Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Ouch!

Making my plans and remembered that I did not do my devo's yet. It was a real struggle and I had to FORCE myself to do it. Real glad I did because it's really what I needed for a refocus.

Ephesians 5:15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Vs 15-16 says to be wise and make the most of every opportunity. It's got me thinking about how much time I waste each day. Time that I will never get back.

It also says the days are evil. I'm reminded that this world is not my home. I'm not to be comformed to this world, but be transformed. (Romans 12:2) If I really accept that fact that the days are evil, it will radically affect my attitude and behavior.

Vs 17 warns about foolishness and understanding what the Lord's will is. I'm convicted that though I know His will, I frequently don't care. It's not always an on purpose, malicious or willfull, but I do tend to ignore his will.

Got some things to work on today.

God Bless.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Selfish ambition.

This morning I saw a task the needed to be done. It was a task normally accomplished by my wife. A task that she did not have time for this morning. Something she would have gotten to eventually. She would not have said a thing if I'd left it for her. That task is dishes. I HATE doing dishes. She actually enjoys the task and finds it relaxing. (Yeah, I know. Wierd.)

So decide I'm going to love my wife by doing up the dishes on the counter and cleaning the kitchen. I "volunteered" Kylie to assist. My goal was to be done before Chrissie got back from dropping Alexa off at the school.

She got home before we finished and I was awaiting my praise. "Oh honey, thanks so much for doing the dishes. You're wonderful." It never came. I started to get annoyed. Here I was doing a chore I hate and there she is being an ingrate.

Enter the Holy Spirit. (Yeah, he's like that.)
Philippians 2:3-4
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Doh! Here I was, thinking I was doing for my wife, when in fact I was really doing for me. I did not tell my wife about this today, so honey if you're reading this, I love you and I'm still learning.

Then on the way to work I hear (I listen to the Bible on CD) from James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
AND
James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
AND
James 4:17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Got so work to do.

God Bless you all.