The DISTRACTED Life!

 

What gets in your way of growing closer to the Lord? What gets in your way keeping you from sharing that gospel? What gets in your way of making disciples who make disciples?

Stephanie and I watched the movie Shaw Shank Redemption last night. It is the first time I have seen this movie from start to finish. Besides the harsh language it is a wonderful movie. One of the main characters, the warden, is a professed Christian who is anything BUT a true follower of JESUS. Greed and power keeps him from drawing closer to the Lord, keeps him from using his position to share the gospel and he has no thought of making disciples who make disciples. This fictional character is symbolic of many Christians who are followers of Jesus in name only. Their walks of faith are no where on the path of righteousness. They are easily distracted by the evils of this world. 

"Watch out! Don't let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by worries of this life. Don't let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:34-36, NLT)

Can I make an unproven general comment? I believe that most Christians are not dulled by carousing and drunkenness, but most Christians let the WORRIES OF LIFE interfere with their FAITH WALK. Personally, that is where my battle is, even as a pastor. It is so easy to get bogged down in the little details of leading a church and forget the REAL MISSION. It is easy to get focused on money, attendance numbers, building maintenance, hiring staff members, and planning, yet forget about the primary mission SAVING THE LOST. 

For a vast majority of you that are followers of Jesus, Satan doesn't have to tempt you with drugs, sexual immorality, theft, murder, or other evils of life. All he has to do is to get our eyes off of JESUS and focused on OUR DAILY LIVES of worry, fear, and pain. 

Think about your own life. What keeps you from being fully devoted to JESUS? What are you going to focus on today that will keep you from spending time in God's word, prayer, and worship? What keeps you from sharing the GOSPEL today? 

Heavenly Father, forgive us. We are so easily distracted by the littlest things. We lose focus on you and that is when our lives really crumble. Please, Lord, help us to be alert, to be aware of your presence. There will be difficult times ahead. We need you to give us strength to survive those challenges and the horrors of life. We need you Lord, now, more than ever. Come, Lord Jesus, fill our hearts with you. Help us to focus on YOUR MISSION Today. AMEN!

What distracts you from what really matters?

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If you haven't repented of your sin, accepted what Jesus did for you on the cross, dying for your sins, or if you have not committed your life to Jesus, TODAY could be that day. give your life to the Lord. 

"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (Romans 10:9-10, ESV)

If you gave your life to Jesus today, text the word "faith" to (765)-896-4302 and we will follow up with material for you and join you in your walk of faith!