Keep focused on God’s purposes

How many of you go into the kitchen and forget why you went in there?

Have you ever gone to the store to purchase one item, buy several other things, get home and realize that you didn’t get what you went for.

It is easy to get distracted. My thought is keeping focused on God’s purposes instead of ours.

In Acts 1, Jesus is preparing to ascend unto the Father, but first gives the disciples instructions on preaching the Kingdom of God. “On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.’ For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4-5).

Then the disciples ask Jesus if He is going to restore the kingdom to Israel? (Acts 1:6).

It seems they have forgotten everything. Jesus is sending them forward to go out into the world to make disciples. However, they regressed to what they thought Jesus was going to do in the first place.

Jesus had a will and a purpose for them. He has a will and a purpose for us.

“During the 40 days in which the risen Lord showed himself to the apostles, and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive, Luke indicates what He taught them. First- He spoke to them about the Kingdom of God, which has been the burden of his message during His public ministry and indeed continued to be after the resurrection. Secondly- He told them to wait for the gift of baptism of the Spirit which they would receive in a few days.” (John Stott).

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to all the end of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

As believers and followers of Jesus; we are also commissioned as witnesses of the power of God. We are witnesses of truth in the Scriptures and our personal experiences of the Living God.

Let us not be distracted but remain focused on the Lord’s purposes.

“Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:23 KJV)