Luke 10:39–42 (NKJV)
And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Distractions come in many forms when it comes to praying and hearing the voice of the Lord. A phone call, a text message, the smell of food, the thought of something you forgot to write down on your To-Do list, etc. ...the list is endless. Learning how to focus and turning from distraction is key in hearing the voice of the Lord.
In Luke chapter 10, Martha was working hard for the Lord. She was so concerned about the physical realm that she was missing the real reason that Jesus showed up at her house. Instead of finding fault with Mary and judging her sister she should have stopped and at least thought, "should I be working right now or listening to the Master?" She was so upset and worried that she couldn't recognize it was time to listen to Jesus. She missed the opportunity. Don't be so quick to criticize Martha. How many opportunities to hear the voice of Lord have we missed?
Doing the wrong thing at the right time or doing the right thing at the wrong time; either way you miss it.
Let's purpose in our hearts to turn away from distractions and recognize the presence of Jesus and immediately stop what we are doing to listen to Him. Nothing is more important than hearing what the Lord wants to say to you today.
We need to value His voice more. More than the voice of any other person (or social media, news source, etc.). We need to listen without distraction. Tune your inner ears to the inward voice. He lives in you and speaks to your inner man.
Pray without ceasing. (Be in a constant attitude of prayer and communication with the Father.) Identify potential distractions and plan in advance how to eliminate them. Be aware of subtle distractions that appear as "good things". Good things are not the same thing as God's things.
Remember, every one of us must contend for the distraction-free time we need each day to listen for the Lord's voice. You can do it! Turn from distractions and turn to God.
In this time of prayer and fasting we are becoming more focused as we turn to God and less distracted.
Challenge:
Write down all of the potential distractions that you can think of in your prayer journal. Before praying eliminate the possibility of any distraction.
Say this:
I refuse to be distracted from hearing the voice of the Good Shepherd. Nothing is more important than hearing the Lord speak to me. My inner ear is tuned to His voice and the voice of a stranger I do not hear. I receive wisdom from God today.
Pray this:
"Lord, show me anything that could distract me from spending time with you and I will eliminate from my life. Show me how to manage my time so that I am spending more time with You. I thank you for filling me with wisdom so that I can increasingly hear Your voice clearer and clearer. In Jesus Name."
And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Distractions come in many forms when it comes to praying and hearing the voice of the Lord. A phone call, a text message, the smell of food, the thought of something you forgot to write down on your To-Do list, etc. ...the list is endless. Learning how to focus and turning from distraction is key in hearing the voice of the Lord.
In Luke chapter 10, Martha was working hard for the Lord. She was so concerned about the physical realm that she was missing the real reason that Jesus showed up at her house. Instead of finding fault with Mary and judging her sister she should have stopped and at least thought, "should I be working right now or listening to the Master?" She was so upset and worried that she couldn't recognize it was time to listen to Jesus. She missed the opportunity. Don't be so quick to criticize Martha. How many opportunities to hear the voice of Lord have we missed?
Doing the wrong thing at the right time or doing the right thing at the wrong time; either way you miss it.
Let's purpose in our hearts to turn away from distractions and recognize the presence of Jesus and immediately stop what we are doing to listen to Him. Nothing is more important than hearing what the Lord wants to say to you today.
We need to value His voice more. More than the voice of any other person (or social media, news source, etc.). We need to listen without distraction. Tune your inner ears to the inward voice. He lives in you and speaks to your inner man.
Pray without ceasing. (Be in a constant attitude of prayer and communication with the Father.) Identify potential distractions and plan in advance how to eliminate them. Be aware of subtle distractions that appear as "good things". Good things are not the same thing as God's things.
Remember, every one of us must contend for the distraction-free time we need each day to listen for the Lord's voice. You can do it! Turn from distractions and turn to God.
In this time of prayer and fasting we are becoming more focused as we turn to God and less distracted.
Challenge:
Write down all of the potential distractions that you can think of in your prayer journal. Before praying eliminate the possibility of any distraction.
Say this:
I refuse to be distracted from hearing the voice of the Good Shepherd. Nothing is more important than hearing the Lord speak to me. My inner ear is tuned to His voice and the voice of a stranger I do not hear. I receive wisdom from God today.
Pray this:
"Lord, show me anything that could distract me from spending time with you and I will eliminate from my life. Show me how to manage my time so that I am spending more time with You. I thank you for filling me with wisdom so that I can increasingly hear Your voice clearer and clearer. In Jesus Name."
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4 Comments
Perfect timing Pastor, as we all seem to get caught up in things of the world, but fail sometimes to realize that God is most important and Jesus is enough to sustain us in all our needs and wants. Be blessed and thank you.
Scott, you are right! One of the biggest things that we deal with is "distractions of this age" drawing us away from our time with Him. Thank you for your post! I am praying for you that this year be the best year of your life and that you hear His voice clearer than ever. - PB
No matter how long we've been walking daily with the Lord, this, to me is the Number 1 issue we have to overcome. Whether it's our daily prayer and meditation of the Word, or worship and praise time (during Sunday service or at home), we need to close our eyes and cover our ears to focus on Jesus!
That is so true, even a small thought and letting your mind run freely. Getting consumed with what I think should be happening or what that is not happening. Instead of being present and focus thanking God for what he is doing right now.