Fatal Distractions

I don't normally write devotionals about biblical passages, but something struck me when doing my bible reading today. I am a day behind in my study of Colossians, so this is about yesterdays verses. Colossians, 3:1-4 "Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things above, not on earthly things. For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ in your life appears, then you will also appear with Him in Glory." What struck me about this was it says to set your hearts AND minds on the things above. We have to turn all of ourselves towards Christ. We need to be mindful of where our hearts are and we need to be mindful of where our minds are. Our minds are processors, just like computers. We take in info and process it through our world eyes, which is what we have lived and learned, and come up with our thoughts and opinions about how we see this world. We are the only creation on earth that processes our world that we are surrounded by, in this way. We can choose to make the choice, good or bad. Each choice then leads to a consequence. Really, it is something that we teach our children from the very beginning. So, when we run into a situation that will affect it, our minds have to consider the different outcomes and then make the choice to do whichever we choose. It is beautiful. We get to choose. That is the freedom that the Lord granted us. For instance, I can look at that little Mazda 5 that will fit all six of us and no one and nothing else, but gets great gas mileage. I could sell my vehicle that seats 7 and has room for groceries and a dog too. I could spend hours of dreaming of a new vehicle and searching for good deals on the internet, trying to figure out how I would be able to talk my hubby into buying it for me. OR I could be content, that I have a vehicle that is in good shape, gets ok gas mileage, is already paid off and fits everything that I need. I could do either of these things. Sadly, I have been doing the first choice. I got so distracted that I obsessed about it. It was a distraction which keet me from things of above. Instead, I need to be attracted to the things of above. When you are attracted to something, it keeps your eyes from looking elsewhere. Got it? Are you still with me??? So, back on track, if we have made the choice to follow the Lord, Jesus Christ then, my sweet friends, our world has changed. We now have a filter named Christ. Our processor includes a built in feature. See, we live in a tangible world where the things of this world are in our faces. TV's, nice cars, big homes, commercials and magazines, they tell us we are not good enough the way we are. In order to make it through these attacks from the evil one, which they are, we have to USE THE FILTER of Jesus to tell us who we are. We have to make the effort to SET our hearts and minds on the things of above, towards Jesus. It takes effort. It is easy to sit and SEE and FEEL and HEAR and TASTE the things of this world because it is here. It is now. It is real. But our minds and hearts know different. Jesus is here and now. He lives in us. He is our filter. All the things we do go through Him and our choices and lives should reflect that. Truly, it's not about the things here and now, it is about Jesus and being a reflection of the above things and not the world things. We should be going into the world and showing Jesus to the lost. We should be a city on a hill, above this world. Not of it, but in it. If you are not using your filter to process your world, you should be. If you haven't accepted this filter, you need to. Your life will change and He wants to do it for you. He is reaching His hand out to bring you above this. All you have to do is reach out and take it and let Him. It is amazing what your life and world will look like with the filter of Jesus Christ to look through. If you want to and don't know what to do, ask a friend who does. If you don't have one or know one, send me an email or make a comment, I will help you. All you have to do is ask. Wow, that was a sermon! Sorry about that...it just started flowing out. Hopefully, it touches someone out there. Praise God! Be Blessed, Until we read again. wt

What am I so afraid of?

Dear God, This may seem like a silly way to communicate with you. I am laying my heart on the line for all to see. What am I so afraid of? Why can't I sit down and just be with you? For days now, I have put other things in front of you. So many other things. I feel like I am almost doing it on purpose. I can hear so still, small voice in my head calling me, beckoning me back to the place you brought me to, just a few weeks ago. Am I so hard headed that I won't even answer? Have I turned and walked away, again? TV shows are so important that I can't even make 10 minutes for you to speak to me in your Word? No, Lord, let me check my email first, I don't want to miss anything. Let me go get my run in, first. Let me go feed the dogs, first. Let me go volunteer at my girl's school, first. Let me go grocery shopping, first. Oh Lord, the list goes on and on. I see you with the scroll of excuses in my head. I come. Lord, on bended knee, I come. I ask you to forgive me for my disobedience. I confess to you that I have deliberately not done what you have asked me to do. I am afraid of the place you want to take me. I don't know what it will look like or what you are going to lead me to do. I have fear of the unknown. I know you want to do a work in my heart. Cleanse me and make me whole so I can better go forward in the commands you are teaching me to do. Lord, you gave me so much at the retreat, just a few weeks ago. I could feel your Power. I could feel you tangibly close. It seems so far away now, but yet, I almost sense it is just one step of obedience away. Your Peace is just a hand held out, all I need to do is reach. Why won't I? What am I so afraid of? Lord, I need you. I can't walk this path alone. You are my Creator. I know you have what is best for me in mind. I know you want to use me to shine your Light. Your Goodness and Mercy follows me. Your Countenance is upon me. Your Spirit lives in me. Give me your Courage to take the step into the unknown because it IS known by you. Guide me in your footsteps that you have already laid the path for me. You have given me enough to make through today. Your promises shall suffice for tomorrow. I come to you in obedience to make you first in my life. I give my time to you. Praise you Jesus. Thank you for second chances. In your Jesus name, Amen. Be blessed, Until we read again...