Bind My Wandering Heart to Thee

Why is it SO easy to get distracted from what really matters in life?

I have talked before about how I relate so much to the Israelites in the Bible. I am them.

Yes, I know when the dust settles that only because of Jesus do I get to go to heaven, & yes I get to see just how patient & long-suffering the love of God, through the loving sacrifice of His Son Jesus really is.

But distractions are EVERYWHERE.

It’s not an excuse, but it is a reality.

Satan Doesn’t Really Have to Try So Hard If He Can Get Us to Just Feel Comfortable & to Rely on Ourselves

I have mentioned this before, but in other countries, spiritual warfare is often much more obvious & often terrifying. Demon possessions happened in the Bible & they still happen today. Satan is not sleeping with this world anymore today than he was in Bible times.

But, in America, I think he has found, in his thousands of years of studying human behavior, that all Americans need really is a false sense of control… complacency… something seemingly so subtle that it can be so easily excused away as “not that bad.”

We dismiss the danger, & so we fail to protect ourselves from him.

God Warns Us… And We Ought to Heed Him

Verses telling us to be alert, vigilant, suit up in the armor of God seem more like cute little verses about trusting God through hardship versus any real NEED to ACTUALLY stand firm against any real threat.

But Satan is still roaming. He is still seeking to kill, to destroy, to deceive. He still wants to destroy your life & your testimony.

And he’s quite frankly doing an excellent job. Let us destroy ourselves because we are lulled into thinking the threat isn’t even a threat worth caring about… believing the lie that we’ve got our life pretty well handled without being on our knees in prayer every day, gleaning from God’s Word every day for the sustenance to survive.

It’s like we forget or majorly downplay all the warnings God so carefully made sure to make us aware of over & over in His Word.

Not just a passive, “we have God, we’re good,” but a, “if we’re not daily leaning into God moment-by-moment every day, we are just as susceptible to falling for Satan’s wiles as Adam & Ever were. We NEED to take the threat seriously as God has repeatedly urged us to do in His Word, the Bible, & live IN an ABIDING in Jesus Christ, not just an acknowledging of Him.”

SO Easily Forgotten

Sometimes, I shock myself at how quickly I turn. I can be all on fire with, “I will do ANYTHING for You! God, You are worth my ALL!” to later that week, being so engrossed in mindless activities that I don’t WANT to look up from it, for anything or anyOne—even for God.

I am drawn SO EASILY toward COMFORT.

It goes straight from, “God, thank You for this moment of rest & peace!” to, “who? God? No, I would rather do this right now.” Shame. Shame on me. Why am I like this??

It is like a constant turnaround from, “I’m ALL IN!” to “I’d rather do this” to “God, I did it again, I am so sorry. Help me focus on what matters—YOU” & then back again.

Why am I like this? Soooo stupid. It really just is so stupid. So why do I keep falling for it?

It’s so subtle too. I don’t even see it happening until I am neck deep in comfort & haven’t thought to ask His opinion all day.

The Good Shepherd’s Hook–The Tough Love Our Wandering Hearts Really Need

That’s what makes me think of the shepherd’s hook, how Jesus is described as the Good Shepherd… how we are described as the dumb sheep who are so prone to wander.

I am sure it doesn’t feel good to get whacked with the shepherd’s hook or have it yank around your neck when you’re about to mindlessly walk off a cliff.

But the shepherd will do it because he knows that the alternative is so much terribly WORSE–that the sheep need rescuing no matter how uncomfortable it may be… it’s far better than the alternative.

I need His tough love sometimes… to be yanked back to reality… to have my perspective righted over & over again.

What Will Ru(i)n Your Life?

What really matters?

What will matter of your life after you are gone?

What will God say of how you used your time when you are standing before Him face-to-face?

What will have been worth it?

What opinion will you have of your life when you are laying on your death bed, no longer able to do anything about it?

How will you live now for the glory of God?

Shine HOPE by being willing to “about face” as many times as needed to turn back to what matters—living for the glory of God—keeping in mind the infiniteness of God’s long-suffering, patient love for you. Turn back—over & over & over again, as many times as it takes. He’ll be there waiting & He is beyond worth it–All for the glory of God.

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

***He is waiting for you… will you come?:***

***(Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8-10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9-10; John 14:6)***

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Mosaic Necklace-Empowering Women in India out of Sweatshops

This stunning, Mosaic Necklace handcrafted in India will give you the fun, colorful look your summer wardrobe needs! This necklace is beautifully beaded with multicolored dyed quartz beads, featuring gold accent beads. Wear alone or style with other necklaces for a layered look!

Purchase this beautiful necklace to provide safe jobs with fair wages in areas of extreme poverty where vulnerable women are often exploited by sweatshops.

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Have a wonderful week living for His glory in all that you do!