document.open(); document.writeln(""); document.writeln("Overcoming Distractions
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When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some"); document.writeln("days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Then I said: \'€œLord,"); document.writeln("the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love"); document.writeln("with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive"); document.writeln("and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day"); document.writeln("and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we"); document.writeln("Israelites, including myself and my father\'€™s family, have committed against"); document.writeln("you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands,"); document.writeln("decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses. \'€œRemember the instruction you"); document.writeln("gave your servant Moses, saying, \'€˜If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you"); document.writeln("among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if"); document.writeln("your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there"); document.writeln("and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.\'€™ \'€œThey are"); document.writeln("your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and"); document.writeln("your mighty hand. Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your"); document.writeln("servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name."); document.writeln("Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this"); document.writeln("man.\'€ I was cupbearer to the king.1

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When Nehemiah was cupbearer to the king, he was concerned"); document.writeln("about the situation of the Israelites and their city. With the king\'€™s"); document.writeln("permission, he set out to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. Despite numerous"); document.writeln("obstacles, he did not allow anything to distract him.

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From this story, we can learn the importance of:

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1.     "); document.writeln("Being at the center of God\'€™s will. When Nehemiah"); document.writeln("cried out to God for his people and his land, the Lord showed him what to do.

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2.     "); document.writeln("Remembering what the objective is. Nehemiah"); document.writeln("understood that his Lord-given priority was to rebuild the city\'€™s defenses."); document.writeln("Likewise, God has plans for us, and His work is always valuable.

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3.     "); document.writeln("Accomplishing every task. By keeping the Lord\'€™s"); document.writeln("purpose in mind, we are better able to stay in our God-appointed place, carry"); document.writeln("out every step, and stay on track.

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4.     "); document.writeln("Accurately identifying distractions. Those who"); document.writeln("seek to disrupt our work, lead us astray, or attack us personally do not come"); document.writeln("from God. Identifying situations that may distract you will help you stay"); document.writeln("focused.

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Every believer has God-given tasks (Ephesians 2:10), and"); document.writeln("Nehemiah\'€™s example is a model to follow in fulfilling them.

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Suggested Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help me detect the"); document.writeln("distractions that keep me from You. Sometimes distractions can be so subtle and"); document.writeln("go unnoticed. Help me to remember that everything is by You and for You."); document.writeln("Beloved Father, be the center of my agenda. All glory be to You. In the name of"); document.writeln("Jesus I pray, Amen.

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1.      Nehemiah"); document.writeln("1:4-11 (NIV).

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Today\'€™s Encounter was written by: Rosina N.

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This and other devotionals by Richard (Dick) Innes can be read online.

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ACTS International

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