people.

What would you say distracts you the most from God?

What is the core issue when it comes to forgetting your Savior?

People.

What about people?

your neighbor comes over too much

your husband keeps you on your toes

your sister doesn't give you privacy

your wife is naggy

your brother asks you to do too much

your mom doesn't understand

your friend always complains

your dad doesn't care?

I'm sure you have more issues than that small list.  I do.

I think we blame people for keeping us from our quiet times, bible studies, or worship services more than the stuff we have or the things we want.  Yes, those can be distracting, but people . . . oh man.  They're the worst.

Guess what!?

They're the reason we're here.  And they're the reason we have trouble completely focusing on God.

Why are they so distracting?

Is it because they're

annoying

                    needy

whiny

                                                they don't understand

they talk too much

                                              they ask for too much

they take too much

                                                they don't give anything

they aren't patient

                                                     they don't try hard enough

they don't do it my way

                                                                           they don't care about what I have to say

they aren't what I want?

I find myself asking questions like . . . 

God, why did you put me here with these people?

Why do I, who try SO MUCH HARDER than they do, have to put up with this?

Why can't they just get it like me?

Somebody call the whaaaaa-bulance.

Since when was everyone put on this earth for ME?

The reason our prayers become hindered is because we don't love them.

The reason we can't concentrate in church is because we aren't patient with them.

The reason we get so angry so fast because we forget all that God did for us.
 

God says that to be known as His children we must love like His son.

 Don't we want to be known as God's kids?

Don't we want everyone to see how far He's gone to bring us to redemption?

What we don't always understand is that by loving others, we're telling God how grateful we are. It's actually the best way to tell God that we're thankful for His gift.

He loved sinners. Just like you. Just like me. Just like that person that you have issues with.

How radical would is be to show love to someone who doesn't deserve it?

As radical as the cross.

Next time someone is forcing you to focus on them and not yourself, let them.
Next time you're annoyed or angry, remember that Jesus died for those sinful feelings too.
And love people in return.

After all, they are your biggest love note to God.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John ch. thirteen vs. thirty four and thirty five.


"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law." Romans ch. thirteen v. eight

"Dear friends, let us love one another.  For love is of God and everyone that loves is born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love God does not know God, because God is love.  This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love: not that we love God, but hat he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." First John ch. 4 vs. seven through twelve


"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble." First Peter ch. three v. eight