Forsake Worldly Distractions, Focus on the Father

I’ve thought a lot lately about what is important to me. Within the last week, Sherry has gone from major memory loss from Covid, to being back to her old self and even stronger. We received this gracious deliverance with the help of the fervent prayers of many wonderful believers who love us. We are thankful for their intercession and for God’s healing through Christ.

I praise God for having my 40-year marriage partner in good health with a sound mind. Even when she did not know what was going on, she could still recite Psalms 19, 23, 34, 91, 100, and 103. She could quote Ephesians and other New Testament truths. She had hidden God’s Word in her heart, and the Father’s Word helped bring healing.

During these two weeks of caring for her, I decided to cut off my daily dose of the “Tucker” show and thinking about politics. Our son and daughter-in-law, Elijah and Aimee, also encouraged us to “forsake” all the news and negatives available with modern media. Instead I took the time to pray for our country, instead of thinking about all the division and strife in America today. And I saw that I had more time mentally to focus on God’s will in all areas of my life.  What a change!

This begs the question for all of us: “What am I holding on to that cuts off my ability to serve God and His Son freely and fully?” Yes, God is my loving Father and will “put up” with a lot things that I do. His forgiveness through Christ’s work is assured. But I want to grow up and be a “big brother” who helps the less mature in God’s family. I want to be like my best big brother who always did the Father’s will and in whom God is well-pleased.

There is a difference between “unselfish” and “selfless.” The focus of “unselfish” is still on ourselves and what we give up. But Jesus showed us how to truly live selflessly, which is actively what I do to serve others rather than myself.

Mark 10:45:
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

We are to do the same: help others stay on track, encourage those who are tired of life’s struggles, hold up those who can’t help themselves, and have God’s patience toward all.

I Thessalonians 5:14:
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

Not Holding Back

Two sets of brothers (Andrew and Simon; James and John) saw that fishing was not all that there is to life. Following Jesus and learning to obey God’s spirit was bigger and better.

Luke 5:11:
And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

A little while later, a tax collector for the most powerful worldly empire at the time, did the same.

Luke 5:28:
And he [Matthew] left all, rose up, and followed him.

Are we ready to “leave all”? Are there any rewards for doing that?

Matthew 19:27-30:
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
And Jesus said unto them…every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

The way to come in first is to put yourself last. Give up lesser interests and causes, and preach the good news of God’s kingdom and salvation through Christ. Then even when the pressure is on for us to turn our back on God and His Son, we are strong enough to stand faithful.

Sticking to It

As Christians, we have God’s spirit to guide us with “Christ in” us. We can do the Father’s will, when we are meek and humble to Him. We trust in the Lord with all our heart and don’t lean to our own willful, self-seeking ways. Instead, in all our ways we can acknowledge the Father’s will and the work of His Son. Then our paths will be straight and blessed.

Sadly, those who had forsaken all for their master, eventually forsook him.

Mark 14:50:
And they all forsook him, and fled.

Think of this paradoxical statement: They had forsaken all for Jesus, now all had forsaken Jesus.

Despite the Devil’s attack to intimidate them, the apostles later came back to their first love and helped establish the Christian church. We may stumble at times, falling into the Devil’s traps and enticements, but we can always get back up again with God’s help and support. And we can help our brothers and sisters do the same.

Each day, I ask myself how I can better serve my Lord Jesus Christ, and what I should do. We only have one God, Who is our Father; and only one Lord, Jesus Christ, who gives us access to the Father. We can be like Christ and do those things to serve others, and to please our Father rather than ourselves.

I John 3:16-18:
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Forsaking worldly distractions by refusing to engage in the adversary’s attempts to capture our thoughts can open the door for walking greater with Father. When we focus on what we really need, we can get to know the only true God as our Father. And we must practically make His Son our Lord and Master (Romans 10:9,10). We can live that way each day…and God will give us His spiritual blessings throughout eternity.

I John 5:19,20 [The New Testament in Modern English]:
We know that we ourselves are children of God, and we also know that the world around us is under the power of the evil one. We know too that the Son of God has actually come to this world, and has shown us the way to know the one who is true. We know that our real life is in the true one, and in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the real God and this is real, eternal life.