Isaiah 26:3 ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. ‘

DAILY READING – Luke 8:26-56; Genesis 13:1-14:24; Psalm 7

Today, there are 4.48 billion social media users around the world, which is equal to almost 57% of the world’s total population.
While social media helps keep the world connected, it is also creating a global problem. Although people don’t walk around thinking they are addicts, the truth is that many people have become addicted to social media.
According to a new study by Harvard University, pleasure gained from social media usage lights up the same part of the brain that ignites when a person is taking an addictive substance. Social media produces the same neural circuitry caused by gambling and recreational drugs which can keep a person hooked.
The constant stream of retweets, likes, and shares from social media sites cause the brain to trigger the same kind of chemical reaction seen with drugs like cocaine. In fact, neuroscientists have compared social media interaction to a syringe of dopamine being injected straight into the system.
When an individual gets a notification, such as a like or mention, the brain receives a rush of dopamine, rewarding that behavior and giving a feeling of pleasure.
The desire for more likes, retweets, and emoticon reactions, gradually leads to social media addiction, which is making it increasingly difficult for people to find time to be quiet, to think, or to pray.

As believers we must be careful to avoid the distractions of this age. We cannot spend more time seeking likes on social media than we do in seeking God and studying His Word.
Time spent with God should always have our priority attention.
The Bible tells us that Jesus would wake up long before daybreak to go to a quiet place to pray and spend time with God.

Luke 6:12 says “He went out into the mountains to pray, and prayed all night.”

If Jesus who is our perfect example made it priority to spend time in prayers and communion with God daily, how much more should we in this time and age?
Throughout history, anyone who was greatly used by God was a person of prayer, who fervently sought God’s Word.
To succeed in life, we must never neglect our personal time spent with God. Even spiritual leaders who get caught up in the work of the Lord and neglect spending quality time with God, are bound to fail.

God said in 46:10 ‘Be still, and know that I am God!”
Indeed it takes stillness to know God. It is when we quietly wait in His Presence and study His Word, that our spiritual ears are trained to hear Him and know Him.
Therefore time spent with God each day in fellowship should be none-negotiable. No matter how busy we are, we cannot compromise our time of devotion. Martin Luther, the reformer, is quoted as saying “I have so much to do that I must spend the first three hours each day in prayer.”
Indeed nothing is more important than seeking God and spending time in His Presence.

Isaiah 26:3 says ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. ‘
Surely, as we keep our minds focused on God, He will fill our lives with His perfect peace and cause us to experience victory in all our endeavors.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to make You top priority in my life and not give in to distractions of the world. May I always spend time in fellowship with You so as to carry Your Presence that will make all the difference in my life, in Jesus Name. .

QUOTE;
It takes a heart for God to make a mark in the sands of time. – WORDBITE 201.