This Week’s Memory Verse…
And
now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is
true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think
about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:8
Fix your thoughts. FOCUS.
Paul has such
good advice to the church at Philippi. Focus on one thing—again one final
thing. Not the past…but the future. Then Paul teaches Timothy the importance of
focusing one’s attention. It is so well stated…that I certainly couldn’t say it
any better. I especially like what he wrote to Timothy to focus on reading the Scripture. That effort should fix a person’s
attention on what is important—God’s word which is above all…true, honorable,
right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and certainly worthy of praise. Paul
also encourages Timothy to use common sense and not waste time. Focus…Give your complete attention.
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved
it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead….Philippians 3:13
Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and
old wives' tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. "Physical training
is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this
life and in the life to come." This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone
should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our
hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of
all believers. Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Don't let
anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers
in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your
purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the
church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. Do not neglect the
spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the
elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention
to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your
progress. Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to
what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who
hear you. 1 Timothy 4:7-16
 |
| Just as the sunflower follows the sunlight... we need to follow Jesus' teachings. |
Read that carefully again. Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right.... If we follow
Paul’s advice, we will be following Jesus’ command to pay attention—to focus on
His teachings as He taught those following Him and especially His disciples.
So pay attention to how you hear. To those who
listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are
not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from
them." Luke 8:18
Are you
listening to Jesus’ teaching…are you hearing
what He taught?
Prayer ~ Lord…Open my ears to hear and my eyes to see—both
are gifts from the LORD. Proverbs 20:12. You said…Anyone with ears to hear
should listen and understand! Matthew 11:15. Anyone with ears to hear must
listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To
everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise
of God. Revelation 2:7. Lord, please give me understanding…and bless me with
the fruit from that Tree of Life. I look forward to a future—an eternal
lifetime with You. I’m focusing on You.
Daily
Bible Reading: 1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4
© 2019 Text and
photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
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