"But when Jesus turned around and saw them following, He asked them, "What are you looking for?" John 1:38a NIV
Have you ever asked yourself the same question? I know I have...many times...like, when I go from one room to another in search of something...I often have to stop and ask myself..."Now why did I come into this room? What was I looking for?" Please tell me I am not alone. Just a few minutes ago I went in search of my glass of water. At least I remembered what I was looking for...I just couldn't remember where I had left it. After retracing my steps throughout the house, rethinking all of the places I'd been and what I'd been doing over the past hour or so since I last took a sip...(of water)...I finally discovered it on a shelf in the sunporch
I've been talking quite a bit about the word "FOCUS" lately...my new One Word for 2015...and obviously it is an action word that I need to learn to do.
Today's devotional reading and later Bible study in our home this morning "focused" on the theme of following Christ...as seen in John's Gospel, chapter one and verses 24-49. Jesus noticed two of John the Baptist's disciples following Him, and in verse 38 it says that Jesus turned, "and seeing them following, said to them, "What do you seek?"...or, "What are you looking for?". The disciples said that they wanted to know where He was staying...and Jesus said to them, "Come and see." (verse 39). Then these disciples went out and invited others to come and see Christ, as they discovered that He was in fact "The Messiah". (verse 41). Throughout the rest of these verses several others joined the group as Jesus simply said to them "Follow Me," and they did. So simple...and yet so profound.
Today I have asked myself the question, "What are you looking for?" as if Jesus Himself was asking me. Perhaps He is asking me, "Where are you focusing your attention?...Is it on Me? Do you want to follow Me? Or are you seeking something else?"...
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| Hubby enjoying the new porch |
We've been focusing a lot of attention on getting our house in order...new porch, new roof, new kitchen cabinets...
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| Cabinets, BEFORE |
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| Cabinets AFTER (work done by my son) |
In the past several months God has been leading us to begin a Bible fellowship in our home on Sunday mornings. Already we are seeing God blessing this venture with new people coming to our home who needed a place to worship and study God's Word in a non-threatening, personal small group. I could say that we are getting our house in order to be better equipped to provide this place of worship, and that would be true. But I don't want to get my eyes off of the purpose for the gathering place so that I focus on the place instead of the purpose. I don't want to misplace my focus.
Lord, Help me to seek YOU in all that I do each day. May our home be a place that is centered on YOU...and not just centered on being a place. Thank you for helping me to refocus my sights on YOU today. Amen.
I am right there with you Pamela, I do this often during the day, lay something down and forget where I left it. I love to new focus on Following Jesus and the additions you are doing on your home to enable you to serve Him there. Keep up the Good work.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sylvia. I know we all do that occasionally...or maybe even frequently. The older we get the more we misplace items or lose our focus. All the more reason to stay focused on God's Word each day and let Him be our Guide. That way we will always know where to find the most important item in life...Faith in Christ. "Follow Me"...Jesus said. He knows the way! Blessings to you today my sweet Georgia friend!
DeleteHi Pam! I remember that photo of the bread on the table...it was a clue to what your new year would include. What a wonderful spiritual service! Inviting people into your home for Scripture study. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYour porch looks so cozy and bright, I could imagine myself spending many wonderful hours out there gazing out the window and reading. Sigh... Maybe what you needed was some peace? I can sure see getting that there.
Glad you found your water too. I lose that darn glass everywhere around this small house!
Blessed Monday to you,
Ceil
Hi Ceil, I am glad to know I am not alone. It seems as though there is always something to be searching for...I often feel like I am playing the childhood game of "hide and seek" with myself...I hide whatever it is, and then have to go seek it. I don't do it on purpose, but it seems to be a common everyday (almost) event. Yes, Peace is something we ALL need from time to time. We have dreamed of providing a place of peace for others as well, and little by little we are seeing God bless that idea and bring the people in who are also seeking peace...the peace that can ONLY be found in the Lord. We are blessed in the process. Thinking of you today and praying for your healing and for your time of rest...that you are finding peace and JOY!!
DeletePam: You are NOT alone in your misplacing things. I love the idea of yours--Having a place for people to come for quiet and Bible study time. May God continue to bless you and yours in this plan.
ReplyDeleteThank you Cecilia...I am glad to know that I am not alone in my search for lost items...Life is always an adventure around here...in more ways than one. Yes, we are watching as God puts this "ministry" together. He is in control, and we are His instruments. Somehow He is bringing people in that we never dreamed would come...and it is a blessing to us as well as them. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
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