|
GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #455 March 27, 2002 Background Noise The whine of the fan on the computer in the room was giving me a headache and making concentrating on prayer difficult. I turned off the computer and the room was blissfully silent, for a moment. Then the furnace kicked in and the washer started filling. Sometimes even the simplest things can keep us distracted from our quiet time with God. In this case, I simply had to be disciplined and tune out the noise. Sometimes it can be literal noise that distracts us, a television, a construction crew working outside or a ringing phone. It may be physical distraction, like a child wanting your attention, a room that’s too hot or trying to read your Bible late at night, while you’re tired and stretched out on the bed (trust me this one is deadly, now I sit in the recliner and move to the bed when I’m done). Often the distraction is internal and spiritual. Our mind wanders to things we have to do or to places it shouldn’t go. We feel distracted or frustrated. We feel that for some reason God is distant. It’s worth the work of wading through the debris and getting past the background noise. Take a moment and say a quick prayer asking the Lord to help you past the things that distract you. Try a different room, or chair. Try a different time of day. A few minutes a day spent in quiet prayer and Bible reading will pay dividends in your faith walk greater than almost anything else. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. Psalm 119:15-16 NIV After he had dismissed them, he [Jesus] went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone Matthew 4:23 NIV Until next time, may you tune out the background noise and reap the rich benefits of intimate time with God. Hallelu Yah Kevin Are you looking for the answers to life? Are you looking for unconditional love and forgiveness? Look to Jesus. Email me and I’ll share some Bible verses that explain why a personal relationship with Jesus is so important and a prayer that will make it possible. Or simply begin the relationship by saying a prayer along the lines of: Dear God: I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you Lord. Amen If you pray this prayer let me know and I will direct you to some free non-denominational resources that will help you grow in that newfound relationship. To share your thoughts on this issue of Gleanings, or to share prayer concerns email us at corbin_writer@hotmail.com. or write us at : Gleanings From The Word 114 Oak Street Sherwood Park, AB Canada, T8A 0V8 At Gleanings, we have a dedicated team of prayer warriors and all prayer concerns are kept strictly confidential. If you enjoyed this issue of Gleanings From The Word, email it, in its entirety, to a friend. For information on use of Gleanings in your church newsletter or other situations please visit the permissions page on our website
© 2001 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin All Rights Reserved SUBSCRIBE TO GLEANINGS FOR FREE
|
||||