Step away from the noise and into the arms of your loving Savior.
Bright screens, beeping notifications, a never-ending list of activities and to-dos. Is it any wonder we are weary? But Jesus says “come as you are” to find quiet waters and refresh your soul in the Scriptures.
In this Q&A, Sheila Walsh (@SheilaWalsh) talks about her new book that she wrote with Sherri Gragg in the 5 Minutes with Jesus series, Quiet Time for Your Soul (Thomas Nelson, 2017).
[Read the Bible Gateway Blog post, 5 Minutes with Jesus]
Why is spending daily time with Jesus a challenge for so many women—including yourself?
Sheila Walsh: Our lives are so hectic! Too often we collapse into bed only to realize we’ve hardly given any thought to God at all. That’s why I wanted to offer something “doable” with the 5 Minutes with Jesus series. Each day has a short devotion, a take away, and several verses of Scripture right there for you.
You created the 5 Minutes with Jesus devotional series to help women carve out time daily to be with Jesus. Is five minutes really enough?
Sheila Walsh: It’s my hope this series will create a hunger in the hearts of women for more, but even a few minutes in the presence of God can be powerful! During some of the most difficult times of my life, God used short simple verses of Scripture to strengthen and sustain me. I know those five minutes with God can make a huge difference in a woman’s day.
The latest 5 Minutes with Jesus volume is Quiet Time for Your Soul. This title sounds inviting—do you find that quiet is missing from the lives of women in the 21st century?
Sheila Walsh: Yes! Our plugged-in world never stops for a second. Even at night our mobile phones beep and buzz. I believe we’re exhausted from it all. Our hearts are aching to hear from God, and his still small voice often speaks in the silence.
When we quiet our souls and spend time in Scripture, we connect to things that are true—including the fact that we’re loved by God. How does sitting quietly in God’s love impact the rest of one’s day?
Sheila Walsh: The way we launch our day is powerful because it tunes our hearts for all that follows. That’s why it was so important to me that each devotion remind the reader of four truths:
- God wants you to rest in his peace.
- He is for you, not against you.
- There is no greater power on earth than his forgiveness.
- Your history does not dictate your destiny.
Just a few minutes resting in these powerful truths can transform your whole day.
How do you use small blocks of time to strengthen your walk with the Lord?
Sheila Walsh: Some time ago I began a new habit. In the morning, before I even let my feet hit the floor, I pray Psalm 143:8 to the Lord, “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for unto you I entrust my life.” Then I follow the verse with a simple prayer to begin my day. It’s become a wonderful way to set my mind and heart on God for the entire day. Making time for even a few minutes with Jesus makes a difference!
[Read the Bible Gateway Blog post, Helping Kids Love the Bible: An Interview with Sheila Walsh]
Bio: Sheila Walsh is a powerful communicator, Bible teacher, and bestselling author with more than 5 million books sold. She’s the author of the award-winning Gigi, God’s Little Princess series, God Loves Broken People, The Shelter of God’s Promises, and novel, Sweet Sanctuary. Sheila lives near Dallas, Texas with her husband, Barry, and son, Christian.
Sherri Gragg fell in love with stories as a child, discovering that she could travel to any place and any moment in time between the covers of a book. Today as a writer she takes her readers with her on the journey. Her first book, Arms Open Wide: A Call to Linger in the Savior’s Presence, utilizes cultural background and archeology to immerse the reader in some of the most riveting moments of the Gospels. Sherri is a nationally published freelance writer and award winner in the 2012 Writer’s Digest Competition and lives with her husband and five children in Franklin, Tennessee.
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