THE VISION by Don Randolph - HTML preview

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

MAINTAINING GODLY

FOCUS AND WORSHIP

If we keep our focus on the distressing affairs that are happening around us and the perilous times, we are living in we will miss the blessings of God and His purpose for our lives.

We cannot follow in the footsteps of Christ if our

“focus” is misdirected. Staying focused on Christ during

“trying times” will help to keep our hearts and minds in perfect peace.

Developing a closer relationship with Christ is a must if Christians are going to be able to endure the stress which comes from earthly trials and tribulations. The word “tribulation” in the Book of Revelation is translated from the Greek word which means

“pressure.”

There are many “pressures” and difficulties surrounding and burdening mankind today. Many of them are a result of the corruption and greed of many people, including many corrupt world leaders.

Many people around the world are dying today as a result of stress due to the “pressures,” burdens, and the trying times which we are living in. Our focus must be upon the only solution for “trying times” which is Christ our Lord and our Tree of Life. The fruit of His rightlessness grows abundantly on the Tree of Life.

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TWO TREES IN THE GARDEN

In the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve took their focus off of God and the Tree of Life when they partook of the forbidden fruit. Eve was enamored by the fruit that grew/grows on the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. It was fruit that would and did open her “carnal eyes” and gave her “sensual” wisdom as she ate of its

“bountiful carnal blessings.”

Unfortunately, the fruit that grows on the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is devilish and sensual. The fruit of wisdom that grows on the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil can only produce, shame, pain, sorrow, fear, and grief to name a few.

DIVINE ORDER

Spiritually speaking God’s plan for the hearts of men and women was/is that the divine order of His Kingdom will produce godly fruit within them. We must all seek to find and possess that order, or we will be “out of order” whenever we seek to do things our own way. That way specifically includes our focus and worship of God.

Each of us must find and follow God’s divine order and purpose for our lives before His plan and purpose for us can be revealed and effectuated. We can and will become spiritually successful if, and when we find and follow His divine order.

God’s will for our lives is to “reflect” a heavenly atmosphere wherever we go in order to “effectuate”

godly changes in the lives of others we meet and/or congregate with.

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For many ministers it may seem like they are

“prospering” in Christ because of the number of people they are reaching and/or influencing. Unfortunately for some, that influence is not lining up with the divine order of God but the order of man.

Large numbers added to a Church or Christian Fellowship does not necessarily mean that God’s order is prevailing in their midst. Some of the largest churches in the world are “out of order” regarding their focus and worship of God. Many Christians are growing up into the head of the pastor of their churches—rather than the Head of the true Church which is Christ.

If Christians are not following the Head of the Church which is Christ, they will surely fail during the evil days that lie ahead. If people are not growing in Christ or responding to the Message of Christ, they will be unable to endure the coming trials and tribulations.

DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING

GO THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF

ALL NATIONS BAPTISING THEM IN THE

NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON

AND OF THE HOLY GHOST. Matthew

28:19. NKJV.

Christians must ask themselves the question “Am I growing in Christ, or am I missing opportunities that help me to grow spiritually in my relationship with Him?” I read a statistic recently that said that fifty percent of Christian churches do not have any discipleship training courses. Making disciples is part of the divine will and order of God. Making disciples by 88

teaching others the importance of “godly focus and worship” will help all Christians to find and walk in His divine order.

All Christians can experience and walk in the divine order of God if and when they have access to or desire to access discipleship training. Not many in the Church will take advantage of discipleship training even if it is available to them.

I was having lunch with a Baptist pastor one day and I told him that he needed to have some discipleship training classes in his Church. He told me that his congregation did not want to be discipled. As pastors we must not allow our congregations decide what they need or want in the Church, or they will never find or walk in the divine order of God.

If Christians do not desire the divine order and will of God for their lives, they will totally miss the “high calling of God in Christ.” Without divine order in churches the churches will continue to remain “out of order.”

Making disciples is not just a suggestion, but a commandment. If pastors are not making disciples, they are not fulfilling “The Great Commission” that they have been ordered to fulfill.

In the coming days and years those who have not been

“discipled” will be unable to maintain a personal relationship with Christ. They will be unable to endure the perilous times and the tribulations which will come to test their faith and resolve.

Discipleship training in churches will ensure Christians they will be able to stand firm in their faith 89

when everything around them is falling apart. Our dedication to Christ and His plan and purpose for our lives will enable us to facilitate change and give aid to others who may desperately need help during the battles which lie ahead.

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