fOcus On yOur crOwn!

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown."

Picture the woman in Revelation 12. She was pregnant and seemingly alone. She was in pain and ready to deliver her child when her worst enemy appeared. He waited to destroy the baby as soon as possible. Before the enemy could attack, God swept the baby right up and the woman rose to her feet and ran. Can you imagine running just after giving birth? She ran to the place that God had prepared while the angels fought the enemy. She never asked for help nor questioned God as to the whereabouts of her baby. God saved the woman again by giving her the wings of an eagle to escape her enemy as he was persistent in his despise of the woman.

So why is this nameless woman in Revelation 12 so important?

She showed her strong, courageous side with God providing help along the way. You see, the Revelation 12 woman was a woman of focus. She made a sacrifice and gave all her offerings to God in order for the enemy to be defeated. She knew if she would obey God's commandments that He would protect and keep her. She gave all she had knowing that the enemy couldn't stop her.

That is what we are facing in this journey of life. Life is like a marathon, just don't be quick to finish. It requires obedience to God for us to overcome our hurdles. We must stay focused on the finish line where our opportunities are knocking. God is the overseer of our faith. Don't let any outside distractions hold you back from obtaining God's overflow. The opinions of others are not what makes you, but God's opinion is what takes you through. Make it your obligation to focus on the God given vision and purposes He has destined for you. Don't deter from your crown with a case of the lacks; lack of self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-worth. God is the one who is omnipotent and omniscience. So trust Him that He will see you through the race. He understands that you may get weary of all the past failures and hurts but that is not where your focus should be. We all have felt like giving up at some point or another but God wants you to focus on the great opportunities that lay in waiting. Instead of focusing on how long the destination is ahead of you, focus on the outstanding miracles along your journey that God has shown you.

Make this oath with me today:

I will obey God at all times. I object to any and all offences against me. I will get organized with my plans. I will overcome my fear of the race and expect an overflow of blessings. The good outweighs the bad and I will obligate myself to His word. I have the POWER in me to become all that God wants me to be. I will focus, focus, focus!!!

Hebrews 12:1-2 "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."