The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 28 December 2023 – Focused And Purposeful
TOPIC: Focused And Purposeful
READ: John 12:20-33 (NKJV)
- Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast.
- Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
- Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.
- But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.
- “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
- “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
- “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him [My] Father will honor.
- ” Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.
- “Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, [saying,] “I have both glorified [it] and will glorify [it] again.”
- Therefore the people who stood by and heard [it] said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.”
- Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake.
- “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
- “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all [peoples] to Myself.”
- This He said, signifying by what death He would die.
THE MESSAGE:
Today, Christianity comprises of almost two billion people in the world and this is only possible as a result of Jesus’ life and ministry amongst men. If Jesus had failed in His ministry, Christianity would have been dead. The secret of Jesus’ success was His sense of focus and purpose. First, Jesus knew exactly what He was on earth for: To obtain salvation for man. He was not confused about the purpose for His being. If He were, He would have diverted His attention to the pursuit of other things, such as fame, glory and wealth.
However, many Christians are thoroughly confused, lacking any kind of knowledge of who they are and why they are here. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6). Knowledge is power! Moreover, Jesus was focused on pursuing what He knew He was here for. It was not easy but He did not allow the pain and the shame to deter Him. No wonder He became prosperous and highly rewarded (Philippians 2:9-11). His soul was troubled (verse 27), yet He remained focused on doing the will of the Father and glorifying the Father alone. You must do whatever God entrusts to you with an utmost sense of purpose and focus. The two most needed ingredients for success in life is purpose and focus.
