As we wouldn’t want to be called “Sunday Morning Christians,” neither do we want to walk away from our mornings with God during the week and forget what happened in God’s presence. Benefits of spending time with God are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). I would like to add wisdom and strength for the day and power to make right decisions.
I often hear from people that they cannot concentrate during devotions. There is a reason for that. Speaking from experience, it is a spiritual battle. Satan does not want you to benefit from reading God’s word or from devotional books. He does not want you to pray or trust God. He wants you to trust yourself alone, but leaning on your own understanding will take you down a path you don’t want to go. God is so much bigger than everything in this world. Jesus lived on this earth and knows every feeling and emotion common to man. He is willing and able to walk with us through the darkest valley and over the greatest mountain-top experiences. He wants to be our Friend.
It doesn’t matter if you have to read a paragraph or a Scripture several times; read it. Ask God to help you focus. He is Faithful and True. You can trust Him for he cares for you. He will not let you down. He is always with you and will never leave you.
THINK ABOUT IT
So do all the efforts to concentrate, focus and spend quality time with God make a difference in your life? The answer is, “yes.” It puts love in action because we cannot spend time with God without knowing His amazing love. Our desire then is to love others. “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, in serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality” (Romans 12:9-13).
PRAY ABOUT IT
O Lord, our Lord, teach us to follow you. Bless us as we open your word. Put a hunger and thirst for more of you in our hearts so we will find pleasure in your presence. Help us to walk away from our time with you to be the people who please you and bless others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tell Me the Story 