Monday, November 9, 2020

Distractions a Plenty

Distractions a Plenty 

Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be 
received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem.

Luke 9:51

It is easy to become distracted in the Christian life! The moment you understand what God wants you to do, it will seem as though everyone around you requires your time and attention! When the time came for Jesus to go to the cross, He “set His face” toward Jerusalem, so that nothing would prevent Him from accomplishing His Father's will. So obvious was His resolve to go to Jerusalem that the Samaritans, who hated the Jews, rejected Him because they recognized that He was a Jew traveling through their village to the hated city of Jerusalem.

Jesus determined not to digress from His mission, but He took time to minister to many people along His way. He sent out seventy disciples into the surrounding towns (Luke 10:1). He healed lepers (Luke 17:11–19). He cured a man of dropsy (Luke 14:1–4). He brought salvation to the home of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1–10). He continued to teach His disciples (Luke 15:1–32). Jesus did not refuse to minister to others as He went to Calvary, but ultimately He refused to be deterred from His Father's will.
If you know what God wants you to do, set your sights resolutely toward that goal with full determination to accomplish it (Prov. 4:25). Beware of becoming so sidetracked by the opportunities around you that you lose sight of God's ultimate goal for you. Do not succumb to the temptation to delay your obedience or to discard it altogether. Once you have received a clear assignment from God, your response should be unwavering obedience. Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day 

When we choose to obey God rather than men, expect it to get difficult and different.  It probably won't be huge things nor will it be heavy things, although at the time it probably will feel like it. 

With this Coronavirus right now I have company set rules to go by.  Whereas they complicate life, they aren't in direct opposition to Scripture.  One specific is that I cannot be around someone who knowingly has had the virus or I have to self quarantine for 2 weeks. 

So when I wonder what to do, it seems that God gives me things to do.  To finish up things that I put off around here.  To fix things even if they seem like they are out of my league. 

Obedience in the Bible isn't contingent upon that person's ability. It's contingent upon their willingness.  

I am no different than you in that I don't know what today is going to bring. 

I was reading a story of lessons from an old woman to her family.  First was to just take little steps in everything when life is difficult.  Take a step. Accomplish that. Look it over.  Be thankful.  Rest. Take another. 

We are indeed overwhelmed by information right now in this world.  It can be so much that it's blinding the mind. 

People supporting someone that they don't realize that should he get in office will eliminate their job...and they, in their ignorance, vote for him. People are weighing feelings vs feelings rather than facts vs facts. 

But to get to the point...point is...we all face distractions. We face opposition to obedience to God. 

Satan lost his teeth at the cross, as someone said.  But he still prowls around seeking someone to devour. 

We who are in Christ are in the hands of God.  Satan cannot do a thing to us apart from the Plan of God for our growth in Christ.  He who began His work in us will continue it until the day of Christ Jesus. 
We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that He prepared beforehand that we might walk in them.

Life is going to be hard.  Jesus absolutely said that if the world hated Me they are going to hate you too.  He said that a man's enemies will be members of his own household.  He said that to live in this world it REQUIRES the whole armor of God. He said that in this life we would have tribulations and trials. We are to consider it all joy when we face such things.  In everything to give thanks. 

We are going to struggle in this world.  When you aren't, and you are a believer, it might be time to look at how much you're fitting into the world.  If the world isn't fighting you, there's a good chance you're no longer a threat.  In the past God's directed me to write on idolatry. Most Christians don't believe they have a problem with that.  God says otherwise. 
The Pharisees and Sadducees didn't believe they had a problem with idolatry, yet what were they constantly accused of?
Look at the New Testament. Much of what you read is about confronting idolatry. That we ought to obey the conduct, and purpose of what we see in Christ. 

Idolatry is the single most visible deterrent to walking with Jesus.  I am an observer of people.  I have had CHRISTIAN men tell me they will pray for me because I wasn't an Ohio State University fan.  They claimed to be joking, but it was evidence of what was in their heart, not mine. 
Adultary and Sexual sins are next, followed by murderers and thieves in regards to who will not see Heaven.  Are you embracing those ideals and call yourself a Believer in Jesus Christ? 

Distractions.  Oh they are never overtly in your face.  Satan isn't entirely stupid, he is fixated, but not stupid.  He didn't throw an apple at Eve an tell her to eat. He got her to see it, to touch it, to pick it and then eat it. Then he got her to talk Adam into eating it.  

Satan will try to talk YOU into accepting sin as ok. He will try to talk YOU into allowing the world around you to be normal when it's not our home. 

He will inundate you with lots of little distractions to slow you down in your walk with Jesus. 

He will use you against you. If you have a phobia, he will get you to handle it in your own strength rather than taking it to Jesus. 

The more time you spend in prayer and have your thoughts and actions set on your walk with God, the more resistance you should expect. 

Prayer is your first line of defense. It should be the first, your Bible should be your second.  

Don't be overwhelmed or overcome by what your eyes see.  Faith doesn't work there.

Possibly another post after this one.

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