"Distractions Are Harmful!"

[Rev. Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks, PsyD]

(Photo reference: http://biblegodquotes.com/page/111/)

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:1-3 (Tecarta, Inc. AMP Version Bible App – iTunes):

"[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 accepts 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”

 

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May the peace of God guard your hearts and minds ALWAYS!!!

Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks

 

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