Staying Focused on the One Necessary Thing

FIRST—

Remember Lot’s wife and choose to be more inclined to give your life away than you are to keep it. Jesus said it this way: “Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to keep his life shall lose it, and whoever loses his life shall preserve it” (Luke 17: 32-33).

SECOND—

Remember the widow’s mite, keeping in mind that it is more blessed to give than it is to receive. Jesus said it this way: “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on” (Mark 12:43b-44).

THIRD—

Remember the Pharisees and choose to take your focus off yourself and place it upon others. Jesus said it this way: “But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; . . .” (Matthew 23:5a)

FOURTH—

Remember Peter and choose never to think more highly of yourself than you ought. Jesus said it this way: “Truly I say to you that this very night, before the cock crows, you shall deny Me three times” (Matthew 26:34).

FIFTH—

Remember the woman with the issue of blood and do not be afraid to leave your comfort zone. Jesus said it this way: “Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well” (Matthew 9:22a).

SIXTH—

Remember the lad with his five loaves and two fish and be assured that your “little” is “much” when Jesus is in it! Jesus said it this way: “They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat” (Matthew 14:16)!

SEVENTH—

Remember the harlot and her “wasted” vial of costly perfume—pure nard—and be encouraged to “waste” your very life out of your love for Jesus. Jesus said it this way: “Your sins have been forgiven” (Luke 7:48)!

EIGHTH—

Remember Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, and spend lots of time sitting at Jesus’ feet—lots of time. Jesus said it this way: “. . . Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42b).

NINTH—

Remember the Samaritan, who showed compassion to the Jew who had fallen among thieves and been left to die in the ditch, and choose to be a neighbor to your enemy. Jesus said it like this: “Go and do the same” (Luke 10:37).

TENTH—

Finally, remember Peter and never take your eyes off Jesus. Jesus said it like this: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt” (Matthew 14:31b).