Tag : busy-2
Tag : busy-2
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33 NKJV)
I just spent a week at a national religious broadcasting convention. It is a week full of blessings. I see old friends. At corporate meetings we are inspired by messages from both political and religious leaders. We also have access to great interviews for our POP Talk media outreach. The days start early and end late. Going in, you know that you will be sleep deprived, but because of the intense schedule there is very little space for a morning quiet time with God.
When I returned to my morning ritual of putting God first, I realized that it is not as much about getting back into a routine as it is spending time with my heavenly Father. I had missed Him! At the convention I was surrounded by people who love God like I do but it was not the same as hearing from Him directly— praising Him at the start of the day, reading his Word, and lifting up all of those I care about. There is nothing more important than sharing a cup of coffee with God.
The question I am toiling with now is how can I put God first even in the busy times? I think it boils down to making Him a priority no matter what. Because I missed Him so much, at next year’s convention I plan to set my alarm a half-hour earlier (even if it means less sleep) so I can begin the important convention days with Him. I have to trust that He will rejuvenate me throughout the day if I make this small sacrifice. Exodus 20:3 says, “You shall have no other Gods before me” (ESV). When we put our schedules ahead of God, that supersedes His rightful place in our lives.
How difficult is it for you to start your day with God? What do you have to do to put Him first?
Heavenly Father, the Bible says we are all sinners and fall short of your glory. Not putting you first is one way we can fall short. Help us to do what it takes to place you at the start of every day, at all times, no matter how busy we get. You are worthy of that position in our lives. Amen.
Categories: Blog
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
(Luke 10:38-42, NIV)
This past week has been extremely stressful for me. As I reflect on the things that are stressing me, I realize that I am distracted and spending less time with the Lord. Are you busy and allowing the noise and distractions of the world to cause your soul unrest? In a world of “busyness,” seek the Lord and His righteousness always and He will give you rest.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
(Matthew 11:28-30, NIV)
This weekend, at Gateway Church, my Pastor, Robert Morris, continued his series “Divinely Human” with the story of Mary and Martha. As I sat there and listened, I related to Martha. Martha was “distracted by all the preparations that had to be made” while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet listening to what He had to say. Jesus shares His “Divine Nature” with anyone who chooses to sit at His feet. Life can get very busy with our day-to-day responsibilities, but we must choose to spend time daily with our Teacher and Friend. As you spend time with Jesus, He changes you into His likeness. The change is gradual, little-by-little you become divinely human, reflecting His Light in this dark and busy world.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. Freedom from legalism, guilt, shame, condemnation, and self-rejection. True freedom from the power of sin; selfishness, manipulation, and control. Freedom from the fear of death and what others think about us. Freedom from comparing ourselves to others knowing with confidence that Christ dwells in us. Like Mary, we can rest at His feet with peace, knowing that we are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory. Everlasting glory which can only come from the Lord, Who is Spirit.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
(2 Corinthians 3:17-18, NIV)\
Categories: Blog
“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
(Luke 10:38-42, NIV)
As we start this new year, ask yourself, “Am I too busy to spend time with the Lord?” Many of us hit the floor running as soon as we wake up every morning. It seems like there aren’t enough hours in a day to get all the things we need to do, accomplished in a day. I just attended a conference at my Church where Derwin Gray, a guest speaker at the conference said, “Busy is “Being Under Satan’s Yoke.” Just like that it hit me. The world we live in today is so “busy” that we get distracted, like Martha, and forget Who really matters. Jesus says to Martha, “You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only me.”
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
(John 15:5, NIV)
We are an extension of Jesus; He is our core being. Apart from Him we can do nothing, like a branch cut off from the vine, we will surely die. In 2 Corinthians 4, the Bible says, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ.” Still today, we can see the influence of the ruler of this world on the ideals, philosophy, opinions, and view of many people. His influence also encompasses businesses, schools and even some of our Churches. His lies and deceptions have penetrated the minds of people who are too “busy” to spend time reading the Word. Reading Scripture morning and night is the best defense against the enemy’s attack on our minds.
We have a growing mental health crisis in the United States, and I believe it is directly linked with our “busy” lives. Parents are so busy that our children are not getting the love and fellowship that God intended. Money is a driving factor for parents working long hours, while kids are home fending for themselves. This year decide to spend more quiet moments with Jesus and your loved ones and do not be under Satan’s yoke.
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.“
(Ephesians 5:15-17, ESV)
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Our POP Blog is taking a short vacation after today. We will be back with all new blogs on Saturday, January 28th. Have a blessed week!
Categories: Blog
For the first time in about eight years, I have been inconsistent in producing Pearls of Promise blogs. Because of a full class load, I’ve had to answer the question, Do I write a blog or do I complete this assignment? As much as I love all of you, I choose the assignment even though there is so much to share.
I promise it will get better next semester. I will be back to four class hours, which seems manageable. I miss the POP blog. It’s one of my favorite ways to do ministry and share God’s truths.
So in light of Thanksgiving, I want to be honest with you about a glaring flaw that I discovered about myself this semester. I am not grateful enough.
We were required to complete a Christian Character evaluation for school. I scored high in “faithfulness” and “compassion”, but alarmingly low in “gratitude.” I wondered why that was and then I figured it out. I don’t slow down enough to think about what I should be grateful for. There are many things I cherish, like my faith, family, health, friends, home and adventures. However, because of busyness, I guess I take all of those gifts for granted.
So today, I am putting on the brakes before I launch into my next school assignment to thank God for the restoration of my life, from a lost fatherless girl to a servant of the King, and for all the many blessings he has given me in both the good times and the bad. I can actually say I am grateful for the trials like my recent COVID bout, because the disease forced me to lie down by still waters and think about all that I am thankful for.
What about you? It’s Thanksgiving week. Will you take thirty minutes out of all the holiday preps to step into the throne room of God and to tell him why you are grateful? I desire to improve in this area, and as I close, I want to tell you how thankful I am for you and grateful you follow the POP blog.
Have a beautiful Thanksgiving.
Categories: Blog