Teach Me How to FOCUS! Teach Me! Teach ME HOW TO FOCUS!
Minister Johnathan H. Blue
Is it safe to say that at this exact moment, everything you have achieved or acquired is because of God’s favor over our lives AND our ability to FOCUS? If the answer is yes, then the opposite must also be true: everything you have not achieved or acquired in this life is because of God’s favor over your life OR our INABILITY to focus.
In the same way, tired people need rest; distracted people need focus.
How many times have you gotten to the end of your day only to realize that you hadn’t accomplished any of the things you had your mind set on when you left the house?
So many times, we believe that the goals we set for ourselves will accomplish themselves.
Our primary issue is not that we aren’t smart enough, connected enough, or educated enough. Instead, it is that we aren’t focused enough.
Psalms 119:1-9 reads:
1. Joyful are people of integrity who follow the instructions of the LORD.
2. Blessed and favored by God are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.
3. They do not compromise with evil and walk only in His paths.
4. You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully.
5. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!
6. I will not be ashamed to compare my life with your commands.
7. As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should!
8. I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me! Please don’t abandon me when I fail!
9. How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.
In other words, the author genuinely asks the creator, “ How can a young person stay focused? How can an older person stay focused? How can a married person stay focused? How can a single woman stay focused? How can a single parent stay focused? How can a business owner stay focused? How can a college student stay focused? The author immediately responds by saying, “By obeying your word!”
Three months ago, we spoke from the thought: Focus. Focus. FOCUS. The passage from Hebrews 10 called for a laser-sharp focus, an unwavering commitment to the promises of God. That scripture encouraged Believers to anchor their faith firmly in God’s unfailing promises and to live lives that reflect that profound trust. It’s a challenge to shift our focus away from doubt and uncertainty and fix our gaze firmly on the assurances provided by God’s faithfulness. This shift requires intentional effort and a keen focus on building up and encouraging one another in the faith. It was a call to action that demanded our full attention, wholehearted commitment, and
unshakeable trust in God’s faithfulness.
Last month, we were engaged in the topic “Focus on this ONE Thing,” drawing from Philippians 3:7-9, 12-14. We aimed to grasp the profound significance of leading a focused and disciplined life centered on Christ, understanding the sacrifices it demands and the unparalleled rewards it
offers. We discussed the actual cost of focus, as illustrated by the apostle Paul, who deemed all his prior achievements worthless compared to the supreme value of knowing Christ. This shift requires sacrificing worldly pursuits and enduring hardships, compared to Paul’s experience of
counting everything as a loss to gain Christ (Philippians 3:8). We also addressed the danger of procrastination, highlighting how it squanders precious time and opportunities. Instead, we are called to live with purpose and intentionality, making the most of every moment to advance God’s kingdom. Lastly, we explored the rewards of focus, emphasizing spiritual growth, fulfillment, and an eternal perspective. As we fix our eyes on Jesus and press toward the heavenly prize, we experience profound peace, joy, and a life surrendered to God’s will.
Those two conversations left us with questions:
1. How can we readjust our priorities to focus more on Christ?
2. What are some specific areas in our lives where procrastination has hindered our spiritual growth?
3. How can we encourage others to remain disciplined and focused in our walk with God?
In pondering those questions, I realized that whether or not I choose to, I know how to focus on those things in this world. However, I struggled because I didn’t know HOW to FOCUS on spiritual things.
So today’s topic is “Teach Me How to Focus. Teach Me. Teach Me How to Focus!”
We will break down How to FOCUS in 5 easy steps:
1. F – Fasting to Feed Our Faith
2. O – Obedience is NOT an Option
3. C – Commitment breeds Consistency
4. U – Understanding comes through Experience and Revelation
5. S – Save. Salvage. Sanctify. Subtract.
“Teach Me How to Focus. Teach Me, Teach Me How to Focus!”
FOCUS
F – Fast to Feed my Faith
O – Obedience as a Non-Negotiable
C – Commit to Consistency
U – Understanding through Experience & Revelation
S – Save. Salvage. Sanctify. Subtract`
Fasting:
“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write down all these instructions, for they represent the terms of the covenant I am making with you and Israel.” Moses remained on the mountain with the Lord for forty days and forty nights. In all that time, he ate no bread and drank no water. And the Lord wrote the covenant terms—the Ten Commandments—on the stone tablets. When Moses came down Mount Sinai carrying the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the Lord.”
Exodus 34:27-29 NLT
Obedience:
“If you love me, obey my commandments. – John 14:15 NLT
Commitment:
“Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.” – Proverbs 16:3 NLT
Understanding:
“The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]. – Proverbs 4:7 AMP
Save. Salvage. Sanctify. Subtract.
(SAVE) | Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. – Psalms 20:6 AMP
(SALVAGE) | Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. -Psalms 82:3-4 NIV
(SANCTIFY) | Since you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1 NIV
(SUBTRACT) | It will be said: “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.” – Isaiah 57:14 NIV
In conclusion, our journey through the subject of focus has illuminated several profound truths about living a life centered on Christ. Everything we achieve or acquire results from God’s favor and our ability to focus.
Conversely, what we fail to gain or acquire often stems from a lack of focus or misalignment with God’s will. Just as weary people need rest, distracted people need focus.
Psalms 119:1-9 reminds us that joy and blessings come from obedience to God’s word and unwavering focus on His path.
By breaking down focus into five actionable steps—Fasting to Feed our Faith, Obedience as a Non-negotiable, Commitment Breeding Consistency, Understanding through Experience and Revelation, and the principles of Save, Salvage, Sanctify, and Subtract—we create a framework for cultivating a life devoted to Christ.
Focusing spiritually requires intentional effort and discipline. Fasting deepens our faith, obedience aligns us with God’s commands, commitment fosters consistency, and understanding brings wisdom through experience.
Moreover, we must save and uphold what is righteous, salvage and support the weak, sanctify our hearts towards heavenly things, and subtract obstacles from our path.
Ultimately, living a focused life on Christ demands our all, but the rewards are eternal and immeasurable. Let us wholeheartedly embrace this call to focus, dedicating our lives to God’s purpose with unwavering commitment and trust in His promises.