Staying Focused

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Soldier, Athlete and Farmer

2 Timothy 2:4 – 7 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

2 Kings 4: 29

Goal 1 Cor 9:24, 25 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

Col 1:1 – 4 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Mat 6:17 – 21 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Urgency Eph 5:15-17 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.

Mat 24:42, 44 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Psalm 32: 8, 9 I will

instruct you and teach

you in the way you

should go; I will

counsel you with my

eye upon you. Be not

like a horse or a mule,

without understanding,

which must be curbed

with bit and bridle,  or

it will not stay near

you.

Staying focused on…1. Word2. Prayer3. Worship4. Evangelism/Outreach

Word Joshua 1: 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Psalm 1: 1- 2 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Eph 6: 14, 17 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

Word & Spirit Eph 5: 18 – 20 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

Col 3: 16 – 17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Prayer James 5:16 The effective prayer of a righteous person has great power

Col 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Eph 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Acts 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

Worship Eph 5: 18 – 20 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

2 Sam 12:20 And he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped.

1 Chronicles 16:29 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;

2 Chronicles 29:30 And Hezekiah the king and the officials commanded the Levites to sing praises to the LORD with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed down and worshiped.

Evangelism – spread the gospel Luke 24: 46 – 48 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you.

Acts 20:24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

1 Cor 9:20 – 23 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

1 Tim 4: 15 (NIV) Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.

(NLT) Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress.

(ESV) Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.

(NASB) Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.

(KJV) Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

(HCSB) Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all.

(ISV) Think on these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress.

(NET) Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress.

(GWT) Practice these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress.

Strength to stay focused Ephesians 3:14 – 21 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, … , that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

1. so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—

2. that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

3. may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

4. and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,

5. that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.