Wisdom for Wednesday - Spiritual Sluggards

Happy Wednesday!

Thanks for popping in for a little...

I have to admit that I picked this quote out months ago. It struck me then and it still speaks to me now, so I figured it was time to share…and to carefully consider how it applies to me.

When I think of a sluggard, I think of someone who is lazy…not "pulling their weight." 

But what about spiritual sluggards?

I would assume that it means being lazy in our work for the Lord. 

Maybe a person...

Not involved in church?

Not reading the Bible?

Not praying?

Not witnessing?

Now before you go throwing stones, let me share the part of the quote that spoke to me the most. 

"We are all capable…"

Yep. Right there.

As with any other sin, we are all capable of it. 

We are all only one small decision away from going down a path that God never intended us to be on. That is what I constantly tell myself when I hear of someone who has "fallen into sin" (as people often call it).

It could be me.

I am not to judge, but instead to guard my own heart and worry about my own sin.

Anyway, back to being a spiritual sluggard. 

I think it is deeper than what we can see on the outside.

I am very active in my church.

I read my Bible.

I pray.

I attempt to witness when given the opportunity.

But I think I can still be a spiritual sluggard--and honestly, sometimes I am.

How? 

It's a matter of the heart. 

The question of why I do the "spiritual" things that I do.

If my motivation is not pure…

If I am just going through the motions to check it off a list of some kind…

If I am not living out the things I read in God's Word…

Then I would say I'm being a spiritual sluggard.

It kind of hurts, doesn't it? 

Now you know why I waited months to really consider how it speaks to me! I don't want to be a spiritual sluggard, and I'm hoping this can be a reminder to me (and maybe you) when I start to get a little "lazy" in my walk with the Lord.

P.S. If your students are getting as crazy as mine (17 days left!!!), hang in there. The weekend is in sight!

Wisdom for Wednesday - A Hard Word

Late again…

I hope Kristi doesn't fire me! ;-)

All I can say is there is only a few more weeks of basketball, and I should be able to get my act together! My usual morning time at home has been rushed so I can get to school early and try to get work done.

Anyway, I'm glad you're here!

I don't know about you, but sometimes it is a 'hard word' that comes from my devotional time or the take-away from the sermon is a 'hard word.' 

But I know I need it...

The Lord never promised following Him would be easy. It takes diligence and a humble heart to be able to recognize and acknowledge areas of our life that need work in order to please Him. It is hard, but that is the only way to enjoy the sweet fellowship with Him.

It might be a 'hard word,' but it is for our good!

Wisdom for Wednesday - Spiritual Activity

Good morning! 

I missed Wednesday again--and for no good reason. I even had this post mostly ready. I guess this just shows exactly how my week has been going. My kids have been even more on the wild side. I blame Valentines Day! ;-)

I believe this week's quote can apply to many areas of life. 

Take a look:

Since Chambers is talking about our work for the Lord, I'll start there. 

Sometimes I think I am busy with "spiritual activity" and not focused enough on the "active work" I should be doing for the Lord. That active work being the reason why I am here--to be a witness and testimony for Him and to bring Him honor and glory!

 Spiritual activity (church involvement, giving, volunteering, ministry, etc.) is great, but I know I have to be careful that I don't allow that to give me a pass on the "active work" I am to be doing!

This quote struck me as a teacher and coach also.

Think about it.

Activity versus active work…

What thoughts come to mind about your classroom? 

(And in my case, our basketball team...)

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Wisdom for Wednesday - Mountain Top Experiences

Good morning! I'm late with this post and I have absolutely no excuse. I was even off work yesterday (for a funeral), had the post mostly finished, and just completely forgot. So…here's some wisdom for us (a day late)!

I'll admit I would love for my life to be full of mountain top experiences, but it simply doesn't work that way. Some times, I'm in the valley. And most times, I'm just walking on the plains (so to speak). 

The mountain top experiences may be rare, but they are meant for God's purpose. Those experiences encourage me to keep pressing on as I trudge across the plains or seek to climb out of the valleys of life.

Mountain top experience? 

Enjoy it, remember it, and never take it for granted!

Wisdom for Wednesday - Obedience

Good morning! 

Thanks for stopping by for:

This week's quote is easy for us to see in our students and children...

…but what about us?

It reminds me of my daughter when she was little…about 3 or 4. She was always easily distracted. I would send her to do something, and she would come back several minutes later having not even started on the assigned task.

One specific example…she had been told to pick up her room. Several minutes later when I got onto her, she said, "How can I possibly clean my room when I can't find my shoes?"

Obviously, I explained that she didn't need her shoes in order to pick up her room and sent her back to work on it.

That day the Lord brought to mind how my excuses sound to Him when I don't obey His Word and His leading. Much the same as my daughter's silly excuse for not cleaning her room, I'm sure.

"Obey right away," became a common phrase in our house. 

We later added, "…and with a right heart."

Two simple things we teach children, but what an impact they can have when applied to our own spiritual lives!

Have a blessed day!

Wisdom for Wednesday - Service

Good morning! I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful--and well deserved--break. I know I am!

I have attacked my "to-do" list with a vengeance this week, but it seems that I still have so much to do and so little time! It hasn't helped that basketball practice started up again this week, we've had doctor's appointments and errands, and the little bit of ice and snow we finally got makes me want to curl up on the couch with a blanket and be cozy!

Stay focused, I must (Yes, I watch Star Wars now and then).

This week's quote is for me…and maybe some of you. It seems that our sermons and Sunday school lessons at church have been themed around serving others. I am, oh, so guilty in this area. Take a look at what Oswald Chambers says was Paul's attitude in regards to serving others in an effort to draw them to Christ.

If you've followed my Wisdom posts, you probably remember me talking about this at some point. It is an area of my life which I am constantly needing AND wanting to improve upon. 

I'm just plain selfish! I hate to admit it, but it is true. And I think if we are being honest, most of us have to agree with that statement--at least a little bit.

I'm so busy with MY schedule, MY activities, caring for MY family, planning for MY work, taking care of MY house, doing MY stuff, and trying to pay MY bills…

...that I fail to look around me. 

I mean really look around me.

When you add my independent spirit to that selfishness…it makes it doubly difficult to recognize people's needs. I'm not sure that makes sense…but I know what I mean and you probably don't want or need to know all of my character flaws!

This year, I want to notice people. 

I mean really notice them. 

I want to take note of when someone needs some encouragement. 

I want to remember their favorite things so that I can surprise them with a treat now and then.

I want to be there for them when they need a listening ear.

I want to serve others with a kind heart.

I want to show Christ's love through me.

Who's with me?

Wisdom for Wednesday - Prayer Rights

Have you ever gotten used to seeing something hanging in your home or classroom and rarely gave it much thought anymore? That is what inspired this week's...

 

 

 

This quote has been on a piece of scrap paper posted on my husband's desk for at least a year. He wrote it down as a reminder.

 

 

I remember reading it when he first posted it, but over time I had stopped considering what it meant.

 

All that changed as I recently sat at his desk to do my morning devotions. I was seeking peace in a situation that I had been praying about and my eyes fell on the quote with new interest.

 

All I could think was PRAISE THE LORD!

I'm so thankful that answered prayer is based on God's grace, mercy and unfailing love! It would be a very scary thing if my prayers were answered based on my "rights" and what I actually deserved. I'd much rather trust in Him and His Goodness for my answers to prayer!

 

Have a blessed day!