Distractions
After they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?"
"Yes, Lord," he answered, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Take care of my lambs." A second time Jesus said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
"Yes, Lord," he answered, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Take care of my sheep." A third time Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter became sad because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" and so he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you!"
Jesus said to him, "Take care of my sheep. I am telling you the truth: when you were young, you used to get ready and go anywhere you wanted to; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you up and take you where you don't want to go." (In saying this, Jesus was indicating the way in which Peter would die and bring glory to God.) Then Jesus said to him, "Follow me!"
Peter turned around and saw behind him that other disciple, whom Jesus loved---the one who had leaned close to Jesus at the meal and had asked, "Lord, who is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he asked Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?"
Jesus answered him, "If I want him to live until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" So a report spread among the followers of Jesus that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say he would not die; he said, "If I want him to live until I come, what is that to you?"
(John 21:15-23 GNB)
When you read the above passage it looks as just a typical conversation that Jesus could have had with any of the disciples. But look deeper. Peter became distracted with what others were doing instead of what the Lord was telling him.
Do you have times when God is pointing you in a direction or bringing you through something and instead of focusing on Him, your focus is on other people? I know I have in the past and probably will in the future. Perhaps God is bringing you though some rather difficult times and instead of seeing how God has strengthened you and blessed you, you look and see that there are others around you that seem to have it easy. It can be difficult if you get distracted. That is why we have to keep our eyes on the Lord.
Peter looked away from Jesus to see John. Let's strive to stayed focused on the Lord.
Labels: Devotions, distractions, focus, God, Peter
Mother's Day
I do know this is a little late in coming. I apologize for that. This however is not a typical Happy Mother's Day you are wonderful post. Although there are tons of mother's out there that are awesome and wonderful.
No, this post is a realization post. See, I hate mother's day. This year especially with the turmoil that our family has gone through. We have had a lot go on. Some good some bad.
But without going into the personal things that our family has gone through, I want to share an intimate thing I have learned in the last week. First let me explain why I hate mother's day.
See, I and my husband have 6 kids. We are a blended family. The last two years that I sat in church on Mother's Day, the pastor honored the oldest mom, the newest mom, the mom with the most kids, etc. Here's my thing with that. What about the woman that miscarried last week? What about the woman that can't give birth to children? While I know in our church it is included that a mom is an adoptive mom, or a step mom, or a biological mom; it still bothers me. So what if I have 6 kids? Does it make me a better mother than a woman with only 1 child? No. It don't. It makes me more stressed out about how everything is going to get done.
Anyhow, this last week, I asked God to help me come to terms with Mother's Day. We knew we weren't going to make it to church because Jeff had to work and with my existing feelings I didn't really want to go. So I stayed home with the kids and watched church on TV.
Back to what God did for me. I was reading over some scripture and trying to keep the kiddos at bay, I think it was Friday. We had had a busy week last week with doctor's appointments and school IEPs and such, it was good to have a slow day. In the early evening as I was reading, it struck me that these blessings that I have been blessed with are not mine. These children are God's children not mine. I have no rights to them and I am not entitled to the children being mine. Meaning that they are with me because God has entrusted their care to me. I may not be perfect, but I do my best to keep my eyes on the Father and teach the kids of His love and of what He has done for us. I do this by letting Him shine through me.
So for me, Mother's Day has a new meaning. Instead of focusing on me, I take the time to reflect and relax. See where I can improve and what I need to hand over to God.
Labels: giving it to Him, God, Mom, mother, mother's day
Psalms 91
I wanted to provide the scripture that our family uses for times of anxiety and fear. Our God is an awesome God and He will protect us. I pray the following scripture is a bleseing
Whoever goes to the LORD for safety, whoever remains under the protection of the Almighty, can say to him, "You are my defender and protector. You are my God; in you I trust." He will keep you safe from all hidden dangers and from all deadly diseases. He will cover you with his wings; you will be safe in his care; his faithfulness will protect and defend you. You need not fear any dangers at night or sudden attacks during the day or the plagues that strike in the dark or the evils that kill in daylight. A thousand may fall dead beside you, ten thousand all around you, but you will not be harmed. You will look and see how the wicked are punished. You have made the LORD your defender, the Most High your protector, and so no disaster will strike you, no violence will come near your home. God will put his angels in charge of you to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands to keep you from hurting your feet on the stones. You will trample down lions and snakes, fierce lions and poisonous snakes. God says, "I will save those who love me and will protect those who acknowledge me as LORD. When they call to me, I will answer them; when they are in trouble, I will be with them. I will rescue them and honor them. I will reward them with long life; I will save them." (Psalms 91:1-16 GNB)
Labels: angels, anxiety, fear, God, protection, psalms 91, safety, scripture
