesis 3:1-3 which says: 
“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.”

The enemy broke Eve’s focus by distorting the truth.
As far as we are told through scripture, God didn’t say “neither shall ye touch it, lest you die.”  He said:  “Don’t eat it.” Because the enemy broke Eve’s focus on God’s instructions. . .she was distracted from the truth.

Genesis 3:4-6 says: “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”

Once again, the serpent breaks Eve’s focus when he said “ye shall not surely die.” Eve was distracted by the fact that the tree was good for food.

She was distracted because the tree was pleasant to look at.
Eve did more than bite into the apple. . .she bit into the devil’s assertion that the fruit of the tree would make one wise (even as wise as God).
Eve not only broke her focus she broke Adam’s focus as well.
We need to always remember that no one can give us something that is beyond God’s ability to give to us.  Whatever the world can give us. . .God can give the better gifts.

When God decided to destroy the face of the earth. . .He gave very specific directions to Noah who stayed focused on the specifics 
God gave him.
As Noah worked faithfully, there were those who came and inquired what he was doing.
Whenever God gives you an assignment there will always be those who come along to distract you from your vision.

Remember this, if we lose our focus. . .we have given the enemy an enormous advantage over us.  If we lose focus. . .then we get negative by speaking doubt and unbelief.

In life, we either live by fate or faith. . .but not both.
Now let’s look at a New Testament example of people losing focus.

Acts 3:2-4 in the Amplified Bible says:
“[When] a certain man crippled from his birth was being carried along, who was laid each day at that gate of the temple [which is] called Beautiful, so that he might beg for charitable gifts from those who entered the temple.
3 So when he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them to give him a gift.
4 And Peter directed his gaze intently at him, and so did John, and said, Look at us!”

Now that may seem like a strange thing for Peter to say “look at us” or as the King James Version says “look on us.”  Why did Peter say this because the man was obviously looking at them.

Peter was wanting to re-direct this man’s focus from the money to their words. . .because the man’s miracle would manifest through the words he was about to speak.

As the man focused his faith on Peter’s words. . .something supernatural happened.  Peter took the man by the hand and he stood on his feet.  The man instantly went from being a lame beggar to a healed praiser because of his focus.

Distractions will come in life. . .but when we get distracted we break our focus and in so doing, can easily forget what the Word of God reveals is ours.
Proverbs 4:25-26 in the Amplified Bible says: “Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you.  Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright.”

Proverbs 4:27 in the New Living Translation says: “Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.”

No matter how long it takes. . .hold fast to the Word and your confession of faith because God will not fail nor disappoint you.

Numbers 23:19 in the Amplified Bible says: “God is not a man, that He should tell or act a lie, neither the son of man, that He should feel repentance or compunction [for what He has promised]. Has He said and shall He not do it? Or has He spoken and shall He not make it good?”

What God has promised us will come to pass when we keep focused on the Word.  However, if we allow the enemy to break our focus off the Word. . .then we’ll begin to sink.

Matthew 14:28-31 in the New Living Translation says: “Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
“Yes, come,” Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

Several observations about Peter’s water walking experience.
First, the scripture says “…Peter went over to the side of the boat.”   This was not a rowboat, a kayak or some dinky dingy.  It was a big boat.

Second, Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water.  As long as Peter was focused on Jesus’ Word. . .He didn’t sink.

Third, when Peter allowed the circumstances to distract his focus from Jesus he began to sink.  Then he became moved by the wind and the waves.

Fourth, when we allow distractions to break our focus. . .we become terrified.

Now let’s go a little further. . .

7 things that happen when we become distracted and our focus is broken.

1. First, we fall to victim to our circumstances instead of being victorious over them.

If you feel overwhelmed by what’s happening around you. . .the turbulence of life at the moment . . . take comfort in Isaiah 41:10 in the Message Bible which says:

“Don't panic. I'm with you.  There's no need to fear for I'm your God.  I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you."

2. Second, we will be double-minded when we lose our focus.

James 1:8-9 in the Amplified Bible says: “[For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides].”

3. Third, we will feel intimidated and insecure when our focus on God is broken.

Philippians 1:28 in the Amplified Bible says: “And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence] of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God.”

4. Fourth, confusion and chaos will enter our lives when become distracted.

Romans 16:17 in the Amplified Bible says: “I appeal to you, brethren, to be on your guard concerning those who create dissensions and difficulties and cause divisions, in opposition to the doctrine (the teaching) which you have been taught. [I warn you to turn aside from them, to] avoid them.”

5. Fifth, without our focus. . .we become unstable.

James 4:8 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].”

6. Sixth, we will never experience lasting success if we are unable to remain focused.

1 Peter 5:8 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.”

7. Seventh, without focus. . .we will live a life filled with fear and doubt.

Mark 11:23 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him.”

One more verse. . .Mark 9:23 in the New Living Translation says:

“`What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.’”

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