"[1]
NOW WHEN Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard
that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it, although at
that time I had not set up the doors in the gates, [2] Sanballat and Geshem
sent to me, saying, Come, let us meet together in one of the villages in the
plain of Ono. But they intended to do me harm. [3] And I sent messengers to
them, saying, I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work
stop while I leave to come down to you?"
The
enemy's distractions are to harm us!! We must stay focused on what God has
called us to do; do not get distracted!! We must keep our eyes on Jesus at any
cost; don't look to the left or right but straight!! No matter how much hell is
breaking loose around us, we must keep focused on the task at hand!! The things
we can see are temporary but what we cannot see are eternal!! 2
Corinthians 4:7-11, 16-18 (Tecarta, Inc. AMP Version Bible App - iTunes) tells us
this: "[7] However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light
of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and
exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from
ourselves. [8] We are hedged in (pressed) on every side troubled and oppressed
in every way, but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are
perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair; [9] We are
pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted to stand alone; we are
struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed; [10] Always
carrying about in the body the liability and exposure to the same putting to
death that the Lord Jesus suffered, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus
also may be shown forth by and in our bodies. [11] For we who live are
constantly [experiencing] being handed over to death for Jesus' sake, that the
[resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced through our flesh which is
liable to death."
Verses
16-18 (Tecarta, Inc. AMP Version Bible App - iTunes) says: "[16]
Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and
wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and
wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after
day. [17] For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the
passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and
achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure,
excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and
transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!], [18] Since we
consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are
unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but
the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting."
David
said in Psalm
23:4that even though he walked through the
valley of the shadow of death, he would fear no evil because God was with him!!
God's rod (to protect) and His staff (to guide) comforted David as he went
THROUGH the valley of the SHADOW of death!! God did not do any more for
David than He will for us!! When we go THROUGH OUR deep, dark valleys,
God's rod of protection and staff of guidance comforts us too!! We should not
fear because God did not give us a spirit of fear but of love, power, and a
sound mind (2
Timothy 1:7); we should trust God
enough to know He will not allow anything to happen to us!!
Psalm
91:9-13 (Tecarta, Inc. KJV Version Bible App - iTunes) says: "[9]
Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your
dwelling place, [10] No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near
your dwelling; [11] For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you
in all your ways. [12] In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash
your foot against a stone. [13] You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot."
God
has given His angels charge over us, to protect us!! Our angels bear us up in
their hands and will not let us fall!!
Psalm
91:5-7 (Tecarta, Inc. NKJV Version Bible App - iTunes) tells us: "[5]
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by
day, [6] Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the
destruction that lays waste at noonday. [7] A thousand may fall at your
side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near
you."
God
got us and His grace is sufficient to bring us through WHATEVER we
face!! God has more than enough grace to handle whatever we face!! James
4:6-8 (Tecarta, Inc. AMP Version Bible App - iTunes) tells us this
and tells us how to obtain His grace; it says this: "[6] But He gives
us more and more grace (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency
and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud
and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble
enough to receive it). [Prov.
3:34.] [7] So be subject to God. Resist the
devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you. [8] Come close to
God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your
soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals
with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual
adultery]."
Therefore,
humble yourselves unto God, come close to Him so you can obtain His grace for
your journey! DO NOT be distracted by your situations!! Do not panic!!
Jesus told us in this world we would have tribulations but to be of good cheer
because He has overcome the world (John
16:33)!!
When
these thoughts of fear of what you are facing comes, do not accept them, you
just saw in Psalm
91:5-6we are NOT to be afraid!! Plus, all
the other Scriptures I showed you before that, are God's promises to you; God
will keep His word, just trust Him!! Therefore, your responsibility is to NOT
ALLOW ANYTHING to distract you!! You MUST take EVERY thought
captive that is contrary to the Word of God, making them become obedient to
Christ, who is the Living Word!! You must pull down the strongholds in your
mind, refute arguments, and every high thing that tries to exalt itself against
the knowledge of God (2
Corinthians 10:3-6)!!
Temptations
begins with a thought and if we do not dispel that thought when it FIRST
comes, we will act on that temptation!! Thoughts produce actions!! Don't let
thoughts that are not of God linger in your mind; these thoughts will crowd
your mind to keep you from hearing God's instructions!! These thoughts are
distractions sent to stop your purpose; if you cannot hear God speaking to you,
how are to know what you are to do NOW? Make sure you are hearing what
God is telling you to do NOW, in this season of your life and not
running on an old dream or vision!! Just because God told you to do something
10 years ago, does not mean He wants you to do that thing now; there are times
and seasons under the sun for all things!! You must be ready to shift when God
shift and move when He tells you to move!! Don't become stagnated with an
old vision when God is saying "Shift!!"
Instructions
From God: Stop right there where you, whatever
you are doing, and repent to God! First, for not seeking His face daily for
directions so you can carry out the purpose He has for you!! Repent because you
have not listened to God's plan for the vision He has given you but you are
doing it the way YOU think God wants you to do!! Second, ask God what is the
needful thing to do now? You are too busy doing your own thing, revival's to
make money and not win souls, this fund raiser, that choir extravaganza to
raise money, etc. to hear God!! Stop and ask God to give you a plan to carry
out HIS vision, it is not yours, you are NOT the owner of the vision, just the
carrier!! Do it God's way and you will see and reap the fruits of being
obedient to God!! Do it your way, you will continue to struggle in your
ministries and personal life; not having enough to get by!! The decision is
yours: God's way or your way?
Now
let's continue with the message about distractions!
Distractions are an enemy to us; they come to steal from us, kill us, and
destroy us-they are from the devil so they have his characteristics!! We need
to pay close attention to the characteristics of the things that happens to us;
God will not distract us from doing what He called us to do!! God builds up and
the devil tears down; God is good; the devil is evil!! We must know God's
attributes from the devil's own; God's nature from the devil's nature!! God's
nature is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
meekness, and temperance. Do these sound familiar? They should, these are the
fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians
5:22-23)! The Holy Spirit lives
in us and we are to display His fruit in our everyday life!! We are to allow
the Holy Spirit to shine through us and be led by Him in ALL things!! If
we do not, we will be led by our flesh (our soul - sinful nature) and the devil
works through flesh!!
When
we accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior, we are no longer the same, we
are new creatures, old things has passed away, and ALL things have
become new (2
Corinthians 5:17)!! As new creatures we
live and walk not after the dictates of the flesh but after the dictates of the
Holy Spirit! This is because the law of the Spirit of life (which is in Jesus
Christ who is the law of our new being) has freed us from the law of sin and
death (we are no longer condemned to die because of Jesus-the wages of sin is
death but the gift of God is eternal life) (Romans
8)!!
Ephesians
4:21-32 tells us what to do once we have accepted
Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior; accepting Jesus is the ONLY way
to become an heir of God (John
14:6; Rom
8:17)!! This is what Ephesians
4:21-32 (Tecarta, Inc. AMP Version Bible App - iTunes) says: "[21]
Assuming that you have really heard Him and been taught by Him, as [all] Truth
is in Jesus [embodied and personified in Him], [22] Strip yourselves of your
former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized
your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that
spring from delusion; [23] And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind
[having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude,] [24] And put on the new nature
(the regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness
and holiness. [25] Therefore, rejecting all falsity and being done now with it,
let everyone express the truth with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one
body and members one of another. [Zech.8:16]
[26] When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation,
your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down. [27] Leave no [such]
room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him]. [28] Let the thief
steal no more, but rather let him be industrious, making an honest living with
his own hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need. [29] Let no
foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk
[ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial
to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the
occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who
hear it.
[30]
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him],
by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God's own, secured) for the day of
redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences
of sin). [31] Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad
temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor,
contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be
banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind).
[32] And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted
(compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily
and freely], as God in Christ forgave you."
The
Holy Spirit will help us if we turn to Him when we become weak; He helps our
infirmities (Romans
8:26)!! We are not walking
alone!! Turn to the Holy Spirit when you need comforting, guiding, or going
through anything!! Don't be distracted by things!! You can do ALL things
through Christ who strengthens YOU (Philippians
4:13)!!
Now,
let's look at the nature of satan. The nature of satan is hatred, envy,
jealousy, unforgiveness, resentment, anger, murder, violence, rejection, fear,
self-hatred, self-murder, bitterness, fornication, and the like (Galatians
5:19-21)! The devil uses all
these spirits, yes these things I just named describing his nature are spirits,
to come against us every day to distract us from God's purpose for our lives!!
These are the principalities, powers, rulers of darkness of this world, and
spiritual wickedness in high places Ephesians
6:12 is talking about! We cannot allow the
devil to hinder us in ANY way!! I say it again; we must stay focused on
what God has called us to do in this season; the needful thing!!
I
pray as you read and study this message, God will speak to your heart and let
you know what is the one thing you need to be doing in this season of your
life; that needful thing!! The second thing I pray is that when God speak to
you, you stop your plans and put His plans in action!! God knows exactly what
it will take to get you to the place where HE called you to be!! The
servant is NOT greater than his Master!! Trust God to get you to the
place you need to be! If you be willing and obedient to God, you will eat the
good of the land (Isaiah
1:19)!
Song
of Encouragement: Chris
Tomlin “I Will Follow”
May
the peace of God guard your hearts and minds ALWAYS!!!
Dr.
Dorothy E. Hooks
NOTE:
These materials are copyright protected therefore you must request permission
to reproduce any part of this material. To request permission, please contact
Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks: drdehooks@abusedwoman.org.
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