Be alert!

I mentioned yesterday that there were two truths/reminders that came from my water fiasco (which the recovery process continues- I hear the fans and smell the "sweet" aroma as we speak.....or as I write) The second truth is this:

IT IS NOT GOOD TO BE DISTRACTED. BAD THINGS HAPPEN WHEN WE ARE NOT ALERT.

DISTRACT- Cause you to turn away from the original focus of attention or interest; to side-track;divert

synonym- forgetful

opposite- ALERT

ALERT- vigilantly attentive; watchful; aware; prepared for danger or emergency

Listen to these words ( and not just any words.....truth, food for the soul, life, that which can free you)



" Be self-controlled and ALERT. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith......." 1 Peter 5 :8

"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms...............With this in mind, BE ALERT and always keep on praying for all the saints." Eph. 6:10 -18

"...you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'Peace and safety' destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregant woman (right Laurie Engbers who just gave birth to Mya Kate on Wed??????)........but let us be ALERT and self-controlled." 1 Thessalonians 5:6

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be ALERT! You do not know when that time will come."Mark 13: 32 & 33

I was "caused to turn away from my original focus" of laundry, I think, by the desire for an ice cold diet Dr. Pepper. I started to fill up my sink, which is huge. I thought, "I have time while this is filling up to go grab a little "pleasure" out of the little fridge in the room next store. What I forgot was that pleasure is powerful. Pursuing pleasure can cause us to lose focus, cause us to turn away from our original focus. My focus for that day was: laundry. What is the focus or what should the focus be of a Fully devoted follower of Christ?????

Is it not to know Him and make Him known????? Is it not to be preparing in this life for the life to come.....the eternal life.....the place where He will dwell among us and wipe away every tear from our eye, where there will be no more mourning, weeping, pain.........."PARADISE" (Kelly H...she signs all her notes, 'paradise'). Is it not to "store up for ourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust don't decay"- Matthew 6:19 ??) Is our focus not to use everything He has given us to bring glory to His Name so that when we meet Him face to face we can hear those wonderful words,

"Well done, my good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:21

Is it not to be in "Godly Training" so as to prepare ourselves as 1 Timothy 4:8 suggests:

"Physical training is of SOME value, but GODLINESS has value for ALL things, holding promise for the present life and THE LIFE TO COME."

Scripture is clear. We do have a focus as believers in Jesus and His Words. NOW is our time to be alert and not distracted by all the pleasures in this world. There is a "life to come". What we do now, in this life, affects the life we have after our physical bodies are buried. So what is your, "Diet Dr.Pepper"???? What is distracting you from knowing God and making him known????What is keeping you from storing up your treasures in heaven? Jesus is coming back to this earth to take with Him those who love him and admit their need for forgiveness and mercy. He says to his Father,

"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me before the creation of the world." John 17:24

But we don't know when. Accoring to Scripture - it could be anytime, ....today???? tomorrow???? Would you be ready to meet him? Would he take you with him? I have a friend who had a thief visit her home in the middle of the night. Incredibly scary experiece. ...completety unexpected.

May we follow Moses' example;

"He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of GREATER VALUE than the treasures of Egypt, because he was LOOKING AHEAD TO HIS REWARD.......because he saw him who is invisible." Hebrews 11:25

Certainly, God gives us things to enjoy. I am not saying don't engage in anything pleasurable; His word says,

"Command those who are rich in this PRESENT world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything FOR OUR ENJOYMENT." 1 Timothy 6:17

However, "There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be .....lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God."

So, may I encourage you today to know your "original focus of attention"- To find God, to know Him, to prepare for meeting him, to walk everyday with Jesus as your guide seeking to love and heal the people he loves soooo deeply. May those "Diet Dr. Peppers" (while they are good in and of themselves...there is nothing wrong with a little pleasure) not distract you, not become your "God" and be your top priority, not become your reason for living. Your reason for living is soooo much higher than simply pleasure. You are preparing, NOW, for your future of life either with him or without him. Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul (and one more time...not your basement!) be watered and may you water another's soul. You are deeply, deeply loved. I believe it with all my heart! Kristy Joy Link