Look up!

Walk along the road with your head down and you're not going to be surprised when-ouch!-you walk smack-bang into a lamppost. Look up; watch where you're going! That's the general rule to walk pain free.

Did you know that three times the Bible says that Abraham 'lifted his eyes...' Abraham knew that in order to make the most of life he needed to shift his focus. To stop looking down on his situation, feeling battered down by his problems but to look up, look to God and see beyond his problems. Do you need to shift your focus today? Three things happened when Abraham shifted his focus:

First, he knew God was with him and realised how much he needed God: 'He bowed himself to the ground, and said, "...do not pass on by Your servant."' (Genesis 18: 1-3) Second, He understood what God was asking him to do and he received the strength to do it. (Genesis 22:4) Finally, he got convinced God would give him all he needed; God would not let him down '...Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there...was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns...' (Genesis 22:13 NKJ) Abraham had already said, 'God will provide...' (Genesis 22:8)

Today, shift your focus: Look up! See that God is with you. Look up! See beyond your problems. Look up! See that God will provide all you need. Look up! See the best way forward.

Sunday, 02 January 2011
http://www.word4u2day.com.au/201101012404/Look-up.html

Are You Distracted?

In data collected from over 20,000 Christians in 139 countries, The Obstacles to Growth Survey found that, on average, more than 40 percent of Christians around the world say they “often” or “always” rush from task to task. About 60 percent of Christians say that it’s “often” or “always” true that the busyness of life gets in the way of developing their relationship with God. It’s clear that busyness does distract us from our fellowship with Him.

It seems that Martha too allowed busyness to distract her from spending time with Jesus. When she welcomed Him and His disciples into her home, she was occupied with preparing the food, washing their feet, and making sure they were comfortable. All of these things had to be done, but Luke seems to intimate that Martha’s busyness in preparation degenerated into busywork that distracted her from reflecting on Jesus’ words and enjoying time with Him (Luke 10:38-42).

What about us? Are we rushing from task to task, allowing the busyness of life and even work for Jesus to distract us from enjoying sweet fellowship with Him? Let’s ask God to help us diminish our distractions by making Jesus our focus. — Marvin Williams

Lord, I don’t want to miss out on moments of intimacy
with You. Help me not to be so busy
that I fail to devote time each day to prayer
and reading Your Word. Amen.

If you are too busy for God, you are too busy.

October 6, 2009
http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/10/06/devotion.aspx