September 17 Staying Truly Focused Isaiah 26:3
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3)
Over the past few years, with its chaos and upheaval and demonstrations of hatred and evil, I have been challenged to stay focused on what is real and eternal. I the midst of political and radical ideological changes in our national resolve, I have found myself caught up in the insanity of a popular movement of secular and temporal thoughts and desires. Satan is having a “Field-day!” How am I to react to anti-Christian, anti-American, anti-moral standards rhetoric that is absolutely opposed to my convictions, my thoughts, my upbringing, and my Christian values? How easy it is to lose focus on what is real and just and edifying to our Lord and Savior! Over the last few weeks, once again, Political Leaders, News Outlets, Radical Groups are promoting and proclaiming Anti-Christian, Twisted and Evil concepts and the sad reality is that so many are being deceived by the rhetoric! Really? There have been extreme and radical changes to our American culture and when I witness the twisted and radical transformation of one political party into an Anti-American, Anti-Law & Order, Pro-Islamic, Radical Promoting of the Overthrow of our Constitution, Standards of Morality and Civility and the systematic destruction of everything that has made the United States of America the greatest place on earth! Yesterday, I saw an interview with a young woman and she was declaring that she was leaving the USA because it has become hostile to her way of life. The interviewer pressed her to be specific, and she said that she would be safer in Gaza than in America. As I contemplated her statements, I realized that she was either ignorant of the political and social rules of this Islamic area, or she was genuinely “hate” driven and she was clueless about the realities of Life! This woman was angry, and she seemed to blame everyone and everything that didn’t agree with her “If it feels good, do it” attitude! (I grew up in eastern North Carolina, and the vast majority of my family and neighbors were “Dyed in the Wool” Democrats. I can state with firm assurance that if these folks were here today, they would not be voting Democrat! Radicals had overtaken this political organization and now, radical anti-American anarchists have become the face of this traditionally noble American Institution) Evil, Radicalized Ignorance, Hatred and Twisted Political and Religious Ideologizes have replaced basic Common Sense! What are we going to do? PRAY, SEEK GOD’S FACE & SERVE HIM despite the Evil and the Insanity of the Morally Void Individuals! Friends I thank God for His Power and Presence in my life and the Provision for Peace! God has promised that, when we are focused on the correct things and when we are committed to His Will, then we are going to experience “Perfect Peace,” regardless of the circumstances! For six years, I have ended each daily devotional, with the admonition to “STAY STRONG, STAY FOCUSED!” Our survival requires True Focus on what is Real and Just and Edifying to our GOD! The words of a beautiful old hymn (My heart is fixed, O God on Thee), provides the encouragement that we need to, not only survive, but to THRIVE! “My heart is fixed O God on Thee, No more my feet shall go astray; I caught a glimpse of Calvary, and now I walk with Christ today. My heart is fixed O God on Thee, my eyes are now on things above, from worldly yokes, Praise God I’m free, I’m running o’er with Joy and Love. One time I wandered far away, I did not heed the Shepherd’s voice; My heart on God is fixed today, For He is my eternal choice. My heart is fixed, my face is set, upon the prize that lies before; all other claims I will reject, My Heart is fixed forevermore. No longer tossed upon the waves, Of sin and doubt but now I sail; within the lifeboat, JESUS SAVES, No Storms against me shall prevail.” Jesus Christ is the answer to the evil that exists! Because of His birth, and His life and death, and His Resurrection, and our privilege of claiming His Selfless act at Calvary, we CAN have victory over the challenges of this life! Keep in mind, we will experience difficulties and challenges, yet His Great Love and sustaining Power will bring us through to experience complete victory! I Thank God for His Love and For My Jesus! Let this be a time to really Focus on Jesus, and to claim, embrace and celebrate, our Savior and Lord, JESUS CHRIST, in Your Life! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
MY OPINION: (Stop long enough to really look at what is happening in our country! 25 years ago, in one of the great cities of America, radical, religiously hate driven individuals, who despise America, and anything that represents Western Morals and our Way of Life, purposely and premeditatedly commandeered airliners and flew them into the World Trade Center Twin Towers and the Pentagon and had other targets that didn’t work out! Today, in that same city, 25 years later, a Radical, Muslim, Communist occupies the office of mayor! Wow! How quickly we forget! Please pay attention to what individuals are promoting and their political agenda! All of the words and rhetoric cannot undo their actions and their evil intent! There are wolves going around in sheep’s clothing! My dear mama, used to warn me about appearances… “Honey, you can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig!” Pay attention to who and what you support and what they support! If politicians are promoting a radical agenda, and you pull the level for them in the voting booth, then you are supporting the same radical agenda, regardless of your traditional political views and ideas!)