PASTORS' DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Sep
27

Distractions

Tim Savage

Scripture

6You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes! Haggai 1

XX

Observation

Distractions – they often keep me from serving God, as I should. How many times even in the last 30 minutes while doing devotions have I allowed myself to be distracted? 5 times?! Maybe 10 times now! Here I am trying to journal and phone calls, emails, Facebook, tasks and texts keep drawing me away from His word and His direction. I allow my to-do list and my busyness to keep me from true connection with my Lord. My iPhone and iPad, they distract me (said like, “… thy rod and staff, they comfort me.”).

My priorities are backwards. I put more value in getting things done, than I do in hearing His voice, but what value does that hold if I’m not following His direction. He gives me so much, I am so blessed in my life, but am I wasting much of that through holes in my pocket. How do I steward my time, love, worship and affection for Him? It seems like I’m rushing here, rushing there, tending to fires that aren’t of the Lord too often.

X

Application

It’s only by spending time listening to Him that I know I am doing His will. A daily quiet time to read His word and hear His voice re-centers me and adjusts my compass. Remember, if I’m off even 1 degree at the launch pad, I could be hundreds of miles off at my destination.

I must find the godly balance of family, ministry and outside projects. I need to make sure my outside projects are God-glorifying and not distracting me from the harvest, as we read in Luke 10 this morning. I have to be wary of the enemy’s plans to keep me busy and distracted from my calling, even if the projects seem harmless, or even enjoyable. There will never be a drought of outside work, but there will be a limited amount of time to reach the lost.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Forgive me when I lose sight of You. Help me to always keep You first and foremost in my heart, mind and soul. I want never to be away from You and Your will, even inadvertently. Thank You for the unearned blessings in my life. I could never begin to repay You.

In Jesus name,

Amen


Devotions for September 27

Haggai 1,2
Psalms 129
Luke 10

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