Greetings, Dear Friends!
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: