Keeping Your Focus
by Barbara Thorne

The Gospel of Mark says, "the sower sows the Word" (Mark 4:14). We have had the uncompromised Word of God preached and taught to us, with revelation knowledge, for such a time as this.

The enemy has come after that Word. Verse 15 says that the enemy comes immediately to take away the Word that was sown in their hearts. That is your heart.

Why are these attacks coming with such force now? We all will agree that we are in the last days; and in these days the Word tells us that God's Spirit is to be poured out on all flesh and that there will be a great harvest of souls into the kingdom.

It also says that sin will abound but grace will much more abound. Things have stepped up. So what are the enemy's tactics of war? They are fear, anxieties, distractions and deceitfulness. Your enemy is out to distract you by keeping your focus on the problems of the world.

How does this happen? How do you loose your focus and get distracted?

1. The enemy causes the worlds financial system to become unstable, by having companies shut down and the stock market fall.

If you are not careful, you will begin to have your focus on the world as your source and not the Word of God and the God of His Word.

2. Pressure increases to cause you to focus on the cares of this life. Forces of pressure and fear cause you to entertain questions like, "What if we don't have enough to meet the need?"

These questions are trying to get you to not sow your seed. Your seed will meet the need. The pressure is on to get you to store up for a rainy day.

The Word says in Luke 6:38, "Give, and it shall be given unto you: good measure pressed down, and shaken together and running over, shall men give unto your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

Now, the pressure is there so that you focus on and are distracted by lack, fear and the world's way of doing things. The pressure is there to cause you to focus on the need rather the seed. Not only is God's Word a seed but also your giving is a seed. Where is your focus? Need or seed?

3. The enemy is ready to deceive, delude, and cheat you from all that is rightfully yours. He does this: a) by causing people to talk about problems similar to yours; b) by having negative, faithless thoughts come to your mind faster than you can think.

Second Corinthians says:

...[in as much as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ ( the Messiah, the Anointed one).
(2 Cor. 10:5 AMP)

You are to command that your thoughts line up with His Word, direct your thoughts to Christ, the Anointed One and His Anointing which destroys the yoke and breaks the bondage. Glory! You are not left helpless or hopeless.

4. The enemy comes after your worship getting you to focus on problems, circumstances, and cares thus making them the objects of your affection. Wow! Is he tricky or what?

Turn your affections to God, your Redeemer, Friend, Advocate, Father. Begin to love and worship Him and as you do this you will cause the river of life to flow from the throne. As you realize you are coming from an empty grave, rejoice!

Copyright © 2002 Barbara Thorne Ministries
All rights reserved. Used by permission.