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Tuesday, June 18, 2013
The Most Ingenious Evil Plan of All
Busyness.
Do you ever find yourself in the middle of the rest you have told God you so need, only to find yourself thinking that you SURELY have to get up and go do something?
I'm sitting the outside on my deck after an extremely full yesterday. All necessary things to be done that accomplished a lot not just for us but for others in our lives.
But today the birds are tweeting, the breeze is blowing, I'm in the company of someone I love, my heart is whispering words of release and appreciation for the creation around me, and I'm thankful (or so I think) for the answered prayer of rest on this day. Ahhhhhhh yes.
But today the birds are tweeting, the breeze is blowing, I'm in the company of someone I love, my heart is whispering words of release and appreciation for the creation around me, and I'm thankful (or so I think) for the answered prayer of rest on this day. Ahhhhhhh yes.
And then it begins. You know what I mean. I know you do.
The voice in my head starts saying things like “There's still things I need to get done. Look at that dirty patio table. I should so get some rags and clean that. Wouldn't take but a minute or two. And I think there are enough towels to make a fairly good size load. And the kitchen counter is getting pretty piled up again, maybe I’ll just go in and go through all that stuff for a little bit, then I can really relax”… why IS that???
The voice in my head starts saying things like “There's still things I need to get done. Look at that dirty patio table. I should so get some rags and clean that. Wouldn't take but a minute or two. And I think there are enough towels to make a fairly good size load. And the kitchen counter is getting pretty piled up again, maybe I’ll just go in and go through all that stuff for a little bit, then I can really relax”… why IS that???
It’s the idea that each and every moment must be filled, then I will be fulfilled.
It’s the idol of busyness.
And to put it bluntly - it’s satan’s agenda.
If he can keep me tired, busy, distracted, feed my selfish need to be patted on the back for getting something accomplished, and push out the voice of my God calling me to just enjoy moments with Him and the people He has gifted my life with – well, then satan wins the day.
I hate it when he wins. So then why do I let my ears be tickled, and my mind be consumed, by his lies, taunting, and prodding? Because I somehow let myself be trained to feel guilty for not doing enough, not being enough, not accomplishing enough. Its really the most ingenious evil plan of all.
As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. “Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.”
The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.” Luke 10:38-42
The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.” Luke 10:38-42
I let satan steal my God moments way too often.
God designs moments for me to hear HIM, be with HIM, learn more about HIM, enjoy the gifts HE has given me in people and His blessings. But I tend to blow it listening to every agenda but His.
When I’m present in the gift God has chosen to give me for the day - HE wins my day - and that’s the only time I win too.
Joyful on the Journey
Marisa
Marisa
Monday, June 17, 2013
The Source of Your Strength
The Lord is my Strength and my Song, and He has become my
Salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I
will exalt Him. —Exodus 15:2
We need to be like Moses and the Israelites, whom we read about in the verse for today. I want to point out that God not only gave them strength (we see that throughout the Old Testament), but He Himself was their Strength. First Samuel 15:29 refers to God as “the Strength of Israel.” You see, there was a time when Israel knew God was their Strength, but then they forgot. When they forgot this vitally important truth, they always began to falter and fail as a nation, and their lives began to be destroyed. When they turned back to God as their Strength, things turned around for them.
Even if you know that God is your Strength, you still must receive it by faith. I begin every day by telling God that I cannot do anything apart from Him and that I lean entirely on Him to enable and strengthen me. He will strengthen us by speaking a word that encourages us or gives us direction when we need it. He will strengthen us by speaking words of wisdom and insight. He also strengthens us physically by giving us supernatural energy when we are tired or weary, and He gives us strength to endure difficult people and situations.
Trust God to be your Strength rather than trying to do things yourself. You may have a lot of people leaning on you and you can only help them as you lean and rely on God. Receive Him today by faith as the Strength of your life and you will be amazed at what you can accomplish with ease.
God’s word for you today: Let God be your Strength.
From the book Hearing from God Each Morning: 365 Daily Devotions by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2010 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.
We need to be like Moses and the Israelites, whom we read about in the verse for today. I want to point out that God not only gave them strength (we see that throughout the Old Testament), but He Himself was their Strength. First Samuel 15:29 refers to God as “the Strength of Israel.” You see, there was a time when Israel knew God was their Strength, but then they forgot. When they forgot this vitally important truth, they always began to falter and fail as a nation, and their lives began to be destroyed. When they turned back to God as their Strength, things turned around for them.
Even if you know that God is your Strength, you still must receive it by faith. I begin every day by telling God that I cannot do anything apart from Him and that I lean entirely on Him to enable and strengthen me. He will strengthen us by speaking a word that encourages us or gives us direction when we need it. He will strengthen us by speaking words of wisdom and insight. He also strengthens us physically by giving us supernatural energy when we are tired or weary, and He gives us strength to endure difficult people and situations.
Trust God to be your Strength rather than trying to do things yourself. You may have a lot of people leaning on you and you can only help them as you lean and rely on God. Receive Him today by faith as the Strength of your life and you will be amazed at what you can accomplish with ease.
God’s word for you today: Let God be your Strength.
From the book Hearing from God Each Morning: 365 Daily Devotions by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2010 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.
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