Concentrate

What is the definition of Concentrate?

Merriam Websters’ definition: to bring or direct toward a common center or objective : FOCUS!!!

There are too many distractions that pull our focus from what matters most to our future and our God given purpose.

Whether it is the voice of peers, families, culture or social media, the constant drone of voices and opinions can leave a person placing their hands tightly over their ears or over their eyes to block out the lies.

Have you ever felt the overwhelming cacophony of sound? Louder and louder, intense opinions that seem to counter the peace and wisdom of God.

No matter the storms of life, the distractions to our peace can be silenced. Nature and thunderstorms used to scare me, however, I love to see the message of hope in the midst of the storm. The rainbow of God and His covenant of peace from Moses time still holds true for us today.

I found the Message version of Proverbs 4:18-27 relevant for today. It’s truth can bring us back to peace and stability.

Proverbs 4:18-27 MSG
The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live, the brighter they shine. But the road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker—travelers can’t see a thing; they fall flat on their faces. [20-22] Dear friend, listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice. Keep my message in plain view at all times. Concentrate! Learn it by heart! Those who discover these words live, really live; body and soul, they’re bursting with health. [23-27] Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.

As you travel the road of life realize, His message is in plain view. Concentrate on discovering His life giving Words in scripture. They bring more hope and health.

Forget the banter and white lies. Don’t let gossip detour your peace. We must keep a watch on the words we speak; truth over lies, blessing over cursing. Keep your eyes looking forward not at slideshows. Let your steps be directed by Jesus. He has better plans for you.

It is one day at a time holding onto Jesus and His promises!! I am so grateful for new revelations and His grace as I learn a better approach to life.

Philippians 1:6 NLT
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Drop the Mic

Wants over needs. We want to feel happy, we want to be similar to peers, we want to fit in, we want to keep up with the Joneses, we want stuff that never satisfies; bling, clothes, cars, a big house and status.

What do we need? We need to seek God first; seek Him for our futures, seek Him for our daily struggles like comparison traps, seek Him for provisions of community, shelter, food and peace. Peace with Him and His plans trumps the world view of constant discontent and changing cultural norms.

Status in Him seems crazy to those who don’t know Him. Yet He is our Almighty God, our Jehovah Jireh ( provider), Jehovah Nissi ( Love), and the all sufficient One, El Shaddai!!

Genesis 17:1 NLT
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai-‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life.

Just like Abraham in the book of Genesis, our God is the El Shaddai. We must serve Him faithfully and seek to be content with what He wants to provide not our selfish desires and needs.

1 John 2:15-17 MSG
Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.

Now I am dropping the Microphone!!!

Solid Rock

As I took this photograph of the Mt. Baker Mountain range, I was in awe of the majesty found in God and His creation. His goodness and strength is unfathomable. He is the solid rock for our life. All wisdom comes from Him.

Matthew 7:24-29 AMP
“So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, will be like a wise man [a far-sighted, practical, and sensible man] who built his house on the rock. [25] And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. [26] And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them, will be like a foolish (stupid) man who built his house on the sand. [27] And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great and complete was its fall.” [28] When Jesus had finished [speaking] these words [on the mountain], the crowds were astonished and overwhelmed at His teaching; [29] for He was teaching them as one who had authority [to teach entirely of His own volition], and not as their scribes [who relied on others to confirm their authority].

Seek the guidance of Your Creator God for your steps. The journey may have trials and forks on the trail of life. But you will not walk alone. No other words needed.

God is near! Reach out to Him!