Mud Pies and Alan Bryan

If we have children, we know that it is difficult to take our children somewhere or teach them important things if they insist on their own way, won’t leave their mud pies, or won’t listen. I remember a holiday meal that, as a little child, I spoiled because I would not accept pepper on my potatoes. I remember being carried from the meal by my father. Who knows what blessing we have each missed because we would not listen to our parents and insisted on our own way? In our culture, it can be easy to forget that we are in a spiritual battle. Our work, finances, family and things can all draw our focus away from God and His Words. Our Father desires to help us, guide us and prosper us.

My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings. - Proverbs 4:20-22

If we make no effort to listen but are constantly distracted by other interests how can we hear the Lover of our soul? Today, let’s take some time to turn off the distractions and focus on God’s Word, His love, His nature and His mission for each of us. Let’s do it every day.

Do not let them depart from your sight;
Keep them in the midst of your heart.

When does God Word come before our eyes? God’s Word should be constantly circulating within our thinking. Let’s chose a bit of God’s Word to memorize and meditate on this week. Let’s put His Word on the walls of our thinking because it will change our thoughts, feelings, and actions. If our thinking moves in better paths, our lives will inevitably begin to move in better paths.

For they are life to those who find them,
And health to all their whole body.

Many of us are full to overflowing of knowledge, tidbits of interesting stuff and exciting entertainment while our spirits are dying of starvation. In contrast, if our spirit is well fed, then our emotions will have a steady anchor point, our minds will have a sure guide, our relationships will thrive, and even our bones will be strengthened. Most importantly, our Father can guide us, teach us, bless us and we can bless Him and accomplish His goals if we will give Him our attention and have a heart to obey.

This is exemplified by Alan Bryan who went to be with Father on July 4. As an adult, Alan saw a close friend die after missing opportunities to speak to his friend about Jesus. As a result, Alan turned from an ordinary life of distraction and sought to bring as many as he could into God’s Kingdom. We recently spoke to a young lady who told us that her father repented and became a follower of Jesus at a meeting led by Alan. She said that her whole family had been wonderfully blessed by the change in her father. Who knows what incredible fruit God was able to bring from the seeds planted by Alan. None of us has very much longer to live. Let’s not waste our time on an ordinary life dissipated in meaningless mud pies and worldly distractions.