Don't get choked

"and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful".     Mark 4:19   NKJV

We can very often become fired up as the Word of God envelopes us. This may be, listening to a sermon in church; watching a Christian video or reading a Christian book that we feel difficult to put down. We've all been there. The Holy Spirit can come upon us and fill us with His love and power and we feel that we are ready to go out and take the world for Jesus. Then, as quick as the feeling comes, it goes again and we are left feeling quite flat. 

What has happened? Satan has fired a SCUD missile at us - one of those fiery darts that the devil uses to stop us in our tracks. The acronym of the word Scud is: SATAN CONTINUALLY USES DISTRACTIONS. He does this to stop us worshipping God; and pushing forward to new ground. He fires one of these missiles to get us to take our attention/focus off God, making us feel other things are more important. Therefore, in other words, he chokes the Word of God and the moment is lost.

We need to be alert to these moments so, recognise your thoughts and state of mind. Our text today mentions: 

THE CARES OF THIS WORLD. What is going on in our lives can allow our minds to wander and become far more important than the Word that has just been implanted within us. Worry, stress and busy - ness, can become a stronghold to our thinking and this disrupts our faith. It is being choked out of us. 

THE DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES  Money problems can promote a stranglehold on us prompting us to place this fear in first place. We may worry about a bill that needs paying and it is a struggle. Why do this, when the King of kings has just given you a blessing and has the power to take control of your debt. If God can fire you up as He has done, surely He can figure a way forward for your bill to be paid?  Instead of worrying, ask Him for help.

THE DESIRE FOR OTHER THINGS  We live in a materialistic world where some people want to have a better car, better job, better holidays and a better bank balance than others have. To some, it can almost become a paranoid fantasy. It is nice to have the luxuries of life but, not at the cost of making ourselves ill in trying to achieve this. At the end of our life, no one will be able to take their riches with them. They will be passed to other people.

The most important thing is serving Jesus. He gave His all for us and, we need to do the same. When we were saved, we asked God to take charge of our lives and this includes doing what He asks. He wants the best for us so, He will begin to edify us and equip us with the tools for our trade - saving souls. This is why the devil will try to stop us. 

So savour moments of passion with Jesus and allow yourself to become even more closer to Him. He hasn't given you this wonderful feeling to be concerned with the devil. He has given you the ability to speak about the Blood of the Lamb. So relish these wonderful moments.

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now

Lord Jesus, I have sinned. I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today. In Jesus' Name. Amen
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