And lastly, if youve gone through all of the above and youre still having trouble staying focused while praying and reading your Bible, you may simply need to double check your expectations. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. WebGet in the habit of reading your Bible at the same time each day. I also yawn, interestingly enough, singing hymns in church. The Cross And Christs Suffering For Sins (1 Peter 3:18-22), 6. Does being content rule out bettering my circumstances if I get the opportunity? In light of having Christ and finding joy and contentment in Him, you then acknowledge God to be the owner of all you have and view yourself as the manager who must give an account to Him. I help busy Christian moms find simple, practical ways to live out their faith, Fall in Love with Gods Word: Practical Strategies for Busy Women, reasons Christian women dont read their Bibles consistently here, grab your copy of Fall in Love with Gods Word, cute little prayer and Bible study notebook, struggling to read the Bible consistently, 10 Awesome Websites for Christian Women (Youll Love These! If we want to be made peaceful and powerful through divine grace, Peter says, it happens in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. That knowledge is found in one place: Scripture. Were all assigned in some measure to handle the word of God. Its normal to grieve when we lose something of value, whether a possession or money. If you think that you have eternal life as a kind of vaccination against hell, which needs no nourishment, you dont know what spiritual life is. If Im willing to shred relationships or to take advantage of another person for financial gain, Im being greedy. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. How many times is the name Jonathan mentioned in the Bible? B Schindler was not a Christian and he was not saving souls for eternity. For on him God the Father has set his seal. Then they said to him, What must we do, to be doing the works of God? Jesus answered them, This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent. One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. Also, to rid yourself of greed, make a faith commitment to give generously to the Lords work. If I sometimes cheat, lie, or steal to get ahead financially or to avoid loss, Im being greedy. Paul says to hold fast to the teaching and thereby save yourself. 8:13). A non-denominational subreddit for the encouragement of Bible-believing Christians, to the glory of God. Resist feelings of self-sufficiency that say, I dont need the Scripture every day. Here are my ten reasons. (2) How should Christians view greed and wealth? Not being able to stop yawning might be your bodys way of showing that your circulatory system isnt working or that your body cant regulate its body temperature. What to Do When You Cant Stop Yawning If you start yawning excessively and are not sure why, you should talk to your doctor. How do I balance that tension? If I care more about making money than about being a witness for Jesus Christ, Im being greedy. 6:10), the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil. Another word, used to translate the tenth commandment, You shall not covet (Rom. 6:19, 33). It seems ever since I have started to become more into Christianity when I pray or read the bible, I will yawn a whole lot more. Paul, an apostlenot from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. And of course, Id also love to encourage you to check out my book, Fall in Love with Gods Word: Practical Strategies for Busy Women, if you struggle to stay focused or motivated during prayer and Bible study. Its common to yawn several times a day, typically when you wake up and head to bed. Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. WebExcessive yawning may be caused by an underlying condition. Elsewhere (1 Cor. tired. Even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christby grace you have been saved, And you were dead in the trespasses and sins. Life without joy is unbearable. T Visit the Bible online to search for words if you dont know the specific passage yourre looking for. How fitting it is, then, that we be ever growing now in what will be our final joy in the age to come. The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come!. Please see our. Greed is the attitude thats never quite satisfied, that says, All I want is a little bit more. We see this in the parable Jesus told in Luke 12:13-21. It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. In other words, we need to know the Scriptures so that were not taken off guard or knocked off balance or led away by false teachers. How do we define luxury in light of the worlds poor? Doesn't this person have anything original to say? I've also read that it has to do with the temperature of our brain, and that yawning can cool the brain. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2, Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. Struggling to Read the Bible Consistently? Here are 7 Reasons Why Experience fresh spiritual growth and passion for Gods Word. But when were in eternity, this speck of time we call life will seem like a blip on the radar screen. And if you are refusing to listen to God well, why would He keep talking? Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. See who God is and how much He loves us. Even though it's been a couple of years since you wrote this Brittany Ann, it will always be timeless. It could also indicate a heart attack or a severed aorta. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. By the way, one of the biggest reasons you find yourself distracted during Bible reading may be that you dont actually enjoy reading your Bible enough. And theres nothing wrong with working hard to succeed in your career. It has been said to the point of boredom that we live in a narcissistic age, where we are wont to fixate on our needs, our wants, our wishes, and our hopesat the expense of others and certainly at the expense of God. If you dream about winning the Publishers Clearinghouse Sweepstakes, you need to ask, Why do I want to win? Be honest: Is it really so that you can give away most of it to the Lords work around the world? The Bible views wealth as good, but dangerous. He is the pearl of great price (Matt. Answer: the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God knowledge that they experience not as the opinion of man, but as the word of God. You have to find something that works with you and your real life, or youre not going to be able to stick with it. Home | Blog|Podcast | Free Resources | Books | Courses | Membership | Privacy Policy|Contact. (1 Kings 13). (John 17:17), Sanctification is the process of becoming holy that is, becoming more like Christ and like God, who is perfectly holy. We tend to shrug off greed by comparing ourselves with those who are richer than we are and thinking that greed is their problem. I don't know. Yawning when reading aloud - anyone He is the author of What Every Man Wishes His Father Had Told Him, and Suburbianity: Can We Find Our Way Back to Biblical Christianity? WebHere are 14 worthwhile reasons you should read the Bible. Theyre buying into the advertising pitch that you need more junk to be happy. It's easy to see how this culture has profoundly reshaped the dynamics of preaching and teaching. Is there anything that God has asked you to do that youre refusing to obey Him in? Overcome 7 common obstacles preventing you from spending time in Scripture, Discover the personalized Bible-reading routine that works for YOU, Learn 15 easy ways to make reading the Bible more meaningful and enjoyable, Use Scripture to conquer sin, false beliefs, and negative thought patterns. And the context is that Jesus is showing the Jewish leaders that, though they think they are not slaves, You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your fathers desires (John 8:44). Q Give in a prayerful, planned way, rather than giving when youre pressured. Pastor John, thank you for this podcast. well, is it any surprise then that youre distracted? And if youre just rambling out loud, not really expecting an answer and not willing to listen and obey what you may hear. The One who can answer our deepest questions but could remain The Question, the One who can restore our broken humanity, but could remain a vague Hypothesisthis One has revealed himself in Law, Prophets, and Gospelin the words of a collection we now call Holy Scripture. We often hear people say how difficult it is to hear God anymore, and I wonder if one reason is that we've forgotten how to listen to the Word of God when it comes to us in the sanctuary or the classroom. If your distractions are simply run-of-the-mill annoyances caused by tiredness or boredom, the four suggestions above should take care of the problem. Today we talk to new believers, and its an email from an anonymous listener, a new believer himself. This site uses cookies to serve you better. The good news? 13:44-46). But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13, Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. May 26, 2016. 5 Reasons Christians Must Read the Bible I assure you that I am a fellow-struggler with you on these hard questions and its a constant battle! At the start of the week, in episode 1510, we talked about leading someone to Christ, and Pastor John walked us through four treasure chests. Greed also treats eternal things as if they arent real and never will happen. 6:9-10; Eph. Biblical support. Here are 20 Important Reasons To Read The Bible Daily! Why not make it FUN, meaningful, enjoyable, and interesting?? Copyright, Steven J. Cole, 2016, All Rights Reserved. Am I valuing souls above earthly things? If I rejoice when I win a raffle or door prize, but I yawn when I hear about a soul being saved, Ive lost the eternal perspective, which is a sign of greed. But if were deceived by our wealth (Matt. Some yawns are spontaneous. The weird thing is I do not yawn any other time, unless Im incredibly tired obviously like a normal person. 2:14-15). You may need to create a budget and live within it. TopicalBible What is the first and most essential thing I need to know to follow Christ by reading his word?, Well, my answer is probably going to be a little bit frustrating, because hes asking for a particular truth in the Bible, and Im going to say, Bible, Bible, Bible, Bible.. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. N I try to laugh at myself when I catch myself in such moods: bored with the very revelation of God! (3) How can I know if Im greedy? For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2, Be alert and of sober mind. For my final column, I would like to share my favorite Bible verse: The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus Thanks! Its How God Reveals His Character And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, The LORD, the LORD, the These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. . Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live. He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Bible Undefined cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. This might sound really weird. Our spirit needs to relax, our breathing becomes shallow, and it is at this point where the spiritual push-ups begin. Symptoms of Excessive Yawning. 25:14-30; Rom. read the Bible Radically separate yourself from it! really amazing content I enjoyed reading through and getting new insight. Put it to death! Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. OR start reading my latest book, Follow God's Will, for FREE! As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. Why do Are we being greedy by living in nice, spacious homes furnished with all the conveniences of modern life, when there are millions around the world living in shacks with no indoor plumbing? Rather than reading Genesis 1 and just waxing eloquent from that point on, the teacher patiently read passage after passage to demonstrate how central creation is in the Bible even after Genesis, especially in the covenant God made with his people. AM. But what if all my things, my bank accounts, everything was taken from me, as has happened to many of our brothers and sisters in the Middle East? Now for the convicting part of this message: Before we look at these signs, let me warn you that we need to be careful to judge ourselves and not others (Matt. O Would I spend what I spend on entertainment? 7 Best Bible Study Apps for Christian Women All Free! Plus, its a good excuse to buy a cute little prayer and Bible study notebook if you dont have a good one lying around already. Rather, they are good reminders that we should aim to keep our focus where it matters, rather than getting distracted by earthly cares and worries that keep us from falling in love with Gods Word. If I feel myself drawn to some easy, instant way to making a fortune, I probably need to deal with my greed. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. This is our only hope for defeating a supernatural enemy. No longer are listeners asked to listen humbly to the proclamation of God's Word, in all its mystery and glory. Thats my own definition. Paul says that greed is tantamount to idolatry and brings the wrath of God (Col. 3:5). Are we being greedy when we have nice cars in our driveways and expensive toys in our garages? Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Paul tells the Corinthians (1 Cor. You Can! When you're more used to studying, you'll be better at staying focused on it. When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, No doubt this man is a murderer. Thats found in one place: the Scriptures. If this is the case, the yawning isn't what's distracting you; it's your response to the distraction. Could I trust God if, like Job, I lost everything? Publication date: Mar 19, 2023. Don't spend a lot of time in the Bible, we tell our preachers, but be sure to get to personal illustrations, examples from daily life, and most importantly, an application that we can use. We listen like a husband and wife listen when they are in the middle of an argument: they listen only so they can have ammunition to mount a counterattack. The time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions. We are free to enjoy without guilt the wealth God bestows, but were also stewards of it for Him. None is righteous, no, not one (Romans 3:10). But, still, when we think of our Saviors commission, to preach the gospel to every creature, we all need to ask ourselves, In light of the brevity of life and eternity ahead, could I do more? No yawning. Paul did not intend some sort of personal triumphalism here. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we can confidently say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?. And there we sit, tapping our feet, mentally telling the preacher to get on with it. Why Do But as he looks at them, he breaks down weeping and laments, I could have done more. They try to console him, but he points to his nice car and says, I could have sold it and saved a few more lives. He pulls out an expensive fountain pen and a watch and says, These could have been sold to save another life.. Once youve used the Quiet Time Planning Guide to choose the perfect time and place, the next step is to show up prepared. The Bible views wealth as a serious responsibility to do good. How can he justify that with all the needy refugees in the world? But few of us admit, I have a problem with greed.. Today I want to answer four questions: (1) What is greed? "In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity." When Im a multimillionaire, Ill worry about it! Yet we need to realize that Paul wrote Colossians to average Christians in an average small-town church. And that may seem obvious to them or to others, but it isnt obvious, because I know fairly well-along Christians who dont do this. (Pro 24:33-34). Tell her to help me! Luke 10:40 NIV, Pharaoh replied, Moses and Aaron, why are you distracting the people from their tasks? Thanks for posting. J yawning But the main sense is the desire to have more and more things in an attempt to satisfy myself. His son is killed. Why Do We Yawn Now, its true that you dont reallyneed any special materials to pray and read your Bible (other than a Bible, of course), but having some additional things on hand can be REALLY helpful. 5:5) he warns that the greedy will not inherit the kingdom of God. If you think that another Christian is being deceived by greed, your responsibility is gently to seek to restore him (Gal. Satan had boarded up every sliver of every window in our hearts. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Its okay to want to enjoy reading the Bible as well not just plow your way through it. Trust God by giving off the top of your paycheck, not giving if theres something left over at the end of the month. But now I want to focus on greed. This is the question Jesus raised in the parable of the man who wanted to build bigger barns. I think. Spiritual life eternal life just like physical life, must be fed, not by bread, but by the word of God. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. There is no direct mention of yawning in the Bible (Ps 5 : 9 is sometimes mentioned, but its clear that their throat is an open grave is not about yawning). This is not optional. I understood the reality he was addressing, and so I scratched out the biblical references for the next sermon. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Giving is the drain plug for greed. We were born so blind that even the blazing brightness of his glory could not break through ( 2 Corinthians 4:4 ). And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake., Jesus said to him, You have said so. I want to be knowledgeable about Scripture so that it can guide me and so that I can use it to guide others in the future. Paul is saying that. Should we enjoy a vacation in a nice hotel when we can camp? From 1977-1992 he was the pastor of Lake Gregory Community Church in Crestline, California. In that case, it might be worth it to stop what youre doing and examine the distractions to see if there is something you need to learn from them. And what I mean by this is that full understanding, full enjoyment of the truth of Scripture, will be experienced only in heaven. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. In fact, when I was researching my book, Fall in Love with Gods Word: Practical Strategies for Busy Women, distractions were one of the TOP seven reasons why Christian women dont read their Bibles as often as theyd like. Yawning is the bodys response to feeling sleepy or even bored. The Bible doesnt make sense. S R For most of us, giving generously means giving far more than 10 percent. How to Study the Bible for Yourself (Easy Beginner Method), How to Stop Getting So Distracted During Prayer and Bible Study, Struggling to Read the Bible Consistently? Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. And Jesus prays to his Father, Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. It couldnt be more plain, or more important. (1 John 2:14). Man shall not live by bread alone, All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. Mark Galli is senior managing editor of Christianity Today and author of A Great and Terrible Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Attributes of God (Baker). That may be legitimate. Give when it hurts a bit: there are other things you could do with the money, but you joyfully sacrifice so you can give it to the Lords work. C So we need to ask ourselves, In light of eternity and the brevity and uncertainty of this life, am I managing what God has entrusted to me so as to be rich toward God?. Knowledge of God gained through Scripture is not identical with grace, but Peter says it is a means of grace. Every time Jesus was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:111; Mark 1:1213; Luke 4:113), he struck back with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17), and he had it memorized, so he didnt have to carry a book in the wilderness. I would just like a little bit more (and more, and more!). COPYRIGHT 2023, EQUIPPING GODLY WOMEN MINISTRIES, LLC. Practical, encouraging, and full of biblical truth, Fall in Love with Gods Word has everything you need to learn how to: Please visit Amazon.com or your local bookstore to learn more and grab your copy of Fall in Love with Gods Word (and its companion workbook) today! Another example of this phenomenon: Recently in an adult Sunday school class, I heard a detailed and persuasive lecture on a biblical theology of creation. WebWhy Christians should yawn more often. He was laying up treasure for himself on earth, but he wasnt rich toward God. But in them all, God sustains joy, and he does it by the Scriptures. When I did this at one church, a staff member whom I'd asked for feedback between services told me to cut down on the Scripture quotations. I have been slowly reintroducing myself to Christ and tonight I prayed to him for guidance on a personal issue. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. The Cross And Unjust Suffering (1 Peter 2:19-25). Why Christians should yawn more often | Foundations with Janet When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. He almost gets killed. E Will their legacy survive todays partisanship? If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Resist sales pressure. He wasnt thinking about Gods kingdom or the needs of others. But also, Im commanded not to store up treasures on earth, but rather to seek first Gods kingdom (Matt. And when we listen to the sermon only to hear what seems immediately and directly relevant, neither is that listening. To unlock this article for your friends, use any of the social share buttons on our site, or simply copy the link below. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. One day he finds it, but rather than bringing him the happiness he had hoped for, it brings him one problem after another, because everyone is after his pearl. WebLets consider five reasons Christians should read the Bible. Comment policy: All opinions are welcome here and friendly, edifying debates are encouraged. And his disciples asked him, Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 6. What do you do to stay on track? but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Again: I do not claim that I have transcended this cultural impatience with the Bible. WebWell, new research suggests it might be because yawning cools the brain down and prevents it from overheating, much like the fan in your laptop. I ask this not in a scolding tone, but in wonderment, not to point fingers, for I wonder at myself as well. No one comes to the Father except through me. Struggling to Read the Bible Consistently Pauls counsel applies to us (1 Tim. Consider what Paul says about the activity of the Bible: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ( 2 Timothy 3:16) in first minute you will feel yawning , to fight this ask help from God to push the Satan from you , because The Satan fighting/push you, to don't read the Quran or pray God Bible Q | What does yawning mean spiritually? They built the high places of Baal in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to offer up their sons and daughters to Molech, though I did not command them, nor did it enter into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin. Why do I uncontrollably yawn while praying and at church? WebIt's something that your brain isn't used to doing, and some think that yawning is partially related to straining your neck muscles in the attempt to aid concentration. If I rejoice when I win a raffle or door prize, but I yawn when I hear about a soul being saved, Ive lost the eternal perspective, which is a sign of greed. All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. 7:7), means desire. It often refers to lust. With regard to things, it means wanting what belongs to someone else. It is well and good for the preacher to base his sermon on the Bible, but he better get to something relevant pretty quickly, or we start mentally to check out. and you have overcome the evil one. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. But its not an easy subject to understand. Anyone who's been in the preaching and teaching business knows these are not isolated examples but represent the larger reality. He has spent his entire personal fortune to bribe German officials in order to save these people from the death chambers. 1. He wanted more and more. Is learning from what God said in the past sufficient? But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, There are six days in which work ought to be done. your brain isnt feeling stimulated and starts to slow down, causing a temperature drop. Your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Because the unfathomable riches of Christ (Eph. If you struggle with constant internal distractions, you may wish to write out one or more of these Scriptures on distractions so you can put the verse where you can see it often. Whenever the Bible is read, a hush should come over us. If Im in the woods and an angry bear is charging at me, a loaded gun is a good thing to have! And he began to teach them many things. The main New Testament word for greed comes from two words meaning literally, to have more. Its often used in the sense of taking advantage of another person. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.