Jeff Reynolds One desire: In A Noisy World - 5 Sure Ways to Focus on Jesus

The world is a noisy place.

It is full of distractions.

Full of choices.

When we're under fire and struggling, the world attempts to suck us into survival mentalities, passivity, and getting along.

When we are thriving, it lures us to every desire other than Christ.

There is always a narrow way in front of us. Isaiah 43
God is faithful.
He provides a way out of debilitating circumstances and trails and temptations and paths of sin.

And.... he empowers us with grace, hope and love in Jesus.

It most likely will take effort and energy to breakout or breakthrough.
But know this.

Jesus overcame the world in every way.
With life giving love, righteousness and wisdom, he empowers us inside.  Renewing our mind in the Word. Calling us forward to walking in the Spirit.

Jesus is peaceful. He is good. He is trustworthy. He is life.

So here are 5 ways to stay focused on Jesus in a Noisy world.

1. Clearly identify your Allegiance. Matthew 6:33 Seek First....

If your ultimate commitment to Jesus is wavering, it's going to be tough when real choices for the Kingdom and loving God are presented to you under pressure.
Settle your allegiance now and first. Make it clear. "I have decided to follow Jesus." No turning back.
Jesus made clear that walking along with a plow and looking back is not worthy of him. There are so many things that throw us off the rails of following Jesus and walking in the Spirit.

For instance, a divided heart puts us out on the tossing waves. Everything starts rocking, in a disciple when Jesus isn't first. The wind and waves start beating on the house. It takes some real commitment in advance to carry you through the storms.
Make your choice clear and resolute. I am following Jesus.

2. Get rooted and established in love Ephesians 3:14-21

We need an encounter with Jesus to really make things stick. Deep down inside, you and I need to know the love that leads us. To follow through dark passages and windy waves we need a love revealed (Ephesians 3:14-21). Love. Experienced. The touch deep down in our hearts of Jesus and the reality of his love for "me". It is critical. It is something to wait for (Ps 27:14). It is vital to deeper journeys and longer travels. It is essential oil in the soul, mind, heart and body, to know the love of God.

A sign of us walking without love informing our way, is to walk in brittleness. Without the water of abiding connection to Jesus, we start drying out inside. The kingdom of God manifests from within us. Dry, weary, and divided hearts find living water scarce. One thing leads to another.

A love encounter with Jesus requires us to wait for him. To pursue him in the quiet place. To be real and honest. To abide with him for the sake of love alone. This will totally change your walk with Jesus. Let love lead the way in your knowledge of the Son of God.

3. Embrace the Spirit of Adoption - Romans 8

Adoption can be a challenge. We may have taken on some perspectives and mindsets that push people and God away from us. For protection we may find it hard to attach to people or God. We've adopted a protective posture toward the world because we believed we were on our own. Embracing those feelings of fear, isolation and self preservation can damage our soul.  It will also lead us into experiences that build up deeper walls with out interpretations.

I have good news. We are not on our own. Never. God is with us. Jesus is always with us. Matthew 28:20   God is working in and around those who do not know him. Loving those who do not love him. (Rom 5:1-4).

Embracing our adoption is powerful. You and I were chosen before the foundations of the world to be found in Christ! He saw you and I before the world began.  We were purposed then to come into the abiding grace and glory of knowing Jesus.

God chose us. You. Me. It's good to say. Try it. "God, you chose me. And I am so happy you did."   Sons and Daughters have access to the family palace.  We have inheritance and all the blessings of family relationship. We have family.  We have care and love.  We have the resources of the family.  We belong.

We have to learn to be family members in the household of God. It's different.
Our former way of life was filled with despair, emptiness, endless searching.  Now we are children of light.

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John 4:13-14

4. Bloom where you are planted - I Corinthians 7:23-24 Apply discernment and wisdom - abuse, sin, injustice - not to be settled in or for, bloom.

When the pressure is on, being anywhere else looks pretty good. Yet, when we trust God in all things and follow Jesus walking in the Spirit, our lives are led by God. We find ourselves in places that call out change, that point out our weakness, that encourage us to find more strength in God alone.
It takes wisdom (James 3:17-18) and discernment to know that we are walking in the Lord's will and way. There is a learning curve to knowing this more and more deeply. Often we do not discuss blooming, when we talk about trials and tribulations. Typically we just want to find a way of stopping things or exiting the troubles. We were made to overcome the world. To prove to the IMPOSSIBLE that the Gospel of Jesus and his Kingdom are real and present. To pray for miracles and expect God's deliverance. When we are encountering the fallen and fading world with the light and love of Jesus, we will have some troubles.

The sufferings of Jesus are also a factor. The apostles of Christ suffered greatly for following Jesus. And they rejoiced that they were clearly part of the Way. The sufferings identified them with Christ. They were persecuted for the sake of the Gospel and the world changing power it carried. The Gospel of Jesus upsets the fallen order of things in this world. It turns over the money changers tables right in the temple. Everyone hears the call for repentance when it's preached. Not all chose to obey it. That's when some real challenging stuff may occur. That's when Stephen was stoned. That's when Paul was beaten and run out of town. Don't confuse troubles and trials. This world does need a shake up. Jesus is the answer.

5. Start walking in the Word and Spirit Colossians 3:1-3

The Spirit inspired the Scripture. The Spirit indwells us. The Scripture calls us to dwell richly, full of wealth, in the Words of God. Walking in the Spirit in the wealth of the Words of God is powerful. It will surely make a clear path for your way.

Believers today seem to be weak in the Scripture and words of God. You don't need to be. There are so many awesome ways to be in the Scripture beside just reading these days. There are bible apps that will read the Scripture to you from your phone. You Version is awesome. On your phone. Free. So many helpful ways to help you and I stay in the Scripture each day.

Walking in the Spirit mixed with the Word is abundant life and living. The Holy Spirit always points us to Jesus. (John 16:12-14) He is always pointing out how amazing Jesus is and reminding us of his teaching. If we have ears to hear we will hear the Spirit guiding us daily, hourly in the abiding presence of the Lord Jesus. Amazing!!!

The Word of God - Scripture - renews our mind. Gives us strength against the enemy (Ephesians 6:10f) the offensive weapon in our armor.   It is undeniably transforming.
So make a point of dwelling in it richly. And as you do you will find walking in the Spirit much easier.   The Spirit inspired the Scripture!
When we are doing this we find ourselves.......
Colossians- 3:16-17
Ephesians 5:18-20

You can do this because Jesus is with you and he has already done all of it!

He did it for you and I.

That is enough for a worship time anytime.

This Kingdom we are part of is

Righteousness

Peace

Joy

in the power of the Holy Spirit.

You can do it. YOU can keep Pressing ON!

Here is a series of blogs about the heart that may help.

1. The Unhindered Heart - Sharpening the Arrow Point of Grace and Glory - https://jeffreynoldsonedesire.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-unhindered-heart-sharpening-arrow.html

2. Undivided - Undaunted - Unhindered Heart After God - https://jeffreynoldsonedesire.blogspot.com/2017/02/undivided-undaunted-unhindered-heart.html

3. Love for God Is A Never Ending Open Country - An Undivided Heart - Wholly Devoted - a place to follow not hide.

https://jeffreynoldsonedesire.blogspot.com/2014/03/love-for-god-is-never-ending-open.html

4. Five Thorns to Pull From a Wounded Heart - https://jeffreynoldsonedesire.blogspot.com/2015/10/5-thorns-to-pull-from-wounded-heart.html

5. Personal Unity. Can the Heart and Mind be United in the Spirit Always? https://jeffreynoldsonedesire.blogspot.com/2014/02/personal-unity-can-heart-and-mind-be.html

https://jeffreynoldsonedesire.blogspot.com/2014/02/personal-unity-can-heart-and-mind-be.html

Thanks for reading.

The dialogue is awesome. Thank you.

Testimonies? Share em with me.

I am hoping to do Google Hang Outs Soon on Friday's.
Thank you for your prayers and support!
So appreciated. Such an offering. Makes all the difference.

With much love in Jesus