Last Man Standing

After six seasons on the air, the television hit show "Last Man Standing" was cancelled abruptly.  I've seen many reasons for this decision, but one of them caught my attention.  One article stated that the hit series was cancelled due to it's religious content.  As a person of faith, I loved this show and of course, it didn't bother me when they referred to church or God.  However, I know that there are people out there that would not be comfortable with a show like this.  To those people I would simply say change the channel.

"Make allowance for each other's faults and forgive anyone who offends you.  Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others."  Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

The people who wanted this show cancelled based it on the fact that they were "offended".  I believe the actual reason was because they were uncomfortable.  As people of faith, we are instructed to make allowance for other people.  We are also instructed to forgive anyone who offends us.  Did you know that being offended is a choice?  I can say the exact same thing to a group of people and some will be offended and some won't.  The difference is in the thinking. 

Only God knows our hearts.  Therefore, when someone says something, we don't always know why they are saying it.  Maybe they had a bad day, maybe they truly don't realize how it sounds, and maybe they just don't care.  But we don't know - this is why God instructs us to not be offended.  God showed me this in a very clear way several years ago.  I had someone in my life that loved me, but many times their words were like venom.  I was constantly being hurt by them and it was making me very upset and causing a wedge in our relationship.  Then one day, God showed me what I am telling you today.  Now, when that person speaks with venom, I hurt for a moment and then release it - not because it is easy, or even because I believe they didn't mean it - I do it simply because it is what God has instructed me to do.

You can go through your life being offended all the time - by television shows, by comments that people make, by the opinions of others - there are countless ways.  Or you can choose to obey God and release the offense and forgive the person.  The choice is yours!  And in the case of the television show "Last Man Standing" (or the news or anything else on TV), you can simple change the channel. 

Fasting - It's Not Just For Food Anymore

When you hear the word fasting, you automatically think of food, don't you?  Fasting goes back thousands of years as a way to show God you were serious about something.  We see examples of this all throughout the Bible.  For example, in Daniel 9:3, Daniel is preparing to pray a prayer of confession and petition. 

"So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes."  NIV

But in today's world with so many distractions, fasting other things besides food can be just as important in our journey to grow closer to God and know Him better. 

This morning, I am sitting in my local Chick-fil-A writing this because I have been a victim of distractions for too long.  God has called me to do certain things and the devil has used my weaknesses to distract me from my best.  Last week I was reading this passage in Daniel and in that moment God laid on my heart my need to fast - not food, but other things.  For me, it is television, social media and other things using my electronic devices.  Now, don't misunderstand - God wasn't asking me to get rid of these completely, but simply to fast during certain times and focus on Him.

As many of you know, I work from home and my house if full of distractions.  I would wake up in the morning, ready to attack the day and I would look back at the end of day and I hadn't accomplished anything.  Not even the simple stuff.  This has been going on way too long and God knew my heart.  He knew I really wanted to accomplish it, but the devil was messing with me and winning.  I would find myself watching television even though it was a show I had seen hundreds of times.  I would get caught up in my book and read all day long (fiction - fun not learning).  I would even set boundaries - just 2 games - and end up playing 10.  But not today!

I couldn't handle the distractions in my own strength; therefore, I removed them completely.  And what I have found in removing them is a lessening desire to do them. 

God showed me that fasting isn't just about food - it is about anything that gets in the way of spending time with Him and doing what He has called you to do.  Maybe you think my distractions are silly - I should be able to turn off the television and just do my work.  But we all have weaknesses.  We all have something that the devil uses to distract us from God.  I know someone who's distraction is housework.  She cleans her house obsessively over 8 hours a day.  I love a clean house and my house is clean, but the devil uses her perfection desire to take her away from her time with God. 

I challenge you today to look at your day and see what the devil might be using to take you away from God.  It can be something as simple as television, social media, your phone or tablet, but it also might be your kids, your spouse, your job, or even your clean house.  God isn't asking you to get rid of all of these things - however, He is asking you to put Him first and the rest will fall right into place.

Have a blessed day and an awesome week!  We love you!!

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