Tag Archive | distractions

Add Distraction to the List

Mar25
Fix our eyes upon Jesus. Look neither to the right or left. Shut out the distractions. based on Hebrews 12:2

Think about it. What keeps us from spending time with God in prayer and His word? Most of the time, I daresay, it’s distractions. Often I have referred to the manipulation and deception of the fiery darts of the enemy. But in the last year, I have come to realize that loosing my focus can happen as a result of the fiery dart of distractions.

Lately, I am being made aware of how the enemy once again is using distractions to manipulate my focus. Our four children are scattered here and there, as well as their children (our grans). Two years ago, my best friend of twenty plus years passed away. Four years earlier my beloved mother transitioned to heaven, joining my father. Needless to say, the temptation to focus on my lack of contact with them is ever present.

Add to that at 77 years of age, I wonder just how much longer I have on this earth. That consumes a lot of my thoughts. Running out of time to make memories with those that I love. Running out of time to resolve conflicts. And quietness and an unbusy life is the fodder for self-pity. And I read the headlines and fear, coupled with the lack of interaction with my family, is a menu for despair. Oh I could go on and on!

The most effective weapon against such is the Bible. Yep, all that truth compressed within the pages of Scripture could and can tear down the walls of human reasoning and destroy false assumptions. By distracting us from spending time with God in His word and in prayer, we just aren’t informed. We aren’t aware of our weapons or how to use them.

These distractions divert our focus thus turning it inward. It takes a greater discipline to redirect our focus toward Christ and not ourselves. But we know that if we want to please God, then we had better learn how to reject the enemy’s device of distraction. Every time our focus turns inward, try quoting, “May this weapon formed against me not prevail.” That shifts our thought processes. We can now direct our focus to ponder Truth thoughts like, “All things work together for the good. For those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”

If my attention is manipulated by the enemy’s distractions then I will be blinded. What I will fail to see is that my husband and I have more time together. I have more time to spend quiet moments daily with God. His Word reminds me that He is in control and I need not fear. Yet, the enemy’s distractions will blind me to these Truths.

Concerning Easter

Mar24

 

Easter!

If it had not been for Jesus’s resurrection, there would be no Christianity. Now note, I used the word resurrection and that’s significant.

BECAUSE

th-2

Christ Lived

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Christ Died

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Christ Arose!

 

All of the world religions were led by someone who lived and died. But

ONLY Christianity

serves a savior who not only lived and died but

WAS RESURRECTED!

   Satan knows Christ’s resurrection sounded his defeat. But before he goes down, his plan is to take as many of us with him as he can. Therefore, he attacks Christians early on in our faith walk, by distracting us from prayer and learning from God’s Word.

   This is where he always starts.

For keeping Christians uninformed and by distracting us from prayer, he slowly (but most assuredly) leads us down a road inundated with distractions meant to set us on an alternate route. A route that will lead us away from God. Thus, Christians who open themselves up to these distractions find themselves being conformed to the ways of the world.

   Ever notice how with every Christian holiday, there has been offered by the secular world a substitute reason to celebrate? And as the world grows less tolerant of Christian reasons for celebrating these holidays, the idea of substitute reasons for celebrating increases.

   How do we avoid cooperating (albeit unintentional) with Satan’s plan? It’s starts with waking up to Satan’s attacks. We must realize we are engaged in a spiritual battle. God’s plan is for us to be victorious, and in the Bible He has put everything we need to know about how to defeat our enemy. By putting into practice what we learn from God’s Word, our ability to recognize and reject these attacks increases. As we become more familiar with His plan, He reveals the particular Truth thoughts with which we can replace the enemy’s darts.  

   Concerning Easter, focus on the resurrection, allow no distractions. By all means celebrate but with every aspect of your celebration make sure it points to Christ’s life, death, AND RESURRECTION!