Labs 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. Undefined cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Byron Yawn. B But what if all my things, my bank accounts, everything was taken from me, as has happened to many of our brothers and sisters in the Middle East? 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. 25:14-30; Rom. 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. But, in fact, we could die today or all our things could be taken from us instantly. For on him God the Father has set his seal. Then they said to him, What must we do, to be doing the works of God? Jesus answered them, This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent. One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. I admit that it can be tempting when the Powerball gets into hundreds of millions, but gambling is poor stewardship of the Lords resources. One of the most beloved broadcast preachers was also a dear friend and spiritual father to my family. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might. If we are, we may be greedy. Webster defines it as excessive or reprehensible acquisitiveness. It defines the synonym, covetous, as, marked by inordinate desire for wealth or possessions or for anothers possessions. The problem is, those terms are subjective. And he said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.. Sometimes we yawn because we forget what it means to see at all. But we each have to stand before God someday. your brain isnt feeling stimulated and starts to slow down, causing a temperature drop. What is the first and most essential thing I need to know to follow Christ by reading his word?, Well, my answer is probably going to be a little bit frustrating, because hes asking for a particular truth in the Bible, and Im going to say, Bible, Bible, Bible, Bible.. How can we keep greed from becoming our god? We should be inching toward the edge of our seats, leaning forward, turning our best ear toward the speaker, fearful we'll miss a single wordthe deeds and words and character of Almighty and Merciful God are being revealed! But when were in eternity, this speck of time we call life will seem like a blip on the radar screen. Last week I developed the idea from Colossians 3:5-7 that Christians must radically separate themselves from all sexual immorality and greed. You adopt the Owners priorities: His kingdom purposes. Here are nine common but wrong ways to read the Bible: The warm fuzzies approach reading the Bible for a glowing, subjective experience of God, ignited by the words of the text, whether we understand what they actually mean or not. Result: frothy reading. 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. 3) Why do I want 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. He has spent his entire personal fortune to bribe German officials in order to save these people from the death chambers. I was wondering if this happens to anyone else. (John 17:17), Sanctification is the process of becoming holy that is, becoming more like Christ and like God, who is perfectly holy. We yawn when were bored, but also when were anxious, or hungry, or about to start a new activity. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. His son is killed. The poor can be just as greedy as the rich. It has been said to the point of boredom that we live in a narcissistic age, where we are wont to fixate on our needs, our wants, our wishes, and our hopesat the expense of others and certainly at the expense of God. Share your knowledge, your insights and all the ways you feel God speaking to you and working in your life. 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. I could totally relate and this blessed me. 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. This helps cover the many costs of running this site and allows me to help provide for my growing family. Again: I do not claim that I have transcended this cultural impatience with the Bible. Publication date: Mar 19, 2023. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 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?. tired. Why not trust God and increase the percentage you give now? If I were studying for an exam in a class, I would start with a list of essential topics to be tested on. When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, No doubt this man is a murderer. For example: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Or simply talking to yourself out loud? 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. Its John Steinbecks The Pearl. The Bible views wealth as good, but dangerous. And its clear that he intended to keep it all for himself. (1 Thessalonians 1:6), His delight is in the law of the Lord, He told them that they must put to death their sinful nature with regard to greed, which amounts to idolatry (Col. 3:5). TopicalBible Are things like insurance, savings, and investments opposed to trusting God and seeking first His kingdom? Whenever the Bible is read, a hush should come over us. 13:44-46). Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. And there we sit, tapping our feet, mentally telling the preacher to get on with it. There is no direct mention of yawning in the Bible (Ps 5 : 9 is sometimes mentioned, but its clear that their throat is an open grave is not about yawning). Don't spend a lot of time in the Bible, we tell our preachers, but be sure to get to personal illustrations, examples from daily life, and most importantly, an application that we can use. But if my every waking moment is consumed with how to succeed financially and I seldom think about how I can succeed at seeking first Gods kingdom and righteousness, Im probably tainted by greed. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us. Were on a mission to change that. You could probably add more questions. Would I spend what I spend on entertainment? So, what I want to do is persuade our new believing friend that it is absolutely essential, after coming to faith in Christ, to be radically, deeply, experientially devoted unshakably, unwaveringly persuaded that reading and meditating on and understanding and memorizing and enjoying the Scriptures is absolutely essential for the Christian life, which would include being in the word every day with the aim that we will meet God there and, little by little, the glory of his truth will fill and transform our lives. I dont know where to begin. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. 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? The time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions. 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. Some yawns are spontaneous. These cookies do not store any personal information. Experience fresh spiritual growth and passion for Gods Word. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. (1 John 2:14). Do I want more to provide more adequately for my family? We tend to shrug off greed by comparing ourselves with those who are richer than we are and thinking that greed is their problem. I ask this not in a scolding tone, but in wonderment, not to point fingers, for I wonder at myself as well. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. V Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. You can encourage each other, inspire each other, challenge each other, and help keep each other on track and focused. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. ), How to Read the Bible Daily (And Make it a Habit). So he planned to build bigger barns, while he congratulated himself that he had plenty stored up for years to come. L If you constantly find yourself distracted during prayer and Bible study, why not grab a friend to pray and read with? He wasnt thinking about Gods kingdom or the needs of others. Greed is the attitude thats never quite satisfied, that says, All I want is a little bit more. We see this in the parable Jesus told in Luke 12:13-21. Paul says that greed is tantamount to idolatry and brings the wrath of God (Col. 3:5). Then Jesus told the story of the man who had too many crops for his already-full barns. Copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. When you're more used to studying, you'll be better at staying focused on it. 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? Think about it this way: The Bible isnt just a bunch of lifeless words on a page. Are we being greedy when we have nice cars in our driveways and expensive toys in our garages? Z. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. He is the treasure in the field for which you sold everything to gain Him. For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. 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. None is righteous, no, not one (Romans 3:10). 8:13). Its actually the medium through which God speaks to us. But also, Im commanded not to store up treasures on earth, but rather to seek first Gods kingdom (Matt. Byron Yawn is the senior pastor of Community Bible Church in Nashville, Tennessee. (Ephesians 4:1314). So that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Are we being greedy by living in nice, spacious homes furnished with all the conveniences of modern life, when there are millions around the world living in shacks with no indoor plumbing? Paul uses it when he states (1 Tim. Mark Galli is former editor in chief of Christianity Today and author, most recently, of, First Baptist Church Atlanta pastor lived by the motto Obey God and leave all the consequences to him.. The Bible uses several words for greed. The knowledge of God all the fullness that a created being can properly comprehend and enjoy will not be withheld from us indefinitely. F 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. In "SoulWork," Mark Galli brings news, Christian theology, and spiritual direction together to explore what it means to be formed spiritually in the image of Jesus Christ. Also, to rid yourself of greed, make a faith commitment to give generously to the Lords work. This occurs due to internal bleeding in and around your heart or aorta (the main artery that feeds blood to the heart). I've also read that it has to do with the temperature of our brain, and that yawning can cool the brain. My favorite Bible verse. S This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 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. and we cant keep our focus. {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}, Hello! This made me realize that during church services as a kid, and the few times I have recently gone, I could yawn over and over and over again the whole time. The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. W When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood. How can we apply a verse like 1 John 3:17 in a world where the needs are bottomless? Should we trade in our old car for a newer one? Preaching about greed is not easy. And what I mean by this is that full understanding, full enjoyment of the truth of Scripture, will be experienced only in heaven. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. God sanctifies his people. (Pro 24:33-34). Gods Im overwhelmed at how much I dont know about the Bible. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. your brain is slowing down, causing its temperature to drop. We were born so blind that even the blazing brightness of his glory could not break through ( 2 Corinthians 4:4 ). Put it to death! Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And sometimes my eyes wil start to water, not necessarily crying but just starting to build up. . When I did this at one church, a staff member whom I'd asked for feedback between services told me to cut down on the Scripture quotations. Its normal to grieve when we lose something of value, whether a possession or money. Trust God by giving off the top of your paycheck, not giving if theres something left over at the end of the month. (2 Timothy 2:15). Selah. Set an alarm on your phone (maybe two!) 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. bored. Our retinas saw everything they see now, and yet, nothing. And his disciples asked him, Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. For most American Christians, tithing is a cop out from our responsibility as Gods stewards. Q. 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. But lately I'm beginning to question that move, and wondering, Why have we become so impatient and bored with the Word of God? And the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. I'm as irritated as the next person when it comes to the public reading of Scripture. The Bible doesnt make sense. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. We often hear people say how difficult it is to hear God anymore, and I wonder if one reason is that we've forgotten how to listen to the Word of God when it comes to us in the sanctuary or the classroom. See who God is and how much He loves us. Drowsy ( 2 instances) Gape ( 3 instances) Yawning. If the real answer is, So that I could be rich, you may be into greed. It is through the Bible that we learn that God is our loving creator and constant wooer. WebI was brought up in a christian household, and I was taught that there were "sins", and I read the bible. 5:5) he warns that the greedy will not inherit the kingdom of God. If greed was a problem for them in that culture, then surely we who live in this prosperous nation, must come to grips with greed. 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. 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. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.. The Bible is help, not oppression. Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God . Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Otherwise, here are 7 helpful ways to stop getting so distracted during prayer and Bible study. Even though it's been a couple of years since you wrote this Brittany Ann, it will always be timeless. With kingdom priorities and careful stewardship we can give far more. 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. Our own dark thoughts of God are what cause us to shrink back from opening and Why not make it FUN, meaningful, enjoyable, and interesting?? Home | Blog|Podcast | Free Resources | Books | Courses | Membership | Privacy Policy|Contact.