A HEART SET ON JESUS

November 5, 2021

As I look around today at how things feel it is easy to wonder exactly where we are headed. Each day is so full of information that can toss us to and fro. Technology with instant access to news. Social media with instant access to people and events. Culture with a constantly changing paradigm of how we should think and feel. Political gamesmanship pushing bipartisanship that used to be the norm; now some rare and amazing moment where people can have civil discourse and agreement ? Add in a virus that has polarized us into different camps of response. Response that breeds emotional reactions, from fear to disagreement to actual hatred for opposing viewpoints. It is about two things in my mind. DIVISION AND DISTRACTION. It has been around for a long time, and I believe that it comes from the Enemy…..Satan Himself. We don’t like to contemplate Satan very often, because it makes us face the fact that there might actually be an evil that is focused on destruction, deceit, and lies. Our minds want to make us feel that everything revolves around mankind and our reality, and yet as Christians, we should recognize that Satan is Very Real and he wars against mankind every single moment. Here is the Truth. Satan is only a weak accuser IF YOUR HEART IS CENTERED ON JESUS ! The world and culture and all the deceit and distractions mean nothing IF YOUR HEART IS CENTERED ON JESUS. Jesus came to set us free from the death of sin. Jesus came to set us free from a life of self, centered on the world moving around us. It is easy to get swept up in that world and forget that CHRIST IS OUR LIFE !!! GOD AND HIS INSTRUCTION AND WAY OF LIFE SHOULD BE OUR FOCUS ! Our lives and hope lies in HIM ! Our hearts should be focused on Jesus and His Kingdom.

BUT SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE ADDED TO YOU. Matthew 6:33

FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT A MATTER OF EATING AND DRINKING BUT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE AND JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT. Romans 14:17

THEN THE KING WILL SAY TO THOSE ON HIS RIGHT, ‘COME . YOU WHO ARE BLESSED BY MY FATHER, INHERIT THE KINGDOM PREPARED FOR YOU FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD. Matthew 25:34

If we are truly seeking the Kingdom of God and honestly desiring and believing that His Kingdom has been prepared for us, then we absolutely need to let go of the deceit and distractions that surround us and CENTER OUR HEART ON JESUS. Jesus and His Life. Jesus and His teaching. Listen and hear and TAKE IN DEEPLY every word He had to say. His Commandments, His Parables, His Discussions with His Disciples. ALL OF IT :) Allow it to be the center of your understanding and wisdom. Allow it to be the place that you trust and focus on. Let Jesus guide your Path and your Purpose. It means lifting up your life and hopes and dreams to Him in Worship and Prayer. Allowing God, His Word, and His Power, Authority, and Love to be at the Center Of Your Heart.

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING . IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE WILL MAKE STRAIGHT YOUR PATHS. Proverbs 3:5-6

DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWAL OF YOUR MIND; THAT BY TESTING YOU MAY DISCERN WHAT IS THE WILL OF GOD, WHAT IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT. Romans 12:2

JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY AND TODAY AND FOREVER. Hebrews 13:8

Jesus is always there, full of love and desire for us. Will we seek Him. Will we CENTER OUR HEARTS ON HIM ? That is the ultimate question, because He has given us free will to decide. I work every day to remain centered. I find a lot of distractions come my way. It is a choice and it takes resolve and a lot of GRACE ! I implore you to join me and make time each day to set the world aside and Center Your Heart on Jesus. Let Him show you all that lies before you in Him and His Kingdom. InHis Name may you be blessed by His Presence In Your Life. CENTER YOUR HEART/JAA

AND WE KNOW THAT FOR THOSE WHO LOVE GOD ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD, FOR THOSE WHO ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE. Romans 8:28

CHRIST ALONE….CORNERSTONE