This morning as I started my day with God, one of my devotionals gave me the title of today’s blog and podcast. Unless I’m doing a series like the Book of Romans or the Book of Revelation, I have a topic in mind — the Kingdom of God — but as for the material of the actual article, I leave it up to the Holy Spirit and God. And the Sermon title and topic at my church this morning, First Christian Church of Phoenix (video is embedded below), was “Meditate on These Things”. And that affirmed my title and topic choice. It’s really cool when God does that!
When the COVID-19 stay-at-home order came down in March, I had no problem with it since I run my own marketing consultancy and work from home. However, in the months of March and April, business slowed — a lot. I found myself with lots of free time. So, like most everybody else, I got hooked on streaming and binge-watching online and basically became a couch potato. My mom passed away last Christmas and I was still grieving and eating comfort food. Not good.
Well, there came a point that I couldn’t find anything decent to watch online — anything that wasn’t rated “R” or “TVMA”. I was forced to switch to YouTube and subscribe to channels that were prophesying of the End Times. That changed my focus.
My problem’s always been TV. As an only child, my mom used to sit me in front of the TV set while she did her housework. It was my babysitter. Hence, I always need something on. I was addicted. Moreover, my occupation forced me to spend time on social media — and though I try to limit myself to my clients’ postings, I admit, I get distracted easily.
However, I think God was prompting me to focus on Him rather than the TV or social media.
The More Connected we are with the World, the Less we are Connected to God
So what consumes your time?
- TV, movies and entertainment
- Social media, texting, news, politics
- Idols – cars, sports, celebrities
What’s the first thing you check online when you wake up in the morning?
How about switching whatever that is to the “Verse of the Day” on the Bible App?
When we put our focus on God first,
our priorities change.
Our day takes a different turn.
If we’ve invited Jesus into our hearts, He’s with us 24/7. We are supernaturally connected to Him through the Holy Spirit. You are never alone!
One of the many Benefits of Salvation is that You’re Never Alone…
Are you in the Kingdom of God? Are you Connected to Jesus and the Holy Spirit?
“In the Kingdom of God we are connected with him all the time, so that even before we call him, he answers, and he knows what we’ve said even before we’ve finished saying it.
“There’s no communication system on earth that can compare to that! That should make you feel very safe in the Kingdom of God, whatever dangers you may face.
“It’s kind of like God’s own ultra-advanced Kingdom technology that he makes available to you. You don’t even need a contract. It’s all been paid for by Jesus Christ, so you get it for free.
“Jesus has an open-door policy: it’s called prayer.”
Dr. Eliezer Gonzalez, Good News Unlimited
You Have Power When You Pray in His Name…
Jesus Chases after you…
He tells this parable in Luke 15…
4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
Luke 15:4-7 NLT
He certainly chased after me! I went and sought him when I was stuck. I kept resisting, I found it hard to leave the trappings of the world behind and focus just on Him.
What’s wonderful about focusing on
God first is that
everything else just falls into place!
In today’s message in church, Kevin Buchanan stated…
“Whatever we focus on expands in our minds and takes up space.”
Kevin Buchanan
The scripture he quoted comes from one of my favorite chapters, Philippians 4. Paul writes…
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9 NIV
Note the things that Paul suggests that we think about. Things that are…
- True
- Noble
- Just
- Pure
- Lovely
- Things that excellent or praiseworthy
Is that what you’re focusing on?
You can watch the message in the Facebook Live video….
(That’s me in the front left with the ponytail.) The message starts at the 38 minute mark if you want to skip the worship songs. But I urge you to listen to at least the last one, “Fix My Eyes”. I never heard it before and it moved me.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:1-2
We NEED Jesus! This World Needs Jesus!
By ourselves we CAN’T! We can’t manage, we can’t deal with whatever life hits us with, we can’t cope, can’t go on without Jesus.
The Good News is that it’s SO EASY to have Jesus as your friend, helper, power, supporter and more!
It’s as simple as inviting Him into your heart!
Pray this prayer humbly and wholeheartedly…
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins. Please forgive me. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and my life to you. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. I will follow you for the rest of my life. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
Colossians 2:6-7 NLT
Next Steps in Your New Walk with Jesus…
- Start reading the Bible daily to get to know God. If you don’t have one, I recommend the YouVersion, Bible.app and Through the Word app — both are free and have a lot of great Bible studies.
- Pray every day. Talk to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you daily.
- Find and join a Bible-believing church — preferably a non-denominational one and be baptized!
My Testimony…
- From Catholic to Prodigal: Surviving College
- From Prodigal to Progressive: Surviving Hurricanes
- From Progressive to Born Again Christian: Surviving Unemployment
Soli Deo Gloria — to God Alone be the Glory!
