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Distraction

God’s Word For Today: Do Not Be Distracted

by Lily Benson August 29, 2023

written by Lily Benson

Do not be distracted, instead let your days be adorned with the fragrance of worship, and focus your attention and keep your eyes firmly fixed on Jesus.

What Does The Bible Say

“And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.“ Psalm 105:4

There’s an ever-present call to prioritize, to discern what truly matters. Luke 10:39-42 tenderly reminds us of the essential choice – to embrace the better part, to fix our gaze unwaveringly on the One who deserves our undivided attention.

Picture the scene: a gathering, a flurry of activities, and at the center, two sisters – Martha and Mary. Martha, diligently serving; Mary, seated at the feet of Jesus, enraptured by His presence. In this snapshot, you will see the contrast between distraction and devotion, between worldly demands and worshipful surrender.

The world around you, with its incessant noise, beckons you to divide your attention, to prioritize tasks over intimacy with your Creator. But as Mary chose, you too can choose the better part. You can cast aside the distractions that vie for your focus and come to the feet of Jesus, where worship transforms into an intimate exchange.

The beauty lies in the simplicity of this choice – to sit at His feet, to listen, to adore. In your worship, you align your heart with heaven’s rhythm, and you draw closer to the One who knows you intimately. It’s not about the quantity of tasks completed, but the quality of connection nurtured.

When life’s demands knock at your door, inviting you to be entangled in the chaos, remember Mary’s posture. Even in a world that values busyness, your time spent in worship is never wasted. It’s an investment into your soul, a renewal of your spirit, and an offering of love to the One who gave all for you.

May your days be adorned with the fragrance of worship, and may your focus be steadfast, firmly fixed on the One who invites you to choose the better part.

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Turn Down The Noise And Find God In Your Stillness

by Lauren Koch November 28, 2022

written by Lauren Koch

Are you comfortable in your stillness? According to research, the average phone user checks emails, social media, and their texts before even getting out of bed in the morning. Our brains have grown accustomed to a constant feed of news, information, ideas, opinions, and educational resources. These things in and of themselves are not wrong, but if unchecked, they impede on our ability to be present with ourselves and God.

Consider it like this: we only possess a limited capacity in a day. If that capacity has developed habits which fill, distract, and entertain us, without connecting, steadying, and grounding us in the Lord, we’re filling our minds with things that will just pass away. They aren’t the one thing we were designed to commune with: God’s presence.

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10)

Our loud world

Playlists, podcasts, sermons, audiobooks, youtube videos…the list continues of all the forms of media we have access to at the touch of our fingers. Without much thought, we can quickly tune into other ideas, songs, and thoughts. This alone is not inherently bad or “wrong”. But if we are not intentional, we can become used to filling all of our free or bored moments with noise. In doing this, we are less likely to connect to ourselves or hear from the Lord. What we choose to think upon is incredibly influential to our lives.

“The process of thinking and choosing is the most powerful thing in the universe after God, and it is a phenomenal gift from God to be treasured and used properly.” Dr. Caroline Leaf, Switch On Your Brain: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health.

God gifts us free will to engage with what we choose in our life. In an increasingly loud world, it is vital that we hone our thoughts into a stillness with the Lord where the source of our entire lives is invigorated and transformed.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)

Distractions rob us

The enemy loves when our minds are distracted from God. When we aren’t centered on what the Lord is saying and doing in our lives, little by little, we drift off course. Distraction doesn’t happen all at once. It begins in our small, daily habits. It’s in the battle for our minds, something only we have a say in what they entertain. Think of it this way: Let’s say you’re preparing to make a big change in your life (move states, jobs, or even out of the country) and you hear a promise from the Lord about this change. If you are not intentional, you can put that promise away, forgetting to stand on it, and instead being distracted by all of the outward circumstances (difficulty, doubt, struggles, etc). It’s not that you didn’t believe God’s promise to you, but you entertained the wrong thing.

Signs you may be uncomfortable in your stillness

you’re avoiding rest, quiet time, or decompressing without a phone, TV, book, or form of entertainment
you’re spending time with God, but fill it with prayer, journaling, or worship (“doing” instead of “being”)
in free moments, you instinctively reach for your phone or scroll mindlessly

There is no shame if these resonate with you. We cannot change the patterns of familiarity in our minds without becoming aware and curious–not critical–toward them. I’ve had seasons of life where I’ve noticed I’m constantly reaching for a social media app in my downtime. Once I noticed this habit, I could have become harsh or judgmental toward myself for this behavior. Instead, I engaged with Holy Spirit, asking God to reveal to me why this pattern developed. From here, I was able to own my choice to develop this habit, and work to develop a different habit: one that lessens my anxiety

It’s not that you aren’t making space or time to sit with the Lord, but you’re filling that space with “doing” instead of merely “being” with God. Not striving to get things done, pray the right things, journal enough, or sing the right songs, but simply abiding with your Father.

In your stillness

When we are accustomed to noise, it can feel difficult to quiet our minds before the Lord. Just as we grew used to noise, we can teach our bodies and spirits to become comfortable in silence.

In The Silence by Jason Upton explores what the quiet is like…it’s where we make space to encounter the fire of God:

“In the silence
You are speaking
In the quiet I can feel the fire
And it’s burning, burning deeply
Burning all that it is
That you desire to be silent, in me”

This isn’t to say that God isn’t speaking when it’s loud. But our minds are much less likely to listen–to hear–what He has to say when we’re tuned into the noise. If you’re struggling to connect and “be” with God, take a minute to evaluate what your daily life looks like. How much time and space do you have to be still? If your free moments, like driving to work, or doing household chores, what have you allowed your ears to tune into? I want to challenge you: make an effort with yourself to turn down the noise. Escape into the life-giving presence of Jesus, He is a well that never runs dry.

I encourage you to read Psalm 23 aloud to yourself.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
²    He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.^[a]
³    He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness^[b]
    for his name’s sake.

⁴Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,^[c]
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

⁵You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
⁶Surely^[d] goodness and mercy^[e] shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell^[f] in the house of the Lord
forever.^[g]

Notice all of the “doing” that God enacts in this passage: he leads the psalmist beside still waters, he makes him lie down in green pastures, and he leads him to paths of righteousness. God is literally our shepherd, leading us with His voice. This voice is heard in your stillness. Allowing His presence to be our core focus, the radio station we tune into, we position ourselves for the life He has designed for us.

in your stillness

November 28, 2022 0 comments

Faith Spotlight

Ensuring Jesus Is The Daily Bread In Your Life

by Lauren Koch October 14, 2022

written by Lauren Koch

When the fog clears away…whose eyes are you looking into? Are you seeking after the lasting satisfaction of Jesus, or living merely for yourself? When hardship occurs, difficulty strikes, and relationships fail, our hearts were created to first seek the Lord. In this, we are taken care of and our hearts are tended. But difficulties aside, choosing Jesus as the bread of life to sustain us is what we were made for in all things.

Other loves

We possess a special design in our spirits that only Jesus can fill. Unfortunatly, we can often fall in to habit of putting other things in that spot. These other things or “other loves” distract us from the Lord, and ultimately lead us to live lives for ourselves.

Jesus is the daily bread

It can become so easy to run to other loves. They distract, and some even temporarily fill our cups. Jesus not only fill us but sustains our entire lives. He is our daily bread–the bread we are meant to partake in first. The “other loves” of our heart may be possessions, money, or even ministries we lead or take part in. They might satisfy for a moment, but it’s the presence of Jesus guiding us that steadies our spirits. In Him, is true joy. It’s who He is, but it’s also what we were made to partake in.

“Jesus said to them, “Very 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. ³³For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:32-35)

October 14, 2022 0 comments

Faith Spotlight

Guard Your Eyes

by Lauren Koch July 20, 2022

written by Lauren Koch

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! (Matthew 6:22)

Guard your eyes from distraction

The health of our spirit is measured by the extent we are fixated on Jesus. Human desire, ambition, and distraction are three of the biggest culprits to letting darkness into our spirits, and ultimately our bodies. We are the light of the world, a city on a hill (Matthew 5:14). Our ability to carry out this call depends on how we fasten our eyes to Jesus. When we focus on only our own interests, instead of the business of heaven, we miss out on what God is doing in the earth today. Even more, we miss the joy of a life in relationship with the father. Stay enamored with Jesus’s love, words, and perspective by setting your sight on Him alone, guard your eyes from distractions of this world.

Staying focused

How do you let your daily life determine your focus? Do you allow inconveniences and emotions to dictate where your eyes stay looking? There is a greater place to look, from heaven. God looks from heaven and laughs (Psalm 2:4). You, too, are seated in heavenly places, able to respond with joy to the life in front of you.

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6-7)

From this place, God has much to show us.

July 20, 2022 0 comments

Faith

The Bloodhound Personality

by The Shulammite October 16, 2019

written by The Shulammite

The Bloodhound

Perhaps most famous for its scent-tracking abilities, the bloodhound is also a loyal and caring companion. The bloodhound’s personality endears one to them because their stubborn and affectionate nature showcases their relentless desire to smother and be overwhelmed with love (or slobber).

Intelligent and highly aware of their surroundings, these characteristics get thrown out the window once they pick up on a trail. Fine-tuned to track, all energy and devotion become dedicated to discovering new horizons.

Despite having solemn eyes and droopy faces, these independent, curious, and honorable canines exude determination, and their skillset is called upon by judges and the police force.

Engineered to find their target, the bloodhound’s history showcases that they remain unrivaled in their strong detective skills among the scent hounds.

They are deemed “reliable” because they get the job done.

“Whatever piques my interest, gets my devotion.”

The bloodhound reminds us that the future could sometimes disrupt the present if we go off on a tangent. For example:

Whenever a peculiar and interesting scent is picked up, the skin folds over the bloodhound’s eyes and its ears drop to the ground. The excitement neutralizes discernment.

In these instances, the bloodhound becomes vulnerable to any attack or unknowingly walks into it.

As such, during these times, it requires the firm hand of a master to bring them into alignment and back to reality.

Busy About Many Things

Let’s learn a lesson from Martha.

We read in Luke 10:40:

“But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to Him, and said, Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.”

The word cumbered, perispaō, signifies mental distraction, being over-busy, or to be driven about mentally (or drawn away). Martha was distracted and dragging around unnecessary baggage, so much so, that she even resorted to subtly calling Jesus’ attention.

Comparative to the bloodhound, this type of thinking doesn’t perceive it’s erroneous. It’s steadfast in having its way and desires that others, even those in authority, submit to its will.

Think of it this way: the bloodhound personality leads one to trek down paths that have no higher purpose than the immediate relief of anxiety or a small fraction of peace.

Ultimately, the trails are dead ends and only lead to disappointment because they aren’t vital to our walk with Christ.

A Moment of Reflection

At times, we can become so focused on the future (or present circumstances) that we entirely forfeit the Master’s joy (see Nehemiah 8:10), and in these moments, we require a gentle rebuke.

So, Jesus would reply, as He did to Martha, saying:

“Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things, but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

Critically, we must note that we “choose” to go down dead ends when we shut out wisdom’s voice or neglect personal time with the Holy Spirit.

A Call to Focus

We must examine whether there are areas in our lives or thoughts leading us astray. Sometimes, the enemy twists the truth. If we aren’t vigilant, we consider the lie as Eve did in the garden of Eden (see Genesis 3:1-6).

Let’s ask ourselves:

What areas of my life require spring cleaning?
Have I covered my eyes and ears to instruction?
Am I distracted?
Where do I need to focus?

Christ said to “ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” (Luke 10:9)

The question isn’t whether Jesus answers prayers. Instead, it’s if we’re listening or have unknowingly walked down a dead end. In such cases, a rebuke can save our lives.

Therefore, this week, let’s focus and ask ourselves:

Have I chosen what cannot be taken away?

October 16, 2019 0 comments

Articles Faith

Resting In God

by Keith Harris September 30, 2019

written by Keith Harris

Resting in God is difficult for me. I am a person of action. If I’m not in action, I’m probably sleeping. Everyone I know is overwhelmed with action items. We are struggling through each day trying to make progress.

Even God, while creating the world, took the seventh day off. “Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had done.” (Genesis 2:1-3)

The creator certainly sets a good example for His people to follow. We must take time for resting in God or it will catch up with us. Rest doesn’t come easy, but God designed us to need rest. Yes, we can work hard, but we must rest.

Resting In God Is Found In Jesus

I’ve come to understand that Jesus is the source of peace and rest in my life. Peace is not something I can conjure up on my own. It’s not in my power. I only receive it when Jesus offers it to me. Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Jesus is telling us, “You don’t have to try so hard. You must go where I go, do what I tell you to do. Resting in God is found in me, and I’ll make sure we get where we’re going.”

In the normal course of action, however, good habits for rest are an important factor in daily life. Certainly, I’m not the model for good habits. However, I’ve had to learn a few of these habits the hard way. Here are some tips for developing a restful way of life.

Prayer

Prayer helps me to focus my attention on God, reminding me I’m not in control. The creator of the universe is directing my steps. This works best in my life by developing a habit of continuous, regular connection with my creator.

A few years back, I tried an experiment of connecting with God once every 60 minutes through the course of my waking hours. John Burke, pastor and author outlines this practice in his book, Soul Revolution. Burke describes the development of habit over 60 days. He says, “As you go through your days, seek a continuous conversation with God, using every sixty-minute beep of the watch as a reminder to reorient yourself into a continuous conversation of willingness.”

I find this habit to be central to a pattern of good communication with God. It helps to develop a habit of continuous prayer. I don’t have to use a beeping alarm every hour to remain connected. Instead, I connect with God every time I get up from my desk. As I go through my day, I take God along. I pray short prayers, connecting with Him every chance I get. Peace is added to my day by a continuous connection with God.

Paul told the Christ-followers in Ephesus, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18)

Bible Study

To rest easy, you need to know God’s Word. Taking time to know the Bible helps you to recall it more easily when you need it. Many scriptures talk about how to react when you’re worried and struggling. God tells us repeatedly, “do not fear, for I am with you.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Knowing what the Bible says will help you tap into the peace that can only come from the Prince of Peace. We can know peace because we know Peace – Jesus Christ. In a favorite passage, Jesus tells His followers, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

When I have trouble sleeping due to stress or anxiety, I often turn to Psalms in the Bible. The Psalms have a way of helping me in times of trouble. They remind me I’m not alone. Psalms handles this with poetry and songs. Many of these were written by David, who struggled with depression and crippling anxiety.

Psalms has a way of calming me, especially the verses that praise God, helping me realize He loves me. Reading scripture helps me to ease my troubled mind and find peace – sometimes enough peace to sleep.

Avoid Distractions

Not all rest is sleep. Sometimes I need to turn off the television. Sometimes I need to go for a walk. Sometimes a day of solitude might be in order. A day of rest or even an hour or two of rest can do wonders for my mental health.

You can see that rest is not just sitting on the couch or sleeping it off. It’s developing good habits for mental health. When you go for a walk or exercise, it releases cortisol in your brain. That will make you feel better.

Good Spiritual Habits

Developing good habits for rest and following Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is the best way to find rest in God. Commit yourself to a regular habit of prayer, reading God’s Word, and avoiding distractions is a great start to finding rest. Stepping into a moment-by-moment journey with the creator will lead you to the rest you need.

September 30, 2019 0 comments

Faith

The Most Effective Method Satan Uses To Keep People’s Focus Off Jesus

by Joyca Lorriene June 5, 2019

written by Joyca Lorriene

Satan will use anything to keep us from coming closer to God because he knows the glorious future that awaits us when we give our lives over to God entirely. The enemy will try and keep us away from our God-given destiny, and is glad when the children of the light don’t actually walk in the light. Distraction is his best way to sway people. It is the devil’s most prolific trap to try and get us off track.

Key tactic: distraction

Distraction is something that prevents people from giving their full attention to something important. Distraction is something that will divert someone’s attention or focus on things that don’t matter.

Busy days, occupied weeks, full of the things of this world. Worries, greed, and life’s pleasures. All of that will only work to distract us if we fail to keep our eyes on Jesus. Every distracted moment is a moment that we will never get back. Every day is a matter of choice – what are our priorities going to be?

We need to choose things that will bring us closer to God, priorities that will help us grow closer to Him.

Satan uses specific things to distract people

We live in a digital world, and because of that, distraction can be overwhelming. Satan loves to distract people from their purpose, focus, responsibilities, and even from their walk with the Lord.

Every morning that we wake up and every night before we go to sleep, we should be opening our Bibles and meditating on God’s Word. We should have communion with God through prayer unceasingly, but because of our digital world, a surprisingly low number of Christians actually keep up with this practice.

Most people nowadays will open their cellphones the moment they wake up and the moment before they go to sleep to check on emails or texts, etc. This is a major issue for people – without them even realizing that they have become distracted away from the presence of the Lord. His is the voice that we most need to hear first thing in the morning and at the end of the day.

A waste of time

If we’re not careful, spending time on things that don’t matter can actually eat away our most precious moments in life. Time is precious and important. We are given 24 hours a day and it’s up to us how we make use of that time efficiently.

We can’t turn back time, but we can decide to learn how to manage time properly.

Our priority as Children of God is to be with Him, always meditating on His Word and reflecting on His goodness. Our purpose lies within the will of God for our lives, and we will only know Hs will for us when we learn how to prioritize His presence and be in constant communion with Him.

“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:3-7)

June 5, 2019 0 comments

Articles

When You’re Facing A Giant Called Distraction

by Brian Taylor November 30, 2018

written by Brian Taylor

Every day, no matter who or where we are, we face giants. The giant called Distraction is probably one of the most annoying and disruptive of all. Even as you’re reading this, there are probably many things that are distracting you. It could be the ping of your Twitter or Facebook apps, or your cell phone notifying you of an appointment you have to keep in a few minutes. It could be the driver of a car outside slamming on the brakes as they’re distracted by a child crossing the street, who may have been distracted by someone who was watching a plane fly overhead. Distractions come and go all day. The key is not to allow the Giant to get us so off task that we lose sight of the bigger picture.

I was reminded of that very thing while in a service, listening to Bishop B Courtney McBath give a convicting message about not allowing ourselves to become distracted. In his message he drew from the text in Luke 10:38-42. This is the passage where Martha is complaining to Jesus about how upset she is over the fact that Mary is not helping her prepare and serve the meal like she has chosen to do. He points out how it isn’t wrong for Martha to be doing what she is doing; in fact it is what she is good at and what she is called for. The problem was that in her frustration over being alone in it, she was asking Jesus to demand and command Mary to stop worshiping at His feet which was the more desirable thing.

So often we can miss the more desirable thing in our tasks, and even in things we actually believe we have been called to do. Just recently my wife was telling me about some people she encountered who were working in what many Christians would consider the ideal place for a Christian. Yet they exuded such frustration and discontent, because they were distracted by the fact that they had lost sight of their work being a form of worship.

Work and worship are indeed inextricably tied to one another.

When we allow attitudes of others, specific tasks, and problems that come up, or unforeseen situations arise to take our eyes off of who it is that we’re here for, we position ourselves to be brought down by the giant rather than taking the giant down ourselves. Like Peter allowing his surroundings to cause him to lose sight of Jesus when he called Him out onto the water, we start to sink rather than walk in whatever He called us to. We’re called to take territory for His Kingdom and to reclaim everything that was lost.

Whatever you’re facing, be it sickness or disease, loss of income or employment, a strained relationship or any number of things that can be deemed a distraction; give those things over to Jesus in prayer. If those things are a distraction to your ability to pray, like anxious little children, remember that even Jesus got himself away from others for a time so that he could put off distractions. There are times when we have to disconnect and unplug from the things of this world in order to get reconnected to the real world from whence we came. We are children of God, spiritual beings having a human experience. When we connect to our Heavenly Father, just as Mary sat at the foot of Jesus, He looks at us with pleasing eyes saying that, “We have chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from us.”

November 30, 2018 1 comment