FOCUS!

When I look at the definition for FOCUS, there are two parts of speech.  A noun and its definition.  Then a verb and its definition.

noun

the center of interest or activity;

the state or quality of having or producing clear visual definition

verb

adapt to the prevailing level of light and become able to see clearly;

pay particular attention to

It seems a bit late to be choosing a word for the year, especially considering we are already in the second half of 2019.  I do think however,  the Lord has been trying to direct my attention  to this single focus…..to focus…..for quite some time.

There are so many good things in which to be involved.  But I need to focus and choose the best.  And what is best?  That which the Lord has for me, not what He has for someone else.  He has something or some thing(s) chosen for each of His children.  Ephesians 2:10 says  ^“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them (NASB).”  The Message makes it a little more compelling:  “He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.”

And so, I will heed that admonition.  I had better be doing that which He has prepared beforehand for me …. not what He has prepared beforehand for you…that’s for you to do!

I’m going to really attempt to focus – to pay particular attention to that special work God has for me to do.  Lord, shine Your light so that I can see so clearly and stay focused.

My art creation adapted from a post seen on Facebook.

Bestowed by the Father

Previously, I mentioned that I was chewing on the truth that I have been granted the privilege of being one of God’s children.  There is so much in this short verse and I don’t want to miss one single nugget of truth.  Just as I stated in the previous post, I want to pick up here… It’s all because of my Father!  It’s all a result of His graciously gifting this great love to me (and to you too, if you will accept it). He has bestowed it… don’t you just love that word?

Bestowed.  Other translations say “give” which of course is what bestowed means, but oh the richness of the word bestowed.  Dictionary.com refers to it meaning confer (and usually followed with on or upon).  So I want to personalize it.

Read 1 John 3:1 so it is fresh on your heart and mind.  See how great a love the Father has conferred upon me.  See His absolute involvement?  See that I’m the recipient of this lavish gift?  What did I do?  Nothing, other than to receive it.  Who did it?  The Father!  Who was it conferred upon?  Me!  What was given, bestowed, conferred?  His great love!  And to what end?  That I would be called a child of God.  His daughter.

In the gospel written by this same John, he says in John 1:12-13 “But as many as received Him, to them He gave (same original Greek word as translated “bestowed” in 1 John 3:1) the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”  God’s great love bestowed on me.

This truth was further impressed on me with a reading from a book, You Who by Rachel Yankovic.  My friend, Bev Schlomann, is hosting a summer book reading on her blog and we just started yesterday.  In just the first few pages, there was a paragraph so profound, that I wanted to include it in my journal.  Again….it’s all HIM!  Praise the Lord.  He has bestowed such a great love on me and His fierce grip has me securely there.

 

Why this blog?

For starters, perhaps someone who reads something will be pointed to the direction of the Lord.  He is, after all, the “HIS” in the title — HIS daughter, Deb.

Secondly, today I just want to celebrate this beautiful truth that I am in fact HIS daughter.  This fact has absolutely nothing to do with me.  Rather, it has EVERYTHING to do with HIM!

So I share this remarkable piece of Scripture from 1 John 3:1

“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are.  For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.” (NASB)

Tonight I’m just ruminating on this.  Tomorrow, I’ll dig in a little deeper ……