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Listen while you read: "Ye Gates Lift Up Your Heads"1 (Lyrics) |
Some days, no matter how much I squint and rub, they just won't focus.
I've been wearing glasses since I was elementary age. My eyes have grown progressively worse, and they didn't stabilize until I reached my forties. They are still changing slightly, but for the most part, they are what they are. But some days, the blurriness rushes in—no doubt because I've looked at the computer screen too long, graded too many papers, or didn't get enough sleep. My focus isn't always what I wish it were.
Neither was the focus of the crowd who witnessed the early apostles heal a crippled man:
Acts 14:11 – When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in their local dialect, "These men are gods in human form!" (NLT)
Instead of turning to the One who gave the power to perform the miracle, they got caught up in the moment and attributed divine powers to Paul and Barnabas.
I've concluded, based on what God's Word teaches, that my focus should always be centred on what glorifies God. "Glorify" is one of those slippery, religious words that's variously defined. I choose to define it as putting the spotlight on God. Jesus taught that the purpose of my carrying out good works was that others might see them and in turn glorify the Father, or shine the spotlight on Him.
I should also focus on whatever enables me to fulfill God's plan and purpose for my life. Doing this will eliminate many of my side trips into areas where I have no business travelling. It will also help me to fulfill the Acts 1:8 commission: to go into the entire world telling about Christ's love.
Only with God's help can I regain and maintain my focus. Are you focused in?
Prayer: Eternal God and Master, keep our focus clear so that our work for You will be successful and pleasing in Your sight. Amen.
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Awesome devotional! Thanks for the reminder!
Outstanding. A message for all of us. Keep writing.
Blessings.
Martin – Thanks for always giving us something to think about and/or to do.
God bless.
This message speaks to me on many levels … especially in the area of ministry to children. Thank you! I will ‘bank’ this thought in my file for our Children’s Messages. This is a concept they will easily understand. Bless you, friend.
Hi Martin!
I have a ministry of prayers for healing.
I just added you to my list of people for whom I pray. It glorifies Our Father in Heaven when I ask Him to heal your eyes in the name of Christ Jesus our Wonderful Savior and LORD!
Amen! Your message reminded me of a ministry I used to attend. The Holy Spirit will always shine the spotlight on Jesus to the honor and glory of God the Father. May He open the eyes of our hearts in every situation to receive His wisdom and truth.
Thank you for writing Martin.
Dear Martin Wiles,
Thank you for a neat way to help us focus on “help me to fulfill the Acts 1:8 commission: to go into the entire world telling about Christ’s love.”
I, too have had eye struggles since my second cataract surgery when my eye clouded. But I’m thankful the eye’s distance vision, even without glasses, has become two stages better than the law’s basic for driving. Yet I’m still waiting to have my eyes tested for reading glasses because the eye keeps slowly improving. I keep looking for my magnifying glasses because I set them down in different places all the time!
God bless your vision and your use of it as an illustration of the vision for the world vision that Jesus has given us.
Keep writing.
Very beautiful. Go on this wonderful mission and the Lord of the harvest there to bless you.