focus

Are You Sinking?

January 3, 2019 by Tim Sherfy

Are you sinking? Does it feel as if the waves of this life are on the verge of pulling you under? Perhaps the busyness and stresses of life are weighing you down so much you can’t seem to rise to the surface. I submit any time you feel as if you are sinking is because your focus is somewhere other than Jesus. It sounds so simple, just look at Jesus and life will be smooth sailing.

are you sinking,drowning in despair,busyness,busy,mission,focus,priorities,Matthew 14:22-31,walking on water,Colossians 3:23-24,do everything for Jesus

Well, not exactly, and keeping our focus on Christ is far easier said than done in a world where Satan never ceases to bombard us with distraction after distraction. If you said, ‘yes’ to the “Are you sinking?” question, it’s probably time to evaluate whether we’ve taken our eyes off Jesus and placed them somewhere else.

[Read more…] about Are You Sinking?

Stay Focused

November 8, 2018 by Tim Sherfy

The latest book by Francis Chan, “Letters to the Church” is a fantastic and convicting work that compares the modern Western church to the early Church detailed in the New Testament. This will always be a touchy topic because one feels the need to walk the tightrope between offending and convicting. I think Francis does a masterful job of doing this, but much to my delight chooses to err on the side of not worrying what anyone other than God might think.

stay focused,focus,commitment,mission,priorities,Kingdom of God,God's Kingdom,Francis Chan,Letters to Church,Matthew 6:9-10,Lord's prayer

image © elnariz via Fotolia

Early on, Pastor Chan writes, “The older I get, the more aware I am the end is near. There is no time to care about what I want in the church. There’s no time to worry about what others are looking for in a church. I will be facing Him soon, so I have to stay focused on His desires.” This is a word by which we all should be living.

[Read more…] about Stay Focused

Be Still

October 11, 2018 by Tim Sherfy

I spent some time in the mountains recently and was once again awed by the beauty and creation of God. There is something about getting away from our man-made surroundings and into the natural world God created that reminds you of His magnificence and beauty. In our busy and harried world, we spend too little time taking a break and getting quiet with our Creator. We were not created for the bombardment of impulses affecting us every day. We were not created to fill every minute of every day with (mostly) mindless activity.

be still,peace,joy,calm,focus,prayer,Genesis 3:1-6,temptation of Eve,Exodus 14:14,God will fight for you,Psalm 46:10,be still,Matthew 10:33,if you deny me before men

image via Fotolia

It’s okay to be still. In fact, the sons of Korah realized the wisdom in this and wrote what God had said to them: “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). When the Israelites were preparing to take the land promised to them, God told them to be still and He would fight for them (Exodus 14:14).

[Read more…] about Be Still

Do You Know Who You’re Talking To?

July 19, 2018 by Tim Sherfy

I believe we too often forget what a privilege it is to pray. At some point, we began to take it for granted. When was the last time you considered what was actually taking place when you began to pray? Prayer is our opportunity to talk to the one and only almighty God of the Universe. We are conversing with the One who designed and created not just ourselves, but everything on this planet and every other planet.

do you know who you're talking to,respect,awe,prayer,humility,adoption,adopted,sons of God,heirs with Jesus,Romans 8:14-17,abba father,reverence

Truth be told, we should all be far too intimidated and awestruck to even utter a word in His presence. In His grace, He has adopted us as sons and daughters into His family (Romans 8:14-17), which means we not only have a right to be in His presence, we have the intimacy of a familial relationship to be able to speak to Him with ease.

Change Your Perspective

July 2, 2018 by Tim Sherfy

It’s easy to get discouraged in a world determined to tear us down. Every day we are bombarded with obstacles and difficult circumstances that get in the way of living the life we want to live. The death of a loved one, job loss, physical ailments, health concerns, rocky relationships, and flat-out fatigue push us to the brink. Sometimes we wonder if we’ll survive and are tempted to give up hope. It happens to all of us. No one is alone in feeling despair.

change your perspective,mission,love,purpose,truth,focus,John 14:6,i am the way truth and life

This world is a fallen place, inhabited by dark forces seeking to destroy our dreams and aspirations. Above all, Satan is intent on foiling any attempt we make at drawing closer to God. He will stop at nothing to distract you from Christ. When discouragement comes, you need to change your perspective. You need to see this world for what it is and refocus on what matters.