LIFE IS A SERIES OF RIPPLES: Focus

Even though powerful princes conspire against me, I fix my mind on what You require. Yes, Your testimonies are my joy; they are like the friends I seek for counsel. – Psalm 119:23-24

 Philippians 4:8 ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

"Life has its’ ups and downs, and we are all sometimes faced with different challenges. Sometimes it seems like it’s just one thing after another… It may seem like we are met with difficulties on every side. When going through hard times, we may be tempted to think God has abandoned us. Dear Friends, nothing could be further from the truth. Going through hard times does not mean God has abandoned us, or that God doesn’t love us, or that God doesn’t care about us. Absolutely not! God has promised He will never leave us or forsake us. As long as God is with us, we have nothing to fear! Yes, the road may be tough, rough and disappointing sometimes, but by God’s grace we will experience God’s peace as we travel our unique paths if we fix our eyes on God. Yes, God is with us through it all. Remember the story of Joseph? Through it all, through the ups and downs, God was with Him. This is what Joseph drew his confidence and peace from. Joseph fixed his eyes on God. Everything he did always had God at the center of it. And by God’s grace, he made it. God brought him through it all, God matured him spiritually in the process, and God’s name was glorified in his life. I want to encourage you today. I don’t know what you are going through. But please, don’t fix your eyes on your circumstances and what you see, which is only temporary (see scriptures below). Instead, fix your eyes on God, who is unseen, yet constant, permanent, eternal and unchanging. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith; Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. It is well! God is with us… It is well!"
~JollyNotes.com-Inspiration for Joyful Living

 "The Christian faith is meant to be lived moment by moment. It isn't some broad, general outline—it's a long walk with a real Person. Daily details count: checking in with God often, not hogging the spotlight, small sacrifices, frequent thoughts about Jesus, giving credit where it's due, a few uplifting words, a kind deed while no one’s watching, and brief victories over nagging sins. Such daily actions are the measuring rod of our walk with Christ." —Joni Eareckson Tada

"Praise should be proportionate to it's object, therefore, let it be infinate when rendered unto the Lord.
We cannot praise him too much, too often, too zealously, too carefully, too joyfully."
~Spurgeon (1834-1892)