[Faith-talk] FW: [thefamilyoffaith] Devotion Distractions - Joni and Friends Daily Devotional

[Eric Calhoun]

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From: "thefamilyoffaith" <TheFamilyofFaith at tampabay.rr.com>
To: <thefamilyoffaith at yahoogroups.com>,
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Subject: [thefamilyoffaith] Devotion Distractions - Joni and Friends
Daily Devotional
Date: 
Sun, 22 Apr 2012 06:28:25 -0400

            Joni and Friends Daily Devotional
             April 22, 2012
           
            Dear Family of Faith,
           
     
     
            Devotion Distractions
           
     
            Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to
shame. Isaiah 50:7



            The other morning after Carolyn and Dana got me dressed and
up in my wheelchair, we had our usual Bible reading together. We had just
finished a hymn, our devotions and were in the middle of praying by my
bedroom bay window. I occasionally pray with my eyes open and on this
particular morning, my gaze fell upon a huge spider crawling toward
Carolyn. Without thinking, I gasped. My friends opened their eyes, and when
they saw how big the spider was, we three screamed out loud together.



            Dana took off her shoe to smack it, Carolyn raced for tissue
paper, and I kept my eye on the intruder so it wouldn't vanish under the
bay window cushion. Seconds later, the spider was history. After the
kafuffle, we had the hardest time remembering where we were in our prayers,
what hymn we sang, and which part of the Bible we read. Our minds were
blank slates. We had forgotten all about our time with God! It was a useful
lesson on how devilishly disrupting distractions can be. Everyday
interruptions may be his most useful tool in diverting our attention from
godly pursuits.





                                



            Start praying and you can be sure the microwave will beep,
the doorbell will chime, the phone will ring, the dryer will buzz, or a
spider will appear. For me, a good defense is to now pray with my eyes
closed. My husband goes into our guest room, takes the phone off the hook,
and closes the door. Don't let interruptions be your shame when communing
with your Savior. Put the blinders on, stick with the program, and set your
face like flint.



            I ask you, dear Lord, to be a watchdog over my mind and heart
when I pray or read your word. Keep me from any disturbance that the enemy
might place before me.
           
     


            Blessings,


            Joni and Friends 
            www.joniandfriends.org