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

[Jenny Keller]

that is a wonderful devotional.  

I have found the same to be true.  The devil, or just life, distracts us from what we should be doing, which is praying, studying his scriptures, or just thinking about the still small voice that seems to come when it's not expected.  

I didn't go to church last week because I had just given my retired guide away to his new family, but I know that church would've been the best place for me.

Fortunately, as a latter day saint, I have plenty of study material to study from, not including the Sunday school lessons that I fell behind in.  They're all accessible except for the President of the Church book which is a new addition to our library.  

I pray that it will come soon, but I never run out of things to study.

I have learned to not answer the phone or anything \when study time is being done, and prayers are a little harder.  

I like the idea of taking the phone off the hook and going to a private area.  That is some good advice.

Jenny
On Apr 22, 2012, at 12:19 PM, Eric Calhoun wrote:

> 
> 
> Original Message: 
> From: "thefamilyoffaith" <TheFamilyofFaith at tampabay.rr.com>
> To: <thefamilyoffaith at yahoogroups.com>,
> <INTERCESSORS-ALLNATIONS at yahoogroups.com>,
> <dfpprayerwarriors at suddenlink.net>, <unitedprayermail at aol.com>,
> <CcHhEeSsTtEeRr at yahoogroups.com>
> 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  
> 
> 
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