MY ANCHOR, MY FOCUSt
TEXT:HEBREWS 12:1-4
Hebrews: 12. 1. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Anchor [n.]: A iron instrument which is attached to a ship by a cable (rope or chain), and which, being cast overboard, lays hold of the earth by a fluke or hook and thus retains the ship in a particular station.
Anchor [n.]: Fig.: That which gives stability or security; that on which we place dependence for safety.
Focus [n.]: A point in which the rays of light meet, after being reflected or refrcted, and at which the image is formed; as, the focus of a lens or mirror.
focus [n.]: Point of concentration, point of convergence, converging-point.
Our anchor and focus as men of valour should be Jesus Christ and His kingdom matters. There are a lot of issues asking for our attentions and contending against our faith walk with God.
We are indeed in a phase of the end as declared in the scriptures. Matt. 24:3-14; 2 Tim. 3:1-8
Matthew: 24. 3. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4. And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8. All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. 10. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
2 Timothy: 3. 1. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7. Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
PAUL, AN EXAMPLE OF ANCHOR AND FOCUS. Phillipians 3:1-16
Philippians: 3. 1. Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5. Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6. Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Philippians: 3. 9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10. That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11. If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13. 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, 14. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
WHAT TO DO FOR YOU TO SUSTAIN YOUR ANCHOR AND FOCUS
- REMEMBER WHERE YOU WERE COMING FROM. ALWAYS THINK ABOUT YOUR SALVATION TESTIMONIES.
- ASK FOR GOD’S MERCY FOR AREAS WHERE YOU HAVE DEVIATED. PSALM 51:1-3
- PRAY FOR RENEWAL AND REVIVAL OF YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE.
- GO BACK TO YOUR FIRST LOVE FOR HIM.
- DISCIPLINE YOURSELF AND ENGAGE IN DETERMINED SPIRITUAL EXERCISES LIKE SOUL WINNING OR EVANGELISM.
- STUDY THE BIBLE CONSCIOUSLY AND BE DETERMINED TO OBEY AND DO ITS INSTRUCTIONS. JAMES 1:22-25.
- BE PRAYERFUL LIKE NEVER BEFORE. LUKE 18:1
- ALWAYS DO PERSONAL REVIEW AND EVALUATION OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. 2 COR. 13:5
- REKINDLE YOUR COMMITMENT TO CHURCH ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES. BE MORE PUNCTUAL TO SERVICE AND BE INVOLVED IN A DEPARTMENT.
- DON’T NEGLET YOUR FELLOWSHIP WITH FELLOW BRETHREN. IRON SHARPENS IRON. PROV.27:17.
- LET GOD BE FIRST IN ALL YOU DO.MATT. 6:33.