DAY 2: PRAY FOR INCREASED FOCUS – PASTOR HEIDEN RATNER
PASTOR HEIDEN RATNER
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SCRIPTURE
Matthew 14:30–31
30 “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?””
DEVOTION
The disciple Peter was a lot like you and me. He certainly desired to do the right thing, yet, often he found himself either saying the wrong thing or doing the wrong thing. As we visit Peter on the boat in Matthew 14, we find one of the most spectacular moments not only in Peter’s life, but in the history of the world. That one time when Peter walked on water and came to Jesus.
Can you imagine it? Middle of the night on a boat in the sea. Jesus comes walking on water, and Peter enthused with courage asks if he come walk on water too. Jesus replies: “Come.” To which Peter then takes his first step outside the boat and walks on water. Now, if this were a Disney movie, the phrase: “Happily Ever After” would begin rolling onto the screen.
Well, I’m afraid to break it to ya’, but the Bible isn’t a Disney Movie and sometimes things don’t end with a “Happily Ever After.” In Peter’s situation he took his eyes off of Jesus and focused them on the natural things of this world – the wind. “…he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink…” Notice the results of losing your focus on Jesus: 1) He became afraid 2) He began to sink.
During these 21 days we want to challenge you to increase your focus on Jesus and live out the words of Hebrews 12:2, which states: 2 “…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
PRAYER
Father, I come before You in Jesus name by the power of Your Holy Spirit. I give You all the glory for being the great and awesome God of my life. Please give me Your attention now as I make this request. Lord, help me to increase my focus on You, Your Word, and Your still, small, voice. Please help me to know what to say “yes” to and what to say “no” to. In Jesus name, amen!
ACTION STEP
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Remove or limit a distraction from of your life.
IDEAS:
- Establish boundaries on your phone screen time.
- Ask those closest to you to identify specific area(s) in your life that you’re not focused in.
- Make it a daily prayer of yours to pray Hebrews 12:2.
FITNESS
IDEAS:
- Run the second mile out of the total of 21.
- Do 50 total calf raises on a step in your house or Apt.
- Do 11 sit-ups and 11 push-ups.
