Over 130 years ago, a young man in West Africa escaped captivity from a neighboring tribe and ran through the jungle until he reached the city of Monrovia. There, he met a missionary who told him of Jesus, and this young man gave his heart to God. His name was Samuel Morris.
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Samuel had a strong desire to go to America and learn more about the Holy Spirit so he could return and tell his people about God. Though penniless, God provided a way to America, and soon Samuel was enrolled at Taylor University in Indiana. Morris' strong faith in God seemed to touch all who knew him. Often, he could be heard in his dorm room "talking to my Father."

After coming down with a severe cold, Samuel died. His desire to take the Gospel back to Africa was fulfilled, but not in the way he had planned. Many young people were so inspired by Samuel's faith that soon after his death, they felt the call to be missionaries in Africa. Through Samuel's "bonds" (illness and death), many were "much more bold to speak the word without fear."

The Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote at least four of the Epistles. It might have seemed that his "bonds" (persecution and imprisonment) were hindering him from doing God's work. Yet, Paul understood God had something far greater in mind. Through Paul's "bonds," many Christians were strengthened ("waxing confident").

What "bonds" might you be dealing with today? Persecution, afflictions, trials, or the loss of a loved one can be devastating! You might think: "Why would God let these things happen to me? Doesn't He know how much they are hindering me?" The lives of the Apostle Paul and Samuel Morris remind us God sees the WHOLE picture. He knows that MANY can be encouraged and become bolder for Him by your "bonds." We must let God do His perfect work.

Texting while driving has proven to be dangerous. Because it is so distracting, it has been banned in almost every state. Every time our phone rings, pings, vibrates, or receives a notification and we pick it up, we are being conditioned to respond to distractions. The art of being quiet and still is being lost. (Some call it "boredom.")
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When Jesus visited the home of Lazarus, Martha was greatly distracted by "much serving," but her sister Mary "sat at Jesus' feet and heard his word" (Luke 10:39-40). Mary was quiet and still while Martha was "cumbered about" (being dragged in different directions).

Paul wrote of the importance of not allowing things in this life to distract from serving the Lord. It has been said, "If the enemy cannot destroy you, he will distract you." Consider: what do you find distracting during your time of personal devotions? Do you find yourself continually checking your phone for a text or to see if you have a notification?

What distracts you during the worship service? Are you prevented from sitting at the feet of Jesus and hearing His words by your phone or by thoughts of "much serving" (what needs to be taken care of after the service)? Martha tried to distract her sister from hearing the words of Jesus. Do you allow people to prevent you from hearing God's words? Is texting or talking during the worship service a distraction?

Our ATTENTION is a valuable resource! The enemy will use whatever he can (phones, worldly cares, people) to distract our attention from what is most important. Hebrews 12:2 in the Amplified Bible gives this good advice: "Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus." By ignoring all that tries to distract, we are choosing the "one thing [that] is needful," that which Jesus promised "shall not be taken away" (Luke 10:42).