Tuesday, May 28, 2024

FREE of distraction

 

1 John 2:16

King James Version

16 For all that is in the world, 

the lust of the flesh, 

and the lust of the eyes, 

and the pride of life, 

is not of the Father, 

but is of the world.


How GLORIOUS the WORD of GOD is!

So much so, I don't need to look at a pretty face, for report.

I don't need to listen to mega-preachers to hear Scripture.

I don't need to hear lengthy band music, before a sermon.

Media is full of it.

It's all vanity.


Over-made-up female presenters.

Over-confident male presenters.

Preachers forgetting the power of GOD's WORD.

Which needs no fluff.

The WORD of GOD is beautiful in itself.

No need for distracting images, music, or special effects.

Or presenters and preachers who love the sound of their voice.

Basking in their looks, fame, power, influence, and following.

Sorry, but I have no need for such.

The more I encounter such, the more I stay away.

If you are to share the gospel of CHRIST, you must be these:

Proverbs 31:30

King James Version

30 Favour is deceitful, 

and beauty is vain: 

but a woman that feareth the Lord, 

she shall be praised.


John 3:30-31

King James Version

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

31 He that cometh from above is above all: 

he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: 

he that cometh from heaven is above all.


1 Peter 5:2-3

King James Version

2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, 

taking the oversight thereof, 

not by constraint, but willingly; 

not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, 

but being examples to the flock.


More often than not, I close my eyes as I listen to a sermon.

Just relishing the beauty of GOD's WORD.

Through a simple, and conscientious preacher.

Who cares not for trends, delivery, or new ways of catching attention.

That's why sometimes, podcasts are better.

You just hear the voice of the preacher.

You don't necessarily connect a face to the voice.

GOD's WORD stands in its glory, beauty, and simplicity.

Did JESUS, the Son of GOD, show up as a rich man?

Did GOD's prophets care how they looked?

Did JESUS' apostles primp?


Remember when only radios existed?

Ever seen documentaries on that?

Wherein a whole family would group around a radio.

And would listen to news, music, comedies, or drama.

Well, I grew up with radio, and television.

Now, it's all social media.

Changing the face of communications.

And connections.


Everyone trying to outdo the other.

Where nothing seems real anymore.

Where GOD's WORD is being drowned by Satan.

Or so he tries.

Using all kinds of distractions to deceive, and destroy us.

Mostly using the female form and voice, as come-ons.

Without a pretty female, would you watch the news?

Without a flashy pastor, would you listen to his sermon?

Without a band to open a sermon, would you pay attention?


What happened to just reading the Bible, and letting GOD's WORD speak to you?

What happened to praying to JESUS, and waiting for an answer?

What happened to listening to the HOLY SPIRIT, for instructions?

What happened to sharing the Bible, just as it is?

Does the Bible really need all that fluff?

Doesn't GOD's WORD stand on its own HOLY merits?

Do "messengers" really need that much attention?

Why is the focus on us, and not the WORD?


We wrote about the devil's "devices".

All that which is designed to distract you.

From the thing that really matters most -- JESUS.

John 14:6

King James Version

6 Jesus saith unto him, 

I am the way, the truth, and the life: 

no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.


2 Corinthians 4:4

King James Version

4 In whom the god of this world 

hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, 

lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, 

who is the image of God, 

should shine unto them.


2 Corinthians 11:3-4

King James Version

3 But I fear, lest by any means, 

as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, 

so your minds should be corrupted 

from the simplicity that is in Christ.

4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, 

whom we have not preached, 

or if ye receive another spirit, 

which ye have not received, 

or another gospel, 

which ye have not accepted, 

ye might well bear with him.


I do not yearn for the world's ways.

I only yearn for GOD's WORD, ways, will, and wisdom.

JESUS suffices.

2 Corinthians 3:5

King James Version

5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves 

to think any thing as of ourselves; 

but our sufficiency is of God;


Now you see why I study quietly, and privately.

And avoid flashy preachers, and presenters.

I only want to hear the WORD of GOD.

In all its peace, power, purity, perfection, and precision.

Delighting my childlike heart no end.

Psalm 63:6-7

King James Version

6 When I remember thee upon my bed, 

and meditate on thee in the night watches.

7 Because thou hast been my help, 

therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.


Psalm 119:97

King James Version

97 O how love I thy law! 

it is my meditation all the day.


2 Timothy 2:15

King James Version

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, 

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, 

rightly dividing the word of truth.


It's actually simple.

JESUS stands for FOCUS on GOD.

Satan, for distraction, division, and destruction.


As born again, I have an uncluttered mind.

Its only content is JESUS.


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The TRUE BORN AGAIN

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Image: Clipart Library


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