Intentionally Focused

Today marks the end of the first week of the intentionally focused study on Good Morning Girls.

So I decided to do an overview since I am doing the study in a group on Facebook.

This week's theme is being focused on the race ahead. Some of the SOAP verses have the central theme of running the race marked for us. The race is life. As we are born each of us have a race, a path that we are on. God has marked this path out for us before we were even born and our prize is eternal life with Him in Heaven. And all of the SOAP verses tell us to remain or gain focus.

Monday's SOAP verse was: Ephesians 5:1

follow God's example, therefore as dearly loved children.

Tuesday's SOAP verse was: Psalm 90:12

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Wednesday's SOAP verse was: Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Thursday's SOAP verse was: Ephesians 5:15-16

Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.

And today, Friday's SOAP verse is: Philippians 3:14

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

One thing that I have taken from this week is that we all have the ability to be sold out for Christ and focused on Him. Scripture has no exception on anyone. We are given the charge to follow God's example since we are His children; to learn to be grateful for each day since the next is not guaranteed to us; to circumcise our lives, get rid of the sin that hinders us in persevering in this race called life; to live wisely as the days are evil meaning they are a countdown to when we reach Christ; and we press forward towards the goal, heavenward in Christ Jesus. 

There are two main definitions for the word press: (1) move or cause to move into a position of contact with something by exerting continuous physical force. (2) apply pressure to (something) to flatten, shape, or smooth it, typically by ironing. I think both of these definitions apply to today's SOAP verse. As our walk with Christ will not always be easy peasy. There will be some hard days that require us to press forward because simply walking is not enough.

So whether you are in a season of easy or in a season of struggle and you need to press. Don't worry and don't focus on your season, focus on your prize: Eternal life in Heaven with Christ Jesus.

~Kris