Faith Focus

10-20-2009
Faith Focus

I read a devotional from Wisdom Hunters this week, and I felt I would share it with everyone as part of today’s devotional. The terms “Jesus Freak” and “Bible Beaters” are common characteristics given to those that walk with the Lord daily. Heck, I’ve had friends from my childhood look me up to see what I’ve been up to, and they will ask questions such as, “When did you become some religious?” My response to that question is an entire other devotional in itself. The point we need to grasp from today’s devotional is simple: if you are a follower of Christ people should know it. There should be consistency with your conduct and conversation no matter where you are or whom you’re with. Let’s read the devotional.
Faith Focus… “… love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life…” Deuteronomy 30:20 a

The Christian life is a matter of focus. Do I focus on my fears, my problems and my needs or I do I focus on God? Do I love Him, listen to Him, trust Him and allow Him to consume my life or am I wrapped up in myself? These are two very different perspectives. One takes life, the other gives life. One saps energy, the other gives energy. So how can we listen to God, trust God and make God our life? It does start with love. When we love God our affections are heavenward. “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:1-2). Love means we want to be with Him, understand Him and please Him. Loving God, means our love for others or things pales in comparison to our love for Him. Others may become jealous because of the time and attention you give God. It may be hard for them to understand, but in reality if your love of God is pure, those closest to you will be better off. It’s because the Lord loves you and you love Him that you can’t help but love those around you. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” (1 John 3:16). Focus on God also means you listen to Him. Quietness and solitude become a part of who you are, because God’s voice is clear and crisp during stillness and reflection. Other competing noises are snuffed out when you take time to listen. Listen to Him in soft contemplative worship music, listen to Him through meditation on His word, or listen to Him beside a bubbling brook under the canopy of His creation. His voice cares and comforts. He is always searching out to communicate with and calm His children. How well do you listen to the Lord? Does it take a posture of desperation? Do the ears of your soul perk up in the presence of your Holy Creator? How can we not listen to the One who holds the world in his hands and who loves us beyond comprehension? Therefore, listen to Him and do quickly what He says. By faith obedience acts on what it hears. Trust is also a part of your focus on God. He can be trusted because He is trustworthy. Others will let you down, but not God. He is always there to comfort you in your affliction and to convict you in your sin. Trust His flawless character. It is out of this trust that flows peace and love that this life does not offer. “The LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him” (Psalm 32:10). “Is my faith focused on receiving the love of my Heavenly Father?” Do I rest in His peace the security of His love?