|
Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus"1 (Lyrics) |
Matthew 28:19-20 – Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (NIV)
Every time I go to our gym, I start out on the stationary bicycle. It's not just a boring bicycle ride; it's like watching me bicycling along, passing other cyclists — like a video game with 30 different tours and topography from real places around the world. This "game" gives me the idea that I'm actually there on that hillside cycling like a crazy woman, trying to beat my previous time. There are also things that make the ride more interesting, like bunnies running across the road, or dragons flying by, or Yetis throwing snowballs across the road at each other. What I have discovered is that at the beginning of my ride, it's hard work, as my muscles haven't warmed up yet — which causes me to wonder why on earth I started this particular ride in the first place. But then, I'm really focussed, working as hard as possible to go as fast as possible. Somewhere in the middle, I get into a great rhythm, but then, my mind starts to wander. I start thinking about my own life and my concerns about other people — and then, all of a sudden, I realize that I've slowed down because I'm not focussed on my riding. I'm ticked because I've lost precious seconds in the race. Oh no! How could I have let myself be distracted? Now I'm really behind in my time!
I think that our lives as Christians are like this illustration. I have always struggled to read my Bible and to have a quiet time with God every day. I know that I am not alone in this problem. It seems like an uphill ride. It seems like hard work! But eventually, I get into a rhythm of sorts, doing my Bible study homework, reading my devotional Bible, and/or journaling my prayers. It feels great to be communing with God on a regular basis. But before I know it, something comes along — a bout of depression or some other distraction — and bam! I'm not doing what I'm supposed to be doing … again! Wait, how did that happen? Once that distraction occurs, I find it difficult to get going again, since it was a struggle in the first place, and it may take a week or longer before I can get back into the flow of things, to be focussed again. I could say that I'm behind in my time with God. But the comforting thing to know is that this would never happen! God is with us at all times, despite who we try to be as Christians. We will never be behind, or out of sync with God and not catch up to Him. We can't see Him, but we can be sure that He is always there.
Hebrews 13:5b – … because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (NIV)
If we love the Lord and follow His teachings, He will always be there to help, guide, and comfort us. He will not ever leave us alone!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love for us, that amazing love that is not faulting in any way, that is there for us all the time, every day, every hour, every second … every moment of our lives. Thank You that we don't need to fit into a time schedule to meet with You. Thank You for always being with us no matter how much we mess up our lives. This is what is so amazing: You are forgiving, loving, and compassionate, always, towards us. Thank You, Lord, that You will never leave us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Forward this devotional Share this devotional on Facebook Like PresbyCan on Facebook
Although PresbyCan doesn't have a mobile app, you can still have a PresbyCan icon on your mobile phone home screen. 
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 – In Ottawa, Ontario — Uphold John Sourial and his leadership in the mission outreach to Arabic-speaking believers through an evangelical mission in the Presbytery of Ottawa. Give thanks for the large group of youth and young adults who worship and grow together.
Update: Prayer for good vacation and part-time position: "Update May 1, 2024: We had a good vacation. Praise the Lord. Thank you to all Prayer Warriors...." 
Prayer for P.: "Update April 29, 2024: Good news: Praise the Lord!! P has been given the apartment. It will be a..." 
Thanks Karen.
Very encouraging Karen.
Thank you Karen. Nice to see one from you.
Dear Karen: Thank you for today’s message.
Amen to all you wrote. Blessings on you and yours.
Karen, thank you, I enjoyed this very much and look forward to the next time you share with us. May God continue to bless you.
Thank you, Karen, for echoing and framing so effectively the struggle so many of us face with daily commitment to the Lord’s word.
(Texas)
Thank you, Karen, for this analogy. I could almost ‘see’ the virtual road ahead as you cycled. May we always be aware of our Heavenly companion, our Lord Jesus, as we ‘cycle’ through life. Blessings.
Yes, Karen,
It is God’s great love for us in Jesus Christ that constrains us, that allows us to choose to do his will.
It is not by our might nor power but by his Spirit that we are empowered to do His will. He gave His Son to cancel out our sins and free us to do His will. We’re free, Free. FREE! We’re FREE to choose to do His will.
Yesterday, we shared in a celebration of life for our elder. For him to live was Christ. Two ministers took part in the celebration. Both walked the last several days of the Elders care in a hospice where the later lost his battle with cancer. Each minister had a different view of the life and battle of said elder. It was very evident to me our elder realized that the Lord never had left him alone on his journey of life. I hope the same can be said of my journey.
Dear Karen,
Thank you for your devotional today. I can say with you, “been there, done that”. I find that as I age my discipline to focus on my ‘quiet time’ is slowly diminishing. So often, I find myself missing my ‘quiet time’ with the busyness of just my everyday chores. One way that I am able to connect with bible reading is to follow the devotionals on the PCC website, so thank you so much for the devotionals that I read each day. I truly appreciate all of the devotionals but some affect me more than others. Have a blessed day!
Hi Karen,
Many people reading this devotional will have had the same experienced as you have had. I have found that the earlier one can have one’s devotions in the morning the fewer the breaks in the process. But the evening watch I find is difficult because of the burdens of the day…so staying up late is not necessarily a good thing. However if one reads one of one’s favourite hymns first or a favourite passage of Scripture or of a devotional book it might help to clear away the mental distractions. The secret it to start settling down ahead of time to prevent mechanical devotional reading followed by perfunctory prayer. Yes, that does happen; even in the best of circles.
Dear Karen,
Thank you for writing!
Sometime ago, I quit trying to have “quiet time” every day. It was a struggle and when I missed the mark, I was quick to condemn myself — beat myself up, call myself names that a loving, nurturing caregiver would never use in the hearing of a tender child.
I did two things:
-commit to repent whenever I called myself (or anyone else) names that Jesus does not say about me.
-trust that HE will arrange at least one meeting for me with HIM sometime each day.
Despite all the preparations, sometimes, I don’t meet Him at any of those places.
BUT HE meets me in the quiet moments at the most unexpected times and if I reflect at the end of the day, I can usually remember when I felt HIS presence. The law of the Spirit of life sets me free to enjoy being busy and being quiet.
I can’t be sure of meeting with the LORD by the Holy Spirit everyday if it is up to me. I have quit trying. Jesus can make sure I have opportunity to commune with Him, and when I trust His loving desire for fellowship with me, I can be sure of a visit with Him if keep my mind open for the prompt of The Holy Spirit.
Good Morning Karen:
This was indeed one of the most practical and challenging devotionals I have ever read. I think your illustration was a great lesson for many, (me included) who often become so preoccupied with everything else going on around us in this world, the word of God seem less exciting and less challenging to us and we become somewhat neglectful in maintaining our fellowship with our Heavenly Father. I often think how sad I would be if I did not hear from my family every day. We soon forget, we are God’s children and when we neglect Him and become distracted with His wonderful presence. I am sure He wonders “where in the world we are” and “why we have not spoken with Him today”.
I loved this message. It made me realize I must not get so caught up into the flow of everyday living that I forget He who will never leave nor sake me.
A beautiful message of assurance and indeed, a challenge for we who sometimes place our loved ones and the activities in our lives first and leave our Lord and His precious word on the sidelines.
Blessings to you, keep writing.
I plan on reading the PCC devotional every morning, but sometimes find I try to find excuses such as the time would make me late for something else. But, do you know, every time I worry about it, God gives the time, and I have worried for nothing! Praise God!
Amen Karen: I go through the same struggle at times, not the cycling, not doing that but wish I could. I start feeling guilty if I miss my Bible Study, but the leader tells us not to try to catch up, just continue on, and I am sure after reading your devotional, that is exactly what God would have us do.
Lately I have even been missing some of the devotionals and feeling very guilty about that. Thank you for your insight and sharing.