<\/p>\n
Distraction is a tactic the enemy uses to take our focus off what\u2019s most important. And as you and I both know, distractions are everywhere. From the latest headlines to the latest trends, our minds are constantly being pulled in different directions, leaving us frazzled and disoriented. Can you relate?<\/p>\n
Perhaps it\u2019s time to refocus, to limit outside noise and be intentional in our relationship with God and others. If you\u2019re ready to close the door on distraction, here are 5 essential things to focus on as spring approaches.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right\u2014the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.\u201d (Matthew 6:33 AMP)<\/p>\n
The demands of our current circumstances often take precedence over seeking God. Daily, we rise to the occasion, caring for our families, meeting work deadlines, and handling countless responsibilities. It doesn\u2019t take long to feel like we\u2019re running on a treadmill at high speed with no end in sight.<\/p>\n
Seeking God first should be non-negotiable. Just as our bodies need nourishment, our spirits need time in God\u2019s presence. In John 6:32-33, Jesus said, \u201cVery truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
When we eat freely from the bread of life, we are better nourished for the journey. This requires ample time in God\u2019s Word, reading, meditating, and receiving His truth. And as we learn more about His eternal character, our hearts are focused more on heaven rather than earth. Our attitudes have changed from trudging through life to experiencing the fullness of life in Christ.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.\u201d (Hebrews 13:15 ESV)<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re like me, you offer prayers on the regular, asking God for help, protection, and guidance. Fortunately, we have a good Father who hears us when we call.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But prayer is a two-way street, isn’t it? It\u2019s not only petitioning the Lord for what we need, but it\u2019s also listening for His still small voice. He has wonderful things to share with us, if only we would pause long enough to hear Him. Amen?<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s increase prayer and praise this spring, calming our minds and listening for the Holy Spirit\u2019s wisdom. Let\u2019s fill our homes (and hearts) with songs of praise, turning on worship music instead of the television.<\/p>\n
Start with Psalm 150, which says, \u201cPraise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.\u201d (John 13:34 ESV)<\/p>\n
Sadly, there\u2019s a lot of hate in the world, and it seems to be growing by the day. Even as Christians, we get drawn into contentions that aren\u2019t beneficial for anyone. And while we are called to speak truth, we are also called to love well.<\/p>\n
Loving well means:<\/p>\n
We prefer others above ourselves. (Philippians 2:3)<\/p>\n
We put our words into action. (1 John 3:18)<\/p>\n
We serve others in humility. (Galatians 5:13)<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s make springtime a season of lavish love for God and each other. With kindness, compassion, and grace, let\u2019s invest in others like never before. We can absolutely stand firm on the Bible without compromise, but in a way that draws people to God rather than repelling them.<\/p>\n
When tempted to join fruitless arguments, remind yourself, I choose to focus on God\u2019s love in this situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cSow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you.\u201d (Hosea 10:12 NKJV)<\/p>\n
Our bank statements say a lot about what\u2019s most important to us. Apart from everyday expenses, we can quickly spot frivolous things we prioritize.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was the prophet Malachi who said, \u201cBring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,\u201d says the Lord Almighty, \u201cand see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.\u201d (Malachi 3:10)<\/p>\n
Some would say this Bible passage is no longer a requirement for New Testament believers. But it really comes down to the heart, doesn’t it? It\u2019s about generously sowing the seed we\u2019ve been given. We sow through:<\/p>\n
Tithes and offerings<\/p>\n
Time and talent<\/p>\n
Righteousness and mercy<\/p>\n
Compassion and grace<\/p>\n
The opportunities we have to sow seed on the fallow ground of this world are plentiful. Each day, we have the chance to open our hands and sow in grace. God might ask us to give to a charity, serve in our community, or be the hands and feet of Jesus to someone in need. When our focus shifts from obligation to generosity, we are free to sow as the Lord leads.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.\u201d (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)<\/p>\n
Health goals are essential, but it\u2019s more than losing weight and building muscle. The Bible encourages us to take good care of what God has given us. I believe this is not only to honor the Lord, but to be strengthened for the purpose He\u2019s called us to.<\/p>\n
The key phrase in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 is \u201ctemples of the Holy Spirit.\u201d When viewed from this perspective, we quickly realize our bodies were created for far more than diets and exercise. Every part of us was created to glorify God through the mighty purpose of making Him known.\u00a0<\/p>\n
By staying hydrated, nourished, agile, and strong, we are ready to move forward when the Holy Spirit leads. We have more confidence when we\u2019re eating healthy and maintaining our weight. We become more available when we\u2019ve had adequate sleep and are energetic for our tasks.<\/p>\n
Instead of focusing on a specific body image, focus on better health for better service to God. It\u2019s freeing to let go of trying to look the part and instead live the part God has marked out for us.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s pray: Lord, please give me the self-discipline needed to remove distractions and focus on what\u2019s most important. I want to step fully into Your purpose for my life. In Jesus\u2019 holy name, amen.<\/p>\n
Photo credit: \u00a9Pixabay\/JillWellington<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Jennifer Waddle<\/strong> is the author of several books, including Prayer WORRIER: Turning Every Worry into Powerful Prayer,\u00a0<\/em>and is a regular contributor for LifeWay, Crosswalk, Abide, and Christians Care International. Jennifer\u2019s online ministry is EncouragementMama.com where you can find her books and sign up for her weekly post, Discouragement Doesn<\/em>\u2019t Win.<\/em> She resides with her family near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains\u2014her favorite place on earth.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Distraction is a tactic the enemy uses to take our focus off what\u2019s most important. And as you and I both know, distractions are everywhere. From the latest headlines to the latest trends, our minds are constantly being pulled in different directions, leaving us frazzled and disoriented. Can you relate? Perhaps it\u2019s time to refocus,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20013,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[702,6340],"class_list":["post-20012","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-christian-living","tag-focus","tag-spring"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20012","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20012"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20012\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/20013"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20012"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20012"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20012"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}