May 2020 week 3
Friday May 15
What weeds are taking nourishment from you
Scripture: Matthew 13:30
Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.
Land has a limited amount of nourishment so gardeners remove the weeds so that the plant can grow without competition from the weeds. It is the same with our physical, mental and spiritual well being. There are various items that compete with our time, energy and thoughts and subsequent actions each and every day and each and every minute of the day. The sooner that we can recognize these weeds the better for us. If we fail to recognize them they soon grow and multiply and we begin to accept the weeds and even begin to see them as wheat instead of tares. So much so that even when others tell us that they are weeds we get angry and provide nourishment to the weeds even more.
We must be careful that we do not allow these weeds to take over our life garden. Weeds of jealousy, hatred and laziness we can find every where. Weeds can be excessive use of Facebook or lack of adequate exercise to keep our bodies as a temple for God. Weeds can come in all shapes and sizes.
Thought for the day: What weeds are you nourishing that is keeping you from being the best that you can be.
Thursday May 21
Keeping Your Eye On The Prize
Scripture: Matthew 14: 29-30 Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Many would suggest that Peter began to sink because he took his eyes off of Christ and began to focus on the winds around him. He began to look at the distractions and did not keep his focus on Christ. With all of the “toys” around us it is quite easy to get distracted from our main purpose. We go onto the internet to research a particular topic and a headline catches our attention or an ad for something that we really do not need. With a simple click of the finger we are now distracted from our original purpose. Before long we are so far away from our original plan that we forget where we were and have to start over again. We must be careful because there are so many distractions in this world that can cause us to take our eyes off the prize. We are so truly blessed that when we do, Christ is there holding out his hands.
Thought for the day If you concentrate on Christ you will not even see the distractions.
Wednesday May 20
Importance of reading How to Eat a Book
2 Timothy 3:16-17 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
It is so vital that we read as much as we can but just as with food, it serves no meaningful purpose unless we digest it. Inorder to properly digest we must take the time to chew our food before it goes into our stomach and such we must take the time to think about what we are reading before allowing it to settle in our brains as truth. We must have a well rounded diet but we must also be careful that we do not eat food that is unhealthy or may even kill us. The same with books or tv or the internet. Everything that is available to us is not good. We must be careful and take the time to really digest what we are reading before allowing it to enter into our brains as nourishment and truth.
Thought for the day. What are you reading that will aid you in your Christian walk?
Tuesday May 19
Who are you pointing your finger at?
Two construction workers sat down to eat their lunches one day. One worker opened his lunch box, took out the sandwich, and exclaimed, “Oh no, not peanut-butter sandwiches!!” The next day the same scenario was repeated. This went on for several more days before his co-worker finally said, “Joe, if you don’t like peanut-butter sandwiches, just tell your wife not to pack them anymore!” His friend immediately fired back, “You leave my wife out of this! I pack my own lunch!!”
Scripture: Genesis 3: 12-13 And the man answered, “The woman whom You gave me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” 13Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied, “and I ate.”…
Part of growing up and maturing is to accept personal responsibility for our own actions. Until we accept our shortcomings we will not be able to partake of the many blessings that God has instore for us. We must accept our failures so that we can make room for our blessings. We must not blame others for our mistakes.
Thought for the day—Give others credit for your mistakes and also give them credit for your blessings. (smile)
Monday May 18
Topic: Are You Ready
Scripture: Matthew 25: 1-6 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.’
The Bible is often read as a historical account of what happened during the Biblical times and how we should live as a Christian. While this is most certainly true the lessons are also relative to our everyday life. The parable of the ten virgins is such a lesson. How many times in life do we waste our time doing things that are not so important because we feel that the one real opportunity in life will pass us by. It has been said that I would rather be ready and not have the opportunity than not be ready when the opportunity arises. Be assured that opportunities will arise and often times we are not ready because we cannot recognize the opportunity or we are not actively looking for opportunities.
Matthew 7:7 Ask Seek and Knock but be prepared