Monday, October 20, 2008

"NO - DO MYSELF"

If you have spent much time with 2 year olds, "no - do myself" may sound familiar. This phrase is common around my home these days. I am thrilled that my son is trying, he is growing up, he is learning, but I also get tired of hearing him whine as he tries and gets frustrated at not quite accomplishing his task. At the same time, I smile when my son looks up at me after trying something and says "mommy, I can't do it." After I help him, he is so grateful and happy and I love to help him. When he whines, I often tell him "all you have to do is ask me for what you want because I love to help you."

I think that Jesus often says that to us: "ask me for what you want because I love you."
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door
will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and
to him who knocks, the door will be opened. . . . If you, then, though you are
evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your
Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Matthew
7:7-11

When my son asks for something, I don't just ignore him. We talk about it or I give him what he asks for or I explain why it isn't possible. When I ask God for something, do I wait for him to speak to me or do I cross my fingers and hope he doesn't ignore me? Do I wait for Him to talk to me about it, to give me what I ask, to tell me what I need to know about the situation? I'm afraid that I miss out too many times when I ask but don't wait to receive. I lose out when I knock but don't expect the door to open. I often turn away before I'm given what I ask for.

Am I really asking for God, receiving God, finding God or am I actually saying "no - do myself"?

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

WHERE IS MY HEART?

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth . . . 
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"
- Jesus (Matthew 6:19, 21)

Your heart is with that which you treasure. You value that which is on your mind the most. Your priorities show themselves in how you spend your time. 
What do I spend my time doing? What is on my mind most of the day? What gets the most importance today? What does my list of priorities look like? Does it match my actions and thoughts? How do I spend most of my time? 

How willing am I to part with my possessions? How freely do I write a check to someone in need? How freely do I write a check for something I want? Am I willing to ask and listen to God? Will I ask how I can join with Him in changing the world? Am I willing to follow Christ? Am I willing to love the people He loves? 
I needed Jesus to break my heart today, and He did when my husband brought home a copy of a letter written to the Church in the U.S. from the Association of Evangelicals in Southern Africa. Click on the link to read it and also consider joining the Micah Challenge.