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Key Bible Verse: The more you grow like this, the more you will become productive and useful in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:8). Bonus Reading: 2 Peter 1:3–11

Next time you watch a football game, watch the defense. The defenders don't try to tackle every person on the offense. They try to tackle the guy with the ball.

Take on the deadly defect that you believe is causing the most damage to your life. We struggle with an array of distractions, but generally have a greater struggle with one of them. Name it and go after it.

Then, focus on victory one day at a time. Jesus said we're to pray, "Give us our food for today" (Matthew 6:11). He didn't say, "Please load me up for the next month." We were created to breathe 60 or 70 times a minute. Our hearts were created to beat about 70 times a minute. Our bodies were made to be fed daily, and they usually perform best if they're fed four or five times a day, a little bit each time. We were made to sleep 8 hours out of 24. We were designed by God to be daily creatures.

Celebrate your victories periodically. When you realize that you've gone 21 days without giving in to anger, say, throw yourself a party! Doing this will keep you focused on success—what God and you are doing together—not on failure.

—Ed Young in Fatal Distractions

My Response: Which area of my life do I sense God wants me to focus on?

Thought to Apply: The greatest of all faults, I should say, is to be conscious of none. —Thomas Carlyle (Scottish writer & historian)

Adapted from Fatal Distractions (Nelson, 2000) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Lord, I keep facing defeat in one area of my life. Please empower me to win over it.

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