The biggest problem in our life is how busy we have become. I think a better word for it is “distracted”. We are so “distracted” as a society that we literally have to carve out “minutes” for different required activities.
Have you ever “scheduled” or blocked time on your calendar for Lunch? How about to read emails, call your spouse, your mom or dad? How about being double booked or triple booked? what does your time after work look like? Kids activities? Sports teams or events? Hobbies? Exercise & Fitness? How many time-management books or video’s have you read or seen? How about reading God’s word? Not so much? How about a devotional? Maybe, the “one minute” devotions for active Christians?
What does it really mean to be “Not of this world” or to “not conform to this world:? If you made two lists and on one side you placed all the things you do to advance your career, relationships, image, entertainment, finances or status in this world on one side and everything you do to grow you relationship with God and advance His kingdom on the other, what would it look like? (Now jot the time spent on each next to each.)
With that sort of balance, which world do you think you “belong” to most?
We know we give our time to what we “value” most. Where are you giving your time based on that list? If your list is very lopsided to this world in both activities and time, you are definitely not alone. If you step back and look around you will see that very few have stepped out of this-worldly race to occupy their time with things not of this world. This may be why when you look at the church these days, it doesn’t look much different from the secular world. Unbelievers see that too and cry hypocrisy.
It takes a lot of work to unplug and separate from the chaos. But it is so worth it. The peace and fulfillment are at a whole new level. Joy will return to your life slowly but surely. You will need to guard it every day, it is a constant battle against Satan himself to “distract” us from God and His purpose for our lives. We will get knocked off course, but we have to get back up and on course.
We desperately need to do this. We need to slow down, quiet our lives, and be still. Read God’s word, not a verse or two but chapters. We need to ponder it, muse, pray for discernment and understanding. God promises if you seek you will find and understand His purpose for you. This is a daily activity. Take up your cross daily!
We are called to “Be Still and know that I am God.” We need to slow down, as this world is speeding up.
Maranatha, Lord come quickly!
myblessedhope
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In Romans 10 Paul lays out how salvation is open to all, Jew and Gentile. He writes:
“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4-5
What he is saying is now it is not about works or how closely to a “T” you follow the law. But that it is through God’s gift of grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. It is really that simple, and yet a hard step for some of us.
“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9
Christ is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), through faith in Him you will be saved. It is the only “works” that God requires for eternal salvation.
