Is Your Focus the World, or Christ? Proverb 15:16-17

When you read the news, it's difficult to feel positive about the future. Every thing reported, points to a world nearing a climactic end. Economically, politically, environmentally, socially, religiously, morally and culturally, we can see the prophecies of how the times before the end will be, unfolding right before our eyes. The uncertainty has stoked fears that have produced one of the highest suicide rates ever.

To be honest, my heart sinks as I look at the prognosis for the future of my children and grandchildren. If mankind does not turn to God in repentance of sin soon, then billions of humans will be like those who missed Noah's boat ride through the flood, and they will be lost for eternity.

This is why we must wake people up and let them know that they are focused on the wrong thing. They are focused on the world, instead of Christ. We need to work diligently to get them to accept a seat on the only ride that will save them from eternal damnation, and that ride is Christ Jesus. This commentary I share with you today, asks the question, "What is your focus".

Proverb 15:16-17 shared from hopereflected.com)

At some point in each of our lives, we will visit a buffet-style restaurant. A test of will power and self-control, you may have experienced the sensation of having eyes bigger than your stomach, and over-filling your plate. You think you’re going to eat all this food in front of you, and then you hit a wall. Or, as it often happens when you eat too much, you actually start to not feel so great because you’ve over-indulged. You focus so much on the food in front of you that you forget to listen to your stomach. Isn’t that so much like life? We think that after pursuing all of our dreams and wants we’ll be so much happier, so much more satisfied. “When I buy my dream car,” “When I complete my degree,” “When I get that promotion,” “When we buy that house,” “When we get married,” and the list goes on. The truth is, if you’re living in the mindset that achieving dreams and goals will make you a happier person, you’re setting yourself up for severe disappointment. Please don’t misunderstand; having dreams and pursuing goals are both good and honourable – they’re part of a healthy mentality – however when you start thinking that you’ll be happier once you achieve your dreams and conquer your goals, that’s when you set yourself up for disappointment. True contentment can only be found when you put your focus on God. Some people learn this early; some people learn it later; some people never learn. It is true however, what is written in Proverbs 15:16-17 “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure with trouble. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred.” You can be content with very little when you turn away from distractions and learn to focus on God. When your focus is on God, He will bring you true joy and contentment. Not just for the good times, but for every season. Lest you think the temporary high of achieving earthly goals will sustain you, there are countless blessings when you choose to put your focus on the Lord. Focusing on the Lord will: Provide peace. “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3) “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) Relieve worry. “He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” (Psalm 112:7) We all worry. But has worrying ever done you any good? Only God can provide the reassurance each of us longs for. As Max Lucado says, “The presence of anxiety is unavoidable, but the prison of anxiety is optional.” God will help you break free of your worries. He even calls us to lay it all on Him! “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) Breed contentment. “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” (1 Timothy 6:6-8) We’ve all heard the saying, “Once you need less, you will have more.” God doesn’t call us to compare ourselves to others, to accumulate more material possessions, or to build our financial portfolios. He calls us to be responsible, He calls us to follow Him, and it’s only when we put our focus on Him that we shift our gaze from temporary earthly successes to what will truly count for eternity. Inspire compassion. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) The Golden Rule is do unto others as you would have them do unto you. When we put our focus on the Lord, we learn to look at the well-being of others rather than just ourselves. Compassion begins within, and it has a ripple effect. Mold character. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) There are many notes on the developing of a man’s character. What’s undisputed is that character certainly starts within. When your focus is on the Lord, your character will show it. As John Wooden once said, “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what other think you are.” Change your heart. “Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole hearts.” (Jeremiah 24:7) One of my favourite Bible verses is Proverbs 21:1, which says, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” When your focus is heavenward, your life will show it. Luke 6:45 tells us that “from the overflow of the heart his mouth speaks.” Only the Lord can change a heart, and when your focus is on Him, He will steer you in the right direction.

Proverb 15 (NKJV)

A Soft Answer Turns Away Wrath

01 A soft answer turns away wrath,
00 But a harsh word stirs up anger.
02 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
00 But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

03 The eyes of the LORD are in every place,
00 Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

04 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
00 But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

05 A fool despises his father's instruction,
00 But he who receives correction is prudent.

06 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
00 But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.

07 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge,
00 But the heart of the fool does not do so.

08 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
00 But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
09 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
00 But He loves him who follows righteousness.

10 Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way,
00 And he who hates correction will die.

11 Hell and Destruction are before the LORD;
00 So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.

12 A scoffer does not love one who corrects him,
00 Nor will he go to the wise.

13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,
00 But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
00 But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,
00 But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD,
00 Than great treasure with trouble.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is,
00 Than a fatted calf with hatred.

18 A wrathful man stirs up strife,
00 But he who is slow to anger allays contention.

19 The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns,
00 But the way of the upright is a highway.

20 A wise son makes a father glad,
00 But a foolish man despises his mother.

21 Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment,
00 But a man of understanding walks uprightly.

22 Without counsel, plans go awry,
00 But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth,
00 And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

24 The way of life winds upward for the wise,
00 That he may turn away from hell below.

25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud,
00 But He will establish the boundary of the widow.

26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD,
00 But the words of the pure are pleasant.

27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,
00 But he who hates bribes will live.

28 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer,
00 But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.

29 The LORD is far from the wicked,
00 But He hears the prayer of the righteous.

30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
00 And a good report makes the bones healthy.

31 The ear that hears the rebukes of life
00 Will abide among the wise.
32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul,
00 But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom,
00 And before honor is humility.