DEADLY DISTRACTIONS

Pay attention where you’re going or you’re going to end up somewhere you didn’t want to go!

Ephesians 5:15-16 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Have you ever relied on a GPS to get you to a destination you’re unfamiliar with? Have you been looking at sights along the way and missed a turn? Have you been talking to a friend on the phone or in the car with you and realize 10, 15, or even 30 minutes down the road that you missed a turn? (Especially after you heard the GPS say recalculating 5 difference times!) If you don’t pay attention, you’re going to end up way out of your way!

Friend, there are a lot of things going on in this world to distract us from what is important. Television; 24-hour news stations, movies on demand, and the shopping network channels can be huge distractions. Social Media; Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other social medias can distract you. Sports, the hunting club, and even a quilting guild can cause you to miss the important things of life! Now, I’m not saying TV, social media, or something you may enjoy as a hobby is necessarily evil but they can be. They can be deadly distractions if it takes you away from the important things of life. Important things such as: The Saviour- Jesus Christ, Time in your Bible, Prayer, Your Family, Your Friends, Your Local Church, and Your Job.

What distraction is leading you away from the Lord more and more? Be wise! Get rid of it! Redeem the time with the Lord! Redeem time with family! Redeem time with friends! Redeem the time before it’s too late!

DISTRACTED!

What you focus on will soon become what you feed on!

Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 1 Timothy 4:13

Over the years I have seen many young people go to youth rallies, Mission trips, and go to camp. Many of them come back on fire for the Lord. You see them more often at church. They volunteer to do things they normally would not. They may even get up in the choir which is way out of character for them. But then, crickets. You can’t get them to church for nothing. You ask them what’s wrong and their respond is, “Nothing Pastor.” Well the truth of the matter is— Satan has given them a distraction!

These distractions could be in disguise as a High School degree, a girl/ boy friend, a job, social media, or it can even be family. I have seen all kinds of distractions in young people’s lives but what’s even more amazing is I have seen some of the same distractions in adult’s lives as well!

Keep your eyes focused in on the Lord and do not get distracted by the things of this Earth!

OH LOOK, A SQUIRREL!

Don’t get distracted!

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 2 Timothy 3:14

     I know way too many Christians getting distracted by the temptations old Satan throws at us. The distractions are many: control, money, sex, and fame to name a few. These in and of themselves are not the problem. The problem is when we don’t handle each one of them Biblically.

     Christian, there is nothing wrong with leadership but when that leadership position goes to your head that you beat people down to exalt yourself—you have a problem. We are not to let money be the motivation in our service. We serve Him because He called us to a certain place for a certain time. We are to keep our intimate relationship with our spouse— the one God gave us. However, if you have been divorced, God wants you to keep your intimate relationship with the spouse you have right now—FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE! And if by chance you do get famous, don’t let it go to your head! Stay humble, bring honor to God, and stay focused on the things which you where taught!

The, Oh look a squirrel mentality is killing the church! Don’t get distracted! GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH! Stay focused! CONTINUE THOU!