What’s Your Focus?

Devotionals — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 08:03:37 +0000

There are many posts, blogs, articles and thoughts about the New Year. Make a resolution or not. Turn over a new leaf. Find a meaningful word. What is our focus?

If it is on us, then perhaps it is why we seem to fall short each year. After all, Paul reminds us that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

I once heard that both SIN and PRIDE have “I” in the middle. In today’s “me-ism” world of selfies and all-about-me introverted thinking, our society suffers from too much of a focus on ourselves and not others. Whether we meet our goals or not, the focus is still the same…it is on us. How quickly that can absorb us, right?

In contrast, the Christian is supposed to strive to be more other-focused. Paul also told the Philippians, and tells us –

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature^] of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross! (2:3-8)

Perhaps, instead of focusing on how we should change, become more aware, adjust our weight, habits, etc. we need to shift our focus to the Cross. Not rely on our own strength, or even ask God to give us strength, but for Him to be our strength. May we choose to be other-orientated and open to being used to His glory. Let God set the path, and be pliable enough to be molded in the way He wishes so we can be His hands and feet in this world and point others to Him, not ourselves

By Julie Cosgrove
Used by Permission

https://wheredidyoufindgodtoday.com/

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How’s Your Heart?

Devotionals — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 08:01:46 +0000

“It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13

Do you need to renew your covenant with the Lord to seek Him with all your heart and soul? You may need to renew your commitment to Him, if you exhibit these unhealthy spiritual “vital signs” of an unhealthy heart.

– You have little hunger for the glory of God and true righteousness.

– You have allowed idols of self, self-effort, reputation, success, money, comfort, security, recreation, or image to take first place in your life.

– You feel you have nothing to repent of.

– You take pride in your religious accomplishments or those of your church.

– You are not sensitive to God’s still, small voice and cover up your spiritual dryness.

– Your heart has grown cold for the lost, and you don’t make Christ known as a lifestyle.

– You rationalize areas of personal sin while maintaining the outward image of faithfulness.

– Some of your relationships are characterized by hostility, long-term unresolved differences, or coldness.

– You spend most of your discretionary time watching television or participating in other activities of no eternal value.

– You are more concerned with what you want than what God says.

– Your giving is routine, out of duty, more or less a business transaction.

Ask God in what areas of your life He desires to work. Wait quietly and prayerfully on Him to show you. Submit to Him in every area.

Pray, “With Your help, Father, I will seek You with all my heart and soul to bring into my life a deep and thorough brokenness, leading to genuine repentance, that my heart would be completely Yours. I will seek You as my first Love and my Lord.”

By Sylvia Gunter
Used by permission

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