HOW BUSY ARE YOU?

At this moment when you are reading this I am on a mission trip to Poland with International Messengers. Please pray for our team and the Polish people we work with.

Airport to Poland
Our IM Team in airport 2011

How Busy are You?

by Jan Cox

Continuing from last week  – What are your tin gods? We were reading a letter from Satan’s Meeting. I left you with these words:

“This is what I want you to do, said the devil: “DISTRACT them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!”

Continued from last week:

“HOW SHALL WE DO THIS?” his demons shouted.

“KEEP THEM BUSY in the NONESSENTIALS of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds,” he answered.

Are there things in your life that keep you from God? Are you running and running and never have time to listen to Him?

“TEMPT them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow. Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6 to 7 days each week, 10 to 12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles. Keep them from spending time with their children. As their families fragment, soon their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!”

Tempt Them

Do you need to rethink your priorities? Do you need to find a balance? Are you playing a catch up game? Or are you content where you are?

“OVER-STIMULATE their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small Voice.”

Over-stimulate Them

Do you always have the radio or music playing? Do you take time just to sit – and listen to your heart, your soul and your God?

“Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive. To keep the TV. VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it they every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly. This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.”

What Music Do you Listen To?

What type of music do you listen to? Do you play praise and worship songs so you can fill up with the Holy Spirit?

“Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers. Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards.”

“Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every king of newsletter, and promotional, offering free products services and false hopes.”

Are you listening to the World or God?

Are you listening to the world? Or the Word of God? How much do you read your Bible? One verse a day would be a good start? One little bit can counteract much of the worldly on slot.

Prayer:

Father I know I am tempted to get too busy. Help me to plan my time so I can remember to take time with You. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

Write and tell me what you think? Is this true? Is Satan happy about pulling us away from God? Is he keeping you so busy that you forget your Creator?

Counting my blessings while in Poland and I will have a huge list when I return in two weeks.

Some other posts on the topic of BUSY:

Looking Back   Rest    Connected   Time is Flying By  – Last Year’s Planned Trip to Poland

 Jan Cox

Jan, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. She has published two devotionals and a number of articles for magazines and a Bible study. She is owner of Under the Cover of Prayer and moderates the site. She also writes at A Better Way. Jan has completed a children’s book called Tadeo Turtle. She is the watercolour illustrator. Word Alive will be publishing this story and it will be available later this summer. See more about Tadeo at Jan’s Website.

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8 comments

  1. You challenged me Jan. I had a few days of feeling sorry for myself and wishing my husband was still here. This led to me doing very little and I’m sure Satan was pleased. I got back on track today as I read my Bible and spent time with Jesus.

    1. Mary
      I am glad to help you get back on track. It must be hard not to dwell on the past. And our emotions and longings will pull us off the race. May the Lord bless you mightily as you focus on Him.
      Just return from Poland last night..
      Blessings,
      Jan

  2. A challenging post, Jan, and necessary.
    As one who is action oriented, especially in ministry and music and writing pursuits, as well as concerned with what’s going on in the world nationally and internationally, my tendency is to become over committed and constantly engaged. There is therefore the danger of spinning one’s spiritual wheel’s and consuming valuable time and dissipating energy on good but lesser things, and failing to live in the realm of higher and greater things.
    ~~+~~

    1. Thanks Peter,
      We get distracted so easily. I know the computer is one of my serious distractions. Going to Poland and coming back has shown me again that there are other ways to connect with people. What is the higher thing? To seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. Being constantly engaged is forgetting the sabbath rest we all need. You and I are alike in that way. A good reminder for both of us.
      Blessings,
      Jan

  3. Every. Single. Day. It’s a battle. And one where I feel I lose, more often than win. My husband would probably tell you my issue is the need to do “just one more thing.” And that’s all it takes. Seeing it is the first step. Where would I be without the Full Armor?
    About your trip to Poland. I think I had recently heard that Poland is considered to be a Christian nation. I’d love a little insight into the truth of that.

    1. Diane,
      In Poland I have seen the spiritual battle first hand. As we bring those people who come to camp closer to God – Satan tries to distract us with emotions, illness and whatever he feels will take us away from loving and caring about each other. And yes – I totally understand the “one more thing” – I see so many things I would love to do – all good things – but we need to take time, hear from God and do what He says.

      As for Poland – I can see it being described as a Christian nation – so is the US and Canada – right? But people are pulling away from the stiff traditional Catholic Church. The Catholic Church certainly helped the Poles keep as much freedom as they have enjoyed (not much but better than other countries around it) during occupation which happened frequently during its history. But it is a very stiff, formal, tradition oriented church. People are turned off with this. Since we agree with much of the Catholic creed – but want a personal relationship with Jesus – their lives change for the better when they get to KNOW God in a personal way. They learn to pray, to confess and to reach out to God personally. They learn to read their Bible, some for the first time.
      I hope I haven’t confused the issue – but saying you are Christian and actually believing in Jesus, His death and His resurrection are different, yes?

      I would love to chat more if you wish. Email me at underthecoverofprayer@gmail.com

I love to connect with you.

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