Keep your focus on Jesus. =)

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…in your presence there is fullness of joy… --Psalm 16:11 Most adults are pretty accomplished when it comes to staying busy. But we need to guard ourselves against getting so busy that we miss out on what’s really important.   In Luke chapter 10, you and I are introduced to a woman who got so busy “doing” that she missed “being” in the presence of Jesus. And he was right there in her home!   On this day, Martha had invited Jesus to come to her home for fellowship. And she began busying herself with preparations for their time together. But somewhere along the way, the focus of her attention became more about the preparations and less about Jesus. Making matters worse, while she slaved away, her sister Mary sat at Jesus feet listening intently to his every word. Martha even asked Jesus to tell Mary to leave him and to help her! But instead, Jesus lovingly told her that while she had grown increasingly anxious, Mary had chosen well in spending time with him. You see, activities done in the name of the Lord can never replace time spent in adoration of him. Work cannot satisfy the place intended for worship. There is nothing more important to a Christ-follower than time spent in his presence! Don’t ask Jesus into your heart only to ignore him. Come and sit at his feet. In his presence is fullness of joy! ACTIVITIES DONE IN THE NAME OF THE LORD CAN NEVER REPLACE TIME SPENT IN ADORATION OF HIM. Monday, November 19, 2018 The Duty of All Nations by Dr. Paul Chappell “Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” Psalm 150:1–6 In October 1789, during his first year as the first president of the United States, George Washington called on the new nation to stop and give thanks to God. Washington issued this proclamation: “WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection, aid and favors...Now, THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country, and for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.” Praise and thanksgiving are not optional for the Christian. They are a requirement of God for obedient living. As long as you are breathing, you have a duty to give thanks to God for all that He has done for you. We live in an ungrateful society, where expressions of gratitude and appreciation have become rare. We must not allow that spirit to infect our hearts, or it will have a devastating effect on our walk with God. Today’s Growth Principle:  We cannot claim to be obedient Christians unless we are thankful Christians. Jesus said, “I have spoken openly to the world… I said nothing in secret.” (John 18:20)