Psalm 121
121 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord
shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
Shifting Focus
There
is a tenet about the Christian walk that is true whether we met Jesus
for the first time yesterday or if we've been walking in 'The Way' for
decades...there is an enemy and it is his job to keep us distracted from
our work in Christ. If he can't keep us from restoration, he wants to
make sure that we are as ineffective as possible in our callings.
That's his job. It's his only job and he's dedicated to it.
We
can spend alot of energy battling the imps and demons that are put in
our path. What we have to realize is that engaging in the battle can be
as destructive as the arrows and fiery darts he throws. Truth
is, regardless if the battle is something from the outside, or something
from within, that's not our battle. That's the Lord's.
Too
often, we can get caught up on the wrong side of wanting to
be righteous. It is important to recognize that we have shortcomings
in our walk in Christ and that we will live down to those shortcomings
from time to time. But as tempting as it is to wallow in the self pity
that often follows one of those experiences, we have to resist and focus
back on Christ. I know if feels like humility, but more times than not
its just plain old guilt that we're really feeling. And guilt can be
just as distracting as an unplanned attack.
Regardless
the circumstance, we need to focus on Christ.
Not our own abilities, or inabilities...not our situation...not even
the facts of the matter. We need to focus on truth and the truth of
God. This is how we resist the enemy and this is how we transform by
renewing our mind. It isn't always easy, but it is always fruitful.
When
the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, Peter asked if he could
come out. Jesus told him to come and Peter stepped out of the boat on
to the water. The storm didn't change. The water didn't change. But
Peter was focused on the Master and was overcoming the 'facts' that were
all around him. When he took his eyes off Jesus and looked
at the 'facts', Peter changed. He stopped overcoming and became
overcome.
Bills,
children, parents, jobs, sicknesses, bad habits, co-workers; there are
many different things in our daily lives that can give us a whole litany
of facts that should set our heads spinning. The truth however is
calming and will keep us at perfect peace.
I'm
not suggesting
that we ignore what's going on. Only that in the midst of it all,
focus on Christ. That's where the peace is. That's the answer to the
question. He is the path away from what's destructive in our lives and
the path to provision.
Let
the fire rage. Keep your eyes, your mind, your focus on Christ. He'll
either squelch it, lead you out of it, or join you in it. Regardless,
it will not consume you as long as you let Him consume you first.
Matthew 14:25-31
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And
immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said
unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Philippians 4:8
8 Finally,
brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever
things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any
virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Peace.
Lifeline is produced from the Evangelistic Ministry of Fellowship
Church in Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message. The Fellowship Church website (www.fcchosengeneration.com) includes a link to the Lifeline Blog (www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com) where you can find previous messages.
Evangelist
Robinson also posts her entries on Facebook and Twitter. To subscribe
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