distraction [+] Thursday E-Devotion

Psalm 34:8 (nlt) --- Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

Psalm 69:32 (nlt) --- The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God's help be encouraged.

This has been a big week as God has worked in the ministry we are part of. Yet Satan is often trying to get God's people to look away or be distracted from what God is doing. We have to remember that Satan's plan is to take from us, and we have to see and know and claim that God's plan is to give to us (see John 10:10).

Each summer my wife and kids leave for a week or two to spend time with my in laws in Georgia. They have a great time and really enjoy that connection. When my family is away, I try to do some special things ... more time with God, focus on a project or two, maybe some reading and the like. I have noticed every day and most days several times a day that there are loads of distractions. Some of them I can control and some of them I cannot control.

What do I need to do? I have to focus. I have to make sure to guard my time with God. That is a choice. In fact, one of the things that I tell church leaders is that God has set us up to be thermostats and not thermometers. What's the difference? One sets the temperature while the other becomes the temperature of the surroundings.

Satan wins and distracts us when we are like a thermometer, allowing our surrounds and situations to change us. We have to make choices and set up some things that keeps us influencing others, being a thermostat.

I am so excited about all God is doing, but if I let happenings or surroundings or issues get in the way, I will miss God and not be where He is working. I have a choice. Do you see it? Distractions keep us from not only seeing God, but they keep us from living the life He has blessed us to live.

This past Sunday evening the House of Prayer voted to become a part of The Community Fellowship, and then Monday morning a huge water leak was found at the House of Prayer's building. It has taken several thousand dollars to correct and end the problem. That is a distraction, if we let it be. But God is at work all around this situation.

It is time for the church to center on God and stop letting Satan win the battles by taking our attention off of what matters, off of what God is doing. You and I have choices to make.

1 Corinthians 7:35 (nlt) --- ... I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.

Hebrews 12:2-3 (nlt) --- We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up.

Join the ONE PRAYER conversation at www.oneprayer.com. The Community Fellowship and over 1,470 churches are focusing on God together for four weeks. Spend time praying, fasting, sharing and seeking God. It will change your life and your focus. Join us.

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you

why is it Good Friday?

Holy Week is the time we focus on God and His gift of salvation. We come to Friday. The day we remember the cross, Jesus’ death and all God has done for you and me Why do they call this day “Good Friday” because it doesn’t seems good? Jesus was treated as a criminal. He was beaten so much that He could not recognize Him. His pain would have been too much for you or me to endure. That is especially from Scripture I’ve read or as in the movie the Passion of the Christ . Yet it is a good day. It is Good Friday because God had our good in His heart. What Jesus did that day changed our forever direction. Here are some thoughts that come to me: He is Redemption and Redeemer He too our Pain and Punishment He is our Righteousness and Reality He is the Savior and Life All of those happened from the cross. It was meant for the worst lawbreakers. It was not meant for a Savior who never broke a law. It was lifted high so that onlookers could see the price Jesus. Look

Day 8 in Cuba

We have just come off and incredible weekend, and it is day 8 of the mission trip in Cuba. Thank you to all who have been praying for this trip, the mission team and the impact it will have on those we serve. Please don’t stop praying. Last week Alex and I served with a mission team in the mountains of southern Cuba. There were several challenges, but God gave us safety, provision and opportunity to serve some of the sweetest people I have ever met. No running water… sporadic electricity generated by a small, logo dammed up river, no transportation other than animals, limited food sources and more. These people love the Lord and sharing their faith with others. Over the weekend we made our way back to Havana. On Friday our vehicle broke down leaving us on the side of the road for several hours. We then boarded a bus and rode 14 hours. We arrived safely and even got some rest. Sunday was so, so good. We visited two partner churches. In the morning we were with one church that

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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