That None Should Perish

August 31, 2026

Let’s look at the definitions first.

Impulse, to do something without thinking. A sudden, strong urge or desire to act without planning, or a brief physical signal and force.

Impulse: The Internal Pull

• The Negative (The Click): The sudden urge to buy, scrolling out of boredom, or reacting in anger.
• The DIVINE Positive (The Prompt): The quiet nudge of the Holy Spirit to pray for someone, text a friend, or pause before speaking.
• Living Bible Anchor: “For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey him…” (Philippians 2:13).

Distraction, to keep something from happening. Something that draws you away from an activity, task or focus.

Distractions: The Side-Street Detours

• The Negative (The Drifting): Shiny objects, endless notifications, or overcomplicating life with daily anxieties (like Martha).
• The DIVINE Positive (The Re-routing): When Jesus pulls your attention away from worldly pressures to refocus you on your eternal purpose.
• Living Bible Anchor: “Look straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions.” (Proverbs 4:25).

Disruptors can be a person, company, product, or technology that changes the traditional way an industry operates by challenging the status quo and replacing older methods.

Disruptions: The External Roadblocks

• The Negative (The Interruption): Unexpected life events, chaotic schedules, or people breaking your deep focus.
• The Positive (The Divine Interruption): Moments when God intentionally crashes through your rigid schedule to redirect your path, heal your heart, or perform a miracle.
• Living Bible Anchor: “Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts.” (Proverbs 4:23).

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I ask that you hold the reins on our impulses, and show us how to control them and also to discern if they are from you or not. Let us not be slow to act on an impulse to pray for one another, to follow a prompt from you or to share the Gospel with others.

For the disruptions in our life, show us what is keeping us away from You, especially the mindless scrolling, wandering, and ignoring You. Remind us to keep Your Word close to our hearts and control our thoughts so that they center on You. But also show the disruptions that can be of use to You, such as visiting with friends, family, and remembering to stay close to them and share Your love, warmth and mercy, and especially the path to salvation.

Distractions can be a way for You to show that we need to draw closer to YOU, but lest we become too distracted, please come as the Good Shepherd chase after us and bring us back home where we belong. Hold us close, use these lessons to strengthen our faith, love, and hope in You.

AMEN!

I was just reminded by Jesus while I was in the shower of one major possible obstacle. ADDICTION.

We have all struggled with an addiction of some type in our lives, big or small, drugs, alcohol, or being addicted to ourselves and our own lusts, whatever form they may take. Some of us may still be struggling with it. Others may have overcome it or are still working it out. Whatever it is that triggers us, it can be a hard battle to win and sometimes we slip back into it.

I have had a problem with addiction, too. This was back about 15 years ago. Not alcohol or drugs, but to games. You know, the ones that you download and play. I especially like the murder ones where you find a clue and figure out what happened. Come on, I have a degree in criminology and I love puzzles. That was my excuse, keep my mind busy and active. Just one more game… and so on. So, I got to the point that I had over 500 games downloaded, buy 2 and get 1 free and cheap prices back then. It got to the point where that was all that I wanted to do or cared about. And yes, it did affect my work, slowly. One day, I decided that I needed to stop. And I did. Cold turkey. I deleted my accounts, passwords, and all of the games. I do not allow myself to play anything more than Wordle, WWFriends, and a crossword puzzle. Nothing else. And, I do not miss it at all.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please help me to stay away from those innocent looking lures that are out there. They look like a lot of fun at first, but then it draws us away. Away from listening to Your Voice telling us to step away. Step away before you are trapped. The enemy loves to isolate us from others by trying something different. No pain, lots of fun, no harm.

Lord, I ask that You step in, pull us away from the edge before we slip any further. Keep us close to YOU. Remind us that we need to be addicted to YOU, YOUR WORDS, LOVE, FORGIVENESS AND MERCY. Please, when I start to slip away, again, yes again, run after me and pull me up back to YOU. I only want to be addicted to Jesus!