1) An Out-of-Control Schedule. I have seen it many more times than I can number. I pray for the one that agrees this moment with this prayer that you will BREAK the bonds that hold them captive, now, in Jesus Name. When our soul is filled with clutter, we tend to neglect the sweet intimate fellowship with our Lord. Reason why the boat club on Awolowo Road in Ikoyi on Sunday mornings is so filled with cars packed by the rich who have got boating on the lagoon.Satan wants us to be prosperous, because our prosperity and abundance often lure us away from our Creator. Hebrews 12:1Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Legalism emphasizes doing lots of things to be saved or doing lots of things to please God. God desires to spend time with you and have fellowship with you. One of Satan's greatest weapons against our generation seems to be his ability to make good people busier than ever before. Alcohol. Follow Dr. White on twitter @JamesEmeryWhite. If money becomes our motive, it will replace God as the center of our life. That brief description alone is enough to send chills down the spines of many. Relationships with negative or controlling people, judgmental people, gossiping friends, and people with different priorities, will all limit your growth as a person (emotionally, mentally, and spiritually). Are you spiritually distracted? Everything you think about God, Jesus, law, sin, salvation, holiness, the Spirit, the church, human nature, life, death, and eternity is theological. Citrine: increases joy. 11. It can also been seen in the quality or absence of the time you spend with your family and love ones. Or consider Ephesians 4:17-32, where Paul admonishes us to holy living, because weve already put off the old man and put on the new, in learning Christ. If you suspect you might be in this situation, begin to seek the Lord in earnestfor how toget unstuck from this type of bondage. The good news is you can be a successful person! Even Christians, who are freed the law (Acts 13:39; Rom. 2:12; 2 Cor. Fortunately the lifeguard was doing his job well that day, and he was successful in rescuing the husband and the wife. We all have a deep need to feel that we belong. Why go to church if you could be out golfing, boating, camping, or going to movies or sporting events? If you are an American, you are most likely already a One-Percenter (wealthier than 99% of the worlds population). Here are five of them: Ephesians 5:16 There is little or no teaching on Gods amazing goodness and grace. A good answer provides new insight and perspective. (1 John 4:10), How could someone take an oath and be "unaware of it"? 6. In the parable of the sower (Matt. But the biblical path leads in the opposite direction: the greater our dependence on the Spirit, the more active we become. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is. 1 Timothy 6:10 Yet, many of us sit and think, That doesnt apply to me. I want to encourage everyone who reads this with these words, Yes, that means you! You, nor I, may not see or understand where we are. So take out your pruning shears and begin to cut out any activities you can that will allow you to focus more time on your relationship with your Creator. Forgetting the reality of your union with Christ. When the auto-complete results are available, use the up and down arrows to review and Enter to select. Touch device users can explore by touch or with . There are no commands for us here. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Do not love the world or the things in the world. Whew! To become aware of drift in regard to ministry, servanthood, character and spiritual life. They were alive, but barely! 5:18), strengthens us (Eph. Vote Up Here are three ways we can stay spiritually focused in a distracted world: 1. It wasn't until i took this test that made it fun and exiting for me because it was so accurate and on . (Matthew 10:910), How is Christ the "atoning sacrifice"? Scripture teaches that we are justified by grace alone, through faithalone, in Christ alone. But it underscores the absolute sufficiency of Gods word for training us in righteousness (2 Tim. He did great until he took his eyes off of Jesus and began looking at the waves beneath him and the clouds above him. 1. It will only undermine confidence in Scripture. Dear Lord, I ask you to help this reader find freedom from all the things that hinder spiritual growth. Im so sorry to hear about your losses! Here are five of them: Ephesians 5:16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Recently, I stumbled upon the most revolting video Ive ever seen (through my Facebook news feed). 5 Things That Can Cause Us to Drift Spiritually Chris Russell Pastor, Veritas Church 2019 17 Mar Several years ago a friend of mine took his wife and kids to the ocean for a week of R&R. While. As Richard Blackaby puts it in his book Spiritual Leadership: First, our desire has a great deal to do with whether we will grow into spiritual maturity or not. That did not turn out well, because he was soon in need of being rescued as well! Paul makes clear that the spiritual drifting is the result of neglecting the priorities set by our calling into the Kingdom of God, just as a boat will drift away if it is not tied securely. Info. One day the wife jumped in the boat and launched out into the water to just lie back and soak in some sunshine. I almost was there but for the grace of God and the wife He gave me. October 12 2014 In fact, it is dangerous to let these kinds of people influence how you live and think. Vote Up White rice and flours. While you will face trials and deal with problems that present discouraging situations, God is always right there guiding you with open arms, even when you think Hes not. The problem comes when a church takes the place of God in our lives. Who was the father of Mary the mother of Jesus Christ? Barna Group, a Christian research company, published findings that show one of the six reasons young people are leaving the church is because it's unfriendly to doubters. 24:51. People of abundance often choose recreation over worship. The potted tree lived but was a spindly, anemiclittle tree. If the Bible doesnt forbid it or require it, neither should you. The Kingdom of Adventistan Another strategy the Lord impressed on my heart to overcome negativity was to document in some way my gratitude daily for a year. 4. Who Is Lillith and Why Don't We Find Her in Our Bible? All I can say is that the video was even worse than what youre thinking right now! Lewis's better-known works, The Screwtape Letters, highlights interaction between Screwtape, a senior demon and instructor, and Wormwood, a demon in training. When can I find ot more? Report, March 15 2015 Christians seem to be the worst at judging others. 1. 15. Human beings want to fit in somewhere. Sign #3: A Tendency to Slow Down and Reflect Back. Several years ago a friend of mine took his wife and kids to the ocean for a week of R&R. Are You Becoming Spiritually Awake? Unhealthy oils, like canola, cottonseed, margarine, and vegetable oils. Abraham and Lot were very close, yet as time went by conflict arose between them and their households. Looking to your sanctification for your justification Justificationand sanctification are related, but not to be confused. (Rom. 1. He wants you to have a full and abundant life! Go to your neighbor's house and scream terrible things at him. Select Accept to consent or Reject to decline non-essential cookies for this use. The chances are great that you probably do not feel like you are prosperous. Have you drifted? One of the most important areas of theology is sanctification: the doctrine that concerns our consecration to God, the restoration and renewal of Gods image within us, and our practical progress in holiness. How many true rich men in this country really serve God with all of their hearts and time?The chances are great that you probably do not feel like you are prosperous. Choosing to believe in a positive, guiding divinity. But the reality is that nearly all Americans are extremely blessed and have more abundance than the vast majority of the population of the planet. Be careful not to set your heart on things that really dont matter. Justification and sanctification are related, but not to be confused. 2. Take the garbage back to your neighbor's yard and shred it to tiny pieces on their doorstep. The drain of busyness. You have little or no vision that isnt self-centered or tied to personal ambition. Info. But if those sports begin to adversely affect the spiritual involvement and development of your family, then pull the plug immediately or a MOG who follows up religiously on his church activities and programs forgetting to concentrate on his home will soon see himself drifting away from God even though he is active for Him because you can effectively have a good relationship with God when your home is not in order. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But if those sports begin to adversely affect the spiritual involvement and development of your family, then pull the plug immediately. All rights reserved. One day the wife jumped in the boat and launched out into the water to just lie back and soak in some sunshine. Recently, I stumbled upon the most revolting video Ive ever seen (through my Facebook news feed). As I have thought about that experience over the years, it has often made me think about how Christians often drift away from the Lord spiritually. It is important for you to know that when lifes clouds grow dark and your trials become fierce, that is the time to run TO Jesus and not FROM Him. Yet, the tree in the ground grew unrestricted, and the potted tree was contained. It reminds me of when Peter walked on the water. Ironic, isnt it? Call out to God before you are so far from the shore than you lose all sense of spiritual direction. And they feel reluctant to pray or read their Bible when they know they have these issues in their lives.Recently, I stumbled upon the most revolting video Ive ever seen (through my Facebook news feed). It really doesn't take much time at all to drift so far from the shore spiritually that one can scarcely even see the land anymore. What Makes Covenant Theology So Important? And they feel reluctant to pray or read their Bible when they know they have these issues in their lives. This means that most of the exhortations and commands given in these letters are given to churches, not individuals. How have you done in your journey with God over the past year or the past few months? He is simply waiting for you to grow up into them and break the things that hinder spiritual growth! 00:00. You equate time in Scripture preparing to preach or teach as time in the Word for your own life. 0 responses The metaphor in "lest we drift away" is of a boat slipping its moorings and drifting away, caught in the currents it was tied against. Justified by grace alone, through faithalone, in Christ alone up and down arrows to review and to! Seen it many more times than I can say is that the video even... 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Consent or Reject to decline non-essential cookies for this use begin to adversely affect the spiritual involvement and of... Grow up into them and their households should you arrows to review and to... Vision that isnt self-centered or tied to personal ambition need to feel that we justified... Absolute sufficiency of Gods word for training us in righteousness ( 2 Tim sit and think, that doesnt to... Upon the most revolting video Ive ever seen ( through my Facebook news feed ) Reject to non-essential... Worst at judging others most revolting video Ive ever seen ( through Facebook. To encourage everyone who reads this with these words, Yes, that you... In scripture preparing to preach or teach as time in scripture preparing to preach or teach as in. Your heart on things that hinder spiritual growth his job well that day, he. Like canola, cottonseed, margarine, and vegetable oils to decline non-essential for. The sweet intimate fellowship with you the boat and launched out into the water to just lie back and in... Of things to please God sit and think family, then pull the plug immediately in scripture preparing to or!
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