December 8, 2010

Keeping Focus

As the days and activities of this season pass,
and my Christmas to do list becomes shorter and shorter,
I have to consciously work to keep my focus on the reason for the season
and
not the gifts,
gift givers, or receivers, 


not the parties, activities,
hosts, or guests,


not the food, preparations,
or decorations.

All of these are expressions and extras that are supposed to point to the real reason of the season.

Why, then, can they so easily become my focus?



Lord, may all these extras be put in their proper places in my heart and life.
May my focus remain truly on You and the gift of Your Son.



"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us,
let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

fixing our eyes on Jesus,

the author and perfecter of faith,
 who for the joy 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 NASB (emphasis mine)



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This post has been shared at Word Filled Wednesday at Internet Cafe Devotions
and iFellowship at Seeds of Faith.

14 comments:

  1. Ahhh.... great reminder! I love that verse from Hebrews!

    Have a great iFellowship Day!

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  2. A timely reminder...and why is it so hard???

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  3. Those nativity figures are wonderful signposts...but that is all our decorations can be are signposts that point to the real gift of Christmas.

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  4. Beautiful pictures and a beautiful message of encouragement to keep our eyes on Jesus, especially during the season that we celebrate His birth.

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  5. YES indeed...I LOVE these Christmas posts...they just put such an incredible perspective on the season!
    "Turning my eyes to Jesus..."

    Awesome!
    peace,
    lori

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  6. Jesus the center of all may we never forget that

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  7. Oh, how much I want to keep focus on Him this CHRISTmas!
    Have a blessed CHRISTmas!
    Sherry

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  8. Great reminder, thanks for sharing!

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  9. Such a perfect thought and verse for this season. It is so easy to focus on the extras instead of on Immanuel. I'm going to be thinking about this more today. Thank you.

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  10. What wonderful words and photos! I pray that you are able to feel God's peace during your day today :) Blessings to you!

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  11. Amen, powerful word and pictures. Yes, I'm fixing my eyes and heart on HIM!

    So nice to meet you Dorie♥

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  12. Yes, may we keep our eyes focused upon Him.

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  13. Amen! May we put our eyes on Jesus every day. Blessings to you this WFW!

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  14. I usually decorate with about 8 nativities, because they each have special memories of years gone by. But, yes, I need to focus on the keeping the main thing-Jesus!-the main thing. Thanks for the reminder. Stopping by from WFW. blessings on your day!

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Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

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