I went to see my doctor this morning. As I sat in the waiting room, I glanced around and noticed an advertisement holder with five shelves, hanging on the wall. At the very top of this case, were the words, in this script: “how’r you.”
I got up from my seat and walked over to view the contents of this case. I had a fairly good idea what I would find, and I wasn’t disappointed. There were pamphlets on diabetes, blood pressure, colonoscopies, diets, smoking cessation, and the value of eggs, to name a few.
The categories were Women’s Health, Family Health, Children’s Health, Health Issues, and a lower section held folders to place your pamphlets in.
Something came to mind as I stood there browsing the shelves of this case. Naturally, everything that was addressed on these shelves was limited to mans physical health and well being. I know I was in a doctor’s office and shouldn’t expect any different. And I didn’t.
But it did get me thinking about how much time, money, and energy are spent in the area of man’s physical health and well being. I have no argument with the seriousness of physical health. I get the importance of it.
I am always eager to see my doctor when I am feeling ill. If the doctor thinks I might need something looked into further, I am always in agreement with her to do whatever is necessary to get me back on the path of good health. I am faithful to have my tests done. I may not look forward to them; some have been inconvenient in their preparation, and difficult in their procedure.
But I have them done, nevertheless.
I do what is necessary. I follow the doctor’s orders. I know that if I don’t; there will be a penalty. My physical well being may be in jeopardy.
Yet, how do I compare the care I give my body, to the care I give my soul?
I know that I need the Lord; and I need him daily.
Yet, am I eager, each day, to spend time with him?
I know he is constantly at work in my life to better me.
But, am I always in agreement with him?
Do I demonstrate this through my attitude and my behavior?
Am I faithful to the Lord, even when it is inconvenient and difficult?
My body is for a season. My soul is for eternity. What might the penalty be if I neglect my soul?
Psalm 42:2, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (NIV)
Does my soul thirst for God?
Psalm 119:48, “I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees.” (NIV)
Do I meditate on God’s decrees?
Luke 9:23, “Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”” (NIV)
Do I deny myself daily? Do I pick up my cross daily? Do I follow him daily?
Ephesians 6:18, “Pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this is mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” (NIV)
Do I…?
Friday, November 4, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
It's About Time
Today I realized that in less than 2 months, it will be Christmas. In two short months from today, Christmas day will have passed for another year. It seems like yesterday I just put the summer clothes away. Wait a minute…. Yes…… it was yesterday.
Time flies more quickly as the years go by. It seems there is a lot of talk about this amongst my friends and “older” family members these days. I often catch myself thinking, “I sound just like my Grandmother.”
Just as the seasons pass by each year, so it is with the seasons of our lives. When we are young, they pass by unnoticeably. I don’t recall ever giving any thought from one year to the next. The most important issue about another birthday was to ensure I had my wish list updated and made known to others. Now, each year I am very much aware of my upcoming birthday…but my first thoughts are never about my wish list; my first thought is about the age I will be turning on that day.
And the number is getting higher. I ask myself the usual question: Where has the time gone? Familiar question? It is around our house. Where has the time gone.
But, more importantly, I was pondering this morning, how has that time been spent? Has it been spent nurturing relationships? My relationships with family and friends? My relationship building with new people in my midst? How about my relationship with the Lord? How am I doing in the area of building my relationship with God?
When we read the accounts of Jesus’ life on this earth, we learn that he spent much time with his Father in prayer. Jesus spent time on his relationship with his Father. Jesus is our example; we look to him for guidance.
If Jesus, sinless and holy, felt it necessary to spend extended periods of time in prayer with his Father, how much more do we, as fallen and sinful human beings, need this time with God? How much more do I need his daily guidance and protection?
Mark 1:35, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
Luke 5:16, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
Luke 6:12, “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.
Luke 9:28, “About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.”
These are merely a handful of the Scriptures that refer to Jesus’ prayer life.
His relationship with his Father was of utmost importance to him. He did nothing without his Father’s direction. He only did as God instructed him.
As I think about my own relationship with God today, I ask if you might join me in considering yours. How are you doing today in your walk with God?
Relationships; they take time. Time to build and time to keep.
Mark 14:38, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
I recall the words of Jesus in John 6:38, “I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.”
Just like Jesus, we are here to do the Father’s will. We are here to glorify God.
Jesus’ obedience would be the picture of the perfect relationship with Almighty God. The cross would be the proof.
Time flies more quickly as the years go by. It seems there is a lot of talk about this amongst my friends and “older” family members these days. I often catch myself thinking, “I sound just like my Grandmother.”
Just as the seasons pass by each year, so it is with the seasons of our lives. When we are young, they pass by unnoticeably. I don’t recall ever giving any thought from one year to the next. The most important issue about another birthday was to ensure I had my wish list updated and made known to others. Now, each year I am very much aware of my upcoming birthday…but my first thoughts are never about my wish list; my first thought is about the age I will be turning on that day.
And the number is getting higher. I ask myself the usual question: Where has the time gone? Familiar question? It is around our house. Where has the time gone.
But, more importantly, I was pondering this morning, how has that time been spent? Has it been spent nurturing relationships? My relationships with family and friends? My relationship building with new people in my midst? How about my relationship with the Lord? How am I doing in the area of building my relationship with God?
When we read the accounts of Jesus’ life on this earth, we learn that he spent much time with his Father in prayer. Jesus spent time on his relationship with his Father. Jesus is our example; we look to him for guidance.
If Jesus, sinless and holy, felt it necessary to spend extended periods of time in prayer with his Father, how much more do we, as fallen and sinful human beings, need this time with God? How much more do I need his daily guidance and protection?
Mark 1:35, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
Luke 5:16, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
Luke 6:12, “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.
Luke 9:28, “About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.”
These are merely a handful of the Scriptures that refer to Jesus’ prayer life.
His relationship with his Father was of utmost importance to him. He did nothing without his Father’s direction. He only did as God instructed him.
As I think about my own relationship with God today, I ask if you might join me in considering yours. How are you doing today in your walk with God?
Relationships; they take time. Time to build and time to keep.
Mark 14:38, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
I recall the words of Jesus in John 6:38, “I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.”
Just like Jesus, we are here to do the Father’s will. We are here to glorify God.
Jesus’ obedience would be the picture of the perfect relationship with Almighty God. The cross would be the proof.
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