100 - Aaron – “How much entertainment do I have to give up?”
“Hello, Michael
I’ve been listening to your videos and a few where the waiting on God and just recently I listened to the one about “How Do I know if I really am Saved” and during the video I examined myself and did find that I was putting entertainment such as movies, games, before the Jesus and actually felt if I was asked to give it up it would be really hard or possibly didn’t want to give it up, just like the story of the rich man when he asked Jesus what it took to gain eternal life and Jesus said to sell all he had and give to the poor.
So now I have realized that I need to change that and have decided to cut back on entertainment overall and spend more time reading my bible, worshiping, talking to him, etc. So my question is this, should I completely give the main entertainment such as games and movies or just cut back to a point where if the Lord would ask me to give them up I could without hesitation.
Would it be safe to say that if anything we do we need to not put it before the Lord, but can we still do those things but before the Lord. Today I was thinking of things to replace games and movies but came to the conclusion that I’m still trying to find other entertainment to fill my time. I do want to follow Him but another question is do I need to wait for Him to tell me to give up something or do make the decision to give up all for Him.
Sorry for the rambling, I just know that my priorities were out of order and wanted to get back to putting Jesus first. I just feel a hesitation to have to live without any type of entertainment I just don’t want to be without Jesus.
Sorry once again for this being out of order and confusing. Hope you can make sense of what I’m trying to say. Thank you, brother, for everything and look forward to hearing from you and I’ll be praying on this as well.”
100 - Aaron – “How much entertainment do I have to give up?” (03-28-2019)
Trading Candy for Sustenance: Cultivating a Hunger for God's Word
Do you find yourself craving more of God, yet constantly distracted by worldly entertainment like Aaron in today’s recording? Like a child who fills up on ice cream and candy, we can lose our appetite for the true sustenance found in God's Word.
A woman on the radio shared how she had become addicted to romance novels, neglecting her Bible reading. God spoke to her, asking, "What child would want to eat a nutritious meal after he's been filling up all day on ice cream and candy?" Her story is a powerful illustration of how easily we can be satisfied with empty calories, neglecting the true nourishment we need.
When we become spiritual, we become sensitive to the things that hinder our relationship with God. We begin to recognize that many forms of entertainment, while not inherently evil, can become idols that compete for God's rightful place in our hearts.
John the Baptist called us to "make straight paths for the Lord" (Matthew 3:3). This isn't about clearing a literal path, but about preparing our hearts for God's presence. It's about removing the obstacles that prevent Him from reaching first place in our hearts.
Ask yourself: Is what I'm doing cultivating the presence of God? Is it adding fuel to my fire or putting water on it? If you find that your entertainment choices are dulling your spiritual appetite, it's time to make a change.
This doesn't mean you have to give up everything you enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17). But it does mean prioritizing God's Word and seeking His presence above all else. Cry out to Him, "Jesus, I want to know You! I want that love, I want that power." Ask Him to baptize you afresh with His Spirit and give you a burning desire for Him that outburns all other desires.
As you make straight paths for the Lord, you'll find, like me, that the things of this world lose their appeal. The Bible will come alive, and you'll experience the true satisfaction found in God alone.
