09/06/2017 — Today’s media is so pervasive in our lives that we’ve lost our ability, or our inclination, to connect with others — even with our families. We’ve become susceptible to the tactics of God’s enemies — liable to believe any "fake news" we’re fed — while ignoring the Good News, which God provided us to point us to Jesus. We need to align our lives with the truth of the Bible!

EDUCATION

Psalm 119:97–104
"Oh how I love your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
for it is ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for your testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the aged,
for I keep your precepts.
I hold back my feet from every evil way,
in order to keep your word.
I do not turn aside from your rules,
for you have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way" (MEV).

APPLICATION

• Today, two–thirds of Americans believe that the media has greater influence than parents, teachers, coaches and religious leaders.
• We have become voracious consumers of media – 97 percent of households in this nation have more than one television, and more people have television than have indoor plumbing. Preschoolers watch more than four hours of television per day.
• Neuroscientists’ reports that preschoolers’ pervasive "screen time," staring at phones and tablets, is altering children’s brain wiring in significant and lasting ways. It’s affecting adult behavior as well.
• We are more connected to media than ever – while at the same time, we are less connected to God and people than ever before. If we are to truly love God and love people, we need to swing the pendulum back to where it was before screens and what we see on them took over our lives!
• Let’s get involved in our own lives again, interacting with God and with our loved ones instead of people we don’t know on the other end of our texts and tweets.

ACTION STEPS

• Spend at least one hour per day, each day this week, with your electronic devices – phones, tablets, computers – turned off. Use the time to enjoy your family or friends without distraction or spend time in God’s Word.

IMPARTATION

Heavenly Father,

I thank You for Your Word today. It is constant and unchanging, a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Forgive me for ignoring my time with You and Your Word in favor of with the news that peers at me from a television, a phone, a tablet or a computer.

Order my steps that I may love You and love people more each day, valuing them above the world’s wisdom. Make me Yours more fully each day, Lord God, that I may honor You with the way I live my life before You.

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ — Jehovah Joshua Messiah — I pray. Amen!






WHC FAMILY PRAYER REQUESTS

In Matthew 18, Jesus said “Truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” Let’s stand in agreement with the following members of our church family who have requested prayer:
We want to pray with YOU! Send in your prayer request on this online form so we can agree with you in prayer! Send in your testimony or praise report here when God moves in your life, so we can give Him glory with you!!