Stay focused

Stay focused.

"When you come to the land which the LORD your God is giving you, and possess it and dwell in it, and say, 'I will set a king over me like all the nations that are around me,' you shall surely set a king over you whom the LORD your God chooses; one from among your brethren you shall set as king over you; you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the LORD has said to you, 'You shall not return that way again.' Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself. "Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel. (Deu 17:14-20)

As we're going through 1 Kings on Sunday, we saw how King Solomon went to great length to experience and enjoy the world's ways, the world's women, and the world's wealth. Just the things that God, through Moses, had warned him NOT TO DO.

We must learn to fear and respect God for who He is, and being careful to learn, apply, and obey God's Word is a good way to stay humble.

While it may make sense from a human perspective to pursue the world's ways and the world's wealth, it does not make sense from God's perspective.

As I said to my people yesterday, Everyone walks in faith. It's just a matter of who you're putting your faith in. God, or the things of the world?

The things of the world have a magnetism about them, and sometimes we as Christ followers need to wear our blinders to keep from getting distracted.

The important thing is to stay focused on the Word and His Kingdom, and Believe that God will use His ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things for His glory.

Are you ready for the battle?

"When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people. And he shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; for the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.'
(Deu 20:1-4)

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.