Focus!

The Invisible Church has been given an important assignment by Jesus, and that is “To go and make disciples of all nations … teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”


We need to focus on this assignment.



Focus!

Today’s reading is Nehemiah 6:1-9. Nehemiah was leading the effort to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, and there was much resistance along the way. Nehemiah dealt with a murder plot and with rumors concerning his objective. He also had to deal with the effects of the psychological warfare on his workers.

Nehemiah spent just enough time on these distractions to let his enemies know he heard them. He did not argue with them. He merely stuck to the facts and stayed clear of their evil intent. Nehemiah maintained his focus!

Like Nehemiah’s enemies, Satan will attack us as we carry out our assignment. Satan will put barriers in our way. He will try to destroy our morale and he will make it difficult for our leaders. Satan will spread rumors; he will use the news media and other outlets to paint Christians as something they are not. He may even try to physically harm some of Christ’s children.

Perhaps worst of all, Satan will try to get Christians to think they have to do something to earn their way to heaven.

 

This can raise doubts in a Christian’s mind. Instead of focusing on the task at hand, a Christian may instead focus on what he needs to do to save himself. Yet Paul tells us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Christians do not have to worry about their salvation; they should focus on the task at hand.
 

We are saved. We have a task to do. Just focus!

Matthew 24: 36-44

                                                The Day and Hour Unknown

This passage refers to what it was like in the days of Noah and the Ark. The picture I envision is Noah and his family diligently working on the ark and planning for an incredible trying experience, while the rest of mankind is going about their daily activities, indulging and entertaining themselves. Perhaps they had a good laugh as they passed by Noah’s monumental project, oblivious to what was to come. An incredible wave abruptly invades their world, and everyone is in an intense panic, terrified for themselves and their loved ones. It’s too late! The damage has been done. They haven’t got a prayer of surviving. They are staring death in the face, and it’s going to be ugly.

Matthew 24: 39-41 “…and they knew nothing of what would happen until the flood came and took them away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do know on what day your Lord will come,…..so you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.”

Be ready. The bible is saturated with verses about the coming of the Lord. Be ready.

It is not like preparing for a special dinner or dressing up for an evening out. It is a life long journey of commitment to the God of the universe to love Him, love others, and obey his commands as we lead others to Him. It is about true faith and faithfulness that radiates from deep within our hearts.

If we are one of the men in the field, I hope we take the time to teach the other man about the Lord before the time comes. If we are one of the women grinding, I pray we speak to the heart of the other woman about Jesus in time for her too, to be saved.

James 5:8 “You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 

Listen to/Read Matthew 24: 36-44

James 2: 14-26

Faith Without Works is Dead

Please check out this link to watch Kevin Giannotti as he summarizes James 2: 14-26. I could not have composed a writing that compares to this message. He knows what it means to be a Christian, and  is putting it out there in a way that likely will touch the lives of many who would not have listened if he were just talking. If his style is not for you, that's ok, but please watch through to the end, and envision the lives he may be touching because of the method he uses to communicate this sincere message of the heart.    

Faith and Works by Kevin "Flow" Giannotti--A Spoken Word

Read/Listen to James 2: 14-26