Finding Strength and Focus in Jesus' Presence
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound truth that God is with us in our battles, whether they are physical, emotional, financial, or relational. Drawing from 2 Chronicles 20, we are reminded that we need not fight our battles alone because the Lord is with us. We are called to stand shoulder to shoulder as a family, supporting one another in prayer and faith.
We then transitioned to a story from Luke 10:38-42, where Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary. Martha is busy with preparations, while Mary chooses to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to Him. This story highlights the importance of prioritizing our relationship with Jesus over the distractions of daily life. Martha's busyness, though well-intentioned, caused her to miss the opportunity to be in Jesus' presence. Jesus gently reminds her that only one thing is needed: to focus on Him.
We discussed the significance of making the most of our opportunities to connect with Jesus, eliminating distractions, and prioritizing His presence in our lives. We are encouraged to live as if Jesus is always with us, guiding our actions and decisions. By doing so, we can experience the fullness of life that He offers.
### Key Takeaways
1. God Fights Our Battles: We are not alone in our struggles. God is with us, fighting our battles, whether they are physical, emotional, financial, or relational. We are called to support one another in prayer and faith, standing shoulder to shoulder as a family. [17:35]
2. Prioritize Jesus Over Distractions: The story of Martha and Mary teaches us the importance of prioritizing our relationship with Jesus over the distractions of daily life. Martha's busyness caused her to miss the opportunity to be in Jesus' presence, while Mary chose the better part by sitting at His feet. [49:25]
3. Make the Most of Every Opportunity: We are encouraged to make the most of every opportunity to connect with Jesus. This means being intentional about our time and not allowing distractions to keep us from experiencing His presence. Ephesians 5:15-16 reminds us to live wisely and make the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. [55:10]
4. Eliminate Distractions: Hebrews 12:1 urges us to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. We must identify and eliminate distractions that keep us from spending time with Jesus. This may involve making difficult choices, but it is essential for our spiritual growth. [57:40]
5. Live with Jesus at the Center: We are called to live with Jesus at the center of our lives, not just as a part of it. This means including Him in every aspect of our daily activities and decisions. By doing so, we can experience the fullness of life that He offers and become one with Him. [01:02:03]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[17:35] - God Fights Our Battles
[45:07] - The One Thing That Matters
[49:25] - Martha and Mary: A Lesson on Priorities
[55:10] - Making the Most of Every Opportunity
[57:40] - Eliminating Distractions
[01:02:03] - Living with Jesus at the Center
[01:05:16] - Prayer for Eliminating Distractions
[01:07:02] - Invitation to Relationship with Jesus
[01:08:35] - First Steps and Closing Remarks
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Chronicles 20:17 - "You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you."
2. Luke 10:38-42 - "As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!' 'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'"
3. Ephesians 5:15-16 - "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does 2 Chronicles 20:17 say about who fights our battles and what our role is?
2. In the story of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42), what were the different choices made by Martha and Mary, and how did Jesus respond to each? [49:25]
3. According to Ephesians 5:15-16, how should we live our lives and why is it important to make the most of every opportunity?
4. What distractions did Martha face, and how did they affect her ability to focus on Jesus? [49:25]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the assurance that God fights our battles (2 Chronicles 20:17) change the way we approach our struggles, whether they are physical, emotional, financial, or relational? [17:35]
2. What does Jesus' response to Martha and Mary teach us about the importance of prioritizing our relationship with Him over daily tasks and distractions? [49:25]
3. How can we apply the principle of making the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:15-16) in our daily lives, especially in our spiritual walk? [55:10]
4. What are some common distractions in our lives today that can hinder our relationship with Jesus, and how can we identify and eliminate them? [57:40]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent battle you faced. How did you handle it, and how might you approach it differently knowing that God fights your battles? [17:35]
2. Think about your daily routine. Are there specific activities or habits that distract you from spending time with Jesus? What steps can you take to minimize these distractions this week? [49:25]
3. How can you make the most of your opportunities to connect with Jesus this week? Identify one specific action you can take to prioritize your relationship with Him. [55:10]
4. Consider the story of Martha and Mary. Are there areas in your life where you are more like Martha, busy and distracted? How can you shift your focus to be more like Mary, sitting at Jesus' feet? [49:25]
5. What practical steps can you take to live with Jesus at the center of your life, not just as a part of it? How can you include Him in your daily activities and decisions? [01:02:03]
6. Identify one distraction that you feel God is calling you to eliminate. What specific action will you take this week to remove or reduce this distraction? [57:40]
7. How can you support others in your small group or community to prioritize their relationship with Jesus and eliminate distractions? What role can you play in encouraging and praying for them? [17:35]
Devotional
Day 1: God Fights Our Battles
God is with us in every struggle, whether physical, emotional, financial, or relational. We are reminded through 2 Chronicles 20 that we do not need to fight our battles alone because the Lord is with us. This passage shows us that God is our ultimate defender and protector. We are called to support one another in prayer and faith, standing shoulder to shoulder as a family. When we face challenges, we can find comfort in knowing that God is actively involved in our lives, fighting on our behalf. This assurance allows us to face our struggles with courage and hope, knowing that we are not alone.
[17:35]
2 Chronicles 20:17 (ESV): "You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you."
Reflection: Think of a current struggle you are facing. How can you invite God into this battle and trust Him to fight on your behalf?
Day 2: Prioritize Jesus Over Distractions
The story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42 teaches us the importance of prioritizing our relationship with Jesus over the distractions of daily life. Martha was busy with preparations, while Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to Him. Martha's busyness, though well-intentioned, caused her to miss the opportunity to be in Jesus' presence. Jesus gently reminded her that only one thing is needed: to focus on Him. This story encourages us to evaluate our own lives and identify the distractions that keep us from spending time with Jesus. By prioritizing our relationship with Him, we can experience the peace and fulfillment that comes from being in His presence.
[49:25]
Luke 10:41-42 (ESV): "But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.'"
Reflection: What are some distractions in your life that keep you from spending time with Jesus? How can you intentionally prioritize your relationship with Him today?
Day 3: Make the Most of Every Opportunity
We are encouraged to make the most of every opportunity to connect with Jesus. This means being intentional about our time and not allowing distractions to keep us from experiencing His presence. Ephesians 5:15-16 reminds us to live wisely and make the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. By being mindful of how we spend our time, we can ensure that we are growing in our relationship with Jesus and living in a way that honors Him. This involves setting aside time for prayer, Bible study, and worship, and being open to the ways God wants to work in our lives.
[55:10]
Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV): "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."
Reflection: How can you be more intentional about your time with Jesus this week? What specific steps can you take to make the most of every opportunity to connect with Him?
Day 4: Eliminate Distractions
Hebrews 12:1 urges us to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. We must identify and eliminate distractions that keep us from spending time with Jesus. This may involve making difficult choices, but it is essential for our spiritual growth. By removing these distractions, we can focus more fully on our relationship with Jesus and experience the fullness of life that He offers. This process requires self-reflection and a willingness to let go of things that may be good but are not the best for our spiritual well-being.
[57:40]
Hebrews 12:1 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."
Reflection: What are some specific distractions or sins that you need to eliminate from your life? How can you take practical steps to remove these hindrances and focus more on Jesus?
Day 5: Live with Jesus at the Center
We are called to live with Jesus at the center of our lives, not just as a part of it. This means including Him in every aspect of our daily activities and decisions. By doing so, we can experience the fullness of life that He offers and become one with Him. Living with Jesus at the center involves a conscious effort to seek His guidance, follow His teachings, and align our lives with His will. It is a daily commitment to make Jesus the focal point of our thoughts, actions, and decisions, allowing His presence to permeate every area of our lives.
[01:02:03]
Colossians 3:17 (ESV): "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to make Jesus the center? How can you intentionally include Him in your daily activities and decisions?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "So today, your battle might be physical. It might be emotional. It might be financial. It might be a relationship issue. If you have something that you would like to give over to God today and say, Jesus, fight my battle, I want you to just lift your hand right now, wherever you're at in this sanctuary." [17:35] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "One thing I ask of the Lord. This is what I seek. That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in the temple. One thing. Now, I don't think David was actually saying, God, I just want to live in the temple. I think he was saying, with everything that I have to do, I want to live so that Your presence surrounds me." [47:38] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "What Jesus puts in our hearts, what he puts in our lives, that is what has eternal value. But as we continue with the story, I want to give Martha a little bit of grace here. Because she often kind of gets dogged out in this story. As, you know, preachers, we like to preach this. She kind of gets, you know, beat up a little bit. But I was looking at this and I was like, Okay, God. There has to be a lesson in what Martha was doing, too." [52:45] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I will not let anything that ultimately means nothing keep me from experiencing what means everything. It is good. And I know you're thinking the same thing I'm thinking. Really, Pastor Chris? Casey probably gave that to him, right? But no, no, that is a great, great quote. Let's think about that for a second. The things that ultimately mean nothing. I have a lot of great things in my life that I like to do. ultimately, they mean nothing." [01:00:42] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I will prioritize the presence of Christ in my life. So let me tell you kind of what that means. I'm not just going to come to church on Sunday. I'm going to serve God on Monday, the next day, the next day after that, and every day. I will always include Jesus to be not just a part of my life, but the center of my life. I want Him to be the hub with every spoke that comes out and a different activity in my life, but He is still the center, working all of those things." [01:02:03] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The first step in making changes or improving our lives today is listening to what Jesus said. Not all your friends, not all your family, but what Jesus said. And we do that by spending more time in the Word of God. I mean, how can we take in the Word of God? How can we take in the words of Jesus if we're not spending time in the Word of God?" [48:30] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When we lose our focus on Jesus and we get distracted by all that's going on in the world, our lives can often go negative or our attitude can get negative. That ever happen to anybody? You kind of begin to lose your focus on Jesus and you find your attitude going sideways a little bit. And this happened to Martha to the point where she yells at Jesus. She yells at him and she's like, Jesus, make Mary get up and come in here and help me because I'm doing all this work by myself." [50:15] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I will make the most of my opportunity. I mean, it's Sunday. It's the start of a new week. Here we are. We're in the house of God. We have an opportunity today. Martha had an opportunity. Jesus was in her house. She missed the opportunity because she was in the kitchen. But you have been given this great day today. Jesus is right here in front of you. You have opportunities to connect with him, to hear from him. So don't get distracted in the kitchen." [54:31] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I will get rid of every distraction. Hebrews 12.1 tells us this, Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let's run with perseverance the race marked out. For us. See, I'm not running the same race as Mike. But I'm running my race, the race that God has marked out for me." [57:40] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I will live my life as if Jesus is in my living room, my kitchen with me, my office, my car, my spots that I go to hang out with. But see, in order to do some of these things, I think that what we need to start to is to begin to remember to pray first. That's how we connect with God. That's how we begin to form a deeper relationship with Him. So let's pray. Before you send that email, that one where you just want to snap back, let's pray first." [01:02:36] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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