Staying Focused!

by Rev. James Wong

“An intelligent person aims at wise action, but a fool starts off in many directions” (Prov 17:24, TEV).

An intelligent person aims at wise action that leads to the result that he desires. Whereas a fool is not focused because he starts off in many directions. His eyes are looking everywhere, and they wander to the ends of the earth! Having no focus can make us end up a fool … this is serious!

1. Focus is not easy. Our lives are surrounded by infinite choices and opportunities that can distract us easily and before we know it we may be heading for many directions. There are so many things that clamour for our attention. We need to intentionally concentrate our energy to a focal point. Without certain goals in place, we will just drift in life. Out of focus pictures are ugly pictures.

2. Focus is power. To get any thing done we must know our target. Success comes to those who persist towards a clear target. Failure is simply broken focus. That is the reason why so many people got stuck in the pit of mediocrity—they get worst, not better in the things they do. They are lagging behind because others are getting ahead. When we narrow our focus and set goals, we will achieve something. Common people achieve uncommon results because of their focus. Diffused light has no power to hurt whereas laser beam can cut steel because of the concentration of light.

3. Focus must be intentional. We do not naturally remain focused. What we want to achieve must be in the forefront of our eyes. Write down your goals and stick it somewhere you can see them easily. This will keep you focused. Focus must be intentionally sustained. Being intentional in focusing is to do the things that you should do, day by day, month by month and year by year in a consistent way.

Faith can be weaken and our conviction sways. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, …” (Heb 12:2).

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Doing it without complaining

by Rev. James

“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.”  ~Phil 2:14-15 (NLT).

It is so easy to do things with complaining and arguing when we have over scheduled ourselves. Working in an over demanding environment affects our mood and sets our heart burning with anger. When our efforts are not appreciated and the results are not forth coming, we become depressed and angry with people. Under such circumstances there is no reason why we will not complain.

When we are overcome with the attitude of complaining, we will do things grudgingly and reluctantly. The feeling of sadness or grief grip us. We feel that we are forced to do things and we do them unwillingly and out of sorrow. We end up having many sob stories to tell.

The Bible teaches that there are many good things and spiritual things that we can do with the wrong spirit of complaining. Our hospitality can be done with complaints (1 Pet 4:9 TEV). Our offerings can be given grudgingly (2 Cor 9:7)  and we can have a lot of complaints about our relationships with others (James 5:9). Here are a few steps that can help us to avoid a complaining attitude.

1. Identify the root cause of complaint. Are we having too much on our plate? Prioritize and do the important things. This will also define what we don’t do. We need to be focused and strategic. When we have too much to do  or when we feel that we are treated unfairly we will complain. Identify the root cause and nip it in the bud otherwise we may wind up doing good works with the wrong attitude.

2. Doing more than expected. This is a Christian virtue of humility and sacrifice founded on the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. You alone know how much you can carry. The cross I carry is different from the cross you carry. Don’t live a life conditioned by the expectations of others and get frustrated about it, but you must be able to be accountable to those you are responsible to and to the Lord.

3. Choose a better attitude. Our circumstances may be unfavorable but God has given us the power of choice to choose the attitude we want. Avoid complaining and “serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men” (Eph 6:7). We worship God through our work. Our work is a test of our heart of worship. Let not complaining defiled our hearts. So, let us deal with our complaining attitude objectively and “shine like bright lights” (Phil 2:15).

Chosen For A Mission

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Rev. Johnny Wong

I) Why are we chosen?

1)  Continue the mission of Jesus

Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47, John 20:21, Acts 1:8

2)  A wonderful privilege

¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18

II) How to fulfill our mission?

1)  Accept God’s agenda for our life

¹³ Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. ~ Romans 6:13

2)  Care about what God cares about

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