Scripture Before Screen
Our pastor is currently preaching a series entitled "Overwhelmed."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ENjbXiYNQ
He imparts excellent advice for us all..."Scripture before screen." He is so right. How we clothe ourselves mentally for the day is as important as how we dress for the elements outside. We need to fill our minds with God's truths and promises found in his Word and allow the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit to have access into our lives and choices.
The text for this sermon came from 1 Kings 19, where Elijah, a mighty prophet of God sent to show Israel the evil of their ways and encourage them to return to the Lord, became overwhelmed and discouraged.
Then he (Elijah) was afraid (of Jezebel), and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. I Kings 19:3
I could write for a long time on all the things screen time brings into and blocks out of lives. Today, let's focus on what many of us, like Elijah, do when life gets heavy. We get alone, shut others out and isolate ourselves from fellow believers and God, but we fill the void with the world. We turn to our phones for comfort instead of God.
Pastor Stan said,
"When you isolate yourself you start believing lies."
"Your greatest need is not what God can give you. Your greatest need is God."
"Understand there is no spot in this world so lonely where God is not already there."
Elijah got discouraged because "he started to look at God through his circumstances rather than to look at his circumstances through God."
With the holidays upon us, there are a multitude of ways to become discouraged. Pour in God's Word before you pour down your coffee or at least while you do. Our screens are time robbers and mind robbers. Let's be certain we are engaging with God and others in one on one conversation more than we are reading, listening, shopping, and playing.
Proverbs 30:1 I am completely worn out! How can I last?...
By turning to God's Word, hearing him speak through that Word, and saying "Hallelujah anyway, I've got Jesus."
The Songs
"I Have Peace" Danny Gokey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sUMRDB3PxU&list=PL330A461779A9106A&index=81
“First” by Lauren Daigle
