Devotional Song: Go to this link … Please take the time to take in Michael W Smith leading a large audience in the singing of the classic hymnTurn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. … reminding us how focusing on Christ is the antidote to the modern era of information which has a tendency to distract us from what is really important
Highlight Passage - NKJV Matthew 13: 22 … Jesus’ warning about the interference of the world …
22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
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Highlight Context #1 - Matthew 13: 1-23 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK … Oh how we need to pay attention to the parable of the sower in today’s tech world, which creates so many distractions to our seeing Christ in our lives
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Reference Passage #1 … Isaiah 26: 3 [NKJV] … The Prophet for God shows believers where our attention should be focused for us to have peace in our lives …
3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You.
Reference Passage #2 … Matthew 6: 33 [NKJV] … Jesus on what is REALLY important !!!
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things [i.e., the needs of life] shall be added to you.
Reference Passage #3 … Romans 12: 2 [NKJV] … Paul exhorting believers to beware of the distortions of the world which cloud our thinking …
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by David McCasland, reminded me of something I see more and more in our techno-world, and something which is very disturbing to me. You’ve probably seen it (see the attached photo). Several teens will be in the same space, in close proximity to one another; and they are not even looking at one another; and they certainly are not conversing verbally with one another. You’ve seen it, haven’t you? And where is the attention of these young people? On their smart phones; and who knows, … a couple of them may even be texting one another and they are only a few feet away. Wow! Scary stuff, isn’t it?
Jesus warned His followers about how our common Spiritual foe would use the clamor and clutter of this world to choke out our human relationships, and even more importantly, our relationship with God.
The ODB entry for today points to Jesus telling His followers the parable of the sower [in Matthew 13]; and this parable must’ve been really important to Jesus because it’s one of the only parables where the Lord explained its meaning and had the explanation documented in Scripture. And in the highlight verse (i.e., Matthew 13: 22) Jesus tells His disciples (and that’s you and me too!) that we need to beware of how the clutter of this world can take our focus off of what’s really important. And can I get a witness here as to what - or whom - that is? … Fill in the blank …. ____________ … I’m betting you got it right!!!
But in case (doubtful!!) you’re wanting confirmation, go to the reference Scriptures above and meditate on them; and you’ll have your answer; … and I’m praying today that all of us are focusing our minds, hearts, and spirits on the One - and only - focus which really will produce peace in our lives … And that is, of course, … ___________ … you got it!
My Prayer for Today … It’s You, Lord; and may this time, where I come here quietly each morning, help me avoid the clamor of the world so that I can keep my focus on YOU. Amen
Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.
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