I truly hate to waste things. The other day I caught myself saving about a tablespoon and a half of grated cheese.
I got out a brand new quart sized storage bag and began putting the cheese in there, when it occurred to me that the baggie was worth more than the cheese.
Ha! What a waste of a storage bag.
Of course, if you've read this blog before, you know I'm going to make a bigger life application out of this.
Is there anything you are putting in your body that isn't worth it? I mean, you could look at it literally and think about sugar, caffeine, liquor, drugs, etc. But what about the more insidious things? Anger, bitterness, guilt, fear, etc.?
Do you know how much you are worth? The price of God's only begotten Son.
Don't waste your life by filling it with worthless, or even harmful things.
It doesn't make sense.
My wise Bible study leader asked the question the other day, "Is the Holy Spirit at home in me, or am I too crowded with "worldly" things?"
Hmmm. Good question.
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." I Corinthians 6:20
It's funny to me that every time I give my kids a joint command, (i.e. Time to wash up for dinner!) my older turns around to tell his little sister what I just said, and then proceeds to make sure she obeys.
Now, I don't know if it's a first-born thing or just human nature.
I can't tell you the number of times I've said, "Let me be the Momma, you obey." I appreciate the help at times, and I know that getting him to teach his sister the rule is a good way for him to learn it too. However, when I've just said it out loud to both of them at the same time and she has clearly heard just as plainly as he has, it just annoys her and me.
I realize that I do the same thing - especially when I've just heard a good sermon. Have you had that experience? You are listening to a really convicting sermon or reading a key passage of scripture and you think about three or four OTHER people who should really hear this? And obey it?
Me too.
What if WE just obeyed?
Wouldn't it be a better way for my son to teach his little sister by being a good example and just obeying Mama quickly and with a happy heart when I asked them to do something?
Wouldn't it be a better way for us to influence those in our circles by being a good example and just obeying God quickly and with a happy heart when He asks us to do something?
Especially our husbands?
Without words?
"Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives." 1Peter 3:1-2
I asked my kiddos to clean up their rooms before supper the other evening. And then I went in to check. They are only 4 and 2, so I don't expect excellence, but I try to teach them, and encourage them to do their best.
I found my son's blanket on the floor, and when I picked it up, there were all the toys that belong with his castle set that he had been playing with earlier.
I said, "Covered up is NOT the same thing as Cleaned up."
Immediately that annoying voice in my mind asked me, "What have you covered up lately that should have been cleaned up?"
Now, I'm pretty sure my boy hadn't done it on purpose. He was just being sloppy.
I, on the other hand, tend to conceal on purpose.
"Sure, I lost my temper, but I was under a lot of pressure."
"Sure, I made that unkind comment, but she's annoying. "
"Ya, I've been a little lazy around here lately, but the kids have been waking me up at night. I'm tired."
"Yes, I overspent, but it's the holidays!"
You get the idea.
How about you? Got any confessing and renouncing to do?
"He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy." Proverbs 28:13
