We have chosen the winner. Thanks everyone for your comments!
Not only is Laura Story a wonderful musician, but she is now an author. We have featured her new book “What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?” several times here on FreeCCM.
Laura has recorded several devotions that can be paired with her book. She offers some great insights into God’s blessings! Watch this video and keep reading for a chance to win a copy of the book and an autographed Laura Story CD.
“This was a king that had everything in the world he could have possibly asked for…and you see even as God has blessed him so richly, his response to having all these things is that eventually these very things turned his heart away from the Lord.
Sometimes I am tempted to buy into that American dream. The big house, the picket fence, the 2.5 kids—whatever that looks like for you! And I buy into this lie that if I just had a little bit more, I would be satisfied. A lot of that I just have to lay before the Lord and realize that God is not going to give me things that I prize over Him. That is not the best thing for my soul!
Truly seek first the kingdom, and all those things will be added to us as we need them.”
What is one of the “things” that turns your heart of away from the Lord like Laura talked about with Solomon? Comment with an answer for your chance to win!
P.S. Don’t forget to get your copy of Laura’s Devotional Book HERE and her hit CD “Blessings” HERE!
The very thing that turns me away from the Lord is my admiration for gadgets..
It is my attachment to my unGodly and unbeliever friends
My debts turns me away from Him..
I think often my pride will turn me from the Lord. I believe that I’m doing so well, everything in life is wonderful, and I become less dependent on God. But, every time, He is faithful to remind me only HE can satisfy my wants completely and HE is the only thing/one I will ever need in this life.
It’s funny because now that I think about it, I think music would be my honest answer. Sometimes I listen to it for excitement and selfish desires, but instead it should be pointing to Christ and glorifying Him and not the music itself. I am very grateful for the gift of music, but I should always be more thankful for the Creator and what He has done for me.
Worrying about financial things & sometimes forgetting God will provide even though He has granted us miracles just in time in the past. I just have to let go & let God.
I worry about job loss since my company is up for sale. This could be the 3rd job loss in 4 years all because of things like companies closing or downsizing. Even with 2 years of unemployment in the past, God has always provided. We lost everything except our house. We can make it again through Him. But it is hard to hold onto that faith with both a head & a heart knowledge.
I often mistake the approval of man as spiritual healthiness. But that’s just the boastful pride of life actin’ up.
worrying about atuff, anything really and not trusting God
Sometimes things happen in life that we don’t understand but we just need to learn to trust in GOD..
Everything will be alright.
Trying to fix things when I know if my heart that God is in control but my head says I must do something.
That one thing that calls me away from the Lord is listening to what is going on in the world through the various media sources. As an Intercessor, Spiritual Mother and mentor, I am not led by materialism, I tend to give all I have away to bless others, but the current economic crises in our country and in the world. I am swept into the media and find myself longing to run back into the arms of our Father. Crying and seeking His face for without Him and the indwelling of the Spirit, I am so empty and have nothing to offer anyone. With so many spiritual kids at CIU, I see value and worth in their desire to serve in His kingdom work. Thank you for this devotional thought, I look forward to using your book to lead devotionals in our small groups. I am going to ask that they fast from that one thing for a period of time and then come back together to discuss the difference in their lives it has made in their relationship with Abba. God Bless You Laura!
I think my lack of trust in HIS provision in my life…. I believe… help my unbelief?!!
worrying if my son is proud of me, I worry that I don’t spend enough time with him I feel like I work all of the time and don’t spend enough time with my family. When I come home from work I am exhausted and usually just want to sit down and unwind. I need to have my mind on my wife and son and not on wordly things.
Definitely guitars and guitar pedals.
What a beautiful thought… As I personally am moving forward towards
marriage and family and I am also job hunting this will be something I will
Meditate upon as I walk into the things God supplies me with.
He is perfect in ALL His ways!
Being focused on my time and how I’m going to spend it, not always open to His leading and changing my schedule.
When bad things happen. My family and I have been through a lot in the last few years. I get out of touch with God when I relize I am in a small town when i grew up in Chicago. I miss home but I cant be there anymore. I need to let God take over and know that I am here in Fremont, NE for a reason.
Such wisdom in remembering that feeling blessed is something we crave. We are already blessed, yet we long for those feelings. I know I do. So whatever sparks that feeling in me is dangerous! If it is not connected directly to my relationship with God I pray I recognize it.
My worry gets in the way …
The intitial reason I turned my heart to the Lord is the very thing that makes me turn away from Him sometimes now. Sins that were comitted against me in the past turned out to be a major blessings in disguise and the expereiences that bring me to taers almost everytime I hear “blessings.”
The thing(s) that turn my heart from the Lord is the cares and business of “this world” My life is so crowded that I don’t leave room for time with God. I have to strive to make that a priority and not get carried away with the “things” I have to get done in a day’s time.
Discontentment. The idea that what I have isn’t enough often turns my heart away from the Lord.
I believe it is anxiety that alters my focus from where it needs to be. Christ offers peace, and I know this ~ I just don’t always feel it.
Ever since I graduated high school, I have been waiting for that time where I meet the girl I am going to marry. Almost 7 years later, I am still not married, but the Lord has blessed me immensely and taught me contentment and satisfaction in Him. I am dating a wonderful woman now and I look back on the last few years of my life and realized that God was totally keeping me from making poor choices and abstaining me from being in a relationship because I was too inmature and not ready for a commitment. God knows best and has provided my needs when He knows I need them, not when I think I need them.
The biggest distraction from the Lord in my life these days is television. It is so easy to waste an evening or a weekend doing nothing but sit in front of the TV. I must do something about it–but it looks like I will need the Lord’s help to overcome it.
I would say that worry itself is what most distracts me most from God. It’s not so much that I worry about evil things, but I sometimes choose to worry myseof instead of giving the worry and situation to God. As each day passes, I’m learning more and more about what it means to give every situation to God and trust the outcome to Him. 🙂
I would say that worry itself is what most distracts me most from God. It’s not so much that I worry about evil things, but I sometimes choose to worry myself instead of giving the worry and situation to God. As each day passes, I’m learning more and more about what it means to give every situation to God and trust the outcome to Him. 🙂
I get overwhelmed by the “things” that need doing around the house and then I anesthetize myself by plopping in front of the boob-tube and watching mindless drivel until I fall asleep. I prayed for contentment and tipped over into complacency and inertia. Then I hear the voice of condemnation and I know in my heart it is not God speaking. Like Solomon I get lost in the chaos but in God there is peace and calm AND energy and determination. Gotta get up and get moving where God is!
The busyness of this life distracts me most. So much stuff going on that “has to get done”, that time spent with the Lord, in His Word and in prayer, is reduced. Then worry and frustration set in. I hate disappointing people, and forget that not spending time with God disappoints Him. I’m trying to learn how to say “no” to some things so I can give God the time that He deserves.
Doubt. Letting Satan put doubt in my decisions and second guess.
Worry over how God is going to supply my financial needs. Need to trust HIM–not my own resources!!! Thank you, Laura, for your wonderful song “Blessings”. It has gotten me through several rough times in my life.
The biggest thing that I place in front of the Lord is my time. I will just lay back and relax and watch TV instead of spending time reading and praying. This is a sad way for me to be and my prayer is that I will begin to develop the desire and determination to devote time and eventually more time to my studies.
Busyness keeps me from spending time with God. I let eveything else be more important than my time with Him. Then when I do have time, I am exausted. I need to make my busyness about GOD!
I have struggled for years with an eating disorder.. I would say being caught up in that has definitely kept me away from God.
“Things” is what so many people base their life on…not enjoying what they have and trusting the Lord will provide even more as we believe. Sadly, the materialistic world is what is being put out in front for our young people today by so many as they grow up today. They are always wanting more “stuff” and that isn’t what life should be about. Thank you for this devotional.
“I” am the one thing that keeps me from spending more time getting to know my Lord and Saviour. It’s all about what do “I” feel like doing; or what do “I” want to eat today, or do “I” feel like going to church this week? When ir should be about what would HE want me to be doing; where would HE want me to go; and I knoe HE would prefer that I am in church this and every week. More time needs to be spent on developing a stronger relationship with God, and THAT is truly what HE and I want. Now it’s just up to me!
I guess pc games is my biggest downfall—I spend hours drowning the world out by playing video games—then I feel guilty about how I might have better used that time (praying, worshiping, reading the word, etc…)—
I heard Blessings a couple of weeks ago and it brought me to my knees in repentance—the song caused me to look back on my life and thank God for circumstances in which I thought He had deserted me—but now I realize that even though there was a lot of pain, He was there, and He brought me through it all, and even gave me a heart that easily forgave my tormenters—
I really loved what Laura said, her explanation opened so many doors for me and made me look deep inside myself to see what material things are keeping me from future Blessings…
I would say that my food addiction and my desire for my daughter to find a husband are the main things that distract me and keep me far from the Lord. The Lord has blessed me so much and sometimes I choose to whine and complain instead of simply trusting God.
There seems to be many things that distract me from spending time God. After working all day, I come home, make dinner,clean up and then sit in front of the tv until it is time to go to bed. I worry a lot about all things that are going on in my life right now, especially finances. While writing this I am thinking, if I only spend time with God each and every day He will see me through. I need to take charge and put all my faith in Him!!
Definitely worry. When my life isnt exactly the way I want it i have to remind myself that this isnt my plan but His plan that we’re living for!
apathy
As I spend more time in His Word I feel overwhelmed with the “stuff and busyness” that keep me from praying as I should and true worship. I look at simple shacks that our Christian brothers and sisters live in in third world countries and am awed by their contentment and their love of worship. More is not always better, it bogs us down (yardwork, house cleaning, organizing our stuff)…I’d much rather be serving the homeless, helping the downtrodden, than tending to these things. That relationship with our Savior is where we will find true contentment.
Dear Laura,
thank you for allowing fellow believers to share their thoughts on the subject of the many “things” that distract us from the Lord and His kingdom work. I hate to admit this but for me the one “thing” in my life is lukewarmness. It started out with the Enemy using a fellow believer to hurt me deeply. This in turn led to a decrease in church attendance. Well, you can imagine the domino effect: eventual lone ranger Christianity where bible reading and prayer give way to the cares of this world (in my case) despair over unanswered prayer and the ensuing feeling of condemnation that i am being punished by by Heavenly father for disobedience. I do not claim to have arrived as I have serious trust issues. However, I know the Lord is patient and He loves me still. Thank you very much and may the Lord continue to bless you and your loves ones.
Cindy from Chicago
I am glad that Laura Story is a part of all of this great gospel music here in my hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. Such as Third Day, Casting Crowns, Newsong, Canton Jones, Dottie Peoples, and all of the local church choirs.
Awesome Bible Study lesson. What an inspiration you are Laura with your words and songs. God has given you so many talents to use for His Glory and we appreciate you sharing them with us. God Bless you always.
problems, bad luck and being poor in spite of paying tithes
My guilt and sorrow , like being jealousy and horrible attitude. I pray to the Lord that he will heal my heart and so that we can be closer to Him My SAVIOUR !
Trying to do everything myself instead of trusting in God.
I think just the business of life, and my desire for control of my life guides me to earthly things instead of leaving everything at the Lords feet.
Not reading the Bible when I have time but just thinking hearing the word at church is enough…It’s
easy to let others teach and not learn on your own. I don’t want to turn away from him but he may
be getting that from my neglect of reading and worship
My selfishness; wanting God to get onboard with what I want rather than me waiting on Him
I’ve recently started SEEKING God. I have been a “Christian” since I was 7 and it took me 24 years to actually seek Him! Praise God that He is always waiting for us and that he sought after us first. Thank you for not being afraid to follow God’s calling on your life so that He can use your words and music to draw others closer to Him. Amen Sister!
I think Complacency keeps me from remembering to spend time with God. Church becomes just a “thing” you do out of habit, now out of love.
Worrying is what turns me aways from God.
A struggle I have had for years has been a version of complacency in which I evaluate myself by others. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 10:12, “We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.” When I settle for others’ commendations and approval–when I become content with an “ok,” average, “safe” love for Christ–I settle for a grossly ungodly life…perhaps not in every area, but at least in some. Instead of this complacency, I need to continually heed Christ’s command to deny myself, pick up my cross, and follow Him, the One who judges the thoughts and intents of my heart and to whom I will one day have to give an account.
At times, I seem to seek the approval of others when all I need to seek is the Lord.
Doing the daily routine sometimes draws me away from the Lord. I can get so wrapped up in just doing the repeatable tasks of life and neglect my time with God. I can also get wrapped up in the “things.” It isn’t necessarily that I “want” more things but there are times when I act as though the “things” are going to bring me happiness and of course, they don’t. Sometimes I go through the exercise of buying stuff in an attempt to relieve a feeling of sadness or frustration but it isn’t until I spend time with the Lord that those feelings can ever be relieved.
Sometimes I waste hours and hours trying to feel connected through reading posts on facebook, wnen in reality I should be spending that time in God’s Word getting to know HIm and connecting with HIm. So, I think loneliness sometimes distracts me from Him.
My pride, when I should be humble before the Lord.
Although I WANT to put God first in my life, deep down in my heart, I know that He is not really my FIRST priority. I waste way too much time on the computer, playing computer games, or watching TV, and I neglect the things I need to do. I am also addicted to sugary foods…at church dinners, I can’t seem to pick just one dessert, but have to take a sample of ALL of them. Lord, please help me to put YOU first and to repent of the sin of always wanting more.
At 72 I wish I could say the Lord is the total delight of my life and yet days come that I struggle with my time with Him. Find I call more for needs than for just being in His presence. So thankful everyday with Him is new and He is still there waiting for me to just sit with Him.
I’m actually trying to win this for my sister. She is going through a really rough time. Her husband has had several affairs over the past 7 years & they are now trying to heal their marriage. (They have 4 young children) She has some really dark days…filled with anger and questioning if God really cares for her. We are trying to encourage her constantly that God has already endured her pain and that He may somehow be glorified through this trial. This isn’t always easy (especially coming from those of us who haven’t endured her same pain). “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
The latest Apple gadget, unfortunately, and a bigger salary so I can afford things, like dance lessons, for my daughter. I am really trying to learn to be content with what God has given me, but that constant media message of “gotta have it; get it now” seems to get the best of me.
My fleshly being as a whole sometimes turns me from the Lord. Sometimes I feel like I want to do my own thing that may not be Godly and then I stray away from doing things that are pure and make the Lord happy. I am working on this to become stronger and stay on the path to heaven. Pray for me 🙂
Like so many have already mentioned, for me, it’s the feeling of needing more stuff, particularly tech gadgets. I’m a professional tech person who doesn’t own a smart phone simply because I know how completely absorbed I can become with tech toys. I’m afraid if I had a smart phone or high tech tablet glued to my side, I would focus too much on it and the entertainment it provides and I would let it distract me from God.
Too much television – not worth our time!
Wanting what I want and not listening to what God wants for me. He know us better than what we know of ourselves. He knows better what is best for us and I need to trust in that.
one of the things is my family – i love them so much that sometimes i can let my desire to do for them get between god and i.
Busyness! Sometimes I let myself get so busy that my heart turns away from God. It usually results in spending less time with God praying to Him, reading The Word, studying His Word, and relying on myself to live life and accomplish many things. I need to remember to slow down and rest in Him and stop making myself so busy.
I just want life to be easier and get frustrated when it’s not. This has been a hard year and I’ve struggled to see the blessings in the downpour. But I’m trying to hold on.
I try with all my heart to do everything I can for Him. But it just doesn’t seem like enough. There isn’t enough time and the time is too short. Trying to discern what it is that He wants me to do.
I am in college and High School at the same time and sometimes I think I don’t have time for God. Wrong. I found that even when I was running late, if I pray and put God first to demonstrate full dependence on Him, he bestows this amount of peace and time in my life that I am so thankful for. Truly one of the blessings I am grateful to God for…!
We all have issues with money, time, economy, and family, All our issues makes me turn closer to God rather than away.
The internet took me away from the Lord and my family a lot. I am now refocusing my time.
well all i can tell you my thorn in my side not to long a go i was ready to call it quits my wife put me in a mental place i feel the lord show me i was not real i have asked god and everybody to help me be real so many faces
Mine would be my debt, I am so focus on trying to pay it off, that I sometimes forget to lean on Him and trust that He will provide.
God has blessed all of us in the USA with so much. Even though I lost a child many years ago, I know I will see him in Heaven because of God’s Grace. I am so grateful for all that God has done for me throughout my life. There have been times of trouble and times I turned away from God, but He still watched over me and cared for me. I know that God is ever-present in my life and have surrendered to His Lordship. Even when trials come my way, I know that God has good plans for me, and I trust in Him. May God’s blessings be with all of you.
I believe that one of the things that turns your heart away is the world! We are so focused sometimes in pleasing people rather than loving Christ and shwing people that nothing should ever come before the one who gave his life for us!
The only time I turned away from the Lord was right after my only child was taken from me in a tragic automobile accident 4 1/2 years ago. It took me awhile to “forgive” the Lord for taking him away. Now I find comfort in the Lord and it is He who helps me make through this life until I can see my son again in Heaven.
My all consuming addiction to try loose weight. After my 3 wonderful blessings(children) I just cant seem to get to a place where I am happy with my body. Its all I think about and pray about. I’ll say if I would just loose some more weight I would be happier. God if you just help me with this I could concentrate more on you. I know its wrong and I try so hard. Even at church during worship I find myself looking at other moms with kids who have the their body back to the way it should be. I feel so ashamed to even admit that. Every night I pray that God would forgive for putting this in front of Him. I want to unconditionally turn my heart back to my Lord and Savior. No more excuses. Lord I need you in my life and I know I am beautiful the way you made me.
pride and selfishness
One thing…hmmm..I see some similarities with “things” others already listed. Would have to say the thing that often takes my focus off the Lord is when I get thinking about my being single and the things I think I want. Then I have to remember to take every thought captive and think on God because He has the best layed plans and loves me best.
My desire to have a fulfilling relationship pulls me away from the Lord.
My older brother walked away from the Lord about a year ago. I’ve tried so hard to get him back to church, but not ever seeing him makes it harder. I think that my “thing” is praying so hard, but not yet seeing an end result. I’ve gotten so angry and have blamed God so many times. I see similarities in my brother and I. It’s so ironic that I’ve started falling away, while trying to get my brother back.
My fears keep me away from the Lord. I am feeling so lost, even though I constantly hear, every day, that the Lord is carrying me. I look around where I live and see the animals trusting in the goodness of their surroundings and I am looking for work and am having a hard time seeing what is right for me. Please Lord Take Me Down the Path to Righteousness and I’ll be your forever. Amen!
Can not wait to get my copies…..You are a very special lady and I love to hear your music….Have a very blessed day.
As our family is going thru many hardships that have come having addiction problems that my husband once had. Im able to see a blessing that it could of been my husband going thru a very sick battle. I think this would be so inspiring for me. I believe that God does give us blessings thru raindrops and we may not see it at the time but the light will shine. Amen.
My inability to fully surrender and trust! I hold on to rewarding my self, taking care of myself…instead of just fully giving in love and letting Jesus take care of me!
Perfectionism! Being too much of a Martha. I feel like there are so many other things I could mention – I just pray “Lord, be patient and merciful unto me a sinner. I want to do Your Will.”