Focusing My Attention

In Jeremiah 29:13 it says, “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me." (NLT)

Giving someone my attention is the greatest gift because my time is my life.

When I turn my face to someone and focus my eyes on them, it makes them feel like I genuinely care and are interested in what they have to say.

I can do this with God, I can turn my face to him in prayer. Just look up! Show him that I’m checking in and ready to talk. Even though it’s a good way to pray, there’s nothing in the Bible that says I have to close my eyes or bow my head. When I close my eyes and think, I go to sleep. Try praying aloud to God and looking up. It's a physical reminder that I’m refocusing my attention.

Daniel did this when he needed God’s help and wisdom: “So I gave my attention to the Lord God, to seek Him by prayer” (Daniel 9:3 NASB). After I listen to God through his Word, then the second step of prayer is to seek him.

God makes many promises in the Bible for those who seek him.

“Seek me and live” (Amos 5:4 NIV). As I persistently seek God, I’ll start learning how to really live.

“I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me” (Proverbs 8:17 NIV). If I’m having trouble finding God, make sure I’m seeking him with the right motives, wanting to know him and not just wanting to get something from him.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13 NIV). I’m going to find God when I really want to know him, not just in my spare time.

“God . . . rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV). If I want to see God reward my work, finances, relationships, and future, then seek him.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need” (Luke 12:31 NLT).

When I pursue God first, I don’t have to worry about all the other things the world says I need to stress over. Give him my attention. Turn my face to him, and show him that I want to give him first place in my life.

In summary, If I look for God wholeheartedly, I will find him. Giving someone my attention is the greatest gift because my time is my life. When I turn my face to someone and focus my eyes on them, it makes them feel like I genuinely care and are interested in what they have to say. I can do this with God. Just look up and show him that I’m checking in and ready to talk. There’s nothing in the Bible that says I have to close my eyes or bow my head. Try praying aloud to God and looking up. It's a physical reminder that I’m refocusing my attention. Daniel did this when he needed God’s help and wisdom. After I listen to God through his Word, then the second step of prayer is to seek him. God makes many promises in the Bible for those who seek him. As I persistently seek God, I’ll start learning how to really live. If I’m having trouble finding God, make sure I’m seeking him with the right motives, wanting to know him and not just wanting to get something from him. I’m going to find God when I really want to know him, not just in my spare time. If I want to see God reward my life, then seek him. When I pursue God first, I don’t have to worry about all the other things the world says. Give him my attention. Turn my face to him, and show him that I want to give him first place in my life.

According to God's wise plan, his people were to have hope and a future; consequently, they could call upon him in confidence. Although the exiles were in a difficult place and time, they did not need to despair because they had God's presence, the privilege of prayer, and God's grace. God can be sought and found when I seek him wholeheartedly. Neither strange lands, sorrows, frustration, nor physical problems can break my communion with God.

Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 

Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in others lives. I pray all these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Learn to Seek God, Not His Gifts

In Psalm 14:2 I read, “The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God." (NIV)

Millions of Christians spend all their time seeking what God has to give them and no time seeking God himself.

When you’re praying for healing and restoration, it’s okay to want a miracle. But, ultimately, it should be God himself I seek, not a miracle, a sign, prosperity, or a thousand other gifts of God. My prayer should be: “God, I want you. I want to know you.” When I seek God, I get everything else.

God gives many promises in the Bible about those who seek him:

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face . . .  then I will hear from heaven” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV).

“I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me” (Proverbs 8:17 NIV).

“Anyone who comes to him must believe he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV).

“If from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul . . . For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you” (Deuteronomy 4:29-31 NIV).

Seek God, not just his blessing. That means that, whether or not I get the answer I want, I’ll find joy in knowing God better. Whether or not I get what I think is best for me, I’ll be satisfied with what God thinks is best for me. When I’m going through tough situations, seek God, even more than my deliverance from pain.

This is not a casual pastime. Don’t seek God in my spare moments, after I’m done with work or as I’m scrolling social media. Make getting to know God better the primary focus of my life.

“The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God” (Psalm 14:2 NIV).

It’s rare to find someone who’s earnest about seeking God. Most of us want just enough of God to bless us, but not to change us.

I won’t become an Olympic athlete in my spare time. In the same way, I won’t become a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ by giving him my leftovers. Give him my first and best, and he will keep every promise.

In summary, The LORD looks down to see if there are any who understand, any who seek Him. Most spend all their time seeking what God has to give them and not time seeking God himself. When I’m praying, it’s okay to want a miracle. But, ultimately, it should be God himself I seek, not a miracle, a sign, prosperity, or a thousand other gifts of God. My prayer should be: “God, I want you. I want to know you. When I seek God, I get everything else. God gives many promises for those who seek him. So seek God, not just his blessing. That means that, whether or not I get the answer I want, I’ll find joy in knowing God better. Whether or not I get what I think is best for me, I’ll be satisfied with what God thinks is best for me. When I’m going through tough situations, seek God, even more than my deliverance from pain. Don’t seek God in my spare moments. Make getting to know God better the primary focus of my life. Most of us want just enough of God to bless us, but not to change us. I won’t become a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ by giving him my leftovers. Give him my first and best, and he will keep every promise.

Only a fool denies God. How foolish it must seem to God when people say there is no God. They ignore the evidence that He exists or refuse to live by His truths. For He looks down from above on the world, looking to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks him. When I rely more on myself than on God, I become foolish as well. 

Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 

Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in others lives (including my job.) I pray all these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen. 

The Second Step in a Crisis: Focus and Seek God

In reading Proverbs 8:17 it says, “I love everyone who loves me, and I will be found by all who honestly search.” (CEV)

Daniel gives a great blueprint for prayer during difficult times. Yesterday I looked at the first of those principles: I let God speak to me before I speak to him. The second step to praying in a way God will answer during a time of crisis is to focus my attention on God and seek him.

Daniel did this in Daniel 9:3: “I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him” (ESV). This is basic relationship advice that works beyond my relationship with God. I’ll improve any relationship if I physically turn myself toward the other person and focus on them when they talk to me. For instance whenever my wife talks with me, I turn my face toward her.

Turning my face toward someone shows attention. I can do with this God, too. Physically, look up toward the sky. If possible, go outside and look into the heavens as I pray. Physically turning toward God is the first step in truly focusing on him and seeking him, which is vitally important during a crisis, and other moments of my life.

In Amos 5:4, God says, “Seek me and live” (NIV). I’m not really living unless I’m truly seeking God. God guarantees he will always be with me. He says, “I love those who love me, and those who seek me will find me” (Proverbs 8:17 ISV).

In summary, God loves everyone who loves him. If I seek him I will find him. Yesterday I looked at letting God speak to me before I speak with him. The second step is to focus my attention on God and seek him. In Daniel's example, he turned his face to the Lord God, seeking him. This is good basic relationship advice that works beyond my relationship with just God. I’ll improve any relationship if I physically turn myself toward the other person and focus on them when they talk to me. Turning my face toward someone shows attention. I can do this with God as well by looking up toward the sky. I can even go outside and look into the heavens as I pray. Physically turning toward God is the first step in truly focusing on him and seeking him, I’m not really living unless I’m truly seeking God. And the good news is that God guarantees he will always be with me.

I want to focus on God better, so looking up and turning my eyes toward God is a practice I want to incorporate into my prayer life. Father with help from the Holy Spirit, help me to really focus my attention on you. As I work today, help me to understand what role you want me to take and how I should respond. I ask for wisdom and guidance for my career, my day, my work, my leadership and my interaction with others. These things I ask in your Son Jesus Christ my savior’s name, amen.