Squirrel!

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

Today's Passage: James 1:25 (Message)
Memory Verse: Matthew 14:24-31 (Message)

Lol!  Y'all remember that dog in the animated movie 'Up?'  My kids (okay I did too) laughed loudly when he was talking to the man and stopped mid-sentence to acknowledge the squirrel he saw.  The dog was so distracted, he couldn't stay focused long enough to properly introduce himself to the man.  That was funny, but distraction in real Christian life is not.

James 1:25 says: "But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God (the free life) even out of the corner of his eye, AND STICKS WITH IT, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action."   God's word is teaching us that we are either locked on to His will, or a bunch of people who.....squirrel!  The mind is a delicate thing.  It's a biological supercomputer.  It's always analyzing, rationalizing, developing, planning, responding, and producing new thoughts.  Therefore, it needs a focus; a bullseye.  Because God is the only One who understands the mind, He put enough "mysteries" in His word to keep it busy.    The reason He did that is He knew all satan needs is a distracted mind.  Just one look away from God gives him enough space to cause trouble.  satan (within himself) has no tangible power over us, but we give him power via distraction.  Let's look at Peter.  He looked out over the water and saw Jesus walking on it.  He asked if he could meet Jesus on the water, and He allowed him to come.  There was Peter, walking on water like Jesus.  Then it happened.....Squirrel!   As soon as Peter became distracted, natural law took over where spiritual law was abounding.  He began to sink into the deep, forcing Jesus to save him.  My Friends, Jesus allowed Peter to walk on the water because He had a theory.  He wanted proof that a focused mind can leave the natural and "walk" in the supernatural upon request.  Jesus was right, of course.  Can you imagine our church services being full of supernatural occurrences; that "free life" mentioned in James?  If we stay focused on God's will, we can have it.

I challenge you to find your focus.  It's important to do so because a distracted mind leads one to a divided walk.    Don't worry about the water (natural) under your feet.  God's got you.  Stay focused on Him, and nothing will stop you.  You want the job over the person with the degree?  Stay focused.  You want health in spite of the doctor's report?  Stay focused.  God's got such great plans for you.  Those plans are revealed more and more each time our Pastors speak to you on Sundays.  Therefore, lock in and be attentive, or you'll miss the very thing you'll need to get to the next level of your life.

Prayer:  Lord, You are my focus, and You have my undivided attention.  I commit to listening to whatever You have to say.  I repent for allowing myself to become distracted.  So speak to my heart.  It's ready for You now.  Teach me how to live that free life You talk about in Your word.  Show me Your glory, and I'll never look away again...in Jesus' name, Amen.