Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation ~ Psalm 25: 4-5

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Lies We Believe

This weeks chapter in my book study was all about priorities. What's really important to us... and where do we really place our walk with God on our list of things to do??

One thing that jumped out at me.... actually while I was reading my friend Jennifer's blog.... is how God gives us enough time to accomplish everything HE has for us to do in the day. Part of our reading was in Proverbs 31, and I admit I don't measure up. My excuse has always been that I have 3 messy boys (4 if you count Brian!) in the house so anything I'm going to do is just going to get messed up again..... usually as soon as I leave the room! So I do the bare minimum to get by and not be horribly embarrassed if someone comes over unexpectedly. That means that while the clothes are clean... we have to dig through the dryer and baskets to find something to wear, and while you can usually find a clean plate.... there's a stack of dirty in the sink most of the day, while the floors are swept..... there are still toys scattered everywhere.

Satan has lied to me and told me that keeping a clean house is to much, not worth the effort, and I need time to do things I enjoy and not spend all that time slaving over the housework. But God is telling me that part of my ministry for Him is keeping a tidy house. I John 5:3 says For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. So the things that God has for me to do are not too hard, and the way I show my love for Him is by doing His will.

And the thing is it's not really about a tidy house. God knows that when I wake up to a clean kitchen I feel better about my day. When the house is in decent shape I'm in a better mood. And when I feel better I treat my family better. If the house is crazy, I just want everyone to leave me alone. But last night I had the boys pitch in a help tidy up and clean the kitchen, working together everyone was cheerful and it took all of 15 minutes to get things in shape. Then I felt up to spending time reading to them before bed and ..... maybe because of that or maybe because they had expended all their energy cleaning house.... when they went to bed they laid right down and went to sleep.

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Another thing we were reading this week is how important prayer is in our lives. I don't think many of us would come right out and say that we can get by on our own steam and don't need to spend that time in fellowship with the Lord.... but that's what we believe when we put everything else ahead of our prayer time. How arrogant of us!!!! Go read Matthew 14:23, Mark 1:35 and Luke 6:12 and 9:28. Jesus himself.... the Word made flesh (John 1:14), with the fulness of the Godhead dwelling in Him (Col 2:9).... still took that time to get away by himself and pray. And we think we don't have to.... seriously???? What arrogance!!!