Focus on God

Focusing On God

 

Romans 12:2 ESV / 55 helpful votes

 

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.

Isaiah 26:3 ESV / 51 helpful votes

 

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 47 helpful votes

 

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 44 helpful votes

 

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Colossians 3:2 ESV / 43 helpful votes

 

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 40 helpful votes

 

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV / 36 helpful votes

 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 36 helpful votes

 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 34 helpful votes

 

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

1 John 2:15 ESV / 32 helpful votes

 

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV / 32 helpful votes

 

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

Proverbs 16:3 ESV / 31 helpful votes

 

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Proverbs 4:25 ESV / 29 helpful votes

 

Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.

Matthew 6:24 ESV / 28 helpful votes

 

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Hebrews 12:2 ESV / 21 helpful votes

 

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 21 helpful votes

 

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

1 Peter 5:8 ESV / 20 helpful votes

 

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

John 3:16 ESV / 20 helpful votes

 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

1 Peter 3:17 ESV / 19 helpful votes

 

For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 19 helpful votes

 

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Philippians 3:12-14 ESV / 19 helpful votes

 

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 2:2-5 ESV / 19 helpful votes

 

Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

Colossians 3:1 ESV / 18 helpful votes

 

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Hebrews 3:1 ESV / 17 helpful votes

 

Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,

Colossians 2:6-8 ESV / 16 helpful votes

 

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Romans 8:5 ESV / 16 helpful votes

 

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Matthew 24:13 ESV / 16 helpful votes

 

But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Psalm 1:1-6 ESV / 16 helpful votes

 

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; ...

Psalm 123:2 ESV / 14 helpful votes

 

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he has mercy upon us.

Psalm 73:26 ESV / 14 helpful votes

 

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 13 helpful votes

 

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Romans 6:23 ESV / 13 helpful votes

 

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 1:14 ESV / 13 helpful votes

 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Proverbs 3:6 ESV / 13 helpful votes

 

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Psalm 46:1 ESV / 13 helpful votes

 

To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Joshua 1:8 ESV / 13 helpful votes

 

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Hebrews 11:1 ESV / 11 helpful votes

 

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Colossians 3:17 ESV / 11 helpful votes

 

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:1-4 ESV / 11 helpful votes

 

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV / 11 helpful votes

 

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Psalm 138:7 ESV / 11 helpful votes

 

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.

Psalm 119:105 ESV / 11 helpful votes

 

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 19:14 ESV / 11 helpful votes

 

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

1 Peter 2:1-25 ESV / 10 helpful votes

 

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ...

2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV / 10 helpful votes

 

But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.

Romans 12:21 ESV / 10 helpful votes

 

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 8:28 ESV / 10 helpful votes

 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Micah 6:8 ESV / 10 helpful votes

 

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 10 helpful votes

 

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 ESV / 10 helpful votes

 

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.

Proverbs 30:5 ESV / 10 helpful votes

 

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Proverbs 29:18 ESV / 10 helpful votes

 

Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

Psalm 46:1-11 ESV / 10 helpful votes

 

To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. ...

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

1 John 4:18 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

1 John 3:16 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

1 Peter 1:13 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 12:1-4 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

Hebrews 11:16 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

Hebrews 4:12 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

Pray without ceasing,

1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. ...

Philippians 3:12 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;

1 Corinthians 4:1-21 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. ...

1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

Romans 15:4 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 12:9 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Acts 19:4 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.”

Acts 1:14 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Isaiah 40:1-31 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” ...

Psalm 29:1-11 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

A Psalm of David. Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness. The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. ...

Nehemiah 6:3 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”

Deuteronomy 8:3 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Exodus 20:1-26 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, ...

Exodus 3:1-22 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” ...

Exodus 2:11-25 ESV / 9 helpful votes

 

One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?” He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and thought, “Surely the thing is known.” When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well. ...

Philippians 3:13-14 ESV / 8 helpful votes

 

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV / 8 helpful votes

 

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Proverbs 5:19 ESV / 8 helpful votes

 

A lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.

1 Peter 2:11 ESV / 6 helpful votes

 

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

Colossians 3:1-25 ESV / 6 helpful votes

 

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ...

Romans 10:17 ESV / 6 helpful votes

 

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Hebrews 9:27-28 ESV / 4 helpful votes

 

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Ephesians 6:11 ESV / 4 helpful votes

 

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Galatians 2:20 ESV / 4 helpful votes

 

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

John 6:60 ESV / 4 helpful votes

 

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?”

Matthew 5:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

 

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Revelation 1:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

 

And made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

 

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Hebrews 13:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

1 Timothy 2:2-4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

 

For kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Ephesians 6:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

 

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV / 3 helpful votes

 

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

1 Corinthians 15:22 ESV / 3 helpful votes

 

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

1 John 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.