Focus on Eternity

      I sit down each morning with ambition on writing a scene or two in a fictional story I am creating.   I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the characters, their personalities, and what defines them.   I think about the plotline and how I can move the story forward.   But before I begin writing a single word, I make sure that I’ve spent time with the LORD.   One of my go-to verses, written by the apostle Paul in Romans 12:1-2 (ESV), says, “I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.   Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God , what is good and acceptable and perfect.   It is a verse I use to help direct my steps.      One year ago, while reading the same passages that I read this morning, I was not attempting to write a book.   At that time, my ambition was t

      In my morning Bible study, I became familiar with a new word.   That word is epizeuxis.   If you are having trouble pronouncing that word, this phonetic spelling may help ‘ep uh ZOOX sis.’   Try to say that three times quickly!  Have you come across that word before?   It is a literary device used to emphasize a word or a phrase by repetition.    By repeating it multiple times, we can learn that it is something to be highly valued.   If you are familiar with the well-known preacher, Andy Stanley, you may have noticed that this is a technique that he uses in most, if not all, of his sermons.   In the movie, Forrest Gump, Bubba repeats all the things he can create from shrimp,   “Bubba : Anyway, like I was sayin', shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. ... There's pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich.

      As I read Scriptures, I am always trying to ascertain a personal application, and this morning my understanding was drawn to motivation.   In John 5:41-45, we read the passage where Jesus is talking to the Pharisees when he says, “ I do not receive glory from people .   But I know that you do not have the love of God within you.   I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.   How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope.    What stood out for me the most was the direction from which one seeks glory.      Jesus, in human form, did not seek glory from those around him.   He diligently sought the will of the Father in everything that he did.   Unlike the Pharisees, who sought glory from men by doing things out in