At The Movies | Tuesday
Tuesday | July 7
This Week's Focus:
As followers of Christ, we are to look to Him instead of to other people. Keeping our eyes on Jesus allows us to enjoy Him more now and forever.
As followers of Christ, we are to look to Him instead of to other people. Keeping our eyes on Jesus allows us to enjoy Him more now and forever.
Scripture
Scripture Helps Us Hear God And Live His Truth.
"Jesus replied, 'If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”
John 21:22 NLT
John 21:22 NLT
Follow Me
As we set out this week, we begin with a short but impactful conversation between Jesus and Peter. Peter asks Jesus who will betray him, and he replies, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me."
In short, what Jesus is saying to Peter is this: "Do not worry about what I am doing in the circumstances of someone else's life. Just focus on me." This interaction recalls a previous encounter in which Peter, eyes fixed on Christ, stepped out onto stormy waters. He walked on the water, but the moment he took his gaze off Jesus, he immediately began to sink. How often do we experience the same thing when we get sidetracked, derailed, or lose sight of what is actually important?
The steadfastness of our spiritual walk with the Lord depends on where we choose to fix our gaze. Just like Jesus called Peter to change his perspective, he calls us back to a pursuit of personal obedience rather than comparison; joy instead of distraction. When we start looking at others and playing the comparison game, the result is a state full of pride, fear, conceit, jealousy, and discontent.
Today, let us choose to refocus on Jesus, and the result will be love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
In short, what Jesus is saying to Peter is this: "Do not worry about what I am doing in the circumstances of someone else's life. Just focus on me." This interaction recalls a previous encounter in which Peter, eyes fixed on Christ, stepped out onto stormy waters. He walked on the water, but the moment he took his gaze off Jesus, he immediately began to sink. How often do we experience the same thing when we get sidetracked, derailed, or lose sight of what is actually important?
The steadfastness of our spiritual walk with the Lord depends on where we choose to fix our gaze. Just like Jesus called Peter to change his perspective, he calls us back to a pursuit of personal obedience rather than comparison; joy instead of distraction. When we start looking at others and playing the comparison game, the result is a state full of pride, fear, conceit, jealousy, and discontent.
Today, let us choose to refocus on Jesus, and the result will be love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Reflection
Reflection Helps Us Pause, Listen, And Let God Speak To Our Hearts.
- Have I lost focus on Jesus?
- Am I chasing something instead of chasing Jesus?
- What can I do to refocus on Him and be filled with the fruit of the Spirit?
Weekly Memory Verse
Read It Once A Day. Let It Shape How You Think And Pray This Week.
"Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else."
Galatians 6:4 NLT
Galatians 6:4 NLT
Prayer
Through Prayer, We Talk To God And Listen For His Guidance.
Lord, help me to focus on you. While the many distractions plead for my attention, hold me close to you. Guide me along the path you have for me. Thank you for all you are doing in my life! Amen.
Come Back Tomorrow
Join us tomorrow as we lean into what "faithfulness is greater than being successful."