0949 Pay with Attention

In 2020, the WHO estimates the average global lifespan is 72 years, and if we assume that many people now start using social media as young as 10 years old, that means the average person will spend a total of 3,462,390 minutes (6 years and 8 months) using social media over their whole lifetime.

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Our attention is under attack.

The National Safety Council reports that cell phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year. 1 out of every 4 car accidents in the United States is caused by texting and driving. Texting while driving is 6x more likely to cause an accident than driving drunk. Answering a text takes away your attention for about five-seconds. Traveling at 55 mph, that's enough time to travel the length of a football field. Texting while driving causes a 400 percent increase in time spent with eyes off the road. Of all cell phone related tasks, texting is by far the most dangerous activity.

Today’s anxiety is the product we paid with yesterdays attention.

What if fear was a package delivered by Satan but paid by me with my attention?

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3

You can’t live a positive life with a negative mind.

John Ioannidis, M.D., Professor of Medicine of Health Research and Policy and of Biomedical Data Science at Stanford University School of Medicine

If you are between the ages of 20 and 40 your risk of dying from COVID-19 is the same as your chance of dying from playing football. If you’re between the ages of 15 and 24 you’re more likely to be fatally afflicted by falling down the stairs than by COVID-19. Kids under 15 have more chance of getting hit by lightning than of dying from COVID-19. Healthy women under 40 … your odds of dying from COVID-19 … are about the same as dying from a plane crash. “If you’re under the age of 65 the chance of dying of COVID-19 … is the same risk you face driving on your commute to work.”

Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. Mark 4:24 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Ephesians 4:7

Even if you didn’t decide your measure you can determine your MORE by what you give your attention to.

You can increase the measure given to you but changing what you hear.

Desires don’t determine destiny, diet does. (want is not enough, make a decision)

You don’t hate your job enough to change what you do in your free time.

According to a study done by the Harvard Health Watch, an average American spends 101 minutes per day driving.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics the average American watched TV for 2.8 hours per day, accounting, on average, for around half of their leisure time.

Average time person spends on social media in North America is 2 hours and 6 minutes.

Today’s attention brings tomorrow’s appetite. (we don’t see results right away)

And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” Joshua 3:5

Today’s separation brings tomorrow’s success; Today’s sanctification brings tomorrow’s miracles; Today’s consecration brings tomorrow’s conquest; God invites you to change, He will not interfere in your chaos.

Where desire is too weak, deliverance is needed. (decision might not be enough)

Attention creates appetites. Appetites become addictions.

What you consume today, controls you tomorrow.

If you are addicted; you got company!

Application Points:

Take inventory of your attention

Take heed to what you’re hearing before you start changing your hearing.

Peace or anxiety?

Burning or burned out?

Creative or critical?

Numbing or nurturing?

Enlightened or entertained?

Is what I am eating feeding me?

Is what I am consuming controlling me?

2. Redirect your attention today to where you want to excel tomorrow.

Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. Daniel 10:12

For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

3. Endure temporary withdraws. Pay with the attention for the new altitude in life. There is a price to keeping focus, it’s paid with attention.

Get ready for withdraws.

Extra:

Christianity is boring? So is television if you don’t turn it on - Reinhard Bonnke

Salvation vs Sanctification: Occurs instantly (Luke 23:39-43); occurs gradually (Rom.8:28). Requires faith (Mark 1:14-15); requires yielding (Rom.6:13). Final (1 Pet. 1:3-5); grows (Luke 22:31-32). Removes penalty of sin (Rom.5:9-11); resists the desire to sin (Rom.6).

God’s desire is for all to be saved (2 Pet.3:9); God’s command to believers (1 Pet.1:14-16).

Getting you out of the world; getting the world out of you.

Changes your eternity; changes your character.

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 2 Timothy 2:20-23

Where I put my attention today will determine my acceleration tomorrow.

Where I put my attention today will determine my affection tomorrow.

Where I put my attention today will determine my appetite tomorrow.

Where I put my attention today will determine my addiction tomorrow.

For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

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