Time With God

Scripture:
Matthew 13:19-23 (NASB)

When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”

Devotional:

When someone is talking with you do you listen to them or is it just a pretense?  Sometimes when I am focusing on something I will hear someone speaking to me, but I will not really know what was said.  Later I will wonder what they had said.  

How many times do we listen to God in this manner?  I will comment on not being able to hear God, or know what He is saying to me.  In these cases I need to ask myself, am I really listening to God or just pretending to?  Are you really listening to God?  Is the seeds being planted being sown in good soil?  Are you instead pretending to listen and the seeds fall upon the rocky ground?  Maybe we are listening to Him but we allow the worries of this world get in the way.  Take a moment to reflect on how you listen to God.  If you are busy and let the distractions of this world get in your way pause a moment to just listen.  Start with just two or three minutes when you blank your mind and focus on God.  Be still; quiet your thoughts so that you can hear Him speaking.  Be attentive so that you can understand what is being said.  

In time your two to three minutes will naturally grow longer and longer.  At first it might be difficult and seem a chore.  But keep at it and eventually it will become second nature.  I once read that it can take over six weeks before something becomes a habit.  If you slip and forget to take your moment with God don’t fret.  Just pause then and there to be with Him.  God is waiting.  He wants to have a conversation with you.  All it takes is for you to take the time…