Just wanted to share my devotional this morning from the YouVersion Bible app. I’ll comment a bit more at the bottom. Enjoy!!
Day 5
Key Passage: Galatians 5.24-26
A white noise app can be a great thing when we’re trying to get to sleep. It overwhelms the distracting noise around us. What about those things that distract us from God’s best for us? Another term for “those things” is “idols.” As John Calvin wrote, our minds are “a perpetual factory of idols.” Let’s take a preemptive strike. Let’s identify those things that prevent us from being satisfied with God’s love and focus on all he has for us. As you read this passage, it’s easy to get caught up in the high profile sins. Yet the less sensational stuff can be just as damaging. Those sins can minimize God’s influence in our lives in a big way.
Main Passage: Galatians 5.16-26
Reflection:
- What would you consider your idols?
- What are those thoughts and actions that minimize God’s influence and love in your life?
- What motivates you to deal with them?
- What’s your plan to deal with them? Share your plan with someone you respect and trust.
- Ask God for forgiveness.
Thank Jesus for his love and for the Spirit’s presence in your life. Ask the Spirit to help you take your next steps.
This particular lesson hit close to home because I recognize how those smaller “sins” like jealousy, envy or lack of self-control can slip past my radar. I’m no different than anyone else. When it comes to social media I too have to break from all the surfing to prevent myself from falling into the comparison trap. It’s in those moments that I realize my motivation has been twisted & my “why” has not been my focus. So, I appreciate these small reminders to remove those “idols” & put God back into His rightful place in my life.
I know this was a little different than my typical blog post, but I hope this was encouraging for you today.