Change your focus in those moments when doubt sweeps over your soul. Remember to do as Hebrews 12:2 suggests:
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.”
Focus on that scripture throughout the day. Focus on His unchanging love. Focus on His unstoppable power. Focus on His faithfulness to always say “Yes” to His promises.
In elementary school, or in junior high school, you probably learned about the grammatical impact of the word “but” in a sentence. The word “but” is a conjunction, joining two phrases. It is a powerful word to use because “but” essentially negates the idea in the first phrase and implies that something else should be considered.
Here’s a quick list of what “but” can do:
As I was writing my book, A Seed of Hope: God’s Promises of Fertility, one of the things that Holy Spirit whispered to me to include was how to use the “Holy But.” I laughed when I heard that– the Holy But. However, I began to understand how using it could bring godly results to our ungodly circumstances. You’re probably wondering what makes the “but” holy. The use of God’s Word following the “but” is what makes it serve a holy purpose in your life.
When you find yourself saying some negative things about yourself that you know you should not have released from your mouth, use the Holy But by stating some truth from God’s Word that addresses the circumstance that you previously stated negatively.
For example, you may have said in a moment of exasperation, “I feel like I’ll never be pregnant!” Quickly follow that up by saying, “BUT, God said that none shall be barren and that includes me” (Exodus 23:26). Maybe you’re experiencing some financial challenges and you might slip and say, “I’m always broke.” When you catch yourself, say something like, “BUT, Jesus is with me and He prospers me (1 Chronicles 22:11). The key is to negate your negative statement by stating what God has said about the matter using the word “but”. You see, good grammar really can bring godly results (Proverbs 18:21)!
God’s Truth is stronger than your fact. It is powerful and never changes. God’s Truth never fails. When you believe it and speak it, it can actually change your facts of life. What’s God’s Truth? It’s His Word of love and grace toward you (John 17:17). God’s Word doesn’t change but it does change– it is eternal. It’s power can change your circumstances. It can change how you see yourself and your circumstances. It is absolute—you can count on it!
Use the Holy But to:
It is applicable in any circumstance. It is a simple exercise that will redirect your focus and strengthen your faith.
In the midst of negative circumstances, what do you do to redirect your focus to Jesus’ words, love, and viewpoint?
As October is coming to an end, being in the FLOW has brought challenges, victories and a few surprises.
The FLOW is what I consider as being in synch with the Holy Spirit.
Since I started this F-Word challenge in July 2014, I understand better how hearing from Him is a result of “Fellowship” with Him (1 Corinthians 1:9). Fellowshipping was sometimes (surprisingly) a challenge. There were other things that I wanted to do at the moment that my phone alarm beeped to remind to take a P.I.T. stop and focus on Jesus for (a mere) 60 seconds.
I see the resultant rest that comes from my “Focus” being on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). When I look to Him instead of the negative circumstances surrounding me, life is so much better! I’m less stressed. I see His acceptance of me; I’m more confident of it. My words about my situation change because I trust Him more. I’m also more grateful.
My productivity has gotten better because of the “Follow Through” that I commit to His instructions (John 15:5). I released some things that I thought for sure I needed to do, but through Fellowship and Focus I was convinced otherwise. I found that I was enjoying doing the Follow Through because I knew that I was headed toward the target that He had set for me (rather than my own). I also found that I experienced more of God’s strength and power in all the “next steps” I needed to take.
My point is that I’m seeing how each of these steps in my F-Word process is tied to one another. And when I’m Fellowshipping with Jesus, Focused on His love for me, and Following Through on His plan for me, I get to FLOW with ease!
I think all of this is building up to make November FUN for me! 🙂
Earlier this month, I shared that I want to follow through on the things I need to do, for myself, my family and for you. This is a component of my effort to finish strong in 2014.
September is more than half over so I thought I’d let you know how things are going for me.
I followed through on surprising my husband for his birthday with a trip to the cool pines of Payson, AZ for a weekend. He loved it! It was worth the torment of wanting to tell him all about the plans I was making but not being able to so that I could wake him up and say, “Pack a bag! I’m taking you away for the weekend.” It was our first time staying at a Bed & Breakfast. The Falcon Crest B&B was wonderful and the owners, Al and Linda, made it a very special time for us with their hospitality. As you can see, Linda baked a birthday cake for him!
Another big item that I needed to get done in September was my iHope Fertility Game Plan Teleseminar. I hosted the call on last Saturday. It was thrilling that over 35 people signed up for the call! If you were one of those ladies, I hope you got lots of encouragement.
On that call, I invited everyone to checkout my new online course, 50 Days of Unleashing Fertility Hope. To get the details about your opportunity to decrease the stress of infertility and increase your hope, click HERE.
Planning this course has been a joy for me because I know that it will help those who choose to use it.
I hope that you’ll see the benefit of taking advantage of this opportunity to:
I’m SO glad I followed through on this desire to bring a course to you that you can access 24/7 AND have the opportunity to have weekly coaching calls.
Right now, I’m about to follow through on getting a few smaller things checked off of my To Do list (like washing the dishes). 🙂
Praying that you’ve been able to do some follow through, especially on things that are important to you.
On what one thing that you still need to follow through?
Two months ago, I shared with you that there were certain F-words that I would use to help me finish strong in 2014.
In July, my F-word was Fellowship. My goal was to increase my commitment to fellowship and communicate with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to influence my life on a daily basis. I wanted to build upon my relationship with Him and enjoy Him more.
In August, my F-word was Focus. My goal was to decrease the level of attention I gave to the distractions of life and to increase my attention to the benefits that come as a result of “looking to Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). Distractions serve one purpose — to divert your attention from what and who you really need.
Now that it’s September, my F-Word will be Follow Through. My intention is to follow through on the goals I’ve set. I’ve decided to look at my goals as promises I’ve made to myself rather than just a wish on paper. I don’t like to break a promise so this little tweak should help me get the follow through done. I also want to follow through on whatever Holy Spirit gently whispers to me to do each day, trusting that His way is the best way.
I write these F-word cards and keep the current month’s card on my desk so that I’ll remember what the target is. This also helps me to remain committed to the process!
“ Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. Think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.”
Proverbs 3:5,6 RSV and HCSB
AND
“Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 NLT
What are some things you do that help you follow through and live with integrity? How does trusting God play a role in your follow through?
Sharing my F-word journey/experiment with you really gives me a sense of accountability, which most times, spurs me on to action. So thanks for holding me accountable to “follow through” this month!
Some of you found it helpful to join me in August and challenged yourself to FOCUS. It would be much appreciated (and motivating to me) if you’d leave a comment about how that went for you.
If you haven’t already, I’d love it if you would join me in this challenge of following through on what you’ve committed to do or on what would bring about a blessing in your life. Just make a decision to do so (which means cutting off all other options and excuses). Then, let me know you’ve joined the movement (below).
Half of August is officially over. Time for an update on this month’s “F-word” — FOCUS.
I’ve developed the habit going to my special chair every morning soon after I awaken to sit and read a devotional and my Bible. I recently finished Encouragement for Today by Renee Swope and the Proverbs 31 Ministry Team (I highly recommend it). Some word or phrase will usually jump out at me while I’m reading and I’ll spend time finding other scripture passages that broaden my understanding. I feel my best when my day starts focused on the Word. And so I should; after all, the Word is Jesus, right?
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” ~ John 1:1
During these first two weeks of August, there have been days when I’ve seen all the benefits that come from being focused. My To Do List gets whittled down quickly, I’m less stressed, and feel better about myself and what I’m accomplishing. Taking steps toward my goals is getting easier. I feel less burdened and more joyful throughout the day.
There have also been a few days when I’ve gone to bed feeling like I haven’t focused on anything at all–work–family–marriage–my health (exercise)—ANYTHING. It seems as if my To Do List has gone virtually unchecked. I’ll ask myself, “What did I do with my time today???!!!” I shouldn’t beat myself up about it. Those are the moments when I should shift my focus back to Jesus’ love for me.
I prod myself to ask Him to be my time and task manager for the next day— to guide my decision-making so I can do what HE needs me to do in my marriage, family, work, etc. Those days that I make that request are always more productive. 🙂
Here’s what I’ve learned: DISTRACTIONS are the enemy of focus.
When I purposely ignore the distractions and keep my eyes on Jesus, when I look to Him to show me the way throughout my day, I am more productive, less stressed, and live with a more hope-filled focus.
Thanks to all of you who let me know last month that you’re taking this F-Word challenge with me. Let’s see how things improve the rest of this month as we focus and allow Jesus to be at the center of what we do each day.
Here are a few affirmations crafted from passages from the Message Bible about focus that I hope will help you direct your attention to the One who is ultimately able and willing to help you in every situation you’re facing every day.
- “Give me an uncluttered and focused heart so that I can obey what you tell me and live by Your directions and counsel.” ~ 1 Chronicles 21:19
- “I shift my focus from what I do to what Jesus has already done for me.” ~ Romans 3:31
- “I quit focusing on the handicap/challenge/trouble and begin appreciating and using Your gift of grace.” ~ 2 Corinthians 12:6-8
There’s a faded sticky note on my kitchen cabinet that I put there many years ago. It has survived the steam and the grease from the nearby stove. The ink has faded but it’s still readable. And even though it’s been in the same spot since my oldest was in high school (he’s now 25), it still catches my attention from time to time.
“The pit is not your destiny. Your destiny is with the King.”
How do you see your life right now? Are you in the Pit or are you in the Palace? Jesus died so that you would have a life lived in the abundance of the palace. John 10:10 states, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” This abundance is not just about material wealth. It applies to any and every aspect of your body, soul, and spirit.
If you’re feeling like your life is stuck in a pit right now, check where your focus has been. Do you need to shift your focus from the negative to the positive (Philippians 4:8)? Look to Jesus who finished a work on your behalf so that you wouldn’t have to remain in the pit. Be encouraged and choose to focus on the love of the One who shines a brilliant light into in the darkness of any circumstance. He wants you to choose the destiny He planned, one of joy, favor, peace, and abundance in every area of life.
What will you do today that will remind yourself of Who lovingly holds your destiny?
Monday’s Marinade is provided to you as a means of “soaking yourself” in the hope-filled Word of God at the beginning of your week. Start your week by meditating on this Word. Repeatedly think about and quietly say it to yourself. Marinate and season your week with hope and a confident expectation of good things happening!
Here’s your spiritual marinade for this week:
Monday’s Marinade is provided to you as a means of “soaking yourself” in the hope-filled Word of God at the beginning of your week. Start your week by meditating on this Word. Repeatedly think about and quietly say it to yourself. Marinate and season your week with hope and a confident expectation of good things happening!
Here’s your spiritual marinade for this week: 
No, this post is not about the New Orleans Saints and the Who Dat Nation. It’s about deciding where your focus will be in 2014.
If Jesus appeared in your living room today, would you recognize Him or would you have to say, “Who dat?” If He showed up at your place of employment, would you have to say, “Who dat?”
Make a decision today, 12/31/2013, that no matter what challenges lie ahead, your focus will be on Jesus and all His goodness, strength, and unconditional love for you. Then, when He appears, you won’t have to say, “Who dat?” You’ll know Him for sure and you’ll enjoy the favor, wisdom, and peace that only His presence can give you.
Focus on the presence of the Champion. That will be the best decision you’ll ever make as you plan for advancement in 2014 and beyond!
“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. ”
Hebrews 12:2 (NLT)