December 8, 2019 / / / Travel Light / / / Week 2: "Letting Go Of Distractions".
In a crowded, busy holiday season, it's common for people to feel weighed down. Sometimes we carry weight that God never intended that we carry. His solution is simple: Let go of the baggage and travel light.
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Title: "Letting Go Of Distractions"
Speaker: Jim Hammond
Series: Travel Light
I. Have A MARY Christmas
Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" 41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:40 (NIV)
But Martha was distracted (περισπάω) by all the preparations that had to be made.
perispao (περισπάω) Literally, "to be drawn around" something, hence "to be drawn away, distracted." It means to be overoccupied by the thing you are drawn around.
REFLECT
Often the most difficult choices aren't between good and bad but between good and best.
When you aren't feeling attraction toward God, a good question to ask yourself is, "What good thing have I made central while neglecting the best thing?"
II. The devil doesn't need to DESTROY you if he can DISTRACT you.
Principles For Intimate Relationships
o Attraction is strengthened by attentiveness.
o Distraction is inattentiveness.
o Distraction weakens attraction.
Proverbs 4:5 (NIV)
Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.
Proverbs 4:25-27 (NIV)
Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. 26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
We take only a passing Godward glance then like a minnow we dart away into the shadows.
We are so distracted we don't even notice our inattentiveness...but God notices.
III. Choose what is BETTER
Luke 10:42 (NIV)
"…Mary has chosen what is better…"
1. Focus on the important.
In a distracted, outraged, shallow culture, people hunger for something rare: the focused, "whole", and caring person. When people meet someone like that they are drawn to that person. They are regarded as a rare, kind, and caring person who lives at a deeper level than the surface.
Suggestions:
· Listen to Jesus.
· Make Jesus your center.
· Listen attentively to His text messages.
· When you are close and quiet you will also hear Him whisper.
· Then let going deep get simple. Do what he says.
God, You are worthy of our praise and our undivided attention. Help us to focus our eyes on You. Holy Spirit, show us where we are distracted and give us Your power to let go of anything that's holding us back. Jesus, may we be centered on, and compelled by Your love. Amen!
In a crowded, busy holiday season, it's common for people to feel weighed down. Sometimes we carry weight that God never intended that we carry. His solution is simple: Let go of the baggage and travel light.
==========
Title: "Letting Go Of Distractions"
Speaker: Jim Hammond
Series: Travel Light
I. Have A MARY Christmas
Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" 41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:40 (NIV)
But Martha was distracted (περισπάω) by all the preparations that had to be made.
perispao (περισπάω) Literally, "to be drawn around" something, hence "to be drawn away, distracted." It means to be overoccupied by the thing you are drawn around.
REFLECT
Often the most difficult choices aren't between good and bad but between good and best.
When you aren't feeling attraction toward God, a good question to ask yourself is, "What good thing have I made central while neglecting the best thing?"
II. The devil doesn't need to DESTROY you if he can DISTRACT you.
Principles For Intimate Relationships
o Attraction is strengthened by attentiveness.
o Distraction is inattentiveness.
o Distraction weakens attraction.
Proverbs 4:5 (NIV)
Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.
Proverbs 4:25-27 (NIV)
Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. 26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
We take only a passing Godward glance then like a minnow we dart away into the shadows.
We are so distracted we don't even notice our inattentiveness...but God notices.
III. Choose what is BETTER
Luke 10:42 (NIV)
"…Mary has chosen what is better…"
1. Focus on the important.
In a distracted, outraged, shallow culture, people hunger for something rare: the focused, "whole", and caring person. When people meet someone like that they are drawn to that person. They are regarded as a rare, kind, and caring person who lives at a deeper level than the surface.
Suggestions:
· Listen to Jesus.
· Make Jesus your center.
· Listen attentively to His text messages.
· When you are close and quiet you will also hear Him whisper.
· Then let going deep get simple. Do what he says.
God, You are worthy of our praise and our undivided attention. Help us to focus our eyes on You. Holy Spirit, show us where we are distracted and give us Your power to let go of anything that's holding us back. Jesus, may we be centered on, and compelled by Your love. Amen!
