Are You Distracted?

“Are You Distracted?

God calls us to be fully present to the moment at hand, but so often we are lost in another world, lost in the past, lost in the future, lost in our anguish, lost even in our joys. Or perhaps we just get lost in the latest silly game on our smart phones while someone or some task needs our full attention. (Thibodeaux,2015).

What are those distractions keeping you from being present to the moment at hand impacting your relationship with Jesus Christ?

How are distractions preventing you from experiencing life as God planned for you?

 

“Distraction”  definition - “a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else.

synonyms - diversion, interruption, disturbance, intrusion, interference, obstruction, hindrance

John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

What “Boundaries have you established for your life that is allowing you to make healthy Choices?”

How are you dealing with your distractions?

Mark 10:46-52 (CEB) 46 Jesus and his followers came into Jericho. As Jesus was leaving Jericho, together with his disciples and a sizable crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, Timaeus’ son, was sitting beside the road. 

47 When he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was there, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, show me mercy!” 

48 Many scolded him, telling him to be quiet, but he shouted even louder, “Son of David, show me mercy!”

49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him forward.”

They called the blind man, “Be encouraged! Get up! He’s calling you.”

50 Throwing his coat to the side, he jumped up and came to Jesus.

51 Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

The blind man said, “Teacher, I want to see.”

52 Jesus said, “Go, your faith has healed you.” At once he was able to see, and he began to follow Jesus on the way.

 

God calls us to be fully present to the moment at hand

Expose Your life to Gods’ Examination. 

 

Be Intentional (Be willing, open and vulnerable to God )

Be Strategic (Create a Spiritual Formation Plan for your life. Email me and I will email you a Spiritual Formation Plan Document)

Be Accountable! (Prayer Partners. Men to Men, Women to Women.)

 

Proverbs 28:13 Those who hide their sins won’t succeed,

but those who confess and give them up will receive mercy.

 

1. Lost in the past - (What things in your past haven’t you placed on His altar?)

2. Lost in the future - (Luke 12:22 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Therefore, I say to you, don’t worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.

3. Lost in anguish  - (Matthew 11:30 My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.”)

4. Lost even in our joys - (Declare that everything You own belongs to God. Luke 12:34 Where your treasure is, there your heart will be too.) 

 

“The Maximum You are willing to give, will always determine the Minimum You get back.”

 

God has a plan for Your life! 

Jeremiah 29:11 I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the LORD; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope.

“Boundaries define us. They define what is me and what is not me. A boundary shows me where I end and someone else begins, leading me to a sense of ownership.” (Cloud,p.29) 

“The inability to set appropriate boundaries at appropriate times with the appropriate people can be very destructive.” (Cloud, p.25)

 

“Distraction”  definition - “a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else.

Synonyms - diversion, interruption, disturbance, intrusion, interference, obstruction, hindrance

 

John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

 

“Get Connected, Stay Connected”

My email: 

realpurpose.pastorboblenz@gmail.com

 

References

Common English Bible: (2010). A Fresh Translation to Touch the Heart and Mind. New Testament. Common English Bible.

Cloud, Henry; Townsend, John. Boundaries: When To Say Yes, How to Say No (p. 25). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. 

Thibodeaux, Mark E.. Reimagining the Ignatian Examen: Fresh Ways to Pray from Your Day (p. 18). Loyola Press.

Calhoun, A. A. (2005). Spiritual disciplines handbook: Practices that transform us. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible : English standard version. Wheaton, IL: Author.

Foster, R. J. (1988). Celebration of discipline: The path to spiritual growth. San Francisco: Harper & Row.

Foster, N. (2014). The making of an ordinary saint: My journey from frustration to joy with the spiritual disciplines. Grand Rapids: BakerBooks.