Change Your Focus

It was less than twelve hours from when I was to post and I still wasn’t ready.  Trying to wrap things up I discussed the topic of study over with my husband at lunchtime.  The only thing we could do was come up with comical excuses as to why I wasn’t going to post this week. 

“I could say we’re on vacation … (but that would be a lie).   Or, that “I was in treatment,” which wouldn’t be too far off only it’s my hair getting a makeover. 

With humor on his mind he added, “Put up a sign saying, “Gone fishing, you know, like with Jesus … oooh, say you can’t make the post because you’re standing in line for the water slide baptism.” 

Truthfully, there was a reason, only I wasn’t sure what it was. 

“So … what are you going to tell them?”  He asked.  Looking somewhat baffled I said, “I don’t know.” 

Welcome new friends this week from:

See if your city/state/country made the list.

New on DFB – Russia; India; Kenya; Germany; France; United Kingdom; Saudi Arabia; Thailand; Ukraine; Canada; Philippines; Jordan; Australia.  

USA – East Wakefield, NH; Gibsonburg, OH; Oxford, AL; Lockport, IL; North Hartsville, SC; Garner, Richlands & Elkin, NC; Lewisburg & Selmer, TN; Jersey Village, TX; Murray, KY; Mayfair Estates, Cana & Maurertown VA; Bear, DE; Baldwyn, MS; Hegins, PA; Clovis, CA. 

I am so happy for your visit and hope that you come back each week to participate in the weekly challenges.  God has been faithful and we expect His favor to abound in the lives of those who chose to be Discipled by Jesus on Daily Favor Blog. 

You are welcome to leave comments or prayer requests below.  All are private. I would love to hear from you and how Daily Favor has worked in your life.  Contact me by leaving a message in the box at the bottom of this week’s post.  

Don't miss out on this week's challenge (below).

Be sure to visit Tell Me, Q & A or other sections.  

Daily Favor 

During the middle of last week’s challenge about shining “New Home Lights” I declared to my husband, “Thanks for trying to be a Light.”  With a smile he answered: “Honey, I’m trying, but sometimes I run out of extension cords.” 

Actually we’ve had an exceptional week for the most part and quite calm, with Daily Favor going before us in so many things.  Day after day we experienced blessings, and I couldn’t help but want to share it all with you. 

“Blessed and greatly favored are those who dwell in Your house and presence; they will be singing Your praises all the day long. Selah.” (Psalm 84:4 AMP) 

I could have videotaped my week showing you what I did each day including tips on cleaning my house, but thought who would watch such a thing.  Then I realized, hey, I just watched a lady’s You Tube video thinking, “Who would watch a video like this!” 

 

Thirty minutes later I told my husband about my bewilderment over her vlog and proceeded to push the play arrow … yep, now two more people watched it! 

God has given us great parking spots so hubby wouldn’t have to walk in the extreme heat.  There were sales on close-out items for the season, bargains that we didn’t expect and a little down time to spend with one another for a mini staycation.

I was able to get organization done for some of my crafting items and had triple the help enabling me to get it done four times slower than usual.  You read that right …twelve little paws helped to rearrange the items each time I tried to set things in place. Finally, I had to let them do their research and lose interest so I could finish the task.  A few hours later all were satisfied. 

 

Manny, Moe and Jackie!  Not really these are Lady's kids.
Read her adoption story.

These were the “you can see it” or manifestations of God’s favor that refreshes faith, but the unseen such as in spiritual favor was even better. 

One Thing Missing 

Every now and then I see something posted on social media about writing coaches giving tips on how to break through writer’s block.  If you’re thinking that was the problem this week, praise God it wasn’t.   

Everything was in order for the post … except one thing.  Going through my checklist for why I write this blog all the criteria had been met, but one part was missing and no matter what I did it wouldn’t fall into place.   

When I talked it over with my husband I explained how it felt like I was trying to force something or make it to be what it wasn’t.  Leaving out the “missing link” section and hitting the publish tab just because its “Friday” wasn’t the answer either.  It would have been easy and no one would have ever known … except God and me (and hubby but that counts as one with the Lord). 

A wise leader, teacher, coach or person in authority admits if they have missed the mark and takes correction from God.  When confusion entered the picture I knew it was time to stop until I heard clearly from the Lord.  I had to face it … the post wasn’t ready, and although I’d been in fellowship with God all week somewhere I missed it.  Well at least I thought I had. 

There was only one thing to do, tell the truth.  Sorry guys, “Keep shining bright for Jesus, others and those you love, I’ll see you next time ... God’s not speaking this week.”   

Oh how crushing that sounded!  Not only would it be un-inspiring, it’s not the “truth” at all. 

Change Your Focus Ten Degrees 

Not sure what I was going to use as the “fill-in” for the missing section of the post, I prayed and set my thoughts aside thinking I’d come up with something to say later. 

“But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, at an acceptable and opportune time; O God, in the greatness of Your favor and in the abundance of Your lovingkindness, answer me with truth (that is the faithfulness of Your salvation or what accompanies salvation).” (Psalm 69:13 AMP emphasis mine) 

After washing up for dinner a different kind of light went off as I heard in my spirit, “Change your focus (as in move it).  You’ve been focusing on the wrong thing.”  Realizing that it was the Holy Spirit trying to teach me something I engaged in the conversation. 

“What do you mean?”  I asked knowing that God would not hold back what I needed to know in my journey as His disciple. 

“For the Lord God is a sun (bright light) and shield; the Lord bestows grace and favor and honor; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11 AMP)  

Looking back at the passages I was studying all week, God revealed to me that my focus was like that of the first disciples who missed it in the beginning as well.  We’ve been following Jesus and learning how to be “modern day” disciples, witnessing the wondrous works He has done but we’ve lost our focus already! 

Continuing in His correction on what I was concentrating on through the Holy Ghost, I heard in my spirit, “Look ten degrees to the right … what do you see?”  I was visualizing what was happening as I read each passage.  Ohhhhh.  Now I got it.   

Just like the disciples, we look at all the things Jesus is doing, has done or wait for what He will do in our lives and around us.  We’ve constantly looking at everything else but the DOER of the works.  When I changed my focus, Jesus was in front of me.   

The missing aspect in the original post was that there are times when we have to step away from all the works and marvel over the Miracle WORKER. 

When we stop to think about what the disciples were living and learning it can be overwhelming.  They knew about God and that a Savior was coming. Watching Jesus, wouldn’t it be easy to focus on all the things that were going on instead of the Son of God Himself? 

 

They saw this: Wow, look what He just did.

Not this: Wow, look that’s GOD. 

 

Take a look at the photo.  What do you see when you first look at it in the center?

 

You basically notice the people and surroundings right?  Now look ten degrees to the right (about where the 2 would be on a clock); what do you see? 

If we now focus on the Light of the cross, everything else grows dim.  God’s Light shines bright on its own with no help from us; for me it’s amazing that Jesus would ever want to take us on as His disciples.  I wouldn’t even want to have me as one.  I’d say, “She asks too many questions and is holding up the works!”  Thank God that His ways are higher than mine.  His focus is on loving me and doing more than I could ask or think.   

God has sown His Son Jesus into our lives to reach far beyond the cross.  The Light illuminates our path with favor, grace, mercy and protection.  The real focus should be more on Him and spreading the joyful news of a Wonderful God. 

“Light is sown (like seed) for the righteous and illuminates their path, and (irrepressible) joy (is spread) for the upright in heart (who delight in His favor and protection).  (Psalm 97:11 AMP)

 

This Week’s Challenge:

Change Your Focus 

Sometimes I get so caught up in the amazing work of God that I cannot comprehend it all. When I share these thoughts with my husband he says I’m like a pinball with all my questions bouncing everywhere… “and that’s another reason why the rapture hasn’t taken place yet… Jesus isn’t ready for all your questions!”  

Of course he’s only kidding, but seriously one has to marvel at being able to have a relationship with such a wonderful GOD = The Creator, Everlasting Father, LORD of Lords, Eternal Savior, Master of all things.  I could go on … (Isaiah 9:6) 

“I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.  I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praises to Your name, O Most High.” (Psalm 9:1-2 NKJV) 

“Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.”  (Psalm 40:5 NKJV)  

For our challenge this week there’s not much more I can say or share, other than to stop what you’re doing along your discipleship journey and stand in awe as you focus on the wonder of Jesus Himself.    

O Lord of Hosts, how blessed and greatly favored is the man who trusts in You (believing in You, relying on You, and committing himself to You with confident hope and expectation.” (Psalm 84:12 AMP)  

Change your focus and as you do, everything will fall in place (even blog posts). 

 

 

  Wonderful Maker by Jeremy Camp 

 

If this article has encouraged or helped you, please consider sharing it by using the social media icons provided at the end of this post. 

Until next time, be greatly favored by trusting in our wonderful God. 

“Commit to Me with hope and expect favor to follow.”

Jesus Christ 

*Unless noted, the names in articles are changed to protect the individual(s) privacy. 

Note: Emphasis is given in some scriptures to show clarity or understanding and is not to take away from the inspirited Word of God. 

When used, the words satan or devil are not capitalized deliberately, because we give him no place in our lives. 

... and yes the word "discipled" isn't a word used by the world, but that of believers. 

Disclaimer: Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness. 

What’s New This Week: Click on the photo or link.

 

The Bible – the Only Book You’ll Really Ever Need

Favored1 on Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, Pinterest and Hub Pages Articles.  

Maybe you don’t know the Living God that I know, but would like to have this kind of favor in your life also.  Click on the above tab “Tell Me” for more information on becoming a child of the Savior.

Content and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy. 

Scripture reference was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Gateway Bible.
Image credit: GoogleImages or Dreamstime Creative Common License if not specified.
Image:  Gone Fishing  Change Focus  Light Cross
Disclaimer Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief.

Change Your Focus, Favored1, Daily Favor Blog, Jesus God's Son, Journey with Jesus, Discipled by Jesus, Discipleship, Christian Living, Bible, Inspiration, Wonder Maker, Jeremy Camp, The Missing Link, Lady Featherstone, Cat Adoption, Miracle Worker, Miracles of Jesus Christ