In these final 40 days of 2025 I want to challenge you to focus!
1 Chronicles 29:19 And give my son Solomon an uncluttered and focused heart so that he can obey what you command, live by your directions and counsel…” (Message)
Focus is not about focusing on the things that need to be done. Focus is about eliminating all the misaligning good things that are distractions.
Giving 80% is easy. People who excel in areas of life do so because they focus on giving another 10% to make it 90. It’s that final 10% that requires the greatest discipline in your life. Excelling at 90% will be applauded by those around you but we don’t live for the applause of man. They tried to make Jesus the bread king after he fed the 5,000 John 6:15 they intended to come and make Jesus king by force, so he went to be with the Father in prayer.
Opportunities are distractions if they’re not part of your assignment!
Focus! Final 40 days of this year is a great time of year to truly dig in with all diligence to finish strong. As we enter 2026, we will focus on the first 40 days. Start praying now about fasting and praying in the beginning of your 2026.
What you think about matters so think about what you think about.
Ephesians 4:22-23 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds. NIV
This is not just your mind. This is about the attitude of your mind. What is the attitude of your mind?
This goes deeper than just trying to think good thoughts. This is about addressing the inclinations of your impulsive disposition. Did you know you have an impulsive disposition?
Duke University reports that 45% of daily behavior is automatic. This is a gift from God, so you don’t have to relearn everything we do every day. The gift is that we learn habits that hold us in place, but the problem is we learn habits that hold us in place! This speaks of the habits of the heart.
Psalms 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. NLT
The best defense is a good offense. The best way to stay out of trouble is not by focusing on staying out of trouble. Goodness is not the absence of badness! You can do nothing wrong and still do nothing right.
Building a good habit actually disrupts the cycle of a bad habit enabling you to conquer it.
2 Corinthians 10:6 we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete. NIV
Galations 5:16 live by spirit and not fulfill lust of flesh. Luke 18:1 ought always to pray and not faint. When something gets in your heart sacrifice becomes automatic. You don’t have to force children out of bed on Christmas morning. There is something deeper contributing to our behavior.
The impulsive disposition of our lives is born from the meditation of our hearts.
Think about what you think about because what you think about matters!
GP2RL: What is one area of your life that needs to be addressed to keep you from being distracted from a constant awareness of the presence of God?
