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- Feb 9, 2004
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- 17,081
The Benefits of Focus
David Jeremiah
There is no other God besides Me, a just God and a Savior; there is none besides Me.
Isaiah 45:21
Recommended Reading
Romans 1:24-25
In his book Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else (Penguin Group, 2008), business journalist Geoff Colvin defines what great performers have in common: years of "deliberate practice." Not casual or regular practice, but deliberate practice -- for years. He cites abundant research that shows, "Many scientists and authors produce their greatest work only after twenty or more years of devoted effort, which means that in year nineteen they are still getting better" (page 62).
Research is clear that focus-over-time is a key ingredient to success. It should come as no surprise, then, that God expects His human creation to focus only on Him, excluding all other gods, idols, and images -- for our whole life. Joshua asked the Israelites to choose whom they would serve -- gods or God (Joshua 24:15). Jesus said that man cannot serve God and money at the same time (Matthew 6:24).
Worshipping God alone -- "deliberate practice" -- is the only way to maximize our potential as His creatures.
Every one of us is, from his mother's womb, expert in inventing idols.
John Calvin
Read-thru-the-Bible
Luke 3:1 -- 4:44
David Jeremiah
There is no other God besides Me, a just God and a Savior; there is none besides Me.
Isaiah 45:21
Recommended Reading
Romans 1:24-25
In his book Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else (Penguin Group, 2008), business journalist Geoff Colvin defines what great performers have in common: years of "deliberate practice." Not casual or regular practice, but deliberate practice -- for years. He cites abundant research that shows, "Many scientists and authors produce their greatest work only after twenty or more years of devoted effort, which means that in year nineteen they are still getting better" (page 62).
Research is clear that focus-over-time is a key ingredient to success. It should come as no surprise, then, that God expects His human creation to focus only on Him, excluding all other gods, idols, and images -- for our whole life. Joshua asked the Israelites to choose whom they would serve -- gods or God (Joshua 24:15). Jesus said that man cannot serve God and money at the same time (Matthew 6:24).
Worshipping God alone -- "deliberate practice" -- is the only way to maximize our potential as His creatures.
Every one of us is, from his mother's womb, expert in inventing idols.
John Calvin
Read-thru-the-Bible
Luke 3:1 -- 4:44
