Monday, January 24, 2011

Temptation to Wash Away My Own Sins!

I am guilty!
I judge others, especially when I catch them in a sin!!

Lord, please forgive me!

Not one soul on this planet is sin-free...including me.
It is so hard to remember, that although there are others out there who commit sins that appear so much worse than those I admit to committing, that mine are JUST AS BAD in God's eyes!

I am so quick to dismiss my own sins, as they are compared to those who commit deadly sins.

How many times do you see someone on the news who has committed murder, stolen, or committed sex crimes, and then compare your own undoings to theirs, thinking, "I'm not so bad."

That in and of itself is a sin!

We need to say a prayer for those who commit such awful crimes, but we need to pray to our Lord for forgiveness for thinking we are any better than they are.

I sin, every day. I hate to admit it - but I know I do. I am not perfect, even when I try. I am so glad that the Lord understands this, and forgives me when I ask Him for forgiveness.

Don't forget, YOU MUST ASK Him to receive this most wonderful blessing!

Dear Lord,
Please forgive me for my transgressions. I have sinned against you, and my fellow man, with the thoughts and actions I have committed. I strive to live for You, Lord, in everything I do. Please forgive me when I falter.

Please Lord, forgive me for judging my fellow man, when I know this is Your task, Father. It is not my place to judge, lest I be judged. I live for the day You will judge me, and wipe me clean of all my sins.

Amen

Galatians 6:1 "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted."

Monday, January 10, 2011

Newsflash: Decluttering is BIBLICAL!!

Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

I KNOW we have more than we could possibly need!

More clothes, more linens, more food, more toys, and certainly more blessings than one family could ever use in a lifetime.

God certainly does provide!

I am sure that I am a borderline hoarder. I hate throwing things away - and donating things we don't need is almost just as difficult.

I think of donating as blessing others with the excess with which my family has been blessed - and that helps. But it is still emotionally wrenching on my heart...why?

God has not blessed me with all of these riches because he wants me to hold onto them! We do NOT need all of these physical items in our home. We do not need so many clothes, toys, and stuff cluttering up our lives.

I strive to give away more of the blessings the Lord has given us, in an effort to bless those who are poor. In exchange, the Lord offers me the riches of heaven!

Amazing!

Dear Lord,
Please help me to remember that the true riches lie with you in heaven, awaiting my departure from this earthly life.
Amen

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Staying Clean..not just the house or the laundry

As a mother some days I feel like all I do is CLEAN!
Between the messes my toddler and preschooler make, and cooking and laundry...if all I did was clean, there would be no time for anything else!

So, I don't clean as much as I should!
I mean, seriously, I ignore the cleaning. I ignore the messes, and don't put away all of the laundry.

I have been known to leave all cleaning alone for days at a time, just to play with my children. After all, what could be more important than spending quality time with my kids?

Well, as the bible says in Isaiah 1:16-17, "Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow."

I know, God does not necessarily mean "Clean your house," but I feel that nagging sensation that my housework is part of that being clean that Isaiah mentions!

However, I do think that I am doing wrong by my husband by not keeping house like I should...therefore, this really speaks to Isaiah's point. I take my evil doings (spending too much time indulging in my computer or shopping), and turn them into cleanliness for the Lord.

I can honor the Lord our God through honoring my husband and my family - by blessing them with clean clothing, a clean house, and great food.

I have to remember that the Lord has made all of these things possible, and that I need to focus my attention on doing right, and seeking justice.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for the very many blessings you have given me in this life.
My husband and children are blessings from you, and I should bless them through you. Please help me to provide for them the cleanliness, both physically in our home, as well as in my heart and soul!
Amen