« Back to Article Archives

Single Eye

By Bobbie Jean Merck

In the Beautitudes Jesus spoke the importance of having a “single eye” if we are to maintain and advance in our life as a committed and victorious Christian.  Truly, a “single eye” is focus on the right thing!

“Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.  Your eye is a lamp for your body. A pure eye lets sunshine into your soul.  But an evil eye shuts out the light and plunges you into darkness. If the light you think you have is really darkness, how deep that darkness will be” (Matthew 6:21-23 NLT).

Jesus detailed this correct “single eye” as being a “pure eye”.

            The psalmist earnestly prayed, “Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word” (Psalms 119:37 NLT).

            Later he said to the Lord, “My eyes are straining to see your promises come true.  When will you comfort me” (Psalms 119:82 NLT).

            And as if to reveal to us the magnitude of having a “single eye”, the Book of Wisdom assures us God will give us such vision.  “The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them” (Proverbs 20:12).

            Yes, we are what we see.  As we see, so we think.  Then we are what we think.  If we think we are grasshoppers and see ourselves as grasshoppers, then every hindrance, obstacle, or demon becomes a mountain we can’t cross or move, and a giant we cannot defeat.

            But if we do what Moses did, we’ll never be defeated.  “It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt. He was not afraid of the king. Moses kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27 New Living Translation).

            What we look at is important.  It determines our success or failure.  Remember, no one is a failure until and unless they give up or in and quit.

            Are you in the same position today as the psalmist declared himself to be?  Have you prayed and “looked” for a long time for God to answer that prayer?  Take courage and be strong.  God is not a man who lies.  He is faithful.  Continue in your faith as the psalmist declared:

            “My eyes strain to see your deliverance, to see the truth of your promise fulfilled” (Psalms 119:123 NLT).

            You will not be disappointed.  It is now time for us to “reach forth” and to focus on future goals.

            People change.  Circumstances change.  God does not change.  His plan and purpose for you do not change.  The dividing and plumb line are clear and decisive.  If your eyes are on people, places, and things you won’t make it.  But, if your eye is on the unchangeable, you will indeed make “it”.

            “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.  For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!  So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever” (Second Corinthians 4:16-18 NLT).

            Learn and make the decision and choice to “hold on to people, places, and things lightly”, knowing when “one door is closed, God opens a greater door”.  Follow the Lord’s and Paul’s example.  They knew their calling, who they were, and what they were supposed to be and do.  (See John 13:1-17; Philippians 3:8-14.)

            Scripture details for us Paul’s passion, purpose, and pursuit of God’s will and plans for his life.

            I absolutely love President Bush’s reply to a question spoken to him about the low ratings by the opinion polls relating to him.  He responded, “I don’t move by opinion polls but only by purpose.  I am not affected by opinion polls, only by purpose.”

            What or who motivates you?  Your answer is what or who controls your life.

            Confidence in God and in your self produces the results you desire.  Assurance that God and you are in agreement produces motivation, peace, and wellbeing in your life.  You are strong and determined.  You know that if you “do right, all will turn out right”.

            When Paul said “I follow after”, he was speaking of his determination to be aggressive in what God wanted him to do.  No slowing down or slothfulness or apathy for him.  These words mean “to hunt, to pursue; to chase, to track down and kill”.  He would not let anything stop him from working his purpose.  This was his “single–eye–concentration”.  He did not concentrate on people, places, and things: the natural.  He concentrated on the Spirit, spirit, and spirit realm.

            My son, Dan, greatly enjoys hunting.  My other son, John, has absolutely no desire concerning hunting.  But, to be with Dan and show brotherly love, John did go on one hunting trip.  Time and space won’t allow the story-book details.  If you know anything about hunting a deer (for food) you know all the preparation, predawn arising and departure, tree stand, cold and rainy weather, silence, concentration, determination, etc. that are required.

            What a scenario!  Dan is the perfect example of a deer hunter.  John took a book and was looking for comfort.  Do I need to write more?  A deer came.  Who killed the deer and got the reward of food, and the satisfaction of mission completed?  I’ll let you figure that one out.  But I assure you, both were happy and content.  The deciding factor was the desire.

            What is your desire?

            Your single–eyed–focus key is to become and be more determined to achieve than Satan is for you not to achieve.  Amen.

            As I lay in the hospital bed August 19, 2004 having had a massive stroke on August 15, 2004, the physical therapist came to my bedside.  As she looked down at me in great compassion she said (among other things), “I recommend that you now use your left hand, etc.  (The right shoulder, arm, and hand were unusable at that time.)”  I looked up at her in great love, compassion, and understanding and said, “No, I will not.  I am right handed and not left handed.  This will not defeat me, I will defeat it!”

            This is the attitude we must always have so that we can prevail!!!

            God’s purpose for your life (and those who concern you) must be greater than the emotional attachment you have for them.  Jesus revealed this principle in Matthew 16:23 NLT.  “Jesus turned to Peter and said, ‘Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, and not from God's.’”

            This is not to say the people who concern you are “little satans”.  But one of Satan’s strongest weapons that he uses to fight against you and wear you down and out are those closest to you.  Remember Job?  This situation, meaning the people closest to you and your attachment to them, can only be put into divine order in your life in the secret place with the Lord.  Then and only then will you have the grace, God’s grace, to do the good thing relating to them.

            In our lifestyle of “single-eyed” devotion to God and His will we cannot be mindful only of convenience, comfort, or pleasure.  The devil’s attack may affect these.  If you let his attacks cause you to complain, murmur, and grumble you will not do mighty works for God, or accomplish what you want in everyday life.  God hates complaining and murmuring because it belittles Him and what He has given you.

            “Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had.  In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing” (Philippians 2:5, 14 NLT).

            Only in the power of the Holy Spirit can we “press on”.  The Holy Spirit can overcome every attack of Satan.  In the New Testament no matter what the enemy did to them, he was unsuccessful in stopping them.  We must have this same attitude.  Because they had the Holy Spirit and faith they were unconquerable.  “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit…” (Galatians 5:16a).

            Faith, single-eye, focus, passion, purpose, pursuit does not mean no challenges but rather overcoming, overcomer, victory, and success.  Even Jesus warned, but gave hope which is the container of faith:

            “’I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world’" (John 16:33 NLT).

HOME PAGE     ABOUT     CONTACT US     INTERCESSORS' CORNER     ITINERARY     PRAYER FOCUS

OVERFLOW SIGN-UP     PRODUCTS     24-7 PRAY USA SIGN-UP 

Return to Top of Page