Thursday, November 20, 2014

Our Daily Bread -- Dealing With Distractions

If you are having trouble reading the Our Daily Bread devotional click here for the online version.
About Our Daily Bread     |      RBC Ministries     |      Donate

Our Daily Bread -- Dealing With Distractions

November 21, 2014

Play MP3
Our Daily Bread is hosted by Les Lamborn

READ: Matthew 13:14-22

The cares of this world . . . choke the word. —Matthew 13:22

A restaurant owner in the village of Abu Ghosh, just outside Jerusalem, offered a 50-percent discount for patrons who turned off their cell phones. Jawdat Ibrahim believes that smartphones have shifted the focus of meals from companionship and conversation to surfing, texting, and business calls. “Technology is very good,” Ibrahim says. “But . . . when you are with your family and your friends, you can just wait for half an hour and enjoy the food and enjoy the company.”

How easily we can be distracted by many things, whether in our relationship with others or with the Lord.

Jesus told His followers that spiritual distraction begins with hearts that have grown dull, ears that are hard of hearing, and eyes that are closed (Matt. 13:15). Using the illustration of a farmer scattering seed, Jesus compared the seed that fell among thorns to a person who hears God’s Word but whose heart is focused on other things. “The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful” (v.22).

There is great value in having times throughout each day when we turn off the distractions of mind and heart and focus on the Lord. —David McCasland

O Lord, help me to turn off all the
distractions around me and focus on You.
May my heart be good soil for the
seed of Your Word today.

Focusing on Christ puts everything else in perspective.

Bible in a year: Ezekiel 16-17; James 3

Share your comments on today’s devotional at odb.org.

 

You can make a difference. Even the smallest donation helps reach people around the world with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible.

Donate



Special Offer

Special Online Offer

Subscribe

Mail
Receive ODB at home
Podcast
Download ODB on iTunes
Mobile
Get ODB on the go
Facebook
facebook.com/ourdailybread
Twitter
twitter.com/ourdailybread
Instagram
instagram.com/our_daily_bread
Google+
Add us to your circle
RSS
odb.org/feed

To read today's Our Daily Bread online visit www.odb.org.

Copyright © 2014, RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI 49555 USA. Written permission must be obtained from RBC Ministries for any further posting or distribution.

RBC Ministries produces a variety of Bible resources, which are available for the asking. Many people, making even the smallest of donations, enable RBC Ministries to reach others with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible. We are not funded or endowed by any group or denomination. Write rbc@rbc.org for more information.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

RBC Ministries | 3000 Kraft Ave | Grand Rapids, MI 49512

Unsubscribe

 

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home