Focused and Purposeful...

Greetings, Dear Friends!

Susie Larson here...

And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way. 

Each month I give away a $10.00 gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So leave a comment, share an insight or story, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a fun treat!

Since it's the first week of June, it's time to announce May's winner of the $10.00 Starbucks card. Drumroll please...

Kristen (sorry, I don't have your last name, but I do have record of the dates you posted)! Congratulations! Here's the deal: you need to claim your prize by contacting me at: info@susielarson.com (sometime before I award next month's winner). Give me the address where you want me to send the gift card and enjoy a nice jolt of java. Thanks for your recent posts!

Now on to my topic...

During a recent prayer time, I marveled at Jesus' steadfast purpose and focus on His mission. He clearly understood His identity in spite of countless people who completely missed what He was about, or who were so threatened by Him that they plotted His death. He held to His value, kept to His mission, and would not be derailed; not for one second. 

Let's look at a few instances of Jesus' resolute focus on His mission:

After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:2-4)

The enemy tempted Jesus to grab prematurely for Himself, that which God already promised Him (protection, provision, the kingdom).Though weak and exhausted from fasting, Jesus refused to give in to temptation and stayed true to His mission.

Here's another example...

A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" (Matthew 21:8-9)

The crowd that was so quick to praise Him was the very crowd that later shouted, "Crucify Him!" Jesus rode into town on a donkey while the crowds cheered. In the face of shallow praise, He didn't get full of Himself; He didn't hop off the donkey and change His plans; He stayed true to His mission.

Here's one more...

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." (1 Corinthians 11:23)

On the night He was betrayed - while evil men schemed behind His back - Jesus looked into the eyes of His beloved disciples and taught them about communion, about intimacy with God, and about resurrection power. He didn't rally His own allies to combat the gossip and betrayal. He didn't say, "We're going to fight this! Nobody treats me this way!" He willingly laid down His life. And He made sure His disciples had some important time with Him. 

In the face of betrayal, backstabbing, and horrific assault,  Jesus stayed true to His mission. 

Is it possible that we get derailed far too easily?

When we have to wait - we get mad. 

If we have to endure an insult or someone disrespects us - we shake our fists.

If we show up to pray but don't 'feel' anything, we wonder if it pays to pray.

If we give and don't receive a 'thank you' - we pull back and look for a more deserving recipient.

We need deeper roots.

We need more clarity on who we are and why we're here. 

We need more tenacity to hang on to the promises of God - because they are true whether they feel true or not! 

How do we remain focused and purposeful?

We measure every encounter against our God-given mission. We embrace in our core, that we are something special to God and that He has given us authority over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19). We earnestly seek after Him to find out His highest and best will for us so we don't waste our time on lesser things.

When we encounter tough times, instead of shrinking back, we're quick to ask this question:

Is this temptation, a trial, or training? 

We remind ourselves every day, that in order to stand in these latter days, we must be gritty in faith, full of love, and abounding in mercy - just as Jesus is with us. 

Dear Father, show us how to be more like You. Make us into ambassadors for Your name. Help us to be focused and purposeful in all we say and do. In trials, storms, and temptations, may we stand strong. In the face of praise, honor, and success, may be remain humble and flexible in Your hand. When others miss us, disregard us, or disrespect us, may we humbly honor You and entrust our reputation to You. Our time on this earth is important; help us to live in a manner worthy of our calling. We are just passing through. We're made to live forever with You. Lord, make us ready! Amen.

Have a blessed week!

Oh, and if you haven't signed up for my quarterly E-zine, you might want to! Four times a year I'll email you an E-magazine with some great book giveaways from my fellow authors, a devotional, some great book recommendations, and a prayer to send you on your way. You can subscribe by clicking on the link below:

Susie's E-zine...

Comments

[Rebecca]

I want to be like David when he says in Psalm 112:7- He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.Thank you so much for this blog! God wants me to trust Him no matter what. He wants my full attention! He wants me to trust His word and not my emotions which often lie to me.I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was taking part in the Global Day of Prayer meeting. It was on Sunday evening and God showed up in amazing ways! Over 220 nations participated in this prayer event and prayed the same prayer. Our pray was found in 2 Chronicles 7:14- if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.God is leading His people into deeper waters and we need His power in order to stay focused. My hearts cry is to see lives changed by Jesus Christ. Just like He did for me.God is proving Himself to be faithful over and over.

God is so good!~Rich blessings to you sweet Susie:)

[Stephenie]

Well said! I'm going to be thinking about this post for quite a while.

[Rachel]

So good! I'll be asking myself from now on...Is this temptation, a trial, or training?

Thanks for sharing!

[Jennifer]

Just what I needed to be reminded of...again! Am in the process of waiting and trusting and I am feeling the frustration and the anger sometimes. I feel as though I continually need to be refocused. Oh to keep my eyes only on HIM!! It truly is a battle some days. Thank you for your encouraging words!

[Susie Larson]

Rebecca,

I loved David's proclamation in Psalm 112! That's a Psalm we've been reading over and over again! Talk about being focused and purposeful. We are in a time of great shaking and it's more important than ever to have our feet firmly placed on the Rock of our Salvation. We will not be moved! Bless you, sweet sister!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Stephanie,

Thanks for your post. I know I'll need this reminder from time to time as well. It's far too easy to allow our circumstances to derail us when we least expect it. May we start every day with a resolute focus and assurance that God is with us and overwhelming victory is ours when we stay in step with Him. Amen!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Rachel,

Thanks for stopping by! I think it's so important to have the presence of mind to stop in our tracks and assess the situation before we react to it; don't you? May God give us the divine instinct to identify the source of our trial and to respond to HIM accordingly. Bless you!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Jennifer,

May God bless you with great peace and assurance as you wait on Him! May He give you glimpses of His glory so that your heart can rest secure in the knowledge that He is working all around you. God bless you!

[Linda D.]

Susie,Thank you for your devotional entitled, "Focused and Purposeful", it is of interest to me in the way that, I am presently going through, what; I might say, is that my training as a child, and Faith as of times before, is being tested; and this has really been a season of trials for me. Also, training, tests, and being naturally forcused as an adult, tapes, books, speakers, life groups, and of course being in church as a child, as always been an inspiration in hearing experiences of others; such as yourself. Thank you. However, as I go through these trials, and being/having patience through them all; then, I can really say; "I count it all joy, when/and at all times my patience is put to the test." Then when I come through,it is at that time when the the light of Christ in all his Glory comes in and and gives that peace that passes all understanding. It is my mind set as I continue to go on about my daily business of living life, God gives me, the continued strength to trust Him more and more; now and in the future. His Wisdom from understanding from my past, and now in my present, and future life situations helps me to know how much I have grown from my training in good Christian service, as well as being in his word daily and putting to practice, the best I can, from as a child and now in my adult years in putting forth knowledge and understanding that God's Wisdom has assured me of His continued Love that gets me through just one more day. I am reminded of his presence and just being there past, present, and in the future for all of us. Thanks be to the Lord. Thank you so very much, Susie for your precious life, and ministry in the Lord. In his Love,

Linda D.

[Susie Larson]

Dear Linda,

I'm sorry you're walking through a time of testing and yet I know from my own life that God is deeply involved with us during such times. He is watching us close, urging us on, reminding us to believe, and encouraging us to grow in faith. Those trying times are the fertile soil for growth and maturity. May you continue to trust Him as you walk through this season! Blessings to you!

[Doreen]

Okay, now I'm going to be asking myself what I'm going through if it's a temptation, a trial, or training. :) Great Word for us Susie!! Lord help me to be full of faith, love and abound in mercy toward others!

[Susie Larson]

Doreen,

May God answer all of our prayers to be more like Him!Bless you too!