WHERE’S YOUR FOCUS?

Rev. Esther Thornton, Oregon

 

I believe with all of my heart that we, as believers, need to be aware of the importance of "Focus" upon our lives and ministries for God. Before I share that thought, I would like to put a smile on your face with a few jokes and humorous incidents:

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Johnny, on his death-bed, had $40 saved up. The priest and the doctor both visited him, the doctor took $20 pay for the medical bills and the priest took the other $20 to pay for masses for his soul.

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“Will you write a letter to my mother?” asked Johnny? “Will you write and tell her that I’m dying like our blessed Lord did, between two thieves?”

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Some years ago when we attended a church in Ct. a special birthday offering was taken and each person was asked to give at least one penny for each year of age that they were. Our oldest son, Bobby, who was quite small at the time, was watching the District Superintendent’s wife, who got into her purse and placed a dollar in the offering. Bobby then looked up at me and said, “Mama, is she a hundred years old?”

 

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An older married couple was getting ready for bed. The wife looked at herself in the mirror and commented to her husband, “I look terrible! My body is full of wrinkles and everything sags!”

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“Oh well, her husband responded, at least you still have 20/20 vision!”

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I was preaching a week of revival meetings in a large church in Nairobi of about 1500 people. I decided to use the restroom outside the church before preaching. The pastor’s wife escorted me to the restroom. She then looked over at me and said, “Do you have any TP?” It sounded like a drug and I said, No, I never used the stuff!” - only to find out that it stood for “toilet paper”. I told her I had come totally unprepared, so she handed me a square or two for which I was very thankful!”

 

I had worn a nice white, wool suit that night for these very special meetings. A little girl stood closely to me with her big brown eyes looking up at me before I went up onto the platform. She just won my heart and so I reached over and put her on my lap - only to find a warm feeling spreading on the top of my legs! She had failed to wait for a restroom and I was the recipient of this! So, my focus that night as I preached was upon the smell that had soaked into the wool on my suit! I learned after that, to admire children from afar!

 

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I want to share with you today, the importance of "FOCUS". I had a friend who has since gone to be with the Lord. She said God told her she wouldn’t die until she was over 100, and she didn’t! But, one time she had a dream that I felt was referring to the end times. In a part of the dream she went into a fabric store and wanted to buy cloth that was wool mixed with linen and the owner said she could not do that. As I interpreted her dream, God showed me what this part was about:

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The OT priest was not to mix the wool with the linen in his garment or he would perspire and it would become soiled. The church today is not to mix the wool with the linen - sin, things of the world and so forth with the holiness God desires in our lives. And, people and churches are doing that very thing! But, I desire to focus upon God in this day and hour and not to allow anything to cause me to become lukewarm.

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Dr. Benson Idahosa was a prophet who lived in West Africa where he had a large ministry. He spoke at Benny Hinn’s conference at one time. He was a fearful man in that he prophesied to a disobedient and rebellious man that if he wouldn’t change, he would die, and the man died! People fear him in a good way.

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Pastor Mophat, our partner in Africa, was interpreting one time for Benson in Africa. Benson suddenly picked him up off his feet, so Mophat turned around and picked him up! He is a large man; but, Mophat told me that the interpreter is to do the same thing as the speaker. We got a laugh out of this as Benson was such a powerful man.

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Our youngest son, Corey, played the drums at ORU and went to W Africa with a team. They stayed at Benson Idahosa’s huge house (They had 3 houses!). One day, as the students were sitting around the table with Mrs. Idahosa, one of the students asked this question, “What was the main thing that caused your ministry to succeed as it has done?” Mrs. Idahosa thought for a minute and then answered, “Only one thing and that is the word, Focus”.

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The word, “focus” means: to give close attention to or concentrate upon; zero in on an objective.

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1. Seek God First: Matthew 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

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2. Set your affections on God, first: Col. 3:2-3

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. [3] For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

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3. Have a single eye for God’s glory:

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Matthew 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

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James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

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4. God can only fully use a dead man or woman! God can only use us to the degree that we are willing to die to self. The Apostle Paul said, “I die daily.”

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God is getting ready to pour out His Spirit in the greatest measure that the church has ever known! He is not looking for those who are impressive, or immensely educated, or greatly talented; He is looking for those who are emptied of “self” and filled with His Spirit. People who are ordinary to do extraordinary tasks!  People like Elisha who said: Let your mantle fall on me!

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2 Kings 2:9  And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

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People of faith like Caleb who said: Give me this mountain! He was not afraid of a challenge. People like Moses who said to God: Unless you go with me, I will not go up!

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Exodus 33:14-15 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he said unto Him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.

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People like the Apostle Paul who said: I will finish my course with joy.

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Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

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There are many voices trying to distract you from the race that is set before you. People who are in competition with you, who are jealous of you, you are self-seeking, people who are critical and judgmental. But, God says to lay these things aside and run the race, looking steadfastly at the goal. Keep your focus on the goal!

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And, now that we are seeking God first in our lives and only wanting to glorify Him, we are ready to focus on what He is calling us to do?

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Points of focus to remember:

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1. Keep your focus on what He has called you to do - avoid distractions, discouragement, doubts.

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2. Set your face like a flint:

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Isaiah 50:7 For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

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3. Know who you are in God and don’t waver from that.

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Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

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I saw a picture in a restaurant recently of a cute little fluffy kitty cat. It was looking in the mirror. But, what was projected in the mirror was not a cute little kitty, it was a large, strong, tiger! That kitty saw itself as something greater than a little kitty; it saw its potential of what it could be!

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We are just human flesh, subject to mistakes and in ourselves we cannot accomplish what God has called us to do. But, looking into the mirror, which the Bible calls, “the perfect law of liberty”, we are changed into His image and with Him, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!

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James 1:23-25 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. but whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the word, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

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We are crucified with Him and He lives through us. When you look in the mirror, who do you see?  Do you see your weak flesh or do you see Him living through you?

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When Bro. Schambach was young, a big bully who thought he was tough, came up to him every day and hit him alongside the head. This went on, day after day. Finally, one day, he had had enough! So, when the bully came up to do his usual thing, Schambach dropped his books and gave him a big punch! After that, they became good friends.

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You see, because of this big bully’s actions, Schambach had a mental image of himself as weak and subservient. And, if we aren’t careful, we can form the same attitude in life toward threats that are leveled against us. We need to fight the good fight of faith and “lay hold” on what God has for us. RISE UP! Take your stand; exercise your faith; and move forward into all God has for you! The willing and obedient eat the fruit of the land.

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Caleb was honored in scripture because he fully followed the Lord. And, because he did this, he was one of two who had the privilege of entering into the promised land.

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God has promises for us that are astounding! If we will fully follow Him and be willing and obedient, we will lay hold on His tremendous promises!

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Leadership nugget to chew on: God wants to use every believer in a great way. If you are feeling hindered from this, check to see how your character is. Character comes first before preaching! Some people are running ahead preaching and their poor character is all out of breath running behind them, trying to catch up!

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We’ve been talking about focus today. Peter was a disciple of Jesus who made great promises of commitment to him. He was impulsive, however. He started off weak in the flesh but ended up strong as a rock!

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Matthew 14:25-31 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

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What happened to Peter? He began well - he was willing to follow Jesus completely; he made a strong commitment (“I’ll never deny you!”). He had enough faith to get out of the boat, but he lost his focus! He began with his eyes focused upon Jesus, but soon his attention was drawn to the angry waves below and he sunk. He then had to readjust his vision to Jesus once more so that he could be lifted up from that fearful condition.

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Some of you today have a strong calling from God. You have sought God first in your lives and have dedicated everything to Him. You are willing and obedient. But, something is nagging at you to bring you down from accomplishing all God has for you - and even to take your peace and your joy. God is saying today, to re-focus upon Him and what He is calling you to do. Don’t look down at the angry waves or you will lose your peace and your joy.

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Satan hates holy laughter because it is an indication of victory; at our last Impartation mtg. I announced that I was putting away the message I had prepared as God had told me to have a “Holy Ghost meeting” that night. So I did! Instead, I read a full chapter out of the books of Acts. The anointing broke through as I was reading. There was laughter everywhere; God’s people found a release! Then, they came forward in numbers and the fire of God fell upon them and they instantly fell under the anointing of God.

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Richard Roberts told what had happened when he took over ORU from his Dad. They were badly in debt, but he had been to RHB’s mtgs. and recorded the joy of the Lord which is our strength! So, when a man came in at the college and said a huge sum was required, Richard fell to the floor in laugher! Sometimes things get so impossible, we have to laugh and trust God! God supplied that great need because Richard’s laugh was a laugh of faith!

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And, as we focus on Him and what He is calling us to do, that faith will move within us and we will accomplish exploits for God before Jesus comes. And, it is very soon!

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Daniel 11:32 “… the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”

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Is this the kind of faith that you have received from God? If so, get ready to do exploits!

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Ez. 47 talks about going out into the river of God: ankles, knees, loins, and out so deep that you have to swim!

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Ankles: salvation

Knees: bapt. of H.S. & Intercession

Loins: Reproductive area of body - souls saved

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So deep you have to swim: that is where God is leading us right now. Your salvation was great! Your baptism in the H.S. was wonderful. You have won souls and that is so important. But God is leading His people right now out so deep they have to swim! Has that kind of faith taken hold on you as yet? It is for this day and this hour. It is for all who will receive it!

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And Ez. 47 goes on to say that everywhere the river went, life came forth.

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Ezekiel 47:9 And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.

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Ezekiel 47:12 And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.

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God’s Spirit is flowing both here in Portland and around the world! And everywhere the river flows, life is coming forth; no more dead, dry bones! Growth is coming! Leaves that will not fade! Fruit for meat (meat of God’s Word coming forth)! Leaves for medicine (Healing power of the Lamb)!

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May God give each one of us such a hunger for Him that we will lay all else aside and focus on Him and what He has for us!

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With Love In Christ,

Rev. Esther Thornton

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Global Evangelism Fellowship, Inc.

www.clatskanie.com/gef

etmorg@clatskanie.com

 

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