Thank you so much for tuning in and Welcome everyone – Hope you’re well!  I’m your host, Ben Lively, and you’re listening to “Shaken Awake” – Episode #48!  

 

I just want to thank you for tuning in with us today, wherever you are and whatever you’re doing right this very moment.  It means everything to me to share the messages that God’s lays on my heart to share.  

 

And, as always, I promise you another great show – But, more than anything, my HOPE for you today, and always, is that you have an actual encounter with the Lord, not just another podcast episode.   

 

Quick ask – if you’ve found value in these episodes, would you take 30 seconds after the show to go to submit a quick review and star-rating in your app.  This is what potential listeners look for when deciding whether to give a show a listen – which is confirmation from other listeners that it can bring value.  Would you do that for me, IF and only IF you find value in these episodes?  I can’t thank you enough.

 

So, without further delay, let’s get ready to invite God in with us, right here, right now and allow Him to speak directly to your heart and minds.   

 

So, today’s topic is on “5 Ways to Tune the World Out and Focus on What Really Matters”

 

I realize just as much, if not more, then the next person how many distractions and noise is out there to take our focus.  If you’ve never listened to my testimony – I talk about what I did for the first 41 years of my life, and it was nothing BUT being involved in and of the world – in all the worst ways.  It’s episode #1, so check it out after the show if you haven’t heard it already.

 

I like to use the example of time and how so quickly we can get absorbed into what we’re doing, that we lose all sense of time.  Last year…. what’d you do and accomplish?  Did it feel like 365 days long?  Do you remember each day like it was yesterday?  Or did it feel about 3-4 months long and outside of work and weekend play, perhaps one or two or three events, that was your year?  Ever take what you intend to be “just a few minutes” in your email or social or the internet and you look at the time and the minutes turned into a double take at the clock?  Much longer and it surely didn’t feel like it, did it?  Happens all the time.  And the more you become aware of it, the more you realize how important time management is – that is, what you spend your time on vs. what you WANT to spend your time on.  And as we grow older, that can turn into, what we WISHED we had spent our time on.

 

The point I’m starting out with today is that there are trillions and trillions and trillions of distractions all around us, but only a handful that are important to life, important to God.  The devil does not want you to know that, or be aware of that, or make a conscious effort to time management in giving yourself up and devoting yourself to what truly matters in life, which is the will of the Father.  By the way, that comes from God, not me or my opinion.  The more comfortable and distracted and dare I say, temporarily happy and satisfied we are in life, the less we focus in on God and what really matters.  If this isn’t you, then count yourself as one of the few and spiritually blessed people to be living right now. 

 

The world, the god of this world (satan), and the distractions in it and of it hold the same value that misdirection and sleight of hand to a magician holds to his performance.  If he can get his audience to be redirected and focused on something else, it allows him to not only perform his work, but in a matter that keeps the audience members entertained and thrilled with the performance and the time spent watching the show.  You see, it’s all a show.  It’s a staged performance.  That, my friends are what the devil and the powers of darkness use the world and those in it to do to you.  They’ve done this for thousands of years…. They are really, really, REALLY good at it.  

 

God placed us here to do His will; that is, if you are His child.  If you are one of the wicked and unsaved, you will not spend your life doing His will.  No one that goes to Heaven goes there because they were “Good” on the earth during their lifetime.  In fact, we will see many that were plain evil on earth when we knew them, up in Heaven with us when we get there because at some point, they surrendered themselves to the Lord, believed in Jesus and the resurrection, and were convicted of their sinful nature and not only did they, from their heart ask for forgiveness, they actually repented of their sinful ways and turned from their wicked ways and lived for Christ alone, and no longer for themselves.  THAT is who goes to Heaven.  

 

So today, we’ll focus on 5 ways (there are more, trust God on that one), but these are 5 that worked well for me and other brothers and sisters that I know.  They take effort, they take awareness, and they take discipline; then again, doesn’t anything good that is accomplished take those 3 things?  Of course – as the saying goes, nothing good comes easy.

 

So, here they are, in no particular order:

 

1.)   Create a daily and weekly schedule and stick to it.

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

So often and for many, daily, we wake up at a specific hour to get up for work or an event, and outside of that, have no other plans for that day.  Other than meals, work, and any after work or school activity, there is no schedule.  This is the schedule the devil cherishes so much.  You’ve heard the phrase, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop, correct?”  This type of lifestyle with no schedule falls right into that phrase and his craftiness at feeding you distractions.  When you don’t specific direction and focus and time management to glue it all together, you’re left to swim in the noise and distractions of this life, which are plenty.  You find yourself, on the phone for countless hours with meaningless discussion, time surfing the web on your pc, tablet, or phone – or all of them on mindless ‘stuff’.  If you’ve been on TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, or those and the many others, you KNOW……. YOU KNOW if you added those hours up, it would be mind-blowing.  You know if you had done something else more constructive to the will of the Father with that same time, you’d have accomplished much.  But instead, it took hours/days/weeks/months, and it won’t be long before YEARS from your life.  You’ll never get them back.  You have nothing to show God or to tithe God within that time spent.  What and who was the time wasted on?  YOU.  It was filled with eternity and kingdom wasting ‘stuff’ that mattered very little to God.  I’m not implying it all was, but I am suggesting that most of it was and before I began making a schedule, every second of mine was of no use spent to the Kingdom of God and it was spent on worthless crap that the devil encouraged.  If he can get you busy doing nothing, he’s won.

 

 

 

2.)  Spend DAILY Time in God’s Word AND a second source – devotional, written/video sermons, etc.

“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. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

There is no better way to invest your days than to be in God’s Word.  The only other time just as well spent is in witnessing to others; the lost, the backslidden and lukewarm, and serving those in need.  However, the way to gain the wisdom and direction and the knowledge is to know God’s Word and to remain dwelling in the Lord.  The Bible is the only infallible Word of God – nothing your pastor or preacher or small group leader or the internet will ever be more powerful or truthful than the Living Word of God – there never was and never will be anything greater or more powerful.  Reading a Bible in a year plan takes no more than 15-20 minutes per day.  I know because I’ve been doing this for the past 2.5 years and realized ANYONE can make ANY excuse NOT to read it in a year, but EVERYONE could shave off and schedule 15-20 minutes per day to do just that.  In fact, I’ve just started a read the Bible in 6 months plan.  Not to be legalistic, not because I think I must or it’s worth more; but, because I simply cannot get enough of God’s Word and I learn every day, continually through the Holy Spirit. And for me, I want to give God more focus per day than just 15-20 minutes.  I have more – to much is given, much is required.  Plus, you will never memorize or know the entire Bible, and certainly not it’s meaning.  That’s why it’s called His “Living Word”.   Example: Just in the first chapter of John the other day, I learned 3 things I never saw before – this is the 4th time reading it!  That’s just how God, His Word, and the Holy Spirit work.  And I also recommend another source of teaching per day to compliment and supplement the Bible.  There are so many great daily devotionals by powerful pastors and video and sermons of some of the most prolific preachers who ever lived, both past and present, chocked full of tremendous teaching.  Why miss out on those??  You shouldn’t.  What you feed you mind will eventually manifest itself in your heart and mind.  Garbage in, garbage out, right?  Holiness and God’s wisdom in, holiness and God’s wisdom out.

 

 

 

3.)  Get involved with things that help serve others.

“When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.”

You don’t have to rearrange your entire life to help serve others.  Many things you can do right inside your own home.  Technology has made so many wonderful things possible that never were in the history of the world.  Small groups, Zoom-video bible study groups, donating, volunteering one night a week or even a month to serving food or necessities with others to the needy.  I didn’t even know or realize this until God led me to it a few months back, but you can literally go to a fast food drive thru, order food, and then drive it and drop it off at a local homeless shelter and you will make their day – and I’m not even talking about the homeless….I’m talking about those that are serving the homeless!!!!!  How little effort, money, and time is that to serve such a worthy cause for God and His kingdom.  Go through your pantry once per month and your closet every few months (and if you haven’t done so ever or it’s been a while – go do it now!  Find unwanted items and place them in a bag).  I guarantee there are many drop-off locations (search the internet for them if you don’t know) for clothes and for food items. 

 

Join a few online Christian groups.  Be an active member – make suggestions, help others out that have questions, be a resource to them, share Bible verses that address the topics discussed, the list goes on – there’s a lot of people in need of prayer and advice and Godly direction and redirection – you can’t even fathom how many.  And they’re there – right in front of you everywhere you go on your cell phone – God’s really making it easy for us to bear witness and help others these days, isn’t He?  But of what use, or blessings, are they if we’re not taking the initiative to use them for His purpose?

 

Remember, we are to serve others, not ourselves.  God supplies our needs but asks us to help supply the needs of the least of them.  What are YOU doing to serve the least of them right now?  If the shoe fits – kick it off today!!!!

 

 

 

 

4.)  Eliminate the Noise and the Evil where you’re able.

“He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.”

What do I mean by this broad statement (eliminate the noise and the evil where you’re able)?  I mean to take the distractions and meaningless to the kingdom stuff out of your day.  Here’s what I did that worked:

 

I started a fresh FB page, only joining a few, select, God-loving Christian groups.  I made sure to make friends only with those that had Christian themes and messages throughout.  I deleted all friend requests that did not.  I started posting Christian content that I enjoyed, which attracted others in the family of God and provide messages of hope and of the Lord to others.  I started unfollowing and/or blocking people that would post messages unbecoming of a true Christian.  Now, I have nothing but holiness on my page, no matter how long I scroll – messages of positivity, love, healing, devotion, God, and other spiritual messages.  It’s peaceful to be a part of, not something that distracts or detracts from my spiritual walk with the Lord.

 

I did the same with LinkedIn, unfollowing anything that did with pride-type posts, boasting, serving money, worshipping false idols, and posts and advertisements that promoted the things of this world.  I started making daily posts of scripture which changed the algorithms of both FB and LinkedIn and therefore, more of what was displayed on my page daily has to do with Jesus, not the world and the things in and of it.

 

Same went for Pinterest, and Instagram – and it works.  If I ever need some downtime or relaxing time and I open any of these, it’s messages of positivity and God, nothing more.  How beautiful is that?

 

I stopped watching tv altogether and secular tv stations and movies and radio, not because I felt I had to, but because I didn’t want to listen or watch them anymore – it didn’t align with my new life in Christ.  All they did was become a distraction away from God and His purpose for my life and was a tool the enemy used to keep me distracted and to plant subliminal messages through to me – creating spiritual warfare.

 

I like OnDemand – purposeful listening and watching.  You’d be amazed at what you will begin learning by searching (via YouTube, Google, or any of the other number of avenues the devil intended for evil) “What does God and the Bible say about…….” and fill in the blank.  Make sure it’s an important topic for you or others you know.  You’ll be amazed at how time spend growing in your wisdom and knowledge will do for your life and for the lives of others around you as you use what the devil intended for evil, and now God is using for good.  

 

Evil is everywhere, but it doesn’t have to be inside your home, your car, or your ears, eyes, or mind.   Feed your body the bread and water of Life, which only comes from the Father.

 

 

 

5.)  Ask and Trust God to create your path.  

 

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

Sounds simple and straightforward, right?  Then why aren’t you doing this now?  I’m not speaking to everyone listening, but I guarantee I’m speaking to many of you.  How do I know?  Because most don’t or won’t and I was one of them and everyone I knew didn’t.  It’s human nature to take on life and try to do the best you can with life each day, from the time you open your eyes in the morning until the time you close them at night.  We typically try to do the best we can and give ourselves the credit when we do (also known as pride) and conversely, we can blame ourselves or others when we don’t (also known as pride).  Either way, how often are we praying to and relying solely on God to create our paths and lead us down them, day in and day out?  How many days do you have something you need or want to accomplish, and you see God for guidance?  Seek God for answers?  Pray and talk with Him about what can or should be done and what does He want you to go about doing?  How many of you wait on His voice, and even more, when you hear His voice, you actually follow-it whether you agree with His answer or you don’t?  I can tell you…. almost none of you.    How do I know that?  Because I’ve lived it and everyone I know is the same, with the exception of a handful – and that might be you.  Again if and when the shoe fits, kick it off!  

 

It’s the worldly equivalent of why only ~2% of the world’s population do the things to be entrepreneurs and business owners, while the other ~98% are working every day for the owners’ dreams and not their own?  That’s human nature; but it doesn’t have to be with God.  If you believe in yourself, your doomed to fail in one or many areas of your life.  If you believe in God, then what are you doing by NOT including Him in every aspect of your life?  And if you ARE, follow every direction He gives you, not just the ones that feel ‘safe’ or that you’re ‘okay with’, if you know what I’m saying.

 

So, in closing, my final statement is this:  While there are MANY ways to tune the world out and focus on what really matters, the only ones that really work are the ones you consistently put into practice.  Remember, it’s not what you know that matters, it’s what you do with what you know that matters.  I’ve only given you 5, but these 5 have helped me allow God to transform my life 360 degrees in a short amount of time.  He’s done more with me in 6 months that the devil did with me for 41 years, and God and I are just getting started!!!!  I know He can and will do the same if He’s not already.  He needs you to be in agreement with Him, however.  He never forces His will on you.  And, neither does the devil.  However, every choice you make to do or not to do, you’re listening and answering to one of them.  They’re both at battle for your soul – from the moment you were born and it will continue until you take your last breath.

 

When it’s cold outside, what do you put on?

When it’s raining outside, what do you use?

When it’s dark outside, what do you turn on?

 

When life’s distractions and noise are blocking your view, your attention, your time, and your abilities to follow God with all your heart, your soul, and your mind, who do you turn to and what do you do?

So, before we end today’s show, I just want to thank you all again for tuning in and I HOPE you were touched by today’s message and scripture.  If you’d like to reach out to me, please call me directly at 4074933208, email me at ben@shaken-awake.com, or check out the show at shaken-awake.com.

 

Next week!!!!  Tune in Next Sunday – or WHENEVER YOU’RE ABLE, as we discuss “What Are The ‘Beatitudes’ and How and Why Do They Apply To Me?”

Next week’s episode is another powerful and DO-NOT-MISS episode – thanks for joining!  

Until next week, take great care of yourself and each other, and God Bless You all.