Daily Devotionals
Friday, July 5, 2024 (Ashley)
Our world likes to normalize the busy.
Our crazy schedules have us running from one commitment to the next, deceiving us that it’s normal to be a part of every single thing.
Just take a look at everything that is around you daily… How many screens are on at one time? That alone can be overwhelming to both what you’re seeing and also what you are hearing.
What about the smells in the air? Different chemicals, candles, oils, and body-scented smells are overpowering often without us even realizing it.
If we’re honest, every part of our lives can easily become overwhelming and completely distracting. And the truth is, WE are the ones responsible!
“Let them sit alone in silence beneath the Lord’s demands. Let them lie face down in the dust, for there may be hope at last.” -Lamentations 3:28-29
If we know and trust that God is in control of our lives, why aren’t we giving him more of it? Jesus longs for our attention. He wants to talk to us in the quiet moments but we keep filling them with noise! Doing the dishes, weeding the garden, walking to and from… God provides us with quiet moments to fill our souls but we fill them with podcasts, music, screens, and conversations instead.
“But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” -Matthew 6:6
The Gospels record Jesus praying both privately and publicly so don’t get the wrong idea here. There is nothing wrong with public prayer when your heart is genuine. The point is really about where your heart's attitude is when coming to the Father in prayer. A 30-second prayer instead of scrolling your phone can be just as meaningful as an hour spent in church.
Where is your heart?
“Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.” -Mark 1:35
Jesus made prayer and time with God a priority and we should too! If we aren’t seeing daily time spent with the Lord, we need to make time.
Don’t neglect your time with Him. Ask him to open your eyes to see the moments he longs to spend with you. No matter how short they may be. He can fill your soul in a split second and completely abolish the busy, overwhelm, and distraction if you let Him.
Make time for Him this weekend,
Ashley
Our crazy schedules have us running from one commitment to the next, deceiving us that it’s normal to be a part of every single thing.
Just take a look at everything that is around you daily… How many screens are on at one time? That alone can be overwhelming to both what you’re seeing and also what you are hearing.
What about the smells in the air? Different chemicals, candles, oils, and body-scented smells are overpowering often without us even realizing it.
If we’re honest, every part of our lives can easily become overwhelming and completely distracting. And the truth is, WE are the ones responsible!
“Let them sit alone in silence beneath the Lord’s demands. Let them lie face down in the dust, for there may be hope at last.” -Lamentations 3:28-29
If we know and trust that God is in control of our lives, why aren’t we giving him more of it? Jesus longs for our attention. He wants to talk to us in the quiet moments but we keep filling them with noise! Doing the dishes, weeding the garden, walking to and from… God provides us with quiet moments to fill our souls but we fill them with podcasts, music, screens, and conversations instead.
“But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” -Matthew 6:6
The Gospels record Jesus praying both privately and publicly so don’t get the wrong idea here. There is nothing wrong with public prayer when your heart is genuine. The point is really about where your heart's attitude is when coming to the Father in prayer. A 30-second prayer instead of scrolling your phone can be just as meaningful as an hour spent in church.
Where is your heart?
“Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.” -Mark 1:35
Jesus made prayer and time with God a priority and we should too! If we aren’t seeing daily time spent with the Lord, we need to make time.
Don’t neglect your time with Him. Ask him to open your eyes to see the moments he longs to spend with you. No matter how short they may be. He can fill your soul in a split second and completely abolish the busy, overwhelm, and distraction if you let Him.
Make time for Him this weekend,
Ashley
