The Fixation

          Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God Hebrews 12:2

What does it mean to fixate on something? Basically it could be almost an obsessive way of continually looking at something or thinking of something. To have a fixation on Jesus is a very good thing. To be fixated on problems is a very bad thing. 

Is there something in life you are fixated on? Job issues? Family matters? Empty nest approaching? How to pay for college? A big final exam on the horizon? How you are going to die?  Point is, this fixation leads to worry and fear. Fixation on Jesus leads to peace and joy. 

Tomorrow when you get up since you are already up today, decide that you will not let negative thoughts enter your head. Be intentional about keeping your mind on Jesus and see if things aren't somewhere more pleasant. 

PRAYER: I choose to get up and get focused on you Lord. Problems are not going to change by worrying about them so I intend to fix my mind on you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Fixated? Stop It Now!

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2

What is your mind constantly fixated on? Is it something good or do you consistently dwell on things that drag you down and make you feel bad? Many in our world are fixated on celebrities some to the point of stalking them as was in the news recently with actress Sandra Bullock. Fixations can be on tragedies where perhaps you can not get enough of bad news about disasters. Maybe you are fixated on mistakes from your past and can not seem to forgive yourself even though Jesus forgave you. There are those fixated on conspiracy theories. Today's world sees a new fixation with Facebook, You Tube, and Twitter where some feel a need to know every detail of a person's life.

             In life it is necessary to strike a balance and not let your mind be saturated to the point where you can not think on anything else. For a believer, a great thing to keep your mind on would be 'things above' and the word of God. Whatever your mind dwells on is often what rules your life. If you have difficulty keeping your mind fixed on Jesus and things that are good and perfect as it refers to in Philippians 4:8. My recommendation would be to get away and let go of things you know causing you to fixate. Spend more time in prayer and Bible study. Basically things that build you up and not saturate you with meaningless activity. 

The challenge for reader's today is to check your life and see what it is you may be fixated on that  really does not bring you closer to God and turn that around to glorify Jesus.

PRAYER: Just as the verse in Philippians 4:8 says to think on good things, help me Lord to resist spending too much time on things that take me away from you and get me into a pit of despair. In Jesus' name. Amen.

YOUR THOUGHT LIFE

 What are you thinking about right this minute? Before you sat down to read this devotion what was on your mind? Were they good thoughts or impure thoughts? Our mind has to be trained to be Christlike. It has to be disciplined to "feed" it with good input and not garbage. Whatever we put in our minds is often the kind of person we are.

For instance, a constant "diet" of R rated movies full of cursing and crude humor may produce a mind and conscience seared like a hard heart. The more you take in the less it bothers you. Perhaps you get to a point where you feel it is normal.

A person who feeds their mind on pornography is also going to send their mind into a pit of destruction. When you know certain things are wrong you need to be disciplined to run the other way. Flee evil.

Many forces in the world today make sin and crude language seem common place. You watch television to a constant stream of "bleeps". What happened to pure speech and a clean heart?

Philippians 4:8(NIV) is a good verse to memorize. It says 'Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.' Meditate on that scripture then ask God to help you discipline your mind for the kingdom of God.

PRAYER: Forgive me Lord when I allow wrong thoughts or impure thoughts into my mind. Help me Lord to keep my mind meditating on the word of God to counteract the attempts of the evil one to get me distracted and using my mind in the wrong way. In Jesus' name. Amen.

PRAY! DON'T DELAY! DO IT TODAY!

Make it rhyme any time. I am a poet and don't know it with this title above. Maybe a snappy way to remember to pray and not give up or quit thinking God is not hearing you.
Do you make it a daily habit to talk to God in prayer? If not why not? Do you feel it is not important? Maybe you feel cheated by God because he did not keep a friend or family member alive when you constantly cried out to Him so you feel let down by God? You feel God turned His back on you and now you're hurt or angry. You say church is stupid and a bunch of phonies and hypocrites. Whatever the reason that you are away from the routine of praying now is a good time to go back.
Satan lies to you and captures your thoughts to think his way especially in your weakest most vulnerable moments. 2 Corinthians 10:5(NIV) says 'We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.' That is what you HAVE to do. Take "captive" bad thoughts. Bad thinking can ruin your life. The enemy likes to get into our minds and make us believe lies. To combat this stay in tune with God through the Holy Bible.
 Don't give up on God as He certainly has not given up on you. Revelation 3:20(NIV) says 'Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.' Are you ready to open the door and let Jesus come in?
 PRAYER: Lord forgive me when I have ever blamed you when things did not go my way. I know you have a plan greater than I can understand. I also will not allow Satan to defeat me through my thought life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

JEALOUS? HURT? SAD? BITTER?

 

These emotions do not originate with God but most of us at one time or another had experienced them. Many times the "flesh" gets in the way of Gods' blessings to us. If you tend to focus on things on "this earth" more than the things of God then it is easier to let your emotions get out of control.

It is a good thing to remember that God is our best friend and He cares about things in your life you are going through. If a friend has disappointed you God is there to pick you up. When you experience various losses in life, once again, God is the answer. Envious of others possessions, talents, or money then tell that to God and ask Him to help deliver you from that.

All the emotions listed in the title above definitely are not given by God. Satan, the great liar, destroyer, and deceiver, loves to come against us and get us angry, depressed, in despair, jealous of others, or allow us to experience hurt feelings. Making a conscious effort to think on things "above" is one of the greatest cures for these negative emotions. Christ unites and Satan divides.

Colossians 3:2(NIV) reminds us to 'set your mind on things above not on earthly things.' to set your mind it is necessary to get into the word of God. Do not pick up TV Guide to see what is on television or your favorite gossip magazine but instead make it a point daily to saturate your mind with God's word in the Bible. As stated in previous devotions, if you have no clue as to where to begin and you find the Bible to be a scary, intimidating historical book, start by reading the Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament. Today is the 28th so read Proverbs 28 and tomorrow read Proverbs 29 and so forth. After you run out of chapters there then go to the book of John in the New Testament, and start with John chapter 1. Pray for God to give you a hunger for His word.

Next pray daily. Prayer is just talking to God. No "thees", or "thous" are necessary to get Him to hear you. Prayer is hotline to God. Let Him hear from you daily. Do not just pray over a meal but make a time to share what is on your heart with Him. In Luke 18:1(NIV) it reminds us to 'pray and NEVER give up.'

Soon if you make it a daily practice to 'talk to God' and read His word the emotions listed above should fade away. If you feel them arising again ask God to help you defeat the enemy who is causing these in your life. Focus on God.

Romans 12:2(NIV) says

'Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.' PRAYER: Lord forgive me when I have listened to the world instead of to you. I know the cure for most everything is to trust in you and live for you. The things of earth pale in comparison to your glory and your mighty power. Thank you Lord for hearing my prayer. In Jesus' name. Amen. Click on link and praise God in song: http://youtu.be/lcxKRsn-hGc