We launched the Never Quit Monday Night Men’s Intensive with this: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13
This translates:
“Remember to stay alert…”
“Keep your eyes open…”
In other words, stay focused.
What does “focus” look like in a chaotic world? A thousand things today could distract us – another thousand could make us worried, concerned, even fearful.
In the midst of a crisis, Paul admonished his friends, “Don’t keep on worrying about anything, but in everything pray! Then God’s peace will guard you like a sentinel—your heart and mind secured" (Philippians 4:6, my paraphrase).
Jesus promised this: “The Father is with me. I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world."
The commanding promise is that our faith makes us unshakeable. Jesus didn’t tell us to be in denial or turn away from what’s happening in the world. Jesus told us to be culture changers and go for it – and whatever happens, don’t worry – He’s got it.
We open and close every Monday Night Men session with a great affirmation: Hope is alive. Hope has a name. Hope’s name is Jesus! Our theme this session is “Winners are not those who never fail, they are those who never quit.”
God always begins in the positive and always ends in the positive. God neverfails.
That’s why if we’re in a negative place we can rely on God because we’re heading into the positive. Every valley is always between the peaks. Jesus came as the Alpha and Omega – the beginning (positive) and the end (positive). Our focus doesn’t stay in the valley – our focus looks to the next peak.
Winston Churchill became Prime Minister of England in the most desperate of times. Hitler was sending destruction and death throughout Europe. France was about to fall. The British knew they were next.
Churchill made one of the most memorable declarations in history when he said, “We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender…”
A few years later as victory was in sight, one of Churchill’s cabinet members said, “The greatest thing you did Mr. Prime Minister was give the people courage.” Churchill replied, “I didn’t give them courage. I just focused theirs.” Focus.
Where is our focus? Are we distracted, dismayed, feeling defeated – or are we embracing God’s presence, his word, his life? Where your focus is, there your faith resides.
Jesus underlined his victory over sin and death with this statement in Matthew 16:18
“… I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it!”
Jesus already achieved our victory. We are victorious in Him. Victory is always on the other side of a fight, so we will never stop believing, never stop fighting, never surrender, never quit.
Hope is alive, hope has a name, hope’s name is Jesus!
Get the books to follow along with us on Monday nights. Reach 3 guys by text and email. Get them to watch on YouTube or Facebook, then discuss the session together when it’s done. WE’RE LIVE ON MONDAY NIGHTS, AND YOU CAN WATCH ANY TIME. So simple. Your friends will thank you.
What Does Focus Look Like In A Chaotic World?
