THE POWER OF UNBROKEN FOCUS
"9 And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” 10 So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” 11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. 13 He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. 14 Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over." 2 Kings 2:9-14.
Prophet Elijah’s time on earth had come to an end, but he was not going to die and be buried. God was taken him up into heaven. This revelation was made known to Elijah, Elisha, and the other prophets. But only Elisha followed him to the place where he will be taken up. Elijah told him three times to stay behind and stop following, yet he continued. Each time he was told to wait, he pushed on. Elisha was determined and focused. His target was a double portion of Elijah’s anointing. Though Elisha made the requests to Elijah, but only God could raise prophets and anoint them with power needed for a fruitful ministry. God gave Elisha what he requested for: the double portion.
Do you long to see God move in great power? If so, then get focused and stay focused. It would have been easier for Elisha to have stayed in one of the town they passed through, but had he stopped along the way, he would never have received the blessings he desired and desperately needed. He had every reason to be discouraged and distracted, but he kept going. Elisha maintained an unbroken focus. And the same company of prophets who had mocked him, gathered to celebrate him on his way back. 2 Kings 2:15-16.
"Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you." Proverbs 4:25.
Focus is the ability to define a single goal and concentrate on achieving it.
WE ARE ON A MISSION!
Each one of us is on a mission. We’re all on a journey. We are headed somewhere. Do you know where you are going? Until you know your purpose or where you are going, you will be a permanent student in the school of diversion. A diversion is to turn aside from the intended direction. It is a deviation or deflection from set goals or purpose. A diversion is to abandon a path that is to be followed. It is to be side-tracked. A diversion is a detour. It is a manoeuvre of the enemy to turn your focus away from your assignment or purpose. A diversion is something intended to take your attention away from the main road. It is is a change of direction. Life is full of diversion! The ultimate agenda of diversion is to remove you far away from God and to ensure that His purpose is aborted.
THE PROBLEM OF BROKEN FOCUS:
Focus helps you to direct the energy of your life for higher impact. The power to endure obstacles is in your ability to focus on the final glory. A man on a mission is a man of vision. Vision is what you focus on. It is being able to see the sunshine in the rain. Vision is seeing the future before it comes. It is the key to your tomorrow. Vision is the bridge between the now and then. A man or woman who is on a mission cannot be distracted. When you focus your mind on your vision, you conserve your energies and not waste them on irrelevant things. There is an incredible power within a focus that is unbroken. It strengthens your faith! A church with unbroken focus has greater impacts. The success of your ministry, business, marriage, or career depends on the focus you put into it.
The blessings of being focused?
1. You are quicker.
2. Focus makes you to be more productive.
3. You live a stress-free life.
4. It assists in studying and enables faster comprehension.
5. Focus improves the memory.
6. It helps in focusing on a task, job or goal, and therefore, achieving them more easily.
7. Focus gives peace of mind.
8. It frees you from futile and annoying thoughts.
9. Focus improves self-confidence and inner strength.
\10. It helps you to make decisive action.
Sadly, broken focus leads to discouragement, depression and failure. When your focus is broken, your energy is spent in many directions with nothing significant to show. A broken focus is anything that has power (directly or indirectly) to take you away from your place. A broken focus is a distraction. Anything taking your attention from your purpose is a distraction. Hence, avoid distraction, stay focused on what you know is the purpose of God for your life and it shall be well with you in the mighty name of Jesus.
HOW TO MAINTAIN UNBROKEN FOCUS:
1. Recognise that broken focus will destroy your faith and destiny.
2. Take personal responsibility.
3. Develop regular attitude of praise and worship.
4. Be prayerful.
5. Have faith in God.
6. Be organised; simplify your life.
It will do wonders for your purpose, peace of mind and quality of life.
7. Cut out the distractions.
Once you’ve established what’s most important, relentlessly eliminate anything that’s not helping you achieve your purpose. Learn to say “NO” to some people and things.
8. Let go of the past.
You cannot go forward if you keep holding onto the past. So let it go. You cannot focus on a new business if you are still holding on to regrets from your failed business. You cannot focus on a new relationship if you are still holding on to the failure of the last one. God's saying you have to let it go if you want to move forward.
Learn the lessons from the past but let it go. Deal with the pains but let it go. If you do not deal with the pain of the past, -you most likely will transfer it. Until you let go of the past, you cannot take hold of the future. Philippians 3:13-14. If you keep remembering it, it will drain your strength, distract you and make you lose focus.
Don't waste time this year on dashed hopes and disappointments. Don't waste precious time mourning over a failed relationship. Don't look back. God has something better coming. Isaiah 43:18-19. Your best is yet to come! Tomorrow will be better. God has not finished with you. You have a glorious future ahead. See it! Say it. Believe it.
WIN THE BATTLES FOR YOUR MIND:
"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." Isaiah 26:3.
The mind is where we think, feel and decide. It is the place where all of the conflicts and indecisions we face in this life begin! The mind is the ultimate battleground. There is a battle taking place at this very moment. The mind is the control centre. If Satan can control it, he can control you. He attacks your mind because that is the gateway to your heart and soul. If he wins the battle, he can cut off your relationship with God and the people you love. Winning this battle is one of the most important thing you can do.
1. You are the gatekeeper of your mind.
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Philippians 4:8. What you let into your mind shapes, and opens you to all kinds of attacks. So, carefully watch what you put into it. What junk do you let in?
2. Renew your mind daily
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2. To renew is to make new again and to conform your thinking to make it like God’s. Renewing your mind means putting godly things into your mind.
3. Guard your mind.
"6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7. Do not accommodate worry and anxiety. Protect your mind.
4. Cut off the wrong people in your life.
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17. Associate with people of faith, not those who despises God or mocks your faith.
5. Maintain a positive outlook.
"Though he slay me, I will hope in him;" Job 13:15. When negative thoughts begin to take charge of your mind, watch what you say. Don't descend into sadness.
6. Take every thought captive.
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ," 2 Corinthians 10:4-5. When those negative thoughts enter your mind, take them captive and make them obedient to Christ! Don’t entertain them. Loudly speak out the promises of God. Silence every evil thought with the Word of God.
7. Stay focussed.
"29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:29-31. Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water. But when he saw the storm, he was afraid, and begin to sink. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. Don’t listen to negativity. Don't focus on your circumstances.
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2.
You have a God-given assignment! Keep your focus on God. Focus on things above. Focus on your purpose. Don't be distracted from your goals, dreams and calling.
PRAYER POINTS
1. O Lord, help me to maintain an unbroken focus towards my purpose, in Jesus name.
2. I shall reach my goal, in Jesus name.
3. The anointing to fulfil my purpose and ministry, fall upon me, in Jesus name.
4. My Father, help me to maintain an unconditional faith in You, in Jesus name.
5. Every storm of distraction, blowing against my life, be calm, in Jesus name.
6. Thank God for answering your prayers.
