God’s Word is truth. Jesus said in John 14:6, “…I am…the truth…” In everything we must speak the truth, be the truth, and live the truth. We don’t want to mix in anything in which is un-pure. Everything we see and hear must be of good report. “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you” (Philippians 4:9). Everything must be pure, just lovely, and of a good report. The scripture says, those things that we have received and heard; those things which we have received of the Lord, those are the things we must do.
Paul is a wonderful example of keeping focused on whatsoever things. He was a man of God. Jesus is our greatest example. We can look towards those who have the truth; those who always have a good report; those who can teach us to do things that are pure, just, lovely, etc.
Let us not waste our time. Television, friends, social media, school, after school activities, are great, but they can also make us lose our focus. Are we focused on whatsoever things while we are doing other things? There are times in which we wonder why God hasn’t blessed. It is up to us individually to search and see if we are focused on whatsoever things or on something else. Are you doing truth, just, and righteous things? You must always have this in mind.
When we are young, sometimes we use our age as an excuse and it is not the truth. Our elder brothers preach. They do the best they can. They give us the Word and that is the greatest example we have. They are tired, but they love the Lord. They follow Christ. We cannot just watch them and not learn. They need help. Learning will not come if we aren’t focused on whatsoever things. We must be ready. God has something for each of us. We must learn what God has for us to do. Turn off the television. Tell your friends you can’t make it. Shut off your phone. Ask God what He has for you. When He answers, you must be ready to do what He says. Be ready to work for the Lord.
Paul says, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Paul rejoices in living because he lives for Christ. What are we doing? We, too, must live for Christ.
“28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me” (Matthew 14:28-30). Peter is saying, “Lord, I want to come into the water.”
Jesus said for Peter to come. Are you focused? Are you dedicated? Do you have enough faith to come? Peter had faith. He walked on water. I want you to look forward. Think about the cross. What would you do if you were in the same situation as Peter? What if the water was all around you? What if the storm was raging and the water was deep? Focus on the cross and Jesus Christ. Don’t focus on the storm. You must walk and keep walking. There is a miracle there where Jesus is. Don’t doubt. You can walk on water. The Holy Ghost says He is waiting on us. Walk to the cross. Focus on the cross. We will see His glory. He is going to use each one of us no matter our age. He created us. He has the power to do anything. Focus. He will say you are faithful. He is waiting on you. He is waiting on each one of us. No matter the age, we need to get it right. You need salvation, sanctification, and the Holy Ghost. There is no excuse for not having these if we focus on whatsoever things, if we see the cross, if we say like Paul “…to live is Christ...” Salvation is beautiful, but guess what, there is more. Peter started to walk on water, but he needed to go all the way to Jesus. Church of God, we can go all the way to Him. God will say you are here, and you have made it. Focus on whatsoever things and rejoice. Let us rejoice and be strong and of good courage. There is so much that He has for us. Step out in the water and you will not drown. You will be safe because He loves us. Rejoice in the Lord.
