Simple Schedule Keeping

I admit I am the most miserable of schedule keepers.  Without the external influence of a "job", I don't have a schedule to my day.  I don't even have a routine that I can admit to keeping.  Wait...  I get up.  I do stuff.  I eat at some point.  I do more stuff.  I go to bed.

Yup, that's it.  That is the extent of my routine.  Whoo.

Now, I know that a routine is good for me.  I know that Creation testifies that a routine is necessary.  Spring is followed by Summer which is followed by Autumn which is followed by Winter which is followed by Spring.  Ah, you get it.  Night is followed by day which is followed by night which is...  Ah, you get it.

So, why is it so difficult for me to stick to a routine?  Why can't I get up at about the same time every day?  Why can't I take a shower about the same time each day?  Why can't I eat at approximately the same time each day?  Why can't I?  Why can't I read my Bible consistently?  Why can't I pray regularly each day?  Why can't I?  Why can't I clean the kitchen as I cook?  Why can't I finish the laundry all the way through to hanging it up?  Why can't I?

I wonder, could it have something to do with Satan's deceptive practices?  Have I allowed a foothold here in my life?  Uh oh.  This isn't going to be easy.  Thankfully, God gives me all the strength I need.  God alone can put me on the right path.  God is the one I trust.  Yes, it's that simple.

(Father God, I leave my routine in your hands.  Thank you for creating me so wonderfully.  I ask that you repel any attempts by the enemy to meddle in our day, our week, our month and our years.  Be my strong tower and strengthen me.  All this I ask in the powerful, healing name of Jesus, My Saviour.  Amen.)

Something Always Changes

It has been an incredible academic year. The 5th Grade Class' treasured year is over. Now, my role is changing again. I'm a little unsure of this new change, but I know that God will see me through. There is excitement and nervousness.

I will be working in my husband's business. I've got to learn everything about it in a short time. I know that God has prepared me for this time. I have a degree in Business Administration that I have never used. Now, it is time.

(Father God, please lead as I venture into this new area. I pray that you will strengthen my husband and give him clear direction. Show me where I can support him and how to be an encouragement to him. Thank you, Lord, for the jobs that are on our plate. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.)

Giving My Best

Deuteronomy 17:1 "You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, or any evilfavouredness: for that is an abomination to the LORD your God."

My God doesn't want rotten service. He wants the best. He gives the best, why should He expect anything less in return? As a matter of fact, anything less than the best is an abomination.

Consider that - an abomination. The society around me has watered down words like abomination. Oh, that's bad. No, that's fearful. If something is an abomination to you, you refuse it. You go above and beyond to make sure it never gets in your sight. You take the long way around to keep from being near it. You burn it. You stomp it under foot and grind it to powder. Yes, sloppy service on my part is an abomination to God.

I've not always been good at giving my best. When I'm sick, when I'm tired, when I'm bored - those are times when I have a tendency to give less than the best. Thankfully, God has pointed this out to me and is helping me get better. I'll never be able to give the best under my own strength because I don't have the best to give when it's of myself. My heart is deceitful. It will lie like a sneaky snake. It is only through the shed blood and resurrection of the only begotten Son of God that I can be found worthy.

I am so thankful that my God is gracious and full of compassion. He has inclined His ear unto me. Yes, my God is merciful. He preserves the simple - that's me. He brought me low and He helps me. (Psalm 111:4b, Psalm 116:2a, 5b, 6)

(Father God, thank you for examining my heart and trying my reins. I have been found lacking, LORD and it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Please forgive me and help me to correct my service. Be my strong tower, my help and my shield. I trust You. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Trust

Have you ever considered just how trusting we really are?  I've heard people say and have even said myself, "I just can't trust him/her/them."  Yet, we drive to work, school or play each day trusting that the other people on the road know the rules, are following the rules, have good vehicles, and are paying attention to what's going on around them.  We trust that the person in the other car will keep that car in their lane.  We trust that the other person will not run into the back of our car.

Oh, I know that trust is sometimes broken.  But in reality, we trust in big ways.  Most of us trust that our co-workers won't bring a gun to the office and go on a rampage.  Most of us trust that our homes will still be pretty much in the same shape when we get home as when we left it. Most of us trust that a foreign country won't invade us.  Most of us trust that today will be.  

So, I am amazed with the amount of trust floating around out there that people don't trust God.  Even myself, I think I know so much more than I really do.  I think I've got this life thing all figured out.  I trust myself.  And, wow, that is the wrong thing to trust.  God is faithful.  He is just.  He is honest.  He is.  And, He is always those things.  Now, me, I'm not always those things.  I don't always play fair.  I've told lies.  I'm not always faithful in doing what I've committed to do.  I'm not always trustworthy.  God is.  If I can trust all those people driving around, surely I can trust God.

(Father God, help me to trust You in all things.  You alone are completely faithful and trustworthy.  Thank you for the examples of trust that are evident when I look.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)