Not only do these two simple actions make staying focused during prayer and Bible study that much easier, but its always fun to look back later and see all the ways youve grown, all the things youve learned and all the prayers God has answered. Theyre buying into the advertising pitch that you need more junk to be happy. And he said to them, Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while. For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. Now the people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-melech and their men to entreat the favor of the Lord, saying to the priests of the house of the Lord of hosts and the prophets, Should I weep and abstain in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years? Then the word of the Lord of hosts came to me: Say to all the people of the land and the priests, When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted? Yawning is a common sign of tiredness, though people yawn for other reasons. If you struggle with constant internal distractions, you may wish to write out one or more of these Scriptures on distractions so you can put the verse where you can see it often. All wealth comes from God as a gift entrusted to us to use properly for Him. (Matthew 4:4). Life without joy is unbearable. C What do you do to stay on track? The Bible views wealth as a serious responsibility to do good. And when we listen to the sermon only to hear what seems immediately and directly relevant, neither is that listening. Byron Yawn is the senior pastor of Community Bible Church in Nashville, Tennessee. You have to find something that works with you and your real life, or youre not going to be able to stick with it. That's not listening. Would I buy this item? Today I want to answer four questions: (1) What is greed? Moses warned Israel before they went into Canaan (Deut. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. Excellent points. In a world of suffering and pain, of doubt and despair, of questions about the meaning and purpose of existence, we are about to hear of God's glory, forgiveness, mercy and love, of his intention for the world, of his promise to make it all good in the end, of the way to join his people, of the means to abide with him forever! well, is it any surprise then that youre distracted? The One who can answer our deepest questions but could remain The Question, the One who can restore our broken humanity, but could remain a vague Hypothesisthis One has revealed himself in Law, Prophets, and Gospelin the words of a collection we now call Holy Scripture. It seems ever since I have started to become more into Christianity when I pray or read the bible, I will . How fitting it is, then, that we be ever growing now in what will be our final joy in the age to come. I try to laugh at myself when I catch myself in such moods: bored with the very revelation of God! Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. The best sermon Ive ever read on greed was by a non-Christian! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Im often super distracted, Im going to try this next time. Scriptures on distractions (in general) we do find dont really provide much help for actually overcoming these distractions. O He means that those whose lives are characterized by greed are not true believers and they will go to hell. Could I trust God if, like Job, I lost everything? Should we enjoy a vacation in a nice hotel when we can camp? It can also be prompted involuntarily when you witness other people yawn, often referred to as contagious yawning. It seems ever since I have started to become more into Christianity when I pray or read the bible, I will yawn a whole lot more. You received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit. But, still, when we think of our Saviors commission, to preach the gospel to every creature, we all need to ask ourselves, In light of the brevity of life and eternity ahead, could I do more? He is the pearl of great price (Matt. Doesn't this person have anything original to say? Rather than reading Genesis 1 and just waxing eloquent from that point on, the teacher patiently read passage after passage to demonstrate how central creation is in the Bible even after Genesis, especially in the covenant God made with his people. May His mighty Name be glorified through you? Still, these examples reveal such a feature of current church culture that we might want to question ourselves. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. Brittany Ann is an ECPA bestselling author of Fall in Love with Gods Word and Follow Gods Will and the founder of EquippingGodlyWomen.com, a popular Christian-living website dedicated to helping busy Christian moms find practical ways to go "all in" in faith and family. It treats temporal things as if they, and we, will endure on earth forever. What do I do about calling a priest father at my Catholic University? All the demands have been placed on the shoulders of the preacher, so anxious are we to meet needs and stay relevant. The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 5:5) he warns that the greedy will not inherit the kingdom of God. D It has a TON of really practical tips and encouragement you can use to really get the most out of your time in Gods Word. Is learning from what God said in the past sufficient? At least I hope he says something funny soon . As he was greedily scanning the stock prices, drooling over the killing he would make on his investments, his eye glanced across the page to the obituaries where he saw his own name. And theres nothing wrong with working hard to succeed in your career. It is because the Bible makes us uncomfortable before it comforts us. Ask yourself, Would I get as excited about taking advantage of a strategic opportunity to give to further the Lords work as I would with a great investment opportunity?. Its like a loaded gun. How to Study the Bible for Yourself (Easy Beginner Method), How to Stop Getting So Distracted During Prayer and Bible Study, Struggling to Read the Bible Consistently? He was laying up treasure for himself on earth, but he wasnt rich toward God. I think only because I keep thinking about it and writing it out. There are no laws or guidelines that say that you MUST read your Bible or pray for a certain amount of time for it to count. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. really amazing content I enjoyed reading through and getting new insight. (4) How can I deal with my greed? For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. Resist feelings of self-sufficiency that say, I dont need the Scripture every day. Here are my ten reasons. Now, its true that you dont reallyneed any special materials to pray and read your Bible (other than a Bible, of course), but having some additional things on hand can be REALLY helpful. Everythings better with a friend prayer and Bible study included! In light of having Christ and finding joy and contentment in Him, you then acknowledge God to be the owner of all you have and view yourself as the manager who must give an account to Him. We get cynical or discouraged in Bible reading in part because we forget what it means to be human, but also because we often forget that the Bible is Gods book. By the way, one of the biggest reasons you find yourself distracted during Bible reading may be that you dont actually enjoy reading your Bible enough. Click for reprint information. Why wasnt the lying prophet killed? Paul, an apostlenot from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Pauls counsel applies to us (1 Tim. 8:13). Reading your Bible doesnt have to be boring and routine. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Drowsy ( 2 instances) Gape ( 3 instances) Yawning. Learn to walk in the Spirit so that His fruit of self-control governs your impulses. So he planned to build bigger barns, while he congratulated himself that he had plenty stored up for years to come. But the main sense is the desire to have more and more things in an attempt to satisfy myself. Why would I want to do that? Pauls answer (Col. 3:1-4) is, Because you have died and have been raised up with Christ. Or do you also value keeping touch in the brief day-to-day moments as well? Unfortunately, the Bible doesnt use the word distractions or distracted very often, and the Scriptures on distractions (in general) we do find dont really provide much help for actually overcoming these distractions. The businessman asked for a copy of the financial news one year in advance. I said, You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel. We dont like this. Even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christby grace you have been saved, And you were dead in the trespasses and sins. He is the treasure in the field for which you sold everything to gain Him. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. This includes gambling and playing the lottery. WebHere are 14 worthwhile reasons you should read the Bible. 2. But if I want more just to buy bigger and better stuff that I really dont need, I may be drifting into greed. Put it to death! But in them all, God sustains joy, and he does it by the Scriptures. These conditions include: Sleep deprivation, or when you continually don't get enough sleep. 9. (Num 16:32). Please see our. Equipping Godly Women is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for websites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. So, I have ten reasons that I believe this ten reasons to make Bible reading, Bible understanding, Bible memory essential to the Christian life. Paul says that greed is tantamount to idolatry and brings the wrath of God (Col. 3:5). Leave your Bible somewhere youll see it (for example, on the kitchen counter or on your pillow, so its right in your way at bedtime). Rather, they are good reminders that we should aim to keep our focus where it matters, rather than getting distracted by earthly cares and worries that keep us from falling in love with Gods Word. The Christian life is a life of many afflictions. WebIt's something that your brain isn't used to doing, and some think that yawning is partially related to straining your neck muscles in the attempt to aid concentration. But when were in eternity, this speck of time we call life will seem like a blip on the radar screen. It's really hard to listen to God when there are really interesting things to think about. This might sound really weird. Where should we draw the line? And that may seem obvious to them or to others, but it isnt obvious, because I know fairly well-along Christians who dont do this. I dont know where to begin. Practical, encouraging, and full of biblical truth, Fall in Love with Gods Word has everything you need to learn how to: Please visit Amazon.com or your local bookstore to learn more and grab your copy of Fall in Love with Gods Word (and its companion workbook) today! Previous Christianity Today articles on preaching include: Previous SoulWork columns are available on our site. They built the high places of Baal in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to offer up their sons and daughters to Molech, though I did not command them, nor did it enter into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin. At the end of the movie, Schindlers List, the war is over and Mr. Schindler is leaving the many Jews whom he saved by employing them in his munitions factory. In fact, I liked point #1 right off the bat because, at least for me, steps 2 to 7 don't stand a chance of happening if I don't choose the right time and place from the get-go. Q There are plenty of things you can do to make stop getting so distracted during prayer and Bible study, so you can continue to grow your faith. Radically separate yourself from it! The causes of yawning are not well understood (See wikipedia). Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. To be sure, we want the preacher to begin with the Wordwe're Christians after allbut only as a starting point, and only as long as he moves on to things that really interest us. That may be legitimate. How can we be on guard against all greed? We so often treat this with a yawn, as something simply to be expected of God as an owed right. But, we are responsible to do it! I noticed from a young age, I started Press J to jump to the feed. It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. I also yawn, interestingly enough, singing hymns in church. Twenty years ago, Republicans, Democrats, evangelicals, gay activists, and African leaders joined forces to combat AIDS. Thats greed. Greed is a serious sin to be avoided! And to avoid the impression that I'm proof-texting or lifting verses out of context, I quote longer passagesanywhere from 2 to 6 verses. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. And of course, Id also love to encourage you to check out my book, Fall in Love with Gods Word: Practical Strategies for Busy Women, if you struggle to stay focused or motivated during prayer and Bible study. Do I want more to provide more adequately for my family? As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free., Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. But God said (Luke 12:20), You fool! Consider what Paul says about the activity of the Bible: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ( 2 Timothy 3:16) For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. WebLets consider five reasons Christians should read the Bible. Give when it hurts a bit: there are other things you could do with the money, but you joyfully sacrifice so you can give it to the Lords work. T Y For most American Christians, tithing is a cop out from our responsibility as Gods stewards. Died: Charles Stanley, In Touch Preacher Who Led with Stubborn Faith, Charles Stanley Was Everyones Pastor and Mine, Steven Curtis Chapman Ranked Alongside George Strait and Madonna, Complete access to articles on ChristianityToday.com, Over 120 years of magazine archives plus full access to all of CTs online archives. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. This occurs due to internal bleeding in and around your heart or aorta (the main artery that feeds blood to the heart). Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. S (2 Timothy 4:3). It is given to buoy us along in life, not drag us down. I help busy Christian moms find simple, practical ways to live out their faith, Fall in Love with Gods Word: Practical Strategies for Busy Women, reasons Christian women dont read their Bibles consistently here, grab your copy of Fall in Love with Gods Word, cute little prayer and Bible study notebook, struggling to read the Bible consistently, 10 Awesome Websites for Christian Women (Youll Love These! But now I want to focus on greed. OpenBible.info Im overwhelmed at how much I dont know about the Bible. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, Woman, you are freed from your disability. And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. Scan this QR code to download the app now. WebTools. But with the Bible, I feel like the test is life, and I dont know what I need to know to be prepared, if that makes sense. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But, in fact, we could die today or all our things could be taken from us instantly. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2, Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Cite this page: Editor: Stephen Smith. WebAs far as I know, yawning isn't a sign for tiredness, but for a need of oxygen. My favorite Bible verse. Do I need the latest gadget that the digital age is dangling in front of me? Byron Yawn. Since Paul uses four words for sexual immorality and only one for greed, I focused on moral purity. 3) Why do I want Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. Narcolepsy, a condition that makes you excessively sleepy during the day Excessive yawning may also be caused by taking medication that makes you very tired. While excessive yawning may be a symptom of an underlying condition, sometimes it can be a symptom of a serious medical problem. 6:10), the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil. Another word, used to translate the tenth commandment, You shall not covet (Rom. Insomnia, a condition Have you become so addicted to busyness that youre now unable to slow down. How do young Christians stop being leaves blown around by cultural and theological winds and opinions? Its easy to apply this to others and to justify myself, but I need to remove the log from my own eye. Not the way you think you can anyway. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Again: I do not claim that I have transcended this cultural impatience with the Bible. If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Thats what we must do with our greed! Jesus Brought Relief. I'm as irritated as the next person when it comes to the public reading of Scripture. But most people who are in debt have a problem with overspending. Overcome 7 common obstacles preventing you from spending time in Scripture, Discover the personalized Bible-reading routine that works for YOU, Learn 15 easy ways to make reading the Bible more meaningful and enjoyable, Use Scripture to conquer sin, false beliefs, and negative thought patterns. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.. Yawning is often a sign of sleepiness, and the Bible has much to say about that. But Jesus called them to him, saying, Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. N Q. I would just like a little bit more (and more, and more!). Thanks for posting. We want to be able to ask our questions about our concerns, otherwise we feel talked down to, or we feel the class is not relevant to our lives. WebExcessive yawning may be caused by an underlying condition. Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Here are 20 Important Reasons To Read The Bible Daily! Christians must radically separate themselves from all greed. Think about it this way: The Bible isnt just a bunch of lifeless words on a page. One day he finds it, but rather than bringing him the happiness he had hoped for, it brings him one problem after another, because everyone is after his pearl. Undefined cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. I have been slowly reintroducing myself to Christ and tonight I prayed to him for guidance on a personal issue. When I preach, I often quote the Bible to drive home my point. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. You may need to create a budget and live within it. And lastly, if youve gone through all of the above and youre still having trouble staying focused while praying and reading your Bible, you may simply need to double check your expectations. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. The main New Testament word for greed comes from two words meaning literally, to have more. Its often used in the sense of taking advantage of another person. M Do not labor for the food that perishes, If so, how much should we spend? If you think that you have eternal life as a kind of vaccination against hell, which needs no nourishment, you dont know what spiritual life is. Are we being greedy when we have nice cars in our driveways and expensive toys in our garages? If you struggle to focus while reading your Bible because you feel like its boring or you arent getting a lot out of it,Id love to invite you to check out my brand new book: Fall in Love with Gods Word: Practical Strategies for Busy Women! Ask questions and get honest feedback. My level of grief when I lose something is directly proportional to my emotional attachment to that thing. The Cross And Separation From The World (1 Peter 4:1-6), 7. Copyright, Steven J. Cole, 2016, All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Pastor John, thank you for this podcast. In fact, when I was researching my book, Fall in Love with Gods Word: Practical Strategies for Busy Women, distractions were one of the TOP seven reasons why Christian women dont read their Bibles as often as theyd like. {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}, Hello! And certain seasons of life are going to be more difficult to focus in than others thats not a bad thing, thats just life. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Peter denounces such false teachers by comparing them to Balaam and saying that their hearts are trained in greed (2 Pet. We teachers and preachers are well aware of how easily listeners get bored. If you dream about winning the Publishers Clearinghouse Sweepstakes, you need to ask, Why do I want to win? Be honest: Is it really so that you can give away most of it to the Lords work around the world? You can encourage each other, inspire each other, challenge each other, and help keep each other on track and focused. Your prayer list and list of distractions arent the only things it can be helpful to write down either. I vaguely know of Browse 60+ years of magazine archives and web exclusives. This site uses cookies to serve you better. 14:10, 12). Greed also treats eternal things as if they arent real and never will happen. He told them that they must put to death their sinful nature with regard to greed, which amounts to idolatry (Col. 3:5). Its okay to have short quiet times! None is righteous, no, not one (Romans 3:10). And yawning. Almost everyone agrees that greed is bad. Am I valuing souls above earthly things? If I rejoice when I win a raffle or door prize, but I yawn when I hear about a soul being saved, Ive lost the eternal perspective, which is a sign of greed. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.. If it uncovered some seeds of greed, then consider the final question: Putting myself to death with regard to greed means taking radical action to cut it out of my life, beginning on the thought level. Giving is the drain plug for greed. 6:19, 33). Even though it's been a couple of years since you wrote this Brittany Ann, it will always be timeless. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. Subscribers receive full access to the archives. God sanctifies his people. I want to be knowledgeable about Scripture so that it can guide me and so that I can use it to guide others in the future. How do we define luxury in light of the worlds poor? We ALL get distracted sometimesmyself very much included! The Bible is help, not oppression. (2 Timothy 2:15). V Theres a story of a financier who was visited by an angel who told him he would grant him one wish. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. He is a thousand times stronger than you are. When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, No doubt this man is a murderer. Last week I developed the idea from Colossians 3:5-7 that Christians must radically separate themselves from all sexual immorality and greed. 1. The weird thing is I do not yawn any other time, unless Im incredibly tired obviously like a normal person. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. Man shall not live by bread alone, May 26, 2016. WebI suggest that yawning is exercise for the spirit, but in reverse. Hebrews 12:14 says, Strive . Yawning is a reflection that all humans and animals have, for this reason so many people are surprised when they are told that there is a spiritual meaning to yawning. Well yes, yawning also has a spiritual meaning, or rather several. It all depends on the most significant moment you are going through in these moments of your life. Get rid of all the needless stuff you can and then to seek to live as simply as possible. 6:1). The Bible uses several words for greed. 13:44-46). TopicalBible For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. When you're more used to studying, you'll be better at staying focused on it. Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. your brain is slowing down, causing its temperature to drop. And sometimes my eyes wil start to water, not necessarily crying but just starting to build up. I dont regard that as a very good habit at all. Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. I manage it for Him, and at the judgment, I will give an account to Him (Matt. When you get an increase in income, ask God where He wants you to direct it, rather than automatically spending it on more stuff.
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