Tag: distractions

The Finish Line

the finish line

Can you finish a race by only running half way? I’m afraid not.

What about running without endurance? Nope.

Neither can you live a Christian life and not give all to Jesus.

It was a night that I had prayed for bondage’s to be broken in the church, you know those “pet sins” that we tend to keep a hold of, I know it’s not a prayer that most people pray but that night God had put that on my heart. I prayed and sought the face of God that evening. Later when I was in bed about to fall asleep. The Lord spoke and said,“Many of my people are only going half way in their walk with me. They’ve forgotten what I have done for them and turning to other gods. But those who choose to seek Me shall find their strength in Me.”

In a race we have two options. Run with perseverance or just jog. There is no in-between and living for Jesus there is no in- between.

“So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” – Rev. 3:16

It’s impossible to finish a race half way, we’ve got to run and not get weary.

“You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” – Gal 5:7

The number 1 tactic that the enemy uses is distractions. There everywhere! You always have something else to do when your doing a work for the Lord. Whether its Bible study or picking your kids up from a game. There is always going to be something that catches our attention.

I used to get so distracted by doing unnecessary jobs that I thought were important. Now I look back and think to myself “why?” The enemy is a master at creating distractions around your environment.

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Are you not running the race well? Something hindering your walk? Maybe it’s the hurdles that keep you from running with endurance. Don’t lose hope! When your struggling, submit to God by asking for His help.

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” – 2 Cor. 12:9

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What Distracts You?

What is it, that one thing that ends up taking your eye off the prize? A certain temptation, a sin, a weight?

We all get distracted from time to time. More like everyday. Our busy schedules, our deadlines and commutes to and from work is enough to put the normal Joe in a tight spot. But how are we supposed to live distraction free?

The book of Hebrews who was written by, well the author is unknown but many scholars believe it would be Paul, explains in the twelfth book “

 “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.

There we have it, lay aside every weight. Whats weight? Spiritual weight like a burden that you have been carrying around, stress can be a weight, being anxious and other little weights can be a hindrance which will lead to a distraction. The enemy is very crafty and sneaky at what he does. Spiritual road blocks are what I call them. Those out of no where temptations or circumstances that challenge your faith.

What are we to do?

{Luke 10:38-42}

 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.
 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”
 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
 
– We can clearly see that Mary is soaking up every word that Jesus is speaking, which who wouldn’t ? Only if you were distracted! Martha is preparing  a meal and being mad that Mary is not helping her.
“One Thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion…”
               
What will you choose? A focused life or one that easily becomes distracted?
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What faith is: A Resource of Power

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  A Resource of Power

Noah’s power to live triumphantly among his unbelieving contemporaries was a triumph of grace and faith. No man could be expected to find in himself the resources to live as he lived. He had the power to take decisive action as his society drifted toward self – destruction. He exhibited the power to make incisive declarations to those who did not heed what he was saying. He kept on saying it nevertheless. He had the power to show an alternative attitude to that which prevailed among the people of his day. He walked a lonely road. Many years ago I saw a magnificent tapestry in a home for recovering alcoholics in Germany. It was a picture of a stream with a shoal of fish heading one way and a solitary fish swimming in the opposite direction. Underneath were the words: “Any dead fish can float downstream – it takes a live one to swim against it.” Noah through his faith had resources of strength to be a live one!

The Only Resource

It amazes me how Noah did not get distracted during his time of building the ark, 120 days of doing repetitive work would be insane, being mocked at everyday by the people would be enough for anyone to become unglued but Noah kept on, not letting anything or anyone get in his way, how, why? It was the will of God for Noah and His resource was God not within his own abilities. We may think sometimes that our lives of broadcasting Christ is repetitive, but that’s the way its supposed to be. When we get distracted by the cares of this world and ______________ (insert your distraction’s) can lead us into a place of solitary confinement within ourselves that blocks out the will of God. When we depend on our resource we become stagnated and brittle, breaking apart at every little distraction that comes our way unless we rely on His resource the Holy Spirit to keep us full of His power, His strength, in order to do the impossibilities.

 
 
In the beauty of His majesty,
 Who reminds me of His grace,
Has rescued me beyond my own capabilities.
My strength failed & so did my pride.
My ambitions, my views on life were crushed
My dignity & selfish ways were exposed for me to proclaim Him
As the only resource of my life. – Gary F.
 
 
“He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:8 ESV
 
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