Tag: focus on God

They Couldn’t See It

On By Judy GlasserIn AprilLeave a comment

How often am I blind to what’s really going on?

How many situations am I in where I just can’t see the truth?  When do the loud distractions of the world around me keep me focused on the wrong things?  The unimportant things?

These same things seem important…until I stop being concerned about them.  Then they are forgotten – because they aren’t the main things.

The main thing is God.  He’s in charge, he’s in control.  He has a purpose and a plan.  He is working it all out for my good – and for your good.

These thoughts roll through my head as I read about the Israelites begging Samuel to be their king.  Samuel responded with a list of negative things a king usually did like taking their vineyards, making them give him a tenth of the harvest and turning their sons and daughters into his servants.  The Israelites wouldn’t listen – they wanted a king.

Samuel then reminded them that they had a king and his name was God.  Again, they didn’t listen.  They couldn’t see that they already had a heavenly King who didn’t need their vineyards  or their sons and daughters.  Their King just wanted their love and faithfulness.

But they were blind to the truth.

Please open my eyes, Abba Father, to your truth.  You are my King and you love me with a perfect love.  Take away my desire for anything that does not honor you.  Let the distractions of this earth fade away as I fix my eyes on you.  I love you.

Don’t Focus On It

On By Judy GlasserIn September2 Comments

Look around – there are so many things happening around us that can be very discouraging.

All around us families are crumbling – very discouraging.

Our politics – extremely discouraging.

An overall lack of respect  – very discouraging.

We can easily lose our motivation for being agents for God in this world.

Agents for good.

Agents who are pushing back the darkness so God’s light can shine through.

Yep – we will become very discouraged by all the craziness around us if we take our eyes off of God and focus on ‘what’s wrong with the world’.

This is not a new problem.

In the Bible, Ezra tells us about the joy of the Jews as they resettled in Jerusalem after returning from their exile in Babylonia.  They rebuilt the foundation of the temple and then held large celebrations.sept-24-2016-dont-look

These parties attracted the attention of their enemies who offered to ‘help’ them build the rest of the temple.  The Jews were smart enough not to accept their ‘kind’ offer so their enemies decided to find ways to discourage the Jews from finishing the temple.

They tried to scare the Jews so they would be afraid to continue their building.

They tried to make it very difficult for the Jews to continue to build.

They even got the officials on their side, trying to stop the Jews from finishing the temple.sept-23-2016-dont-look-b

But nothing stopped the Jews.

Because they kept their eyes on God.

He gave them courage to continue.

He gave them the strength they needed to continue.

And God even  worked it out so that the pagan Persian Officials paid for the rest of the temple’s construction as well as the first sacrifices that were made in it.

There was no need for the Jews to be discouraged.

God was in charge then –  just like he is in charge today.

He is working out his plan today…

and every day.

Thank you, Abba Father.

 

 

What is in Your Hand?

On By Judy GlasserIn January1 Comment

What do we already have?

How can we use it for God’s purposes?Jan 22 2016 what is in your hand

We may think we’re not smart enough or rich enough or talented enough for God to use us.

Moses thought he didn’t speak well enough to go back to Egypt and talk to Pharoah for God.  He was also afraid that the Israelites wouldn’t believe that God had sent him.

Moses was afraid because he was focused on himself.

God, Creator of the Universe, has no limitations.

He used what Moses already had in his hand – a staff.

Today, God asks us to do the same thing – to use what he has already given us.

And to trust that he’ll show up.  He will accomplish his purpose through us.  Through our faith in him.  When we’re focused on God and not our own limitations.

What do we already have in our hands that we can use for God’s purposes?

Please open our eyes, Abba Father.