Matthew 13:22
Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears
the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the
word, and he becomes unfruitful.
Bible Reading
for a Year [bible]psalm3[/bible]; [bible]matth3[/bible]; [bible]genes5-6[/bible]
A restaurant owner in the village of Abu Ghosh, just outside
Jerusalem, offered a 50-percent discount for patrons who turned off their cell
phones. Jawdat Ibrahim believes that smartphones have shifted the focus of
meals from companionship and conversation to surfing, texting, and business
calls. “Technology is very good,” Ibrahim says. “But . . . when you are with
your family and your friends, you can just wait for half an hour and enjoy the
food and enjoy the company.”
How easily we can be distracted by many things, whether
in our relationship with others or with the Lord.
Jesus told His followers that spiritual distraction
begins with hearts that have grown dull, ears that are hard of hearing, and
eyes that are closed (Matthew 13:15). Using the illustration of a
farmer scattering seed, Jesus compared the seed that fell among thorns to a
person who hears God’s Word but whose heart is focused on other things. “The
cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he
becomes unfruitful” (v.22).
There is great value in having times throughout each day
when we turn off the distractions of mind and heart and focus on the Lord.—DCM
Focusing on
Christ puts everything else in perspective.