At our staff prayer meeting a few weeks back I was prompted to think and pray about three things as we began a new term of ministry: Fuel, Focus and Faith.

Fuel

In Ephesians 5:18-20, the apostle Paul tells us to, "Be continually filled with the Holy Spirit." Like a vehicle whose petrol tank gradually moves towards empty and like a technological device whose battery gradually dies down, we too have limited capacity and energy. It is vital that we stop and fuel – allowing ourselves to draw on the un-ending strength God provides. 

See also Renewing Your Energy

Focus  

One of the wisest person who ever lived said this:

Proverbs 4:25-27. Fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. NIV

Focus is essential. We live in a world of continual distraction that can so easily pull us aside from what is important. It takes effort and discpline to concentrate, to be fully engaged, to live in the here and now, to be completely present.

Faith

In the gospel of Luke, we read about a Roman Centurion desiring his child to be healed by Jesus. he said this to Jesus: “Just say the word and it will be so” (Luke 7:6-10). Jesus commended his simple trust and his understooding of authority. 

Despair comes from believing that tomorrow will be the same as today. Faith realises that in one moment, God can change everything! Just one word. Today's reality is not the last word. The story is not over. Have faith in God. He is bigger than any challenges you are facing right now.

Three simple questions:

1. Are you running on empty? Is it time to fuel? 

2. How's your focus? What is distracting you right now?

3. How's your faith in God today?