Out of this World, into The Word.

Out of This World, Into The Word. 

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

‭‭John‬ ‭16:33‬

So what does the world have to do with The Word?  I guess you’ll have to keep reading. 

One of the single most hardest things for me to do, is to stop living for this world.  This doesn’t mean to stop living. 

It is so hard to stop feeding myself things of this world. Our ambition, our desire, our need and our drive is what fuels us for ourselves. 

We want. We do. My will. My want. Always focused on us, me, I and you.

We constantly feed ourselves things of this world. Money, relationships with each other, work and hobbies, all fill our time - and take most of it.

How much time, out of all our time, do you give back to God? Ask yourself that today. An hour a day? Four hours a week?

Not so fun facts;

There are 8,769 hours in a year. If you spend 5 hours a week with God, that’s only 260 hours a year. You’re spending less than 5% of your time with God. 

We place so much effort and emphasis on the things of this world. It is my biggest struggle. 

And it’s all temporary.  

This probably isn’t going to be a very upbeat devotional. 

We are all going to die to this world. Fact!

It is amazing that in a life that is surrounded by death and temporary things - we live for every moment here. We wonder and are amazed at the state of things in our relationships and families and businesses - because we have shifted our focus. Our focus is on those things. 

Every single problem I’ve had, or have now, is because I have taken my attention off of God, or never had it there in the first place.

I placed my attention in other relationships instead of my marriage and family. I placed my attention in a boat or vehicle instead of my Bible. I placed my needs and want of money in front of a church.  I placed my comfort and desires in alcohol instead of a relationship with God. 

I remember being so consumed with the state of how things are; house in order, lawn maintained and manicured, chores, friends, organization, things done - that I neglected the single most important thing in my life - my relationship with God. 

Same for everyone else. Sure your life probably isn’t filled with some of those things I did, but it probably isn’t much different with your time for Him. 

If your experiencing problems in your business, family or relationships - how’s your prayer life? Your church attendance? Your Bible reading? Where is your time with Christ-centered believers? Are you making time for everyone and everything else?  

Your relationship with God and for God should be the single most important thing in your life. 

Are you having Christ-centered conversations with people daily? Monthly? Ever? Or is your life filled with conversations about everything else?

We wonder why there are issues and problems and circumstances that are plaguing our lives when we don’t put God at the front of everything we do.

If we are living for this world and not for Him - it IS the problem. 

I’ve talked to a lot of people this week. I’ve looked at social media. I’ve listened to conversations. I’ve watched as people interact. I am so amazed at how easily people are distracted by this world. Me included. Nothing points to their relationship with God. So why are we amazed when something isn’t going right in our lives?

This is as much a check up for me as it is a reality check for you. 

Everyone can take something out of their lives and insert God. Everyone! 

God sent His son to die for our sins. He spent years serving other people. He wasn’t selfish. He wasn’t prideful. He wasn’t feeding His desires. He sacrificed Himself for our sins. How do repay Him? How do we bring glory back to God each day? How do we say thank you God for giving me this life to live that I don’t deserve because I’m a sinner?

I’m not saying don’t work and don’t enjoy your life - just remember why you have all of the things you have, including the problems. 

And also remember that when things happen in our lives, our focus should be on God - not the things of this world. 

The Word is God. The word is the Bible. Putting both at the front of everything you do WILL change your life. You just have to. 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

‭‭John‬ ‭1:1‬

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

‭‭James‬ ‭1:22‬

“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”

‭‭James‬ ‭1:21‬