Focus....Focus....Focus....

Hello friends and neighbors! We had an awesome night at youth last night. We had 48 come to fellowship with us. One young man that rode his bike for the second week in a row about 10 miles to come to youth. What an inspiration! I made arrangements with him to get him picked up and dropped off from now on. Some really good news too! We have a new brother and sister in Christ now!!!! A young man came with a lot on his shoulders and God gave this young man some refuge last night. He prayed to accept Christ and have eternal assurance! The young lady has been through a lot and now KNOWS she is going to heaven. Why does God surprise me???? Our service last night was on running the race.....I want to share a little. Let's dig into the good stuff.......

Bible Verse: Philippians 3:14 - "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

When a runner is running, he puts his eyes on the goal or finish line. He doesn't look at the grandstand, the other runners, or behind him. Neither does he examine himself. He has his eyes forward. He looks away from everything else. The finish line is all he sees. Well, that is what God wants us to do. Whenever we look behind us or around when we are running. We really increase our chances for stumbling, slowing down, or falling. Listen, God wants us to keep our eyes on the prize. That's exactly what we're to do. The reason that many Christians fail in the race is that they have not learned to look away from other things. They're trying to look in both directions at the same time, and James 1:8 says, "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." And Matthew 6:22 says, "If therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light." We should also cut loose every weight that slows us down. This might be addictions, activities, or maybe even some friends. I know that is hard to say but, if your friends are causing you to go down wrong roads or be places you shouldn't. maybe you need to limit your time with them or just cut them loose. Are you eyes on the prize today? Are you running the race or are you on the sidelines? Where is your focus today? Has the world drawn you back into itself and luring you away from the Lord? Read Matthew 28:19-20. That's your goal. Have a great day, I love you, and God bless!!