Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should take time to spend with God

Don’t Lose the Wonder of Spending Time with God
A devotional by Patricia Russell

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.”—Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

I have watched, on several occasions, a bee buzzing from flower to flower looking for food. The proper word is for this action is “foraging”.

Apparently, as they are doing this, sticky hairs from the flowers get on them, and they transfer that to other flowers. By doing this, they are fertilizing other flowers, enabling plant production. This is the beauty and the marvelous wonder of God's creation. Watching these bees and their activity causes me to be still and to marvel at what I see. It’s very peaceful and relaxing. Yet it’s something that we often miss out on when we don’t slow down and take time to ponder and admire how God created nature and causes His creations to work together.

Just like it's important to take time out to “smell the roses”, as we would say, God longs for us to take time to be still in His presence. For many of us, we are rushing to meet daily deadlines and catch up with the latest newsworthy story, while feeling pressure to express our opinion at every turn on social media. Yet I believe God is calling us with greater intensity to slow down and enjoy His presence. There’s a Bible story about this when Jesus Christ visited Mary and Martha. We can read about this in Luke 10:38-42.

Martha was very annoyed at the fact that her sister was sitting at the feet of Jesus and simply listening to Him. Sometimes I think there was envy in Martha's heart. I think she may have wanted to forget about preparing the food for her guest and simply sit down then see if anyone noticed. These sisters were both wired very differently but Mary was more consumed with the words, with the atmosphere and with the enrichment she was receiving at the Master's feet. Yes, we all have responsibilities. However, I know that we too can take the time to lay aside the preparation of food and delay some things that may seem necessary for the benefit of enjoying the presence of the Most High God. How can we do this?

We do this through fasting and giving our bodies rest. Our bodies work very hard. Maybe we work our bodies too hard. Yet when we can stop, sit, read and drink in from the life-giving source of the Word of God (The Holy Bible), close our eyes and meditate on what He says to our spirit then we will experience a fullness in our spirit that cannot be compared with anything else. The best food prepared for our bodies to consume can’t be compared with the satisfying nourishment of God’s Word because it nourishes our spirit.

When we give our bodies a break from food it has a twofold purpose: It allows us to stop and dive into the food of the Word of God which heals our minds and refreshes our spirit. Secondly, we allow our physical bodies to rest and to heal.

There as been a growing interest in North America on the power of fasting from a physical perspective and some who do not talk about Christ are even understanding to some degree that there is a spiritual benefit. So, let’s be like Mary in the Bible. Maybe for half a day or even a day, let’s block our calendar and commit the time that would be used to prepare food or go out and eat, to walk out in nature and converse with our Creator who longs to speak with us.

God wants to share His heart with us, build us up and draw us close to Him.

Let's Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for calling us and speaking to us even through your wonderful creations that we see in nature. Help us to pause long enough to admire your handiwork in this world. Thank You for waiting for us to sit at your feet and simply listen to You. Give us a thirst for more of You today and in the days ahead so that we can hear your heart and draw closer to You. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Constant” by Maverick City, Jordin Sparks, Anthony Gargiula, feat. Chandler Moore. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Be Still and Know” by Steven Curtis Chapman. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Draw Me Close” by The Katinas. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Draw Me Nearer Medley: I Am Thine, O Lord/Draw Me Close” by Patricia Russell. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Patricia is a worship leader, songwriter, speaker and compiler of her 2020 best-seller anthology Stronger Resilience: Stories to Empower the Mind, Body and Spirit, as well as Lord I Trust You: Words of Encouragement to encourage readers and share life lessons during her cancer journey. 

Patricia writes, speaks, and teaches on the power of God’s Word to heal and empower you to become all that you are purposed for. She has traveled internationally and shared her gifts with audiences to encourage, empower and share life lessons through word and song. Patricia has sung on national television broadcasts and shared the stage with several respected speakers including Anne Graham Lotz and Rev. E.V. Hill.

Her greatest joy is being married to her husband, Wayne, for 34 years. Together they serve the community through their local congregation as well as providing premarital and marriage coaching. They have two adult children, Raquel and Benjamin. As a two-time breast cancer overcomer, Patricia coaches’ others to develop resilience and live life to their fullest.

Patricia has released two gospel music recordings: “Draw Me Nearer” and “Lord, I Trust You”. In March 2022, she launched her podcast “Becoming Resilient” which can be downloaded wherever you get your podcasts and also seen on YouTube.

When not reading or studying, Patricia loves to eat Thai food and spend time with “Lucy” – her daughter’s Yorkie-poo who has taken up room in her heart.

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Connect with Patricia:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrussellsings/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pat.russell.98877/
Email Patricia: patrussellsings@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: How to serve God and spend time with Him

How to balance serving God and spending time with Him
A devotional by Leslie Bake

“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.”—Luke 10:38-42 (NLT)

Which is more important? Scripture memorization or observing the Sabbath? Fasting or prayer? Service or worship?

Trick questions! These are equally important disciplines. The better question becomes how one finds proper balance.

A study of Mary and Martha, found in the Gospel of Luke 10:38-42, may shed some light on this issue. In this Bible story, Jesus Christ and His disciples were passing through a village called Bethany where Martha and Mary lived. They were close friends of His who were preparing a fine dinner for Him. They loved Jesus and were eager to serve Him, but in different ways.

Hospitality was a social requirement in first century Jewish culture. It was shameful to turn anyone away from your door. Perhaps Martha’s family went above and beyond this requirement. Martha wanted to please and do the right thing. We can applaud her for that. She was detail-oriented, organized and efficient. Martha was a whirlwind. I can only imagine the sparkling silverware, glittering plates and glasses were set on a fine white linen tablecloth, expensive wine was chilling, and the appetizers were about to come out of the oven. But the vegetables weren’t going to chop themselves and the meat needed to be tenderized and marinated. Mary appeared to be doing nothing as she sat at Christ’s feet, listening to Him speak. To Martha, this seemed wrong because they were the hostesses and there was work to be done before they could get comfortable with their guest.

Did the preparations consume Martha? Did she lose sight of why she was doing them? Did she want Mary to be exactly like her? I wonder how Mary felt about Martha’s demand. Let’s read about it in Luke 10:40-42 (NLT): 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.”

How do you think Martha felt after Jesus gave her a diagnosis, rather than giving her what she wanted (maybe praise for working so diligently)? Do you think Jesus was criticizing Martha for her hard work? No. He wasn’t putting the sisters in opposition to each other. He was helping Martha adjust her priorities.

Jesus was also affirming Mary’s choice to sit at His feet and learn. He welcomed and encouraged everyone to listen and learn from his teachings, which included how to deal with worry and anxiety. Maybe He wanted Martha to sit down long enough to ponder Matthew 6:25-30 where we learn not to worry about what we will eat or drink but instead trust that God will always take care of our needs.

Contemplating and studying God’s Word (The Holy Bible) is never wrong. Showing hospitality is never wrong. There is a time and place for both. What’s wrong is judging someone for not responding exactly how you would. In a works-based, result-oriented modern day culture, shame is thrust upon those of us who dare to sit at the feet of Jesus, but when we do, we are rewarded with peace and joy. I do it in solitude to avoid distractions, and remember the words of my precious mother, who used to say, “I get my marching orders when I take the time to pray and ask God for direction.” Whether it’s five minutes or two hours, the discipline of sitting at Jesus’s feet in stillness is always beneficial.

Both personality types of Mary and Martha are needed for God’s kingdom work. The action-oriented people need appreciation for accomplishing practical work. The contemplative, worship-oriented people need appreciation for their wisdom acquired during hours of study and prayer.

Attention to detail is necessary, but it’s also easy to allow it to turn into worry. The next time you feel overwhelmed like Martha, take a five-minute pause. Remember that Jesus told us to not worry about anything. Sitting at His feet indicates humility and submission in faith to His loving authority.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

You are faithful and merciful. Forgive us when we lose sight of what’s important. Forgive us when we allow the distractions to consume us. Help us shift our focus to you. Give us a hunger to sit at your feet and learn. We thank You for patience and your unconditional love when we fail. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “First Things First” by Consumed by Fire. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “The More I Seek You” by Kari Jobe. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Leslie Bake grew up Lutheran in Des Moines, graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with an undergraduate degree in English, and with a new understanding of what a relationship with the Lord could look like. 

She spent a few years reporting and editing in small town journalism and then began pursuing a master’s degree at Iowa State University in teaching English to speakers of other languages. Then she got married and later went through a divorce, which deepened her relationship with God and transformed her life.

Leslie taught English as a second language for three years at Kansas State University, then returned to writing and earned a master’s degree in creative non-fiction in Pittsburgh. Her memoir will eventually be published. It details the process of how the Lord created beauty from the ashes of divorce.

Pittsburgh is also where she met and married her second husband. They are now the parents of two wonderful children—one in fifth grade and one in first grade.

Leslie and her husband make their home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Leslie has been a stay-at-home mom for the past 11 years and actively growing her writing career alongside her two growing children.

She now maintains a monthly blog of her own and is working toward expanding her writing ministry on Substack. Her heart’s deepest desire is to help others connect with God through writing.

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Connect with Leslie:
Website: lesliejoybake.com
Substack: lesliebake.substack.com
E-mail address: Leslie.bake@yahoo.com