photo by misswired
The following excerpt is taken from Honor the Blood by Osterhus Publishing House:
The Lord has made the saints of today to be "kings and priests unto God" (Rev. 1:6). The total person needs the total covering of the Blood of Jesus to become a normal, effective Christian. His Blood not only redeems but it also sanctifies, "How much more shall the Blood of Christ…purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:14). The unsanctified ear will be dominated by the inner voice of self. The unsanctified hand will reach out to satisfy the fleshy appetites. The unsanctified foot will delight to walk in the way of the world. These are the three great avenues of approach which Satan makes to the human race - inflate the ego, satisfy the flesh, and love the world. Jesus was victorious in all three such attempts as recorded in Luke 4:3-10. Christ makes His victory possible for all saints who trust His Spirit to apply His Blood.
One of Satan's most effective weapons against the Church is distractions. And if your not careful the noise that permeates your environment can drown out the still small voice of the Holy Ghost. All of our success in this life is given birth in our intimate time with the Lord. But if your to busy to (really) pray and let the Word saturate your spirit you will become weak and ineffective in the things of God.
And Satan knows this.
1Jn 2:15-17 Wuest's
15-17 Stop considering the world precious with the result that you love it, and the things in the world. If anyone as a habit of life is considering the world precious and is therefore loving it, there does not exist the Father's love in him. Because everything which is in the world, the passionate desire of the flesh , and the passionate desire of the eyes, and the insolent and empty assurance which trusts in the things that serve the creature life, is not from the Father as a source but is from the world as a source. And the world is being caused to pass away, and its passionate desire. But the one who keeps on habitually doing the will of God abides forever.
When I can sense my spiritual batteries getting low and I feel myself losing focus, I shut everything down…no more TV, no more internet, no nothing, my number one priority becomes getting my attention set back on Him and His Word.
John 15:5 ESV
(5) I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
But it all starts with a quality decision not only to put Jesus first but to put Him at the center of everything you do. It has taken me almost 15 years in the ministry to figure this out that I can’t (and shouldn’t) do anything without Him.
Here are the steps that I take to help get me back on point…
Wait on the Lord…not coming with a list of demands but just praising and worshiping Him for who He is.
Psa 27:14 KJV
(14) Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Being thankful…remind yourself of all the great things the Lord has already done for you.
Psa 100:4-5 KJV
(4) Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
(5) For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Praying in the (or with your) spirit…praying in the spirit literally recharges your spiritual batteries.
Jude 1:20 (Amplified Bible)
20But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [[a]make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit;
Spend a lot of quality time meditating the Word…allow the Holy Ghost to bring light to the Word in your heart and mind.
Jos 1:8 ESV
(8) This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Just do what He tells you to…obedience is the way into victory and your love for God is proved not with your good intentions but in your willingness to follow His instructions.
1Jn 5:2-3 ESV
(2) By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.
(3) For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.