HEAVENSREEF

I thought this was a great picture…….these girls look captivated by something they are seeing on their phones.  And yes this technology seems to have captivated all of us.  Who do you know that doesn’t have a cell phone?  Anyone?

And so it goes, the world is captivated by the phone and all it offers, including social media and communicating with anyone anywhere with just a quick text.  My parents who have been gone for many years now could not have even imagined what a phone is like today.  They had land lines and nothing more.

Yes there are many things that captivate the world, but what captivates you Christian?  What holds your attention above all else?  Merriam-Webster definition of captivate is this:  “to influence and dominate by some special charm, art, or trait and with an “irresistible appeal.”

Does GOD and HIS word captivate you and have an irresistible appeal to you or has your faith grown cold and stale?  Sometimes this happens because we are in a marathon, not a sprint with our faith. Often the troubles of this world are too hard to bear.  Have we taken our eyes off the ONE who redeems?  So how does one stay captivated?

LET US PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT OUR EYES REST UPON AND WHAT OUR EARS HEAR!

Listen to what 1 JOHN 1: 1-3 says:

“THAT WHICH WAS FROM THE BEGINNING WHICH WE HAVE HEARD, WHICH WE HAVE SEEN WITH OUR EYES, WHICH WE HAVE LOOKED UPON, AND OUR HANDS HAVE HANDLED, CONCERNING THE WORD OF LIFE – THE LIFE WAS MANIFESTED, AND WE HAVE SEEN, AND BEAR WITNESS, AND DECLARE TO YOU THAT ETERNAL LIFE WHICH WAS WITH THE FATHER AND WAS MANIFESTED TO US – THAT WHICH WE HAVE SEEN AND HEARD WE DECLARE TO YOU, THAT YOU ALSO MAY HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH US; AND TRULY OUR FELLOWSHIP IS WITH THE FATHER AND WITH HIS SON JESUS CHRIST.”

The disciples had looked and seen and heard JESUS and HIS teaching.  And they witnessed HIS death and resurrection.  Their eyes rested upon the SAVIOR, and they were captivated by HIM! They must have been because many of HIS followers were willing to die for HIM.

How often do we run in many directions, being distracted by the very best thing in life?  Shouldn’t we choose the best thing over many things?  The enemy knows how to create these distractions for us……many are full of sparkle and appeal.  But really, are they worth it?  Are they worth the sacrifice of our souls?

1 CORINTHIANS 1: 18  “FOR THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS IS FOOLISHNESS TO THOSE WHO ARE PERISHING, BUT TO US WHO ARE BEING SAVED IT IS THE POWER OF GOD.”

Has the power of the Cross captivated you since you were saved and even now?  Let your eyes daily fall upon HIM and HIS word and see the amazing power in JESUS and the message of the GOSPEL.

ROMANS 1: 16  “FOR I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL, BECAUSE IT IS THE POWER OF GOD FOR SALVATION TO EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES, FIRST TO THE JEW AND ALSO TO THE GREEK.”

Let us not be ashamed by the GOSPEL, but be captivated by it! Knowing CHRIST died on the Cross for us and our sins should never stop amazing us.  We should be living without worry, in spite of this chaotic woke world right now.  We know that GOD is ultimately in control and one day HE will establish HIS kingdom and the enemy will be dealt with.  And we are not consumed by death, but will live in eternity with HIM!  What a captivating thought!

So surround yourself with all things of GOD……..music, Church, worship, friends, the WORD.  Pray with all your heart to be continually captivated!  We need to remain captivated by CHRIST, because HE is returning soon and we do not want to be found lacking.  LET GOD BE YOUR ALL AND ALL TODAY AND EVERYDAY YOU LIVE.

 

STAY CAPTIVATED DEAR ONES!