"Be sober and alert,
Your enemy the devil,
like a roaring lion,
is on the prowl looking
for someone to devour."
1 Peter 5:8 NET Bible
Your enemy is out to destroy you and the best way for him to do that is to distract you. He has many ways in which to do this. There is so much entertainment- with TV, computers and social media that it is difficult to have quiet moments with God unless we make it a priority. It's hard to hear God's still, small voice over all the distraction in ourlives.
Media isn't the only method the adversary uses to distract us:
- disappointments
- injustice
- hurt feelings
- jealousy
- envy revenge
- impatience
- discouragement
- anger
- resentments
- and the list goes on and on and on........
After the feeding of the five thousand spoken about in Matthew 14- we are told that Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and go to the other side ahead of him.
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dispersed the crowds. 23And after he sent the crowds away, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. 24Meanwhile the boat, already far from land, was taking a beating from the waves because the wind was against it. 25As the night was ending, Jesus came to them walking on the sea. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the water they were terrified and said, “It’s a ghost!” and cried out with fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them: “Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” 28Peter said to him, “Lord, if it is you, order me to come to you on the water.” 29So he said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the strong wind he became afraid. And starting to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32When they went up into the boat, the wind ceased. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:22-33
Did you notice what happened? As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus he was able to walk on the water but as soon as he took his eyes off Jesus he sunk. "But when he saw the strong wind he became afraid." We can't put our focus on the things around us. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus.
I have struggled with this myself. It's funny it seems like once you get used to dealing with one set of circumstances and learn to keep your focus with that - then something else happens that distracts us from where our focus needs to be.
A friend shared a song with me recently - it is by Hillsong United - "Not today" Be sure and read the lyrics.
When we become tempted to allow distractions to take our eyes off of Jesus - we need to say " No ~Not today" Jesus will give us the strength and power to put those distracting things away. It may take the words - 'No - no today" used over and over - but eventually that distraction will lose its grip on us.
May we ever keep our eyes on Jesus - our creator and redeemer. :O)
Trouble won't throw me
Won't break me
Won't scare me
No more
Fear must have thought I was faithless
When it came for my heart
Won't break me
Won't scare me
No more
Fear must have thought I was faithless
When it came for my heart
'Cause I got a song that will never die
I know Your love is the reason why
I know Your love is the reason why
I'll sing the night into the morning
I'll sing the fear into Your praise
I'll sing my soul into Your presence
Whenever I say Your Name
Let the devil know not today
I'll sing the fear into Your praise
I'll sing my soul into Your presence
Whenever I say Your Name
Let the devil know not today
Tell me did the enemy panic
As You took up that cross
Tell me did the darkness cry mercy
As You rolled back that rock
As You took up that cross
Tell me did the darkness cry mercy
As You rolled back that rock
'Cause I know Your life is the life in mine
I know Your love is the reason why
I know Your love is the reason why
I'll sing the night into the morning
I'll sing the fear into Your praise
I'll sing my soul into Your presence
Whenever I say Your Name
Let the devil know not today
Whenever I say Your Name Jesus
Let the devil know not today
Not now not ever again
I'll sing the fear into Your praise
I'll sing my soul into Your presence
Whenever I say Your Name
Let the devil know not today
Whenever I say Your Name Jesus
Let the devil know not today
Not now not ever again
Source: LyricFind
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