This
morning, I was praying about what I should write about today…just not feeling
any specific direction…and then I thought…“Don’t Get Distracted.” Was there any
use of the word “distracted” in the Bible? Sure enough. Solomon had written
some wise word about that very thing. It is easy for me to get distracted. A
couple hours after I started this writing adventure for the day…being sidetracked
by yard work, laundry, reading a couple of devotions, browsing through a few
Facebook entries, and having lunch…I’m sitting in the sun trying to type
this…but it is just too bright on the screen. I had such good intentions of
spending the morning writing and then cleaning my study—at least clearing off
my desk!
Solomon
often addressed his child as he wrote Proverbs. Throughout the Bible we frequently
are advised to “listen” and one of the recurrent ones is to “listen and obey.”
Here are a few listening verses.
And now, Israel, listen
carefully to these decrees and regulations that I am about to teach you.
Obey them so that you may live, so you may enter and occupy the land that the
LORD, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. Deuteronomy 4:1
Commit yourself to instruction; listen
carefully to words of knowledge.
Proverbs 23:12
Let those who are wise understand
these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of
the LORD are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But
in those paths sinners stumble and fall. Hosea 14:9
So we must listen very carefully
to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. - Hebrews 2:1
God blesses the one who reads the
words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to
its message and obey what it says, for the time is near. Revelation 1:3
Yes, the
time is near…and yet unknown. Every day we should be prepared—listening for God’s
call. He has given us lots of predictions in Bible prophecy, so we’ll have no
excuse if we are not ready. First and foremost is the command to repent—admit
that we are sinners and turn to God for forgiveness and acceptance. He loves us
with a love that is greater than our sins and Jesus proved this by giving up
His life for us.
This is my commandment: Love each
other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay
down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.
- John 15:12-14
So, back to return to Solomon’s advice, Don’t get sidetracked, I need to get focused…and stay focused. Hard to do on a beautiful spring day when the yardwork and garden are calling me. Then there is the admission, at least to myself, that I am a hoarder and I must GET RID of excess stuff! It is sidetracking me. How about you? Have you committed your life to the Lord…and are you staying on track? Or are you sidetracked by things that divert your attention away from God and what He wants you to do today? Guard your heart…look strait ahead…mark out a straight path…stay on the safe path. God has a plan for you. Seek it out and keep your feet from following evil. Don’t get sidetracked.
 |
| Choose your direction - stay on that path. Signpost in Northern Israel. Don't get sidetracked. |
Prayer – Lord God, help me not to get sidetracked by the tyranny of the urgent that call out to me…do this now…even when I know that I need to follow Your path and keep my eyes, heart, mind and feet focused on what You want me to do. I praise Your name—for I respect You. Thank you for revealing this truth to me so that I am not distracted by worldly and evil things.
Meditate.
Consider God’s plan for holiness in your life.
Verse
of Salvation ~ Cry out, "Save us, O God of our salvation! Gather and
rescue us from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice
and praise you." 1
Chronicles 16:35
Friday’s
Feast at the King’s Table
It’s a
great day for an outdoor lunch. Consider a picnic in the park…even for supper.
Sunshine. Fresh Air. What could be better? How about making some wraps and
serve them with fresh apple slices and some cheddar cheese.
Quick
Wraps
1 per
person - low-carb or keto no-carb tortillas 8 or 10-inch size.
Cream cheese
– flavored with
herbs or mix in your own oregano, basil, thyme, or chives.
Protein – choose thin sliced turkey, roast
beef, ham, fish, hard boiled eggs, mashed beans or hummus.
Lettuce
or other mixed
greens – about 1 cup per person.
Vegetables – Cooked or raw about1 cup per person:
asparagus, thinly sliced lengthwise cucumber, grated carrots, onions, snow peas,
sliced peppers, green beans, beets thinly sliced celery, alfalfa or other
sprouts, thinly sliced tomatoes, thinly sliced dill pickles, or other vegetables
of your choice.
Fruit – if fruits are part of your diet,
add small chopped amounts to your wrap.
Cheese
– thinly sliced or
grated cheese of your choice. For low-fat, choose parmesan, mozzarella, or goat
cheese.
Spread creamed
cheese onto tortilla. Add lettuce, protein, vegetables and cheese. Roll wrap up
and cut into 1-2 inch cross-sections. Store in a covered container until ready to eat.
Enjoy!
© 2025 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Books by Mickey M.
Hunacek
Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com
Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character
Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories
No comments:
Post a Comment