Scripture
Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
~Ephesians 5:2, NLT
Quote
“Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.”
~Stephen Covey
I saw someone a few weeks ago who had their truck filled with empty boxes; when I inquired, they informed me that they were getting ready to move. In one sense, you could say their truck was full but it was filled with empty things. You can make the same observation about some peoples lives, they are very full but they are full of empty things. People are busy, there is no doubt about it. Schedules are tight and calendars are full but full of what? We run here and there from this thing to that but how many things have eternal significance. How many acts of kindness have you performed this week? How many people have you witnessed to? How many hospital visits have you made? How many shut-ins have you visited? How many chapters in the word of God have you read this week? You may be shrugging your shoulders or scratching your head thinking “not many” or for some “not any.” I know the reason, you are too busy. Your life is filled with empty things.
Hey, we all fight the clutter. It may be the devil’s most subtle form of temptation. He doesn’t care whether we are occupied with good things or evil, so long as we are not devoted to Jesus. Be very careful that you don’t let your life get filled with vain or lesser things. The devil likes to charm us with vain things. Your first act of worship each day is to stand before the LORD and present yourself as a living sacrifice. We are here to serve HIM, not ourselves.
When I Survey The Wondrous Cross
- When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride. - Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood. - See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown? - Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
- Got an encouraging text early yesterday morning from a blog reader. It was a confession and I don’t hear many of those. I hear a lot of excuses. It’s refreshing to hear an honest confession.
- G.K. Chesterton, the British writer, said grace several times a day, not just before meals. I had already developed the habit before reading about Chesterton. I thank God for my chair, lamp, computer, etc. Yesterday I was cutting down a tree which makes me a little nervous. It didn’t use to bother me. I knew how I wanted it to fall but it wasn’t cooperating. It was a maple with some low limbs so I cut off the low limbs on the opposite side and it fell perfectly, I said grace…Thank You Jesus.
- Last year, June and I didn’t have to worry about tomatoes, the man below kept us in tomatoes all summer. He and Gary were very good at raising tomatoes. I miss them both. I only wish I had known them longer.