Focused Thoughts Keep Hope Alive!

"Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest." (Hebrews 13:1 NIV)

The heavenly calling--to accept Jesus as our personal Savior through the work on the cross and to promote the Gospel--is not just a vocation--as some think, but a commission for all who Believe in the Risen Savior. In order to accomplish our mission, we must stay focused on Jesus and all that He has called us to do.

Whenever we hear discouraging news as reported by the media, our focus is momentarily off Jesus. Instead of getting discouraged, we need to be encouraged by our faith in Him, knowing that all these things must come to pass in preparation for His return. While we wait, we must use every opportunity to point people in the direction of Jesus Christ. Though it may be difficult--since we are but flawed human beings--we must discipline our minds to think on Jesus for it we take our mind off Jesus, the enemy wins.

Instead of getting upset with the media reports, let's praise God and thank Him for the return of Jesus to the earth. Everything the enemy does, he does by influencing the minds of those who are weak and only want to pacify the flesh. We who may be physically weak are strengthened in our spirits by the hope we have in Jesus. Therefore, nothing the enemy does shall affect our ability or desire to promote Jesus--from within and without--we praise Him in the Spirit and magnify Him with our lives.

Every day we see and hear disturbing reports about negative things happening all over the world. We are more distressed when the events are closer to us, but no matter where the events are unfolding, we have little to no ability to control them, but we have full control over our reaction or response to those events. We should change our focus--and be careful not to allow the media reports to become internalized so much that we cannot focus on God's goodness.

As disturbing as some news reports are--we are to remain vigilant in prayer and praise, seeking God's wisdom in all things--before we allow the reports to affect our thought-life or our actions. Many are those who react to situations before thinking them through and we know from the results that God was not consulted. If we're going to act with mob-mentality over anything, it should be in prayer--admonishing sinners to repent and believe. We should pray for parents to teach their children right from wrong. We should pray for children to obey their parents. We should pray for parents to conduct themselves as Godly parents. If we all did as God desires us to do, we would not have so many negative events for the news to report.

We must focus on His return and what His return to collect us means. We observe the signs of the times and know He'll be coming back soon, though our definition of soon may not be His. We know He's coming, so let's do everything we can to prepare all in the earth for His return so no one will be left to be influenced by the enemy.

Father, in the name of Jesus, we ask You to break the stronghold the enemy has in the minds of those who have been influenced by him. Fill them love and joy and keep renew their minds with a focus on You. Give every heart a new song in praise and adoration of who You are and a desire to please You with everything we do. In Jesus' name we ask and thank You, Amen!