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Each April for the past three years, our household has received a picture postcard from the office of the Grey County Weed Inspector. The cards advised of an invasive plant called Wild Chervil that threatens forage crops. The postcards ask rural residents of the county to indentify the plant and control its spread with mowing or digging out the young tap root. For three summers, I have weeded Wild Chervil from our property and road allowances.
One day while weeding Wild Chervil, my thoughts turned to Jesus' parable of the sower, especially the seed that was choked by weeds.
Mark 4:18-19 – The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it. (MSG)
I asked in prayer for insight about the weeds that strangle my growth as a follower of Christ. I waited for weeks, and then one day as I was reading Luke 10, I understood my answer.
Luke 10:38-42 – As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord's feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, doesn't it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me." But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her." (NLT)
My weeds are distractions focused on things, details, wanting to whine "unfair", stress, worry, upset, and the pressures of life. Giving great attention to any of them does stop me from taking in what the Lord may teach me.
Now, I will not let anything overwhelm my learning time with the Lord each day. I make time to listen at His feet, whether first thing in the morning, at midday, or in the evening. Pen in hand, my face goes into a Bible and my notebook is open to take dictation. As I read, I look for and write down mention of Jesus, God the Father, or the Holy Spirit. I examine the text for what He said and what is said about Him, plus any instructions to believers like me. I meet with the Lord one chapter at a time. I take what I copy to heart. My findings from the Bible come to mind as prayers. My notes guide hard decisions. I can hardly wait to crack my chapter each day. I find it exciting, and altogether, the experience brings peace.
Have you identified the daily weeds that may choke out the time when you could be learning at the Lord's feet? How do you learn from the Lord?
Prayer: Father, guide our learning about You and the kingdom of heaven. We ask for Your leading, in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
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So true Pat. Thanks.
Thanks so much for those thoughts.
Thanks for this instructive devotional. Your way of studying the Bible is interesting. Blessings.
Pat, thank you. This was very helpful to me and I’m grateful to God for guiding you into writing this today. May God continue to guide you.
Dear Pat,
Your article today is really encouraging. I read the daily devotion. I praise God and will pray for you.
Pat,
As I read you devotion I think of my motto-
TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED.
Pat:
You hit the nail on the head every time you write. Thank you for the reminders.
(BC)
Hi Pat,
Your writing today was very helpful…and inspiring as a matter of fact. Thanks,
(Texas)
Thank you Pat for this encouraging devotional!
Time to get rid of those weeds and focus on my time with Him daily! I better get cracking too.
May God continue to bless you.
Dear Pat Bell,
May God be with you in your resolve: Now, I will not let anything overwhelm my learning time with the Lord each day.
Both the Bible reading and the computer devotions are precious to me.
Keep writing,
How easily we can become distracted! MY morning devotion time is very important to me. I use the Our Daily Bread devotion booklet and I look forward to what the Lord has to say to me each day. I really feel He is speaking to me. What better way to start each day.
God bless you as you continue to write and grow in Him.
Blessings in your day, Pat,
Such a Fruitful, Devotional containing easy to understand and follow, by using a most expedient and beneficial testimony example teaching. God’s Blessings are clearly evident upon all your faithfulness to Him.
Prayers & Blessings,
(Australia)
Hi Pat,
Re: “But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!”
I think when the name Martha was repeated the second Martha was in a few decibels higher to get the lady’s attention. The KJV gives it as Martha Martha.
Thanks for the thoughts in your devotional.
God Bless.
Dear Pat,
Good thought.
Just in the process of getting back to God’s priorities: and being mindful of all the pitfalls when putting the tasks first and doing the daily routines instead of finding a place in my heart for His praise as I go through the day.
Praise God that He is our refuge and help. Getting back up the mountain is slow work sometimes when wounded by my folly, however, it is better than what is going on in the valley!
Blessings,
(England)
Thank you Pat.
Pat, thank you — weeding here.