Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (Jude 1:3)
The Lord woke me up one morning and spoke to me at one thirty-five in the morning. He said, “Don’t yield to distractions.”
The church has been too distracted over the last years with the ideas and plans of man. Motivational sermons and Ted Talks have replaced preaching the gospel in many cases. Human knowledge has increased to the point that many are distracted with it.
Martha – Martha
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:38-42)
The above scriptures are what the Lord told me to look at when He spoke to me, along with others. Martha invited Jesus into her house, which is what we all should do. Mary, her sister, was so blessed to be in the presence of Jesus Christ. She sat down at His feet so she did not miss a word that he said. Martha wanted to be a good host and was serving refreshments to everyone, but Mary would not be distracted from giving Jesus her undivided attention. It was right for Martha to serve others in her home.
Martha got upset with her sister for not helping her as she rightfully should. I am sure this went on for a while, with Martha giving her sister angry looks. Mary didn’t seem to care because she did not want to be distracted from Jesus. Finally, Martha complained to Jesus and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me.” Jesus answered, “Martha, Martha.” He said her name twice to get her attention and for her to focus on Him. Notice, He did not tell her it was wrong to serve as the hostess. It is proper protocol in any situation like that, even today.
He told her that Mary had chosen the good part of desiring to be with Jesus and He would not tell her to stop and serve others. He was telling Martha that she had become overly distracted with serving and she should stop and sit at His feet also. There is a time to serve, work and do other things, but there is a time to focus only on Jesus Christ.
Today, many Christians and ministers are distracted with all types of things and do not sit at the feet of Jesus as they should. Therefore, there is a great lack of revelation and anointing in the church today. Revelation of His Word and His anointing only comes from spending time with Jesus. This, sadly, causes many ministers to give book reports on the Bible that are called sermons. Many don’t know the difference.
What Should I Do
There is something we can do to keep from being distracted. Foremost, we must simplify our lives. We are too busy like Martha was. We run here and there trying to fit into the crowd and make memories. The Bible simply tells us to “Be still and know that I am God.”
I can hear you now, “My God! I don’t have time to be still! Don’t you realize all I have to do and keep up with! Get out of my way, I have to go! Simply, it is written, “Be still and know that I am God.” I heard you. You said, “You are going to meet your God if you don’t get out of my way!” Ha! Ha! Ha! But it is true you know. You remember the Bible tells us that in the last days men would run to and fro. We are in the last days.
We are also distracted and too busy with electronics and games. Christian’s minds hardly ever rest because they are searching the sites on the phone or computer. They are mentally overactive and they lose perception of the spiritual realm.
Remember, I was speaking in a very large convention back some years ago. The host minister was in the speakers room with me. He was intently looking at his iPad and poking on it. I thought that he was getting a powerful sermon that I needed to hear. About an hour later, I discovered he was playing games! This was while others were speaking in the meeting! Jesus! Be still.
Put away the things that are a distraction. If you don’t know what they are, stop everything, go to the Lord in prayer and ask. He will answer. This is not a time to play. It is not a time to be distractions with everything the world is throwing out. Get focused on God and what He wants to do. God is with us!
