SINGLE-MINDEDNESS

Being so focused and determined that we have one objective in mind. Once Jesus and Paul knew for certain what God wanted them to do, nothing on earth could make them change their minds. They set their faces like flint towards Jerusalem.


                                                                     

“As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). He was clear in His mind concerning His mission in life. He was born to die for the sins of humanity. Deep down He knew what He had to do and where He had to head towards.

This was a fulfillment of Isaiah 50:7: “Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore I have set my face like flint”. Flint is a very hard stone. Jesus set His face like flint to go to Jerusalem with unflinching purpose and steely determination, undaunted by any opposition or suffering that lay ahead. As Jesus set His face towards Jerusalem, His feet followed the direction of His gaze.

                                                                     

Similarly, the apostle Paul resolved to go to Jerusalem despite conflicting advice from well-meaning believers: “And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:22-24).

Not even a stern warning could stop him from fulfilling his mission. The prophet Agabus, took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles’’’ (Acts 21:11).

No matter what, Paul was absolutely determined to go to Jerusalem because he lived by this motto – obedience to the heavenly vision God had given him.

“Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance” (Acts 26:19-20).

Many things can cause us to deviate from the path God has set for us: Our own incessant inner chatter, well-meaning counsel from others, trials and tribulations, worldly cares and concerns. This may sound strange but sometimes what derails God’s plan for us is success – to be exact, pride and complacency which come with success. This happens when success gets to our head.

Once Jesus and Paul knew for certain what God wanted them to do, nothing on earth could make them change their minds. They set their faces like flint towards Jerusalem.

Are we clear in our minds God’s vision for our lives?

If so, are we advancing – slowly but surely – towards the intended goal?

Are we focused on finishing the course?

 “Let your eyes look straight ahead;
    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” (Proverbs 4:25-27).

“Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing until it gets there.” – Josh Billings, American humorist.

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours.” – Henry David Thoreau.

And what is success from a biblical viewpoint? There are many diverse views as to what constitutes success but, to me, it is simply the progressive realisation of God-inspired goals. It is not necessarily the notion of success of the world – fame, power, money and comfort.

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RESOLVING MARITAL CONFLICT

Singles and married couples alike will learn valuable lessons as they witness the reconciliation of two broken people in the movie, "FIREPROOF". God can heal a broken relationship—even if it seems irreconcilable—if we follow His ways.


                                                                

REVIEW OF THE MOVIE “FIREPROOF” 

(Warning: this review has spoilers)

Review by Sharon Lim

Forget the Hollywood fairy tale where boy meets girl and they fall in love, marry and live happily ever after.

This movie is set in the middle of the Holts’ seventh year of marriage, long after the initial sparks of romance have fizzled out. Enter Caleb Holt, a fireman who is emotionally distant, does little around the home and has been addicted to pornography. His addiction and indifference take a toll on his wife, Catherine, who becomes disillusioned with their marriage. She starts getting attracted to a young doctor, Gavin Keller, whom she meets at work.

The tension between husband and wife escalates gradually, with constant shouting and snapping at each other. This worsens when Caleb insists on saving up a huge sum of money to buy a fishing boat, despite the fact that Catherine’s stroke-ridden mother needs expensive hospital equipment. During a particularly bad argument, Catherine throws in the towel. She wants a divorce and removes her wedding ring.

As Caleb relates the situation of his failed marriage to his parents, his father tells him to hold off the divorce for forty days. He urges Caleb to take up the “Love Dare”, which is a 40-day challenge to save his marriage.

At first, Caleb takes up the challenge rather reluctantly, doing daily acts of love like buying flowers and making a cup of coffee for his wife. His heart is not in it and he is merely doing it to please his father. By the time day 20 arrives, Catherine and Gavin have fallen in love, as she is made to believe that he has paid for her mother’s hospital equipment. Catherine is intent on divorcing Caleb.

At this point, Caleb is frustrated and the situation seems hopeless. However, his dad encourages him to give God a try. At his wit’s end, Caleb invites God into his life. He gets genuinely serious about changing himself, even to the point of smashing his computer (which he uses to feed his sexual addiction) with a baseball bat.

Catherine sees Caleb’s change of attitude but remains unconvinced. Days later, she finds out that it was actually Caleb who paid for her mother’s hospital equipment. Genuinely convinced of Caleb’s sincerity, she then puts on her wedding ring again.

The movie ends with both of them embracing in the fire station.

It is interesting to note that the crew of this film is made up of committed Christians. A collaboration between Samuel Goldwyn Films and Sherwood Pictures, the production relied heavily on church volunteers, with Kirk Cameron (Caleb) being the only professional actor.

Driven by Cameron’s belief that a man should not kiss a woman other than his wife, the producers got his real wife, Chelsea Noble, to replace Erin Bethea, his on-screen wife, for the scene where we see their silhouettes embracing and kissing passionately.

Recipient of the Best Feature Film Award at the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival, Fireproof opened in theatres on September 26, 2008, and was reported by the Wall Street Journal to be the highest grossing independent film in 2008 in the United States.

This movie is no Slumdog Millionaire, but its emphasis on the sanctity of marriage rings clear throughout. A must watch for married and courting couples who are seeking to overcome the “perturbations of love”, in the words of author C.S. Lewis.

Singles and married couples alike will learn valuable lessons as they witness the reconciliation of two broken people. God can heal a broken relationship—even if it seems irreconcilable—if we follow His ways.

True love isn’t seeking what’s best for you but what’s best for your partner. To make a success of marriage, you must first understand how to love someone and that comes from knowing God who loves us unconditionally.

The tagline in this movie “FIREPROOF” is Never Leave Your Partner Behind. For fireman Caleb, this means he should not leave his colleague behind while they are fighting a blaze. It can also mean he should not to leave his life partner but be tenacious in working through marital conflict.

Trailer of Movie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrl3iK9qnCo