KEEP FOCUSED.

In the past two or three years, I have adopted a few words that can help you as well.  As we are empowered by God's Holy Spirit our lives and ministries can be helped as we filter them through two of the words that will keep us on track:  FOCUS AND INTENTIONAL.

There are three areas of ministry and life we must live out focused and with intention.  These have become my life's filter and topic. now that we have become followers/disciples of Christ, How then shall we live and minister? Everything we do must go through the filter and purpose and mission God has given us, otherwise it would be a hindrance or distraction.

Area number one:  WORSHIP (God).  You and I whether it is individually or corporately will worship in Spirit and in truth as we do it lovingly with focus and done intentionally.  Many know it is not just singing or clapping hands but it is also an attitude and lifestyle.  God mentioned, His people worshiped Him with their lips but their heart was far from Him.  Not only an action on Sunday morning, we also praise God every morning and night and various times throughout the day.  Good times as well as bad.  It is surprising how many do not give God a thought all week or do it when we get a break in our schedule. I want to constantly and intentionally during quiet time and at work, home and play live a lifestyle of worship.

Area number two:  CONNECTION (relationship with God and others).  If we have a relationship with God we may from time to time need to be focused and intentional.  It is a great idea to spend time with Him in prayer and the study of His Word listening as well as speaking.  We usually don't experience a "blow out" we usually have a "slow leak" when we allow a distraction to cause a disconnect in our walk with Him.   While we point upwards, we say if we are okay this way, we are okay this way, while pointing out to those around us, in our circle of life.  The ten commandments as well as the Bible has to to with our connection or relationship with God and  others.  We don't do this alone we are to connect with a community of believers for love and accountabilty, not forsaking the assembying of ourselves as is the habit of some.

Area number three: SERVICE (community).  Following our becoming Christ followers (believing in          and trusting in Christ's work as our only hope to spend eternity with God), we are called out of the world and then with Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we go back into the community to make other disciples and finding needs, to be of help as we are compelled by the love of Christ. I believe that is toward those in the church house and outside of it.  We have locked ourselves in the temple forgetting where we came from.  We are to be focused and intentional about loving God and loving others.

"HEY JESUS, WHAT'S THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT"?!?

Jesus said:" Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all you mind." and to "Love your neighbor as you love yourself."

Paul wrote: "Therefore I urge you, brothers in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, Holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship(service)."

Remember when Jesus said to those who offered food drink and relationship. "When you have done it to the least of these, you have done it to me."

We have been commissioned by Christ: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always".

Let us keep focused and be intentional in our Worship,Connections and Service.