Where Is Our Focus?

Where Is Our Focus?
10 Gut Check Ideas!
Perry Noble

If I focus on my abilities, I will always feel overwhelmed and inadequate…if I focus on WHO God is and WHAT He has done, I will feel confident and secure.

If I focus on what others say about me, I will feel either pride or pain…if I focus on what God says about me, I will feel appreciative and thankful.

If I focus on what the world says, I will always change my mind to agree with culture…if I focus on what God says, I can life a live based on conviction rather than convenience.

If I focus on what the world says about money, I will most likely be broke…if I focus on what God says about money, I will be blessed!

If I focus on what the world says about relationships, then that part of my life will be marked with pain, frustration and regret…if I focus on what God says about relationships, then that part of my life will be marked by joy, life and victory.

If I focus on what the world says is valuable, I will waste my life in pursuit of meaningless things…if I focus on what God says is valuable, I will invest my life in things that matter for eternity.

If I focus on what the world says about the church, I will see it as either useless OR something I can use…if I focus on what God says about the church, I will honor His bride and treat her with honor and respect.

If I focus on what the world says about problems, I will be in a constant state of worry and stress…if I focus on what God says about problems, I will see they are nothing more than opportunities to know and see Him for how great He is.

If I focus on my past, I will live in defeat…if I focus on my potential in Christ, I will live in victory.

If I focus on this life, I will have zero urgency to share the Gospel…if I focus on the fact that eternity is reality for every person on the planet, I will do all that I can to share the Gospel with those I claim that I love and care for.

perrynoble.com

Brokenness

Our life is full of brokenness --

Broken relationships,
Broken promises,
Broken expectations.

How can we live with that brokenness without becoming bitter and resentful except by returning again and again to God’s faithful presence in our lives.

- Henri Nouwen

5 Questions about Your Life as a Single Adult (for contemplation or discussion)

1. What is your favorite part about being single?
   
2. Do you think singleness is a positive or a negative element in your life?
   
3. What is the toughest thing about being single in your opinion?
   
4. How do you cope with those challenges?
   
5. What special resources does your Christian faith bring to the challenges of the single life?

Singleness as an Asset

Had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you find yourself, divine love would have placed you there. - Charles Spurgeon

God has given us two hands—one to receive with and the other to give with. We are not cisterns made for hoarding, we are channels made for sharing. - Billy Graham

Finding a mate becomes less important when we find joy and meaning, because that hole in our heart isn’t about a person. It’s about fulfilling our God-given purpose—what we were created to do and be. Only then will you find true peace and satisfaction. - Michelle McKinney-Hammond

God never asks about our ability or our inability — just our availability. - Charles Fletcher

Man finds it hard to get what he wants, because he does not want the best.

God finds it hard to give, because He would give the best, and man will not take it. - George MacDonald

Be a Trail-Blazer

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

When blazing a new trail, expect a few arrows shot at you.

- Kevin Young

A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for.

- Charlie Shedd

What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.

- Zig Ziglar

Everyone you meet knows something you don't know. Be willing to learn from them.

- Norman Vincent Peale

You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you. - John Bunyan

Motivation doesn't last

After a speech one day, Zig Ziglar was approached by someone in the audience who said: "Zig, it was a great speech, but... motivation doesn't last."

Zig said, "Bathing doesn't either. That's why I recommend it daily!"

I hope you enjoy and appreciate my efforts to inspire and encourage you in this blog and my other blogs. This story summarizes my reason for hosting these blogs.

- Pastor Craig

jacksonfriends.org/singles.htm