Fixing Your Focus

By Don Warfield, Sr.

Text: Philippians 3:13-14 - Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

As a young man, I wanted to know why we do what we do as Pentecostals.

David's past affected his future. Living in the past blinds you to the future. The past can overwhelm you and restrict your present and future usefulness. Even good things like blessings can hold you to the point where God can't send new blessings your way. Fix your focus on what's in store...

• Revival - Salvation
• Holy Ghost outpouring - Joy
• Rapture - Millenial
• Heaven - Eternity with Jesus

1.) Paul said he hadn't made it yet. He kept his body under subjection.

• If your past is under the Blood, Jesus does not remember it any more.
• If you (or anyone else) digs up your past, you (or they) go there alone because Jesus won't go there.
• Remember, it's not over until your feet leave the ground!

2.) You have to let go to reach forth (forward)

• Think about Who is out there in your future
• Pressing toward the prize involves effort
• Jesus said, "The Kingdom of God suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."
• At the close of his ministry, Paul said,
• I have fought a good fight.
• I have finished my course
• I have kept the faith
• He knew there was a crown of righteousness waiting
• He knew the time of his departure was at hand
• He was ready to be offered
• He was about to apprehend that for which he had been apprehended
• Victory was within reach - but once again he needed to let go of what was past and stretch himself toward what was in store.

The little maid witnessed to Namaan's wife. She was right where God wanted her to be (no matter how she felt or how her family felt). Her words changed Namaan's life.

• Her captivity restricted her
• His leprosy restricted him
• Her witness changed him; his health, his religion, his outlook
• His former gods had no power
• Her God had all power
• Her witness refocused his thinking

How will they hear without a preacher? (witness)

Acts 10 shows us that this message is not for angels to deliver. It's our responsibility! Your witness is to tell what God did for you and to let them know He can do the same for them.

We are not the message - HE is!
We are simply the messenger. "...and you shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8b)

Editor's Note: Bro. Don Warfield, Sr., leads our Home Bible Study ministry and teaches the adult Sunday School class in rotation each month. His studious attention to the Word is evident in him able ministry of the Word.