Audience of One
Through the life of Abraham we see God calling (“verbal” call) His people to live a life of trust, obedience and dependance. But in Genesis 17:1 God appears before Abraham telling him, “I am God Almighty; walk before Me and be blameless.” It is my conclusion that God called to Abraham by appearing to him so that God could shift Abraham’s focus onto Him. With that thought in mind, how has God used different means to “call” out to you to shift your focus off on the crowd and on to Himself
The Lord prayer Holy Holy Draw me nearer I need the I surround All Be still & Know cavary covers it All An Evening prayer Give Me a clean Heart Just a closer walk with the full my cup Cup Lord Take my hand precious Lord lift him up the old Rugged cross Thank you Lord Great is thy Faithfulness
God has used music or a specific song to shift my focus solely onto him. I could be going through something and then I will here a song, that would remind to trust in the Lord. It’s a reminder to me to cast out the cares of the world and stay focused on God
For me God is intentional in getting me to focus on Him by using people, scriptures, song and my quiet time. This led me to refer to this time as the “Mirror Check”, where I am closely examining myself, complete transparency. For me this take place more often than not. Although there are times that it is big and special but sometimes it could be as small as a whisper, yet it still takes me from my own issues and agenda to His agenda. Focusing on his greatness and what my faith and obedience to Him looks like thereby transforming my heart and mind. I have come to realize that this constant mirror check that I must do with my Most High God enables me to change my ways because God first has changed my heart. Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Rom. 5:5-6)
God shifted my focus solely on Him by answering the first of many family prayers. I had almost overlooked His blessing until my wife had me pay attention to it. What we had asked for, He fulfilled. I was seeing more and more of God and His works throughout my life. I will remain solely focused on God, for He is my savior.
Luke 1:46-48 NIV: And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior , for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant “
Everyday as i wake up in the morning, i am so grateful for the new day He has given me. I purposed in my mind and heart that the day is about His will. I am being intentional and purpose to give my life for His glory. Thoughts would run in my head reminding me that He saw me worthy to blessed me so much. I would listen to my favorite song (this season in my life) “God Only Knows”. I would play the song over and over. That everything i do, He knows. Everything i need, He knows. Everything i go through, He knows. That song is a reminder that He is always with me. I am not too far from Him. I would just praise Him for knowing me.
As i go through my day, things would come my way, instead of reacting like i used to, i would stop and call on His name “JESUS! JESUS!” …i am brought back into focusing on Him. I would listen for the small still voice on how to act. How to respond. And How to move forward representing His glory. I know i nothing without Him.
Another song that truly helps me knowing He is with me is “Way Maker”. Listening to Christian music helps me so much to take my focus off of the crowd and turn my focus on Him. Reading Scriptures that’s pertaining to my issues at that moment helps me get back to keeping my eyes on Him.
Everyday is a daily struggle. But with the Holy Spirit living on the inside of me will guide me back to the promises of the Lord for my life. He reminds me in His words of who I am in Him and why i am called in this Christian life. I am to trust Him in the midst of the storm. He reminds me that i will go through persecution for His name sake.
When i am facing or feeling fear, i am reminded of these scripture, “The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalms 27:1 NIV. I would repeat it over and over and over. He gives me peace and comfort knowing perfect love cast away all fear. I have nothing to fear for I am in Christ Jesus. He loves me so much and I am grateful!
Shifting my focus can be my downfall as a believer. I tend to focus on the specific situation rather good or bad. Since I tend to focus on the bad mostly I’ll focus my discussion on that type of scenario. When things are bad I tend to miss all of what God is trying to say to me in the issue at hand. I get all worked up about whatever is going on; only to miss that God in fact is using that particular circumstance to draw my attention to what he wants me to see. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit, in my mind I would often say ‘the devil is trying to steal my joy, or destroy my marriage, or cause confusion’. Those things are very true and not out of the norm of the devils job description. Nevertheless, I believe that God will also allow things to happen to draw our hearts and eyes towards him. When I’ve been praying for God to reveal or answer a prayer I can be so distracted by what’s in front of me that I forget that God is looking down saying “Hey! Look up here, I’m answering your prayer and this chaos, or situation is only revealing what you asked me to reveal. Hey, daughter look up!”
My relationship with God is mind blowing. God’s ways of taken my mind off of things that are not focused on Him blows my mind. I lived in Smithfield, VA and God isolated me from people and things that I did not want to let go. Believe me God spoke to me that it was time for me to turn my mind to focus back on Him. I was able only to get to work, Sunday for church, and Wednesday night Bible Study. I used to go to noon day prayer on my lunch hour. I had a way of getting too close sometimes to the point I am more focused on the people instead of God. I knew in my spirit God was speaking to me about a change. I did not want to hear it. God had the Pastor turn a Cadillac in the opposite direction of the church in the middle of the street. I sat in my car and just cried. I knew it was God. It is not like God did not warn me. There are times I have to be careful even now to make sure not to take my eyes off of God.
There have been 3 major incidents in my life when God has shifted my focus to him. The first incident occurred when I was delivered from drugs. My life was out control and there were so many bad things happening during that time that one day all I could do was to shift my focus on God and call out for his help. That was a life changing, life and death moment for me. The second situation was the relationship with my husband. Pastor Tisha spoke of it at the last Women’s Bible Study meeting. I kept asking God to help my husband and to help me deal with my husband, but then I would step in to assist God over and over again. I was giving God permission but then I would step in, and all heaven would break loose. During those moments of chaos and confusion God said to me “Darlette, I got it, it is too much for you, he is my son”. All God wanted me to do was to focus on him and not Danny. It didn’t feel good while going through but God finally got my attention. The last situation was when I was accused of slapping a student at school. It was unbelievable, but I IMMEDIATELY took my focus off the parents, policeman and administrators. In the midst of it all my focus was on God and not the situation. Wow!!! I made a connection with Abraham. We both learned it is better to focus on God and not the crowd!!!!!
How has God used different means to “call” out to you to shift your focus off on the crowd and on to Himself?
God is always working to shifting my focus off myself and on to God as well as others, I just have to acknowledge it. I say this because when I simple stop and recognize the simple acts that God is attempting to get my attention. God attempts through my silence, through my love ones, through friends and those not friendly, through hymns and music, but God mostly seems to catch my attention through abstract pictures or images. I can be driving or walking and see a street sign on the side that has always been there but the glare shows me something completely different, it come from driving and seeing a person brake lights that does not fully look like a solid red brake line indicator, but displays for me – 101010110010 (a Binary code) or mixed dot arrangements (Morse code message). I can definitely recognize how God uses my environment, when provide me with an ah-ha moment; yes, God I acknowledge You. Acknowledge what He has created to shift my focus on to Him and the others. I acknowledge that I was off course but God thank you for catching my attention. No matter the time of day or how I am feeling, I am here and ready to be used. I am willing and obedient!
Because of His Love,
Richard
The focus on what God called me is obedience, Trust and Most Importantly Faith. In the book of Genesis Abraha. Obeys unquestioningly the commands of God and ready to follow God’s order to sacrifice Issac, a test of Abraham’s Faith. God will never put more on me then He know that we could handle. Just as Abraham was ready to sacrifice he’s only son, My Father God truly Gave His Only Begotten Son for a sinner like me. His Son, JESUS was born to die just for me without a mumbling word. And I Thank You Father. With my life I am in his service to serve Him.
My obstacle is thinking what is God going to replace what I providing as a sacrifice unto Him. I am learning and my Faith is strengthen that God will provide my issue is my mind has played over and over who or what He is going to use. This is messing up my mind instead of having peace in what thus says The Lord.
Each week during this study a similar answer is ringing in my spirit, Study The Word of God. With every situation Decree and Declare The Word of God to each situation: Colossians 3:15 ” And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
Obedience, Trust and Faith Spirit of EXCELLENCE, God is a Provider. God is a Way Maker. Whatever I am doing is unto The Audience of one.
GOD
I find it so amazing how God uses His Holy Spirit to shift my focus on to him. No matter the Place, time, or whatever is going on I hear His voice starting the conversation, in my car, at the mall, at church, I can hear keep your eyes on Me I’ll show you the way.look at what I’m doing. Listen to me and tell you what to say and what to pray; then there’s the music the right song at the right time that makes it even more clear.
Deaconess Gail,
I agree with you because the Holy Spirit saves from a lot of things. When I want to engage in certain conversations, flesh leading me to go to a particular event and even at home. You know our flesh pops up but the Holy Spirit says SHUT UP, DON’T GO and be a PEACE MAKER.
Dec. Gail,
That is the key, keeping our ears inclined to hear the voice of God and our heart ready to respond in obedience at all times.
I think my biggest shift was when my family was forced to move from Richmond to Newport News. I thought my focus was on God fully, but it was made apparent in this move that it was not. I realized that I was doing what I thought God wanted me to do, not consulting Him every step of the way. I also know that God continues to “call” me everyday through His word. One of my favorite ways He does this is by the comments from my friends and family! It’s awesome how God continues to correct my path and guide in the way He has for me!
I would have to say my shift happened when I left Richmond. I was definitely comfortable where I was with no intent to really move or do anything different. I am extremely grateful that I was able to move so that I can refocus and prepare for the call on my life. One of my biggest fears is not being in God’s will and being used for his glory. I honestly believe that if I stayed, my fear would become reality. I will say it hasn’t been an easy transition, but being shaped by God isn’t always comfortable. I just look forward to what God is doing in my life.
For the last few months I have had a strong tug from God to trust in what he has called me to. You know I constantly tell people to increase their faith in what God has for them and why they are going through this season. God lately has stopped me to show how the faith I preach to them has not always been my experience. It is not that I have not had faith in my calling but I constantly think, “who am I to be called to such a thing”. In my alone time with God he has shown me my calling in a different light, and that if he can use a donkey to speak why can’t he use this damaged vessel.