Conquering Distractions
You know something, as Christians we have a task, a purpose, for our lives—it's to live for God and reconcile men and women back to God. That is to be our tasks. "God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others." (II Corinthians 5:18)
Let me ask you, how easily are you distracted from that purpose? We know that the devil does all he can to hinder us from this purpose. He distracts us by pleasures or pressures. How many of us would admit that our jobs can distract us, not only from our families, but from our dedication to our Lord? I of men who have worked all their married lives to care for the financial needs and welfare of their families, but in the process, became distant and distracted from the emotional and physical needs of their families. When they laid on their death bed, they couldn't let go and allow their Father to care for their family. All their lives were spent meeting the needs of their family and never learned to allow Yehoveh to care for them. God wants us to enjoy what we are doing but not to be burdened with the cares of the world. ". . . don't worry about your life. Don't worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn't life more than food or clothing? Look at the birds in the sky! They don't plant or harvest. They don't even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren't you worth more than birds?" (Matthew 6:25-26). For those of you proud of being a "good provider" for your families, relax, your heavenly Father is much better at it than you.
Oh of course we think about these things—that's life—but we don't have to have anxious thoughts about them. Instead of being anxious we are to ". . . seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness . . ." (Matthew 6:33).
We have to remember that we are not alone in whatever we're facing because God is there for us. Instead of allowing ourselves to be distracted we pull our minds back to God and His Word. Philippians 4:6 tells us not to be anxious. But it also gives us keys to help us deal with our cares and anxieties. "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns."
We take our cares to God in prayer. We remember His goodness. God knows our need, but this verse tells us to ask in prayer. Supplication is making specific requests. Nothing is too little or too big to bring to God. We are to pour out our hearts to our heavenly Father with thanksgiving. We recall how He has taken care of us in past situations, and we praise Him. We count our many blessings and give thanks to God.
Philippians 4:7 goes on to tell us what follows. "Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." We get peaceful before our need is even met because we know how much God cares. God is there to console and to comfort us when we are fearful or anxious--distracted by cares. "When I was burdened with worries, you comforted me and made me feel secure" (Psalm 94:19) When we're afraid, we go to God and trust Him. "I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4)
In an Old Testament account we read about all the armies coming against Jehoshaphat. When he feared the enemies, he went to God. "Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he asked the LORD what to do. He then told the people of Judah to fast to show their sorrow. They immediately left for Jerusalem to ask for the Lord's help." (II Chronicles 20:3-4).
Verse 15 gives us Jahaziel's prophecy, which is a response to Jehoshaphat's action. "Then Jahaziel said: Your Majesty and everyone from Judah and Jerusalem, the LORD says that you don't need to be afraid or let this powerful army discourage you. God will fight on your side!." Sometimes we get distracted from a lifestyle of keeping God first and going to God for help. But we can have peaceful hearts when we realize the battle is God's, not ours. Our part is to stay committed to our purpose to live for God and to stand on His wonderful Word.
God takes care of us as we "stay put" so that we can take care of one another, and so that we can be a blessing to others. "
Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! The Father is a merciful God, who always gives us comfort. He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble." (II Corinthians 1:3-4)
Nickolas
Let me ask you, how easily are you distracted from that purpose? We know that the devil does all he can to hinder us from this purpose. He distracts us by pleasures or pressures. How many of us would admit that our jobs can distract us, not only from our families, but from our dedication to our Lord? I of men who have worked all their married lives to care for the financial needs and welfare of their families, but in the process, became distant and distracted from the emotional and physical needs of their families. When they laid on their death bed, they couldn't let go and allow their Father to care for their family. All their lives were spent meeting the needs of their family and never learned to allow Yehoveh to care for them. God wants us to enjoy what we are doing but not to be burdened with the cares of the world. ". . . don't worry about your life. Don't worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn't life more than food or clothing? Look at the birds in the sky! They don't plant or harvest. They don't even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren't you worth more than birds?" (Matthew 6:25-26). For those of you proud of being a "good provider" for your families, relax, your heavenly Father is much better at it than you.
Oh of course we think about these things—that's life—but we don't have to have anxious thoughts about them. Instead of being anxious we are to ". . . seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness . . ." (Matthew 6:33).
We have to remember that we are not alone in whatever we're facing because God is there for us. Instead of allowing ourselves to be distracted we pull our minds back to God and His Word. Philippians 4:6 tells us not to be anxious. But it also gives us keys to help us deal with our cares and anxieties. "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns."
We take our cares to God in prayer. We remember His goodness. God knows our need, but this verse tells us to ask in prayer. Supplication is making specific requests. Nothing is too little or too big to bring to God. We are to pour out our hearts to our heavenly Father with thanksgiving. We recall how He has taken care of us in past situations, and we praise Him. We count our many blessings and give thanks to God.
Philippians 4:7 goes on to tell us what follows. "Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." We get peaceful before our need is even met because we know how much God cares. God is there to console and to comfort us when we are fearful or anxious--distracted by cares. "When I was burdened with worries, you comforted me and made me feel secure" (Psalm 94:19) When we're afraid, we go to God and trust Him. "I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4)
In an Old Testament account we read about all the armies coming against Jehoshaphat. When he feared the enemies, he went to God. "Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he asked the LORD what to do. He then told the people of Judah to fast to show their sorrow. They immediately left for Jerusalem to ask for the Lord's help." (II Chronicles 20:3-4).
Verse 15 gives us Jahaziel's prophecy, which is a response to Jehoshaphat's action. "Then Jahaziel said: Your Majesty and everyone from Judah and Jerusalem, the LORD says that you don't need to be afraid or let this powerful army discourage you. God will fight on your side!." Sometimes we get distracted from a lifestyle of keeping God first and going to God for help. But we can have peaceful hearts when we realize the battle is God's, not ours. Our part is to stay committed to our purpose to live for God and to stand on His wonderful Word.
God takes care of us as we "stay put" so that we can take care of one another, and so that we can be a blessing to others. "
Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! The Father is a merciful God, who always gives us comfort. He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble." (II Corinthians 1:3-4)
Nickolas
(I send out messages like this to about 80 people each morning. If you are interested, let me know. However, you can also find these messages at: Thought For The Day)
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