The Breakthrough Moment with Rev. Bernese Shaw (9/14) - "What is Your Focus"

NRSV Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

On last week-end with September 11th, America’s focus was on not forgetting what happened on September 11, 2001. For most of us, we might spend our time focus on how to change our circumstances. Our circumstances could be not having a job, more bills than money, a bad relationship, being unhappy at work, our children, health problems and so on, so on. You go to bed thinking of your problems and wake up worrying about them and feeling trapped under them. When things are out of our control, it is then we have to make a choice to live under the weight of our troubles or to rise above them and become better people. Our scripture that was read is from Apostle Paul writing to the Philippians while he was in jail. Paul did not always know how to find peace and joy in every situation, but he learned how to be content in every situation (we too must learn how to be content in every situation). He learned to focus on Christ instead of the circumstances, dwell on the sovereignty of God, and consider the positive results rather than simply the pain and loss. In other words, Paul chose to dwell on the power and character of our Lord despite the suffering he experienced. He could rejoice in his imprisonment because it allowed him the continued opportunity to share the gospel. We too can take the pain and hurt from our situation and witness to someone about the goodness of God. Because we won’t always understand why He is allowing us to suffer, in Isaiah 55:8-9 God says For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. But we have the Lord’s promise that if we surrender to Him, He will use our trials and pain for our ultimate good. The Father knows our needs even before we ask. Matthew 6:8 says … for your Father knows what you need before you ask him., so we can trust that even in times of adversity, He is still working in our lives; Philippians 2:13 says for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. In fact, the more difficult life becomes, the more serious you and I become about listening to what the Lord is saying to us, we learn to call on Our Heavenly Father. Through hardship, He opens our spiritual eyes to see truth that we have never seen before. Instead of asking God why He allowed hardship, ask Him what you can learn from it. The only way you and I can rise above painful circumstances is if we will raise our focus to the One who holds the universe in His hands. Setting our eyes on the Lord Jesus and his matchless incredible power lifts our spirits when nothing else can. Today, surrender your life fully to the Lord, seek His face on how to respond to difficult situations, and if you believe, He will work powerfully in your life. So when life is difficult, I pray that you will choose to keep focus on Jesus in His awesome authority, power, and sovereignty. Trust that He will do something good within you and through you. As you go through this day keep your eyes focused on Jesus and hum that old gospel hymn in your heart: My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace [because God’s grace and mercy do not change]; If you keep your eyes on Jesus In every high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil [because] On Christ, the solid rock, I stand all other ground is sinking sand; All other ground is sinking sand. AMEN.