Kingdom citizens, we live in a world of distractions. Satan wants us distracted and divided. He trembles at the thought of God's people being united and focused! There is power in unity.
How could one single enemy chase a thousand of them, and two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had abandoned them, unless the Lord had destroyed them? But the rock of other nations is not like our Rock. Prayers to their gods are valueless.
Here are three key areas Satan operates in to keep us distracted and divided:
Religion--Skin Suits--Finances
Religion:
Once you understand the Gospel of the Kingdom of God that Jesus preached, you see religious denominations in a different light. Denominations, by definition, divide. In math, the denominator DIVIDES into the numerator. Denominations commonly divide by theology, worship preference, race, version of the bible, religious rituals or traditions. Basically, it says, "Yes, we believe in Jesus, but we don't agree with the way you worship Him or the way you interpret scripture." Division! There should be no division in the Kingdom of God. Religion fills your mind and consumes your time with religious rules and traditions. Follow the rules and you may be a member. Sometimes it may become no more than a club that entertains, enlightens and allows you to feel that you are in good standing with God...even though you never read His Word to talk to Him. That is a deception.
Skin Suits:
God said to the prophet Jeremiah, in the first chapter:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” To free yourself from one of the most prolific distractions, we must understand that God knew our spirits before we were ever given a "skin suit" to operate here on this earth. Contrary to what we see in movies and books, spirits don't operate on their own here on this earth. They need a body. These skin suits cause a tremendous amount of distraction and division. Think about it....Race: Oh how I wish we saw people the way God does--by their spirit, not their skin suit. When God looks at you, he doesn't see the physical features. He doesn't see your skin color, size, eye color, hair color. He doesn't see if your teeth are straight and white or if you even have any teeth! He sees your eternal spirit. THAT is who you are. If we saw spirits, we wouldn't be dividing people up according to any of their physical features. Sexual attractions: We wouldn't be lusting after people if we saw their spirits. We lust after a temporary skin suit which will change. We also focus too much on building up our bodies to attract the opposite sex. Keeping our temple healthy and strong is important to fulfilling our purpose on this earth. THAT should be your focus, not worshiping your skin suit. Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Finances:
We are distracted by our finances. We worry when we don't have enough. We stress over how to make more. It often consumes us. But what did Jesus say? “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. But, having too much money can also be a distraction! It is all about your mindset, your focus. “You cannot serve two masters: God and money. For you will hate one and love the other"
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Ok, let's be real here. When we divide, whether by religion, our skin suits or by finances, we are saying "I'm right, you are wrong." "I'm higher, you are lower." "Yes, I am better than you!" It really comes down to ego and self esteem. Satan loves it!
I know this article has been long. I pray you have stayed with me to this point. It hasn't come easily. I have had distractions and hindrances and even the blind spots of a migraine while trying to write this. I am not surprised!
Here are two questions to ask yourself whenever something comes your way, wanting to take up residence in your mind:
"How does this advance the Kingdom in my life and those around me?"
It may even be things we would call "good" that distract us. Many ministers have preached "good" messages, self-improvement messages but they do not advance the Kingdom of God that Jesus preached about.
"Does this line up with my purpose?" You may be asked to participate in many good things, but do they help fulfill your purpose?
Remember, at best, if you can't say yes to these questions, what you are doing may be good but is wasted time for your Kingdom purpose. At worst, it may lead you into sin, disobedience and separation from God and His Kingdom.
Kingdom citizens, stay focused and united in the Kingdom of God. Satan doesn't even deserve our attention. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Deut. 32:30-31 LV Jeremiah 1:5 I Corinthians 6:19-20 Matthew 6:31-33
Matthew 6:24 LV Matthew 19:23-24 Ephesians 6:10
~~Arlene
How could one single enemy chase a thousand of them, and two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had abandoned them, unless the Lord had destroyed them? But the rock of other nations is not like our Rock. Prayers to their gods are valueless.
Here are three key areas Satan operates in to keep us distracted and divided:
Religion--Skin Suits--Finances
Religion:
Once you understand the Gospel of the Kingdom of God that Jesus preached, you see religious denominations in a different light. Denominations, by definition, divide. In math, the denominator DIVIDES into the numerator. Denominations commonly divide by theology, worship preference, race, version of the bible, religious rituals or traditions. Basically, it says, "Yes, we believe in Jesus, but we don't agree with the way you worship Him or the way you interpret scripture." Division! There should be no division in the Kingdom of God. Religion fills your mind and consumes your time with religious rules and traditions. Follow the rules and you may be a member. Sometimes it may become no more than a club that entertains, enlightens and allows you to feel that you are in good standing with God...even though you never read His Word to talk to Him. That is a deception.
Skin Suits:
God said to the prophet Jeremiah, in the first chapter:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” To free yourself from one of the most prolific distractions, we must understand that God knew our spirits before we were ever given a "skin suit" to operate here on this earth. Contrary to what we see in movies and books, spirits don't operate on their own here on this earth. They need a body. These skin suits cause a tremendous amount of distraction and division. Think about it....Race: Oh how I wish we saw people the way God does--by their spirit, not their skin suit. When God looks at you, he doesn't see the physical features. He doesn't see your skin color, size, eye color, hair color. He doesn't see if your teeth are straight and white or if you even have any teeth! He sees your eternal spirit. THAT is who you are. If we saw spirits, we wouldn't be dividing people up according to any of their physical features. Sexual attractions: We wouldn't be lusting after people if we saw their spirits. We lust after a temporary skin suit which will change. We also focus too much on building up our bodies to attract the opposite sex. Keeping our temple healthy and strong is important to fulfilling our purpose on this earth. THAT should be your focus, not worshiping your skin suit. Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Finances:
We are distracted by our finances. We worry when we don't have enough. We stress over how to make more. It often consumes us. But what did Jesus say? “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. But, having too much money can also be a distraction! It is all about your mindset, your focus. “You cannot serve two masters: God and money. For you will hate one and love the other"
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Ok, let's be real here. When we divide, whether by religion, our skin suits or by finances, we are saying "I'm right, you are wrong." "I'm higher, you are lower." "Yes, I am better than you!" It really comes down to ego and self esteem. Satan loves it!
I know this article has been long. I pray you have stayed with me to this point. It hasn't come easily. I have had distractions and hindrances and even the blind spots of a migraine while trying to write this. I am not surprised!
Here are two questions to ask yourself whenever something comes your way, wanting to take up residence in your mind:
"How does this advance the Kingdom in my life and those around me?"
It may even be things we would call "good" that distract us. Many ministers have preached "good" messages, self-improvement messages but they do not advance the Kingdom of God that Jesus preached about.
"Does this line up with my purpose?" You may be asked to participate in many good things, but do they help fulfill your purpose?
Remember, at best, if you can't say yes to these questions, what you are doing may be good but is wasted time for your Kingdom purpose. At worst, it may lead you into sin, disobedience and separation from God and His Kingdom.
Kingdom citizens, stay focused and united in the Kingdom of God. Satan doesn't even deserve our attention. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Deut. 32:30-31 LV Jeremiah 1:5 I Corinthians 6:19-20 Matthew 6:31-33
Matthew 6:24 LV Matthew 19:23-24 Ephesians 6:10
~~Arlene
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