The Power of Focus July 11, 2012

The power of FOCUS Have you ever failed at something? Failures can be attributable to two factors: Circumstances and Lack of focus applied at the right time with the right energy. Do circumstances matter? Is it possible to take advantage of both “good” and “bad” circumstances? God, the Bucket, and the Man in the Boat. The power of uniting circumstance with focus … For FOCUS to work: Simplify to the one or few – Timing – Apply passion (energy)

Focus …

Biblical Focus Fall of Jericho (Joshua 6) Noah’s Ark (Genesis 6)

Focus …

Lack of Focus …

Biblical Lack of Focus Lot’s wife (Genesis 19:26) David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11)

Application of Focus At home - finances, time with family At work - consistency, revenues, growth Personal - exercise, relationships Spiritual - prayer, reading, reaching When applied properly, it's power multiplies. It’s good for your family … your relationship with God … your Company … your Church … all that you do multiplies with Focus

Focus: Simplify Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Your “don’t do” list … What you don’t do is as important as what you do. Think about it like this: If you stopped doing “everything” and bundled your spare time into the “one” or the few … If you only did one or a few things … and did them tremendously well … all of your resources would naturally FOCUS and multiply. Applies to all aspects of your life … or your organization. Saying “no” is a master skill. SIMPLIFY. (it’s harder than it seems)

Focus: When? Ecclesiastes 3: To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Focus: When? Ecclesiastes 3: To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Focus: When? 1) a time to 2) a time to 3) a time to 4) a time to 5) a time to 6) a time to 7) a time to 8) a time to 9) a time to 10) a time to 11) a time to 12) a time to 13) a time to 14) a time to 15) a time to 16) a time to 17) a time to 18) a time to 19) a time to 20) a time to 21) a time to 22) a time to 23) a time to 24) a time to 25) a time to 26) a time to 27) a time of 28) a time of

A Time for Everything

Focus: Passion-Listen to the Leading 1 Kings 19:11-13 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

Focus: Passion For focus to work – there has to be “a fire in your belly” “Do” … what you … “Love” How do you “create” passion … the drive to do something? … You can’t. Passion is intrinsic to you – what motivates you – is different for every person at different times in their lives. But … God can. Listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life … 1 Kings 19:4 (Elijah’s doubt – God answers by leading Elijah to ultimate victory over Jezebel, Ahab and Ahaziah)

The Multiplier Effect Achievement in anything requires discipline … … To say “no” [God’s guidance to SIMPLIFY your life] … At the right times [wait for WHEN God wills it] … In alignment with energy [PASSION as you are led by God] Focus = Simplify X Timing X Passion Success is when Focus properly meets the Circumstances God presents.

FOCUS FORMULA SIMPLIFY: Do you have a "Don't do" list? Saying “no” is a master skill. The LORD will help you discern what you should be doing and what you should not be doing. The narrow gate of Matt 1:13. WHEN: "When" is as important as "what". The LORD provides the circumstances, you have to take advantage of them at the right time. A time to … the timing of Ecc. 3. PASSION: Do you pour energy into the important or the unimportant? Are you one who reacts or “proacts?” The LORD will help energize you towards the right goals. The still small voice of 1 Kings 19.

SUCCESS What guides your focus? Reactivity? What's easy? What makes you feel good? Are you hearing God’s call? Salvation is an act of focus – at the right time, you made a “don't do” list, let go of the unimportant and put your energy towards a goal – The New You. Success is when Focus [Simplify X Timing X Passion] properly meets the Circumstances God presents.

Questions?

Business Meeting July 11, 2012

Resolution to Sell 1039 North Greece Road Resolved: That First Bible Baptist Church sell the buildings and 13.3 acres of land known as tax account number , at 1039 North Greece Road, to The East Henrietta Road Church of Christ for a purchase price of $1,500,000.

Resolution to Sell 5 Acres of land on Manitou Road Resolved: That First Bible Baptist Church sell 5 acres of land off the south end of our church property at 990 Manitou Road to TLC Adventures in Child Care, Inc. for a purchase price of $75,000.