April 18, 2021 · Bob Gass

Shun unhealthy self-focus (2)

“Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching.” Luke 12:37 NKJV

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When dealing with self-focus, you may ask, “What about those scriptures that specifically tell us to ‘watch’? Aren’t they all about keeping an eye on ourselves?” That’s a good question, so let’s take a look at some of those “watch” passages in scripture. In Mark 13:34-37 (NKJV), we read, “A man going to a far country…left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—lest, coming suddenly, he finds you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” What Jesus was teaching here is the exact opposite of self-focus. The doorkeeper wasn’t to watch himself, but to watch for his returning master. Jesus expects us to forget ourselves, work conscientiously for His kingdom, and be watching and prepared for His return. He said, “Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself…have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.” Far from an obsessive introspection that leaves you exhausted, discouraged, and disappointed with yourself, Jesus wants you to be excited and involved in His work here on earth, to actively watch for the coming again of your Lord and King. “Look to Me, [not to yourself!] and be saved…For I am God, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:22 NKJV). So focus more on God—and less on yourself.

Bible in a year - Luke 7:1-30 and Psalm 37-39

Previous Daily Encouragement

April 17, 2021 · Bob Gass

Shun unhealthy self-focus (1)

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith.” 2 Corinthians 13:5 NIV

Self-focus isn’t necessarily bad if it leads to spiritual growth. However, some people mistakenly assume that it’s a biblical mandate! After all, didn’t God tell us to “examine ourselves”? So with that in mind, we start to wonder—“Do I measure up spiritually? Have I truly Read More + Listen to Audio Clip

April 16, 2021 · Bob Gass

Dealing with fear (7)

“God has not given us a spirit of fear.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

During the American Revolution, Spain gained control of the Bahamas. In April of 1783, Andrew Deveaux, a lieutenant colonel from South Carolina, recruited a handful of militiamen and Harbour Island settlers to retake Nassau using a clever strategy. Deveaux had only two hundred men with Read More + Listen to Audio Clip

April 15, 2021 · Bob Gass

Dealing with fear (6)

“What I dreaded has happened to me.” Job 3:25 NKJV

Do you ever fantasize about solutions to problems you fear may or will come your way? Ironically, when you do, what started out as an unfounded fear can turn into a real problem because you expended energy on wasteful thinking instead of productive action. Joe Read More + Listen to Audio Clip

April 14, 2021 · Bob Gass

Dealing with fear (5)

“The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 NKJV

An old adage says, “Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is.” It exaggerates the problem, and as a result, you expend valuable energy in ways you shouldn’t. For example, sometimes you avoid things that can’t really harm you at all. Like the man who Read More + Listen to Audio Clip

April 13, 2021 · Bob Gass

Dealing with fear (4)

“As soon as their feet touch the water…the river will stand up like a wall.” Joshua 3:13 NLT

To enter the Promised Land, the Israelites had to cross the River Jordan at flood stage. Were they afraid? Wouldn’t you be? Nevertheless, the only way to reach their destiny was to do the very thing they feared! When you let fear take hold, you Read More + Listen to Audio Clip

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