{"id":7126,"date":"2016-10-03T08:24:36","date_gmt":"2016-10-03T08:24:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nehemiah.pivotdev.com\/?p=7126"},"modified":"2020-03-16T23:20:37","modified_gmt":"2020-03-17T06:20:37","slug":"block-out-all-distractions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/devotionals\/block-out-all-distractions\/","title":{"rendered":"Block Out All Distractions","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-background has-very-light-gray-background-color\"><em>\u201cThen go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.\u201d<strong>\u00a0 \u2014 II Kings 4:4<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How are you spending your time? What are the \u201ctime-wasters\u201d in your life? How can we block these distractions and put our focus solely on God?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Among all assets that God has blessed us with, the most valuable, and most misused, is time.\u00a0 Everyone has the same amount of time: 60 seconds a minute, 60 minutes an hour, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, and 365 days a year. A poem titled \u201cI have only just a minute\u201d by an unknown author and popularized by my friend Willy Jolly, gives us a good view of how we should all view our time:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><i>\u201cI have only just a minute, only sixty seconds in it, didn\u2019t seek it, didn\u2019t choose it, but it\u2019s up to me to use it, give account if I abuse it, answer for it if I lose it, just a tiny little minute, but eternity in it.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How we use our time depends on our attitude towards time, our focus, and discipline.\u00a0 What makes entrepreneurs successful or unsuccessful is how they value and effectively use their time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The biggest enemy of our time is distraction.\u00a0 Distractions come in many forms.\u00a0 We live in a world surrounded by technology and information. We are bombarded with distractions on a daily basis through multiple mediums such as the internet, television, smartphones, tablets, etc. Wherever we turn, someone is attempting to feed us with information. These technological advances have brought many curses and many blessings into our lives.\u00a0 One of the major challenges we face is the ability to remain focused.\u00a0 These instruments tend to draw our attention from things we should focus on. Whether it\u2019s the phone ringing at the most inappropriate time or a text message that draws our attention, we are easily distracted by these instruments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2 Kings 4 the prophet Elisha recognizes that the worst thing that could happen to the widow is for her to be distracted from using the capital she acquired. Therefore, Elijah instructs her to go into her house and shut the door behind her so she could focus completely on her business and gain financial freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What has been distracting you from using your assets to generate the revenue you need to achieve your business objectives?\u00a0 Distractions are obstacles of attention that draw you away from something of greater priority.\u00a0 If the devil cannot stop you from going forward he will distract you and keep you busy so that you will not put your full attention on what you have to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The prophet advised the widow to shut the door behind her. \u00a0That is the best advice I can give you.\u00a0 Shut the door to any distractions you may be facing today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are two types of distractions: distractions that stop you completely from pursuing your vision and distractions that slow you down.\u00a0 The worst type\u00a0 of distraction are those that slow you down because they are often unnoticeable, but very effective.\u00a0 Remember, the devil does not have to stop you; he just has to slow you down enough so you do not achieve your objectives.\u00a0 The key to success in any endeavor is focus, discipline, and perseverance.\u00a0 To focus means to concentrate all your attention and energies on something, like a laser beam.\u00a0 Laser beams are effective because all of their energies are focused on one single function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s look at what causes us to become distracted.\u00a0 The primary source of distractions is our own human desire and curiosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><i>\u201cBlessed is the man who endures temptations; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.\u00a0 Let no one say when he is tempted, \u2018I am tempted by God\u2019; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.\u00a0 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.\u00a0 Then when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.\u201d\u2014\u00a0<strong>James 1:12-15<\/strong><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The truth is the things that tend to distract us are things for which we have an internal desire.\u00a0 What has been distracting you from achieving your business objectives?\u00a0 To overcome the distractions, you must go back to the source of those distractions.\u00a0 What about that distraction has been enticing you?\u00a0 There are three sources of distraction; the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.\u00a0 Every distraction is manifested through one of those sources.\u00a0 The lust of the eye is manifested when you are drawn by something that appeals to your visual senses.\u00a0 The lust of the flesh is manifested when you are drawn by something that appeals to your physical senses.\u00a0 To lust is to have an unhealthy desire for something. The eye is the gateway to our soul and the flesh is where our sin nature resides.\u00a0 When we have an unhealthy desire for anything that could negatively impact our souls or that feed our sin nature, we will always remain distracted.\u00a0 Whenever we attempt to focus, all the devil has to do is bring that thing to our mind or near us and it draws us away from whatever we should focus on.\u00a0 The pride of life is manifested when you are drawn to something that appeals to your perception of who you want to be. Pride causes us to take on more than we can handle or to take on things that are beyond our ability.\u00a0 My former pastor use to say that pride is the human smoke screen.\u00a0 This is true because pride creates a perception of ourselves that is not real and convinces us to act according to that perception.\u00a0 The Bible tells us that pride comes before the fall.\u00a0 Therefore, whenever we respond or act based on pride, we are sure to be distracted from our primary objective and failure is guaranteed. You cannot be distracted unless you allow yourself to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How do you overcome these distractions?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Identify those areas of your life that tend to distract you from your primary objectives.\u00a0 \u00a0Then ask the Lord to help you find ways to block the distraction.\u00a0 He will be faithful to grant this request as you seek His help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My prayer for you today is that you will shut the door to distractions and use your time wisely to serve the Lord.<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cThen go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7126","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-devotionals","pmpro-has-access",""],"spectra_custom_meta":{"avada_post_views_count":["696"],"_mk_post_love":["1"],"_yoast_wpseo_redirect":[""],"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-adv":["none"],"_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":["How are you spending your time? What are the \u201ctime-wasters\u201d in your life? How can we block these distractions and put our focus solely on God?"],"_yoast_wpseo_title":["Block Out All Distractions -"],"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":["Distractions"],"mom_video_show":["on"],"mom_video_type":["html5"],"mom_article_type":["article"],"sbg_selected_sidebar":["a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"0\";}"],"shareaholic_disable_open_graph_tags":["0"],"shareaholic_disable_share_buttons":["0"],"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":["80"],"_edit_last":["1"],"sbg_selected_sidebar_replacement":["a:1:{i:0;s:0:\"\";}"],"sbg_selected_sidebar_2_replacement":["a:1:{i:0;s:0:\"\";}"],"slide_template":["default"],"pyre_show_first_featured_image":["no"],"pyre_fimg_width":[""],"pyre_fimg_height":[""],"pyre_portfolio_width_100":["default"],"pyre_video":[""],"pyre_image_rollover_icons":["default"],"pyre_link_icon_url":[""],"pyre_post_links_target":["no"],"pyre_related_posts":["default"],"pyre_share_box":["default"],"pyre_post_pagination":["default"],"pyre_author_info":["default"],"pyre_post_meta":["default"],"pyre_post_comments":["default"],"pyre_main_top_padding":[""],"pyre_main_bottom_padding":[""],"pyre_hundredp_padding":[""],"pyre_slider_type":["no"],"pyre_slider":["0"],"pyre_wooslider":["0"],"pyre_revslider":["0"],"pyre_elasticslider":["0"],"pyre_slider_position":["default"],"pyre_avada_rev_styles":["default"],"pyre_fallback":[""],"pyre_demo_slider":[""],"pyre_display_header":["yes"],"pyre_header_100_width":["default"],"pyre_header_bg_color":[""],"pyre_header_bg_opacity":[""],"pyre_header_bg":[""],"pyre_header_bg_full":["no"],"pyre_header_bg_repeat":["repeat"],"pyre_displayed_menu":["default"],"pyre_display_footer":["default"],"pyre_display_copyright":["default"],"pyre_footer_100_width":["default"],"pyre_sidebar_position":["default"],"pyre_sidebar_bg_color":[""],"pyre_page_bg_layout":["default"],"pyre_page_bg_color":[""],"pyre_page_bg":[""],"pyre_page_bg_full":["no"],"pyre_page_bg_repeat":["repeat"],"pyre_wide_page_bg_color":[""],"pyre_wide_page_bg":[""],"pyre_wide_page_bg_full":["no"],"pyre_wide_page_bg_repeat":["repeat"],"pyre_page_title":["default"],"pyre_page_title_breadcrumbs_search_bar":["default"],"pyre_page_title_text":["default"],"pyre_page_title_text_alignment":["default"],"pyre_page_title_custom_text":[""],"pyre_page_title_text_size":[""],"pyre_page_title_custom_subheader":[""],"pyre_page_title_custom_subheader_text_size":[""],"pyre_page_title_font_color":[""],"pyre_page_title_100_width":["default"],"pyre_page_title_height":[""],"pyre_page_title_mobile_height":[""],"pyre_page_title_bar_bg_color":[""],"pyre_page_title_bar_borders_color":[""],"pyre_page_title_bar_bg":[""],"pyre_page_title_bar_bg_retina":[""],"pyre_page_title_bar_bg_full":["default"],"pyre_page_title_bg_parallax":["default"],"fusion_builder_status":["active"],"_accessally_post_permission":["a:9:{s:13:\"require-login\";s:2:\"no\";s:16:\"required-tag-ids\";a:0:{}s:13:\"tag-id-system\";s:12:\"Infusionsoft\";s:21:\"conditional-redirects\";a:0:{}s:10:\"enable-url\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"disable-url\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"no-wpautop\";s:2:\"no\";s:16:\"include-form-css\";s:2:\"no\";s:15:\"include-form-js\";s:2:\"no\";}"],"_accessally_post_webinar":["a:7:{s:14:\"enable-webinar\";s:2:\"no\";s:10:\"youtube-id\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"hangout-url\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"webinar-title\";s:18:\"AccessAlly Webinar\";s:18:\"webinar-start-date\";s:0:\"\";s:25:\"webinar-start-time-select\";s:5:\"00:00\";s:22:\"webinar-start-time-raw\";i:1486875600;}"],"_progressally_quiz_counter_meta":["a:4:{s:16:\"select-quiz-type\";s:5:\"score\";s:23:\"quiz_completion_counter\";i:0;s:18:\"grade_pass_counter\";i:0;s:8:\"question\";a:1:{i:1;a:4:{i:1;i:0;i:2;i:0;i:3;i:0;i:4;i:0;}}}"],"_progressally_post_meta":["a:11:{s:12:\"selected-tab\";s:9:\"objective\";s:13:\"max-objective\";s:1:\"0\";s:15:\"objective-error\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"objective-order\";a:0:{}s:10:\"access-tag\";s:0:\"\";s:19:\"checked-enable-quiz\";s:2:\"no\";s:4:\"quiz\";a:16:{s:16:\"select-quiz-type\";s:5:\"score\";s:20:\"correct-message-html\";s:8:\"Correct!\";s:11:\"result-html\";s:92:\"<div class=\"progressally-quiz-result\"><hr\/>Congratulations! You scored {[percentage]}!<\/div>\";s:18:\"submit-button-text\";s:15:\"Submit Answers!\";s:18:\"retake-button-text\";s:11:\"Retake Quiz\";s:10:\"num-retake\";s:1:\"0\";s:18:\"survey-num-outcome\";s:1:\"2\";s:14:\"survey-outcome\";a:2:{i:1;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"Survey Outcome\";s:15:\"checked-is-open\";s:2:\"no\";s:4:\"html\";s:56:\"<div class=\"progressally-quiz-result\">Outcome Text<\/div>\";s:10:\"access-tag\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"Survey Outcome\";s:15:\"checked-is-open\";s:2:\"no\";s:4:\"html\";s:56:\"<div class=\"progressally-quiz-result\">Outcome Text<\/div>\";s:10:\"access-tag\";s:0:\"\";}}s:26:\"grade-outcome-threshold-id\";s:1:\"1\";s:17:\"grade-num-outcome\";s:1:\"2\";s:13:\"grade-outcome\";a:2:{i:2;a:3:{s:9:\"min-score\";s:2:\"50\";s:15:\"checked-is-open\";s:2:\"no\";s:4:\"html\";s:110:\"<div class=\"progressally-quiz-result\"><hr\/>Congratulations! You scored {[percentage]} and pass the quiz!<\/div>\";}i:1;a:3:{s:9:\"min-score\";s:1:\"0\";s:15:\"checked-is-open\";s:2:\"no\";s:4:\"html\";s:102:\"<div class=\"progressally-quiz-result\"><hr\/>You scored {[percentage]}, and did not pass the quiz.<\/div>\";}}s:22:\"grade-outcome-pass-tag\";s:0:\"\";s:22:\"grade-outcome-fail-tag\";s:0:\"\";s:19:\"segment-num-outcome\";s:1:\"1\";s:15:\"segment-outcome\";a:1:{i:1;a:4:{s:9:\"min-score\";s:1:\"0\";s:15:\"checked-is-open\";s:2:\"no\";s:4:\"html\";s:70:\"<div class=\"progressally-quiz-result\"><hr\/>You scored {[score]}!<\/div>\";s:10:\"access-tag\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"question\";a:1:{i:1;a:7:{s:15:\"checked-is-open\";s:2:\"no\";s:13:\"question-html\";s:24:\"Question text goes here?\";s:22:\"incorrect-message-html\";s:10:\"Incorrect.\";s:13:\"radio-correct\";s:1:\"1\";s:13:\"survey-weight\";s:1:\"1\";s:5:\"order\";a:4:{i:0;s:1:\"1\";i:1;s:1:\"2\";i:2;s:1:\"3\";i:3;s:1:\"4\";}s:6:\"choice\";a:4:{i:1;a:4:{s:4:\"html\";s:21:\"Choice text goes here\";s:15:\"checked-correct\";s:2:\"no\";s:21:\"select-survey-outcome\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"segment-score\";s:1:\"1\";}i:2;a:4:{s:4:\"html\";s:21:\"Choice text goes here\";s:15:\"checked-correct\";s:2:\"no\";s:21:\"select-survey-outcome\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"segment-score\";s:1:\"1\";}i:3;a:4:{s:4:\"html\";s:21:\"Choice text goes here\";s:15:\"checked-correct\";s:2:\"no\";s:21:\"select-survey-outcome\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"segment-score\";s:1:\"1\";}i:4;a:4:{s:4:\"html\";s:21:\"Choice text goes here\";s:15:\"checked-correct\";s:2:\"no\";s:21:\"select-survey-outcome\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"segment-score\";s:1:\"1\";}}}}}s:12:\"sharing-text\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"sharing-image\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"sharing-url\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"fb-automation-tag\";s:0:\"\";}"],"_progressally_certificate":["a:2:{s:8:\"max-cert\";s:1:\"0\";s:4:\"cert\";a:0:{}}"],"sbg_selected_sidebar_2":["a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"0\";}"],"_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":["47"],"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":["Distractions"],"_yoast_wpseo_content_score":["60"],"_is4wp_prohibited_action":["default"],"_is4wp_redirect_url":[""],"_is4wp_facebook_crawler":["0"],"_is4wp_google_1stclick":["1"],"_is4wp_membership_levels":[""],"_is4wp_anonymous_only":["0"],"_is4wp_any_loggedin_user":["0"],"_is4wp_any_membership":[""],"_edit_lock":["1576951075:1"],"_is4wp_private_comments":["0"],"_is4wp_can_comment":[""],"_is4wp_commenter_tag":[""],"_is4wp_commenter_action":["0"],"_is4wp_commenter_goal":[""],"_is4wp_access_tags":[""],"_is4wp_access_tags2":[""],"_is4wp_contact_ids":[""],"_is4wp_discourage_cache":["0"],"_is4wp_force_public":["0"],"_is4wp_hide_from_menu":["0"],"_iswp_custom_code":["a:3:{s:4:\"head\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"css\";s:0:\"\";s:2:\"js\";s:0:\"\";}"],"_is4wp_learndash_achievement":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_actions":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_assignment_approved_actions":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_assignment_approved_tags":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_assignment_upload_actions":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_assignment_upload_tags":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_autoenroll":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_autojoin":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_badges":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_fail_actions":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_fail_goals":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_fail_tags":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_goals":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_orientation":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_pdfformat":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_redirect":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_shortcodes":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_tags":[""],"_is4wp_lms_complete_percent":[""],"_is4wp_lms_completed":[""],"_is4wp_lms_grade":[""],"_is4wp_lms_start_date":[""],"_is4wp_wpcw_completion_tag":[""],"rank_math_analytic_object_id":["6138"],"_uag_page_assets":["a:9:{s:3:\"css\";s:7156:\".uag-blocks-common-selector{z-index:var(--z-index-desktop) !important}@media (max-width: 976px){.uag-blocks-common-selector{z-index:var(--z-index-tablet) !important}}@media (max-width: 767px){.uag-blocks-common-selector{z-index:var(--z-index-mobile) !important}}\n.wp-block-uagb-image{display:flex}.wp-block-uagb-image__figure{position:relative;display:flex;flex-direction:column;max-width:100%;height:auto;margin:0}.wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{height:auto;display:flex;max-width:100%;transition:box-shadow 0.2s ease}.wp-block-uagb-image__figure>a{display:inline-block}.wp-block-uagb-image__figure figcaption{text-align:center;margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:1em}.wp-block-uagb-image .components-placeholder.block-editor-media-placeholder .components-placeholder__instructions{align-self:center}.wp-block-uagb-image--align-left{text-align:left}.wp-block-uagb-image--align-right{text-align:right}.wp-block-uagb-image--align-center{text-align:center}.wp-block-uagb-image--align-full .wp-block-uagb-image__figure{margin-left:calc(50% - 50vw);margin-right:calc(50% - 50vw);max-width:100vw;width:100vw;height:auto}.wp-block-uagb-image--align-full .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{height:auto;width:100% !important}.wp-block-uagb-image--align-wide .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{height:auto;width:100%}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{position:absolute;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;opacity:0.2;background:rgba(0,0,0,0.5);transition:opacity 0.35s ease-in-out}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay-link{position:absolute;left:0;right:0;bottom:0;top:0}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{opacity:1}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner{position:absolute;left:15px;right:15px;bottom:15px;top:15px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-direction:column;border-color:#fff;transition:0.35s ease-in-out}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.top-left,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.top-center,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.top-right{justify-content:flex-start}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.bottom-left,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.bottom-center,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.bottom-right{justify-content:flex-end}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.top-left,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.center-left,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.bottom-left{align-items:flex-start}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.top-right,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.center-right,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.bottom-right{align-items:flex-end}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-heading{color:#fff;transition:transform 0.35s, opacity 0.35s ease-in-out;transform:translate3d(0, 24px, 0);margin:0;line-height:1em}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-separator{width:30%;border-top-width:2px;border-top-color:#fff;border-top-style:solid;margin-bottom:10px;opacity:0;transition:transform 0.4s, opacity 0.4s ease-in-out;transform:translate3d(0, 30px, 0)}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-caption{opacity:0;overflow:visible;color:#fff;transition:transform 0.45s, opacity 0.45s ease-in-out;transform:translate3d(0, 35px, 0)}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner:hover .uagb-image-heading,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner:hover .uagb-image-separator,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner:hover .uagb-image-caption{opacity:1;transform:translate3d(0, 0, 0)}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-zoomin .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img,.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-zoomin .wp-block-uagb-image__figure .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{transform:scale(1);transition:transform 0.35s ease-in-out}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-zoomin .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover img,.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-zoomin .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{transform:scale(1.05)}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-slide .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img,.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-slide .wp-block-uagb-image__figure .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{width:calc(100% + 40px) !important;max-width:none !important;transform:translate3d(-40px, 0, 0);transition:transform 0.35s ease-in-out}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-slide .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover img,.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-slide .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{transform:translate3d(0, 0, 0)}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-grayscale img{filter:grayscale(0%);transition:0.35s ease-in-out}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-grayscale:hover img{filter:grayscale(100%)}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-blur img{filter:blur(0);transition:0.35s ease-in-out}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-blur:hover img{filter:blur(3px)}\n.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default figure img{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000070;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure figcaption{font-style: normal;align-self: center;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay figure img{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000070;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{opacity: 0.2;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner{left: 15px;right: 15px;top: 15px;bottom: 15px;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-heading{font-style: normal;color: #fff;opacity: 1;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-heading a{color: #fff;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-caption{opacity: 0;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{opacity: 1;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-separator{width: 30%;border-top-width: 2px;border-top-color: #fff;opacity: 0;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{width: px;height: auto;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-caption{opacity: 1;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-separator{opacity: 1;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default figure:hover img{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000070;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay figure:hover img{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000070;}@media only screen and (max-width: 976px) {.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{width: px;height: auto;}}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{width: px;height: auto;}}\";s:2:\"js\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"current_block_list\";a:3:{i:0;s:14:\"core\/paragraph\";i:1;s:10:\"uagb\/image\";i:2;s:10:\"core\/image\";}s:8:\"uag_flag\";b:1;s:11:\"uag_version\";s:10:\"1774742406\";s:6:\"gfonts\";a:0:{}s:10:\"gfonts_url\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"gfonts_files\";a:0:{}s:14:\"uag_faq_layout\";b:0;}"],"_uag_css_file_name":["uag-css-7126.css"]},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false,"post-thumbnail":false,"gform-image-choice-sm":false,"gform-image-choice-md":false,"gform-image-choice-lg":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"EC Admin","author_link":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/author\/ecmembersadm-2\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"\u201cThen go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it\u2026","comments_count":0,"content_native":[{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p class=\"has-background has-very-light-gray-background-color\"><em>\u201cThen go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.\"<strong>&nbsp; \u2014 II Kings 4:4<\/strong><\/em><\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"<p class=\"has-background has-very-light-gray-background-color\"><em>\u201cThen go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.\"<strong>&nbsp; \u2014 II Kings 4:4<\/strong><\/em><\/p>"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{},"backgroundColor":"#eeeeee"}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>How are you spending your time? What are the \u201ctime-wasters\u201d in your life? How can we block these distractions and put our focus solely on God?<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"How are you spending your time? What are the \u201ctime-wasters\u201d in your life? How can we block these distractions and put our focus solely on God?"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>Among all assets that God has blessed us with, the most valuable, and most misused, is time.&nbsp; Everyone has the same amount of time: 60 seconds a minute, 60 minutes an hour, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, and 365 days a year. A poem titled \"I have only just a minute\" by an unknown author and popularized by my friend Willy Jolly, gives us a good view of how we should all view our time:<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"Among all assets that God has blessed us with, the most valuable, and most misused, is time.&nbsp; Everyone has the same amount of time: 60 seconds a minute, 60 minutes an hour, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, and 365 days a year. A poem titled \"I have only just a minute\" by an unknown author and popularized by my friend Willy Jolly, gives us a good view of how we should all view our time:"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p><i>\u201cI have only just a minute, only sixty seconds in it, didn't seek it, didn't choose it, but it's up to me to use it, give account if I abuse it, answer for it if I lose it, just a tiny little minute, but eternity in it.\"<\/i><\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"<i>\u201cI have only just a minute, only sixty seconds in it, didn't seek it, didn't choose it, but it's up to me to use it, give account if I abuse it, answer for it if I lose it, just a tiny little minute, but eternity in it.\"<\/i>"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>How we use our time depends on our attitude towards time, our focus, and discipline.&nbsp; What makes entrepreneurs successful or unsuccessful is how they value and effectively use their time.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"How we use our time depends on our attitude towards time, our focus, and discipline.&nbsp; What makes entrepreneurs successful or unsuccessful is how they value and effectively use their time."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>The biggest enemy of our time is distraction.&nbsp; Distractions come in many forms.&nbsp; We live in a world surrounded by technology and information. We are bombarded with distractions on a daily basis through multiple mediums such as the internet, television, smartphones, tablets, etc. Wherever we turn, someone is attempting to feed us with information. These technological advances have brought many curses and many blessings into our lives.&nbsp; One of the major challenges we face is the ability to remain focused.&nbsp; These instruments tend to draw our attention from things we should focus on. Whether it\u2019s the phone ringing at the most inappropriate time or a text message that draws our attention, we are easily distracted by these instruments.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"The biggest enemy of our time is distraction.&nbsp; Distractions come in many forms.&nbsp; We live in a world surrounded by technology and information. We are bombarded with distractions on a daily basis through multiple mediums such as the internet, television, smartphones, tablets, etc. Wherever we turn, someone is attempting to feed us with information. These technological advances have brought many curses and many blessings into our lives.&nbsp; One of the major challenges we face is the ability to remain focused.&nbsp; These instruments tend to draw our attention from things we should focus on. Whether it\u2019s the phone ringing at the most inappropriate time or a text message that draws our attention, we are easily distracted by these instruments."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>In 2 Kings 4 the prophet Elisha recognizes that the worst thing that could happen to the widow is for her to be distracted from using the capital she acquired. Therefore, Elijah instructs her to go into her house and shut the door behind her so she could focus completely on her business and gain financial freedom.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"In 2 Kings 4 the prophet Elisha recognizes that the worst thing that could happen to the widow is for her to be distracted from using the capital she acquired. Therefore, Elijah instructs her to go into her house and shut the door behind her so she could focus completely on her business and gain financial freedom."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>What has been distracting you from using your assets to generate the revenue you need to achieve your business objectives?&nbsp; Distractions are obstacles of attention that draw you away from something of greater priority.&nbsp; If the devil cannot stop you from going forward he will distract you and keep you busy so that you will not put your full attention on what you have to do.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"What has been distracting you from using your assets to generate the revenue you need to achieve your business objectives?&nbsp; Distractions are obstacles of attention that draw you away from something of greater priority.&nbsp; If the devil cannot stop you from going forward he will distract you and keep you busy so that you will not put your full attention on what you have to do."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>The prophet advised the widow to shut the door behind her. &nbsp;That is the best advice I can give you.&nbsp; Shut the door to any distractions you may be facing today.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"The prophet advised the widow to shut the door behind her. &nbsp;That is the best advice I can give you.&nbsp; Shut the door to any distractions you may be facing today."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>There are two types of distractions: distractions that stop you completely from pursuing your vision and distractions that slow you down.&nbsp; The worst type&nbsp; of distraction are those that slow you down because they are often unnoticeable, but very effective.&nbsp; Remember, the devil does not have to stop you; he just has to slow you down enough so you do not achieve your objectives.&nbsp; The key to success in any endeavor is focus, discipline, and perseverance.&nbsp; To focus means to concentrate all your attention and energies on something, like a laser beam.&nbsp; Laser beams are effective because all of their energies are focused on one single function.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"There are two types of distractions: distractions that stop you completely from pursuing your vision and distractions that slow you down.&nbsp; The worst type&nbsp; of distraction are those that slow you down because they are often unnoticeable, but very effective.&nbsp; Remember, the devil does not have to stop you; he just has to slow you down enough so you do not achieve your objectives.&nbsp; The key to success in any endeavor is focus, discipline, and perseverance.&nbsp; To focus means to concentrate all your attention and energies on something, like a laser beam.&nbsp; Laser beams are effective because all of their energies are focused on one single function."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>Let's look at what causes us to become distracted.&nbsp; The primary source of distractions is our own human desire and curiosity.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"Let's look at what causes us to become distracted.&nbsp; The primary source of distractions is our own human desire and curiosity."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p><i>\"Blessed is the man who endures temptations; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.&nbsp; Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.&nbsp; But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.&nbsp; Then when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.\"\u2014&nbsp;<strong>James 1:12-15<\/strong><\/i><\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"<i>\"Blessed is the man who endures temptations; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.&nbsp; Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.&nbsp; But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.&nbsp; Then when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.\"\u2014&nbsp;<strong>James 1:12-15<\/strong><\/i>"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>The truth is the things that tend to distract us are things for which we have an internal desire.&nbsp; What has been distracting you from achieving your business objectives?&nbsp; To overcome the distractions, you must go back to the source of those distractions.&nbsp; What about that distraction has been enticing you?&nbsp; There are three sources of distraction; the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.&nbsp; Every distraction is manifested through one of those sources.&nbsp; The lust of the eye is manifested when you are drawn by something that appeals to your visual senses.&nbsp; The lust of the flesh is manifested when you are drawn by something that appeals to your physical senses.&nbsp; To lust is to have an unhealthy desire for something. The eye is the gateway to our soul and the flesh is where our sin nature resides.&nbsp; When we have an unhealthy desire for anything that could negatively impact our souls or that feed our sin nature, we will always remain distracted.&nbsp; Whenever we attempt to focus, all the devil has to do is bring that thing to our mind or near us and it draws us away from whatever we should focus on.&nbsp; The pride of life is manifested when you are drawn to something that appeals to your perception of who you want to be. Pride causes us to take on more than we can handle or to take on things that are beyond our ability.&nbsp; My former pastor use to say that pride is the human smoke screen.&nbsp; This is true because pride creates a perception of ourselves that is not real and convinces us to act according to that perception.&nbsp; The Bible tells us that pride comes before the fall.&nbsp; Therefore, whenever we respond or act based on pride, we are sure to be distracted from our primary objective and failure is guaranteed. You cannot be distracted unless you allow yourself to be.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"The truth is the things that tend to distract us are things for which we have an internal desire.&nbsp; What has been distracting you from achieving your business objectives?&nbsp; To overcome the distractions, you must go back to the source of those distractions.&nbsp; What about that distraction has been enticing you?&nbsp; There are three sources of distraction; the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.&nbsp; Every distraction is manifested through one of those sources.&nbsp; The lust of the eye is manifested when you are drawn by something that appeals to your visual senses.&nbsp; The lust of the flesh is manifested when you are drawn by something that appeals to your physical senses.&nbsp; To lust is to have an unhealthy desire for something. The eye is the gateway to our soul and the flesh is where our sin nature resides.&nbsp; When we have an unhealthy desire for anything that could negatively impact our souls or that feed our sin nature, we will always remain distracted.&nbsp; Whenever we attempt to focus, all the devil has to do is bring that thing to our mind or near us and it draws us away from whatever we should focus on.&nbsp; The pride of life is manifested when you are drawn to something that appeals to your perception of who you want to be. Pride causes us to take on more than we can handle or to take on things that are beyond our ability.&nbsp; My former pastor use to say that pride is the human smoke screen.&nbsp; This is true because pride creates a perception of ourselves that is not real and convinces us to act according to that perception.&nbsp; The Bible tells us that pride comes before the fall.&nbsp; Therefore, whenever we respond or act based on pride, we are sure to be distracted from our primary objective and failure is guaranteed. You cannot be distracted unless you allow yourself to be."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>How do you overcome these distractions?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Identify those areas of your life that tend to distract you from your primary objectives.&nbsp; &nbsp;Then ask the Lord to help you find ways to block the distraction.&nbsp; He will be faithful to grant this request as you seek His help.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"How do you overcome these distractions?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Identify those areas of your life that tend to distract you from your primary objectives.&nbsp; &nbsp;Then ask the Lord to help you find ways to block the distraction.&nbsp; He will be faithful to grant this request as you seek His help."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>My prayer for you today is that you will shut the door to distractions and use your time wisely to serve the Lord.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"My prayer for you today is that you will shut the door to distractions and use your time wisely to serve the Lord."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}}],"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"link","format":"url"}],"bb_access":{"can_access":true,"restrict_message":null},"app_access":{"can_access":true,"restrict_message":null},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7126","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7126"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7126\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7126"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7126"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7126"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}