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Listen while you read: "Be Still My Soul"1 (Lyrics) |
I try to begin my days with a cup of coffee and my time with God. I begin with a few online meditations and continue into whichever specific book of the Bible that I have been studying. I know that my days unfold much better when I start with this quiet time alone with God and His Word. Why, then, do I allow myself to become distracted by "just" putting on a new pot of coffee, or by "just" responding to one e-mail? Often, several hours later or even at the end of the day, I find myself bereft of this precious time with God and frustrated that the day has passed in a directionless manner.
Psalm 119:37 – Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way. (NKJV)
I am currently reading this Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible. As you may be aware, each of the 22 sections of the Hebrew text is entitled sequentially with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and each of the eight verses within each section begins with that same letter. When you think of the complexities of adhering to such a format, you really see God's inspiration to the writer. Normally, in my devotional time, I read an entire chapter and then use some study tools to dig into the meaning of the text. In this case, I read only eight verses at once. I was captivated when I read verse 37, and, I must say, my mind continues to wander back to it. One of my recent daily readings noted that if we have done nothing in the day to further our relationship with Christ, then we have wasted the day. Verse 37 resonates with the same message, for the "worthless things" could also be interpreted as "worthless activities".
While I am still searching for God's purpose for my life, I am certain that simply "being busy" is not it! I need to remind myself each and every morning that each day that God grants me is a gift. I must not waste the day, but use it to further my relationship with Him. The best way to honour this is to begin my day with God and His Word so that He can turn my eyes "away from worthless things" and to His purpose for my day.
Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (NKJV)
Do you find yourself, like me, on the merry-go-round of life trying to squeeze God in at the end of a busy day and feeling frustrated that you haven't heard from Him? Will you pray with me?
Prayer: Dear Lord, we give You thanks for the gift of each day that You grant us here on earth. Forgive us when we marginalize You in the busyness of everyday life. Help us to honour You by making time to be with You and to study Your Word each day. You have created each of us for a specific purpose. Remind us that spending time in Your Word will light the way that You have planned for each of us. Amen.
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Great word Orlanda.
A good devotional. Thank you Orlanda.
Thank you so much for this devotional.
Thank you for a very kind practical devotion. God Bless.
This prompted my morning greeting to family and friends. Thanks, Orlanda!
Thank you, Orlanda for inspiring us so beautifully. We hope you will keep writing.
Orlanda;
I can certainly relate to your message today! Thank you so much.
Thanks for the reminder and the prayer as I relate so well with your poignant message! Blessings.
Orlanda, thanks for sharing your devotional regime with us. We’ve much in common in this regard since my own devotional time echoes yours. Blessings.
Thank you for your inspirational words today. Your study of Psalm 119 has prompted me to reread the words. Blessings for many future devotionals!
Good to see one from The Gentle Isle.
Staying in the Canoe Cove area was very enjoyable.
Thanks for your writing today. It is so similar to my day, I could have written it too! So right now.. I am going to go do my reading and prayers!!!
Orlanda, thank you for this reminder to put God and our relationship with him first every day. I’m recently retired and am in the process of finding a new rhythm to my days. Your devotional is very timely for me. Thank you!
Dear Orlanda:
Thank you so much for “hitting the nail on the head”. Beautiful words to live by.
God bless you.
I think you’ve found God’s purpose in your life: you’re writing devotionals! Psalm 96:3.
Keep it up, Orlanda!
God bless.
Amen, Orlanda. It is always a challenge for me to remember what is important in starting each day. Thanks for the reminder.
(Texas)
Thank you so much for this message. It quite aptly describes my walk with God at the present time.
I will certainly share it with friends as well as re-read for my benefit.
Thank you again.
The first thing I do after breakfast is get the Daily Devotion. I am afraid I do not spend much time the rest of the day reading the word but feel better all day for the short time I spend reading the Daily. Thanks to you and the many others who write, it gives me peace. Thank you for your writings.
Thanks Orlanda.
I haved challenges about this all the time.
Thanks for the timely reminder as deadlines press in.
One thing that helps is our devotional and you have done that for me today.
Good morning Orlando:
You have described my life and routines very eloquently, and I must be truthful and admit to it. But God is wonderful, and that “still small voice of God” says stop, be still, and know that I am God! And, I do.
Thank you for your inspirational help.
Dear Orlanda,
Greetings!
I just want to say thank you for today’s devotion.
It means so much. It is a reminder to me, as I need to be more disciplined, and indeed remember that each morning that we open our eyes is a “gift!”
God bless you truly and thank you for your inspiring devotions.
Dear Orlanda,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts in today’s Presbyterian Devotional Reading.
I could relate to the distractions that you mentioned.
I remember meeting you at one of the Presbyterian Ladies Retreats.
May God continue to Bless You.
(NB)
Hello Orlanda,
I think this is a very good devotional. Thank you. I know my days are always best when I start them in God’s Word but I also know how easy it is to get distracted by ‘just’ one little thing, and then another. It’s not like they are bad little things, just things that keep us from where we want to be focused. God bless you as you keep trying and God bless your future devotionals too.
(Ontario)
Dear Orlanda,
Your Devotional “How Have I Spent My Day?” is God speaking to me directly through you. You see, I lost my job of several years back. I know that God blessed me with that job and I was happy in that job. But it was gone very unexpectedly in one morning and since then I am at home wasting my time wondering what my purpose in life is. At the end of each day I wonder why God took away the job He gave me and what I am supposed to do next and why He does not answer my prayers.
I want to thank you for writing this devotional.
Take care and God bless,
(Ontario, Canada)
Hi, I found myself hearing my own thoughts echoed back to me.
It is always quite amazing at the number of ‘important’ things that rear their heads to interrupt my path to the place where I hold my time with Him.
I start by simply sitting with the coffee and listening for His voice. I don’t praise or pray I simply listen till He speaks. This is not easy as I have a busy mind and want to launch immediately into some form of conversation, be it prayer requests or praise .However, I finally manage to reign in my thoughts, requests and ideas with the help of the Holy Spirit and am always awed at His whispers of love and directions. Then comes the teaching from His word.
Does all of this sound familiar to you?
SO let’s persevere and enjoy our coffee time with God.
Blessings!
Just read your devotional I must say even before I got to the end I had decided I will read Psalm 119. Well done honey.