Have you ever been blown away by something you have seen? Maybe something you have heard? Maybe words another has said to you?It happens to us many times, and after we are shocked we find ourselves wondering what to do next. I have learned the best thing to do is to step back, pray about all situations and allow the Lord to speak to you. Things come and make us shake our head twice in wonder.
People and things in this world will let us down, shake us up, and turn us around, but God will never do that. He is the One sure thing in this world. He is unchanging, while we are always changing in one way or another.
I turn on the radio and hear music that makes me think, "What were they thinking?" I can turn on the television at night trying to find a program we are excited to see and before my eyes is a preview to a movie that shocks me right out of my shoes. Today there are so many things before us that bring hurt, harm, and what are we to do? We are to protect ourselves with the Spirit of God. We must be careful what we allow our eyes to see, and what we allow our ears to hear. We must come to the point that we do not allow others words to injure us, and shake our foundation.
Junk in and junk out. I have learned that if I allow a little in, then comes a little more and then I am overcome with another sin. All it takes is a little bit of something that is wrong, and we soon lose sight of what is right. We might take a step backwards, but find company there with others who have been there a while.
I am learning to hide my eyes from the evil before me, and allow my ears to hear only good things and uplifting things.
I must be careful to always follow the Lord, not the world and not others. Just because one is going in another direction does not mean we must follow them. We must be aware of the pit falls around us, and not slip into the pot holes that can trap us before we know it. We must be careful we do not allow the things of this world to change us. When we focus on Christ He will keep on the right path and with His strength we wills stay there.
If something doesn't look right, if something once looked really good, but now has changed, you must beware of your surroundings. If the Lord is telling you to move, you better pick up all you have and get out of the way. If you have that feeling in your gut, listen to it. We spend time teaching our children to listen to their gut and think with common sense, but as parents we get so concentrated on other things we forget to do the same.
I can remember when our son was small, he and our pastor's daughter were outside playing while we were waiting for dinner, our other son comes running to get my husband and Pastor. They are in the front yard hopping over a snake, not just any snake, but a copperhead. They were laughing and having fun. They didn't see the danger. Many times in our lives the same happens. We are going along just fine and along pops out a snake. If we are wise we will move away quickly, if we are not, we will keep hopping over until we are bitten. We must keep our eyes open at what is before us.
We must remember, "If its not God's way, its not my way." "If it is not bringing glory to God, let it go." Sometimes it is hard to let go. Its hard to move away, but the Lord always knows what is best. He knows is we stay in that situation, we soon will falter. He knows where and what our temptations are and He is there to protect us from those trappings.
We must take a stand for what is right. And just because we stand for what is right, doesn't mean others will see it nor will they follow us, but what we can do is pray. Prayer is powerful. Prayer is mighty. When we are spending time in prayer, we are conversing with God. When we are conversing with God, we are growing closer to Him. As we grow closer to Him, we will learn His voice, heed His warnings, and follow Him no matter the cost.
If there is something that does not feel right to you today, leave it and trust the Lord. If there is something calling you to move backwards, you tell Satan to get behind you and call upon Christ to give you strength to overcome. Don't be tempted by the trappings of this world, for it only takes a little.
Movies, books, television, all three can be trappings and the more we take our eyes off Christ the more our flesh will fall to the temptations before us. If God is not in it, I do not want it. And if God is not in it, we will know if we are walking with Him.
Trust in God, for He will never steer you nor I wrong.
John 8:31-32 "To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
Philippians 4:8-9 "Finally, brothers, whatever is pure, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned from Me, or seen in Me, put it to practice, and the God of peace will be with you."
