I slept in until about 5:30AM this morning - and loved being able to just stretch out in bed and chill. But I did get up and come in here to spend my time with God. Hubby got up and made my coffee and brought to me. I know, I'm spoiled. I can get my own coffee, but as I have mentioned many, many times, he likes to do it. I could look at it two different ways. 1) It's all about control (which I am sure I have felt many times, or 2) He loves me and just wants to serve me. It's all in the thought process. And, whatever I think can make or break my day.
I've already been in for a second cup of coffee this morning and it is now gone. It's after 8AM so will be stopping after this to fix something for breakfast - probably bacon and eggs, or sausage and eggs. Hubby has already asked me if we could leave at 11AM to go .... and I looked at him blankly and asked "go where, you have to remind me.", and it was to Verizon, of course. The guy he talked to is only working until 2PM today and he wants to work with him. Whatever. I knew we would end up getting iphone 16s. In fact, without my agreeing with him, I went ahead yesterday and bought cases for them - for him and me - for I knew that if he wanted it, unless I threw a fit (and why would I if it was free? would be his response) and said no, we would be getting them. He's already confirmed it this morning. Oh I dread the transferring and opening of the apps and finding my passwords! Or do we have to do that anymore? I don't pay any attention.
What does complete surrender to God look like? Have you ever thought about that? In my Dear Abba book this morning she talked about that. The story was there about how she created a shoe box and every time she tried to take control of a situation, she would write it out on a paper and put in the shoebox - and give it to God. Is life really that simple? That we only need to write down our issue on a paper and throw in a box and say "it's Yours, Lord, take it over"? I think we can, at least sometimes. Sometimes God does want us to just do the right thing and it will take care of itself. Do you agree? But many times, there are situations that we need to pray about it, and then release it to God to take care of.
Many, many years ago my boys were involved with things they shouldn't have been. It was in my early stages of being a Christian and learning what that was about. After all, I never had an example of what a Christian was, at least none that I remembered. But I remember now that every single day I was on my face praying for my boys and asking God to deliver them. And He did. God answered my prayer. I had to take my hands off and do what I only knew to do. That was to pray for them. And pray for them I did! God heard my prayers, saw my tears for them, and He answered as only He can. It is truly a miracle of how He answered. I don't know all the details, but the situations my boys were in, they walked out of. So grateful to God for His answers. But I had to let go. I couldn't corner the boys and say "don't do that". It wasn't my place. It had to be God to get them out of the dungeon they had gone to. All praise to God for His deliverance.
I still pray for my boys daily. Pray for my daughter as well. I pray for my grandchildren. I pray for my great-grandchildren. I pray for friends. I pray for hubby. I pray for myself. I pray.... and may God's will be done. Some days I will feel a specific burden for one, and that one gets specific prayer, even when I don't know what is going on. Other times it is when a family member will share a bit of information so that I will know how to pray for that specific one.
Everyone lives their own life in their own choosing. It's difficult for me to explain for it to make sense. But many times (in my opinion), when someone entertains evil thoughts, or retorts in an evil manner, or watches violent and evil movies, or reads books about evil situations.... they are opening the door to the devil in their lives. In their homes. Things people look at on the computers, just for a peek, will invite the devil and he is devious. He is sly. We as Christians, must not give the devil a foothold! We are to stand against the devil for the Lord is on our side! I think many times people don't realize the entertainment they allow in their homes, in their minds, are things that will disrupt their homes, their lives, the lives of their children.
So what should we do? Repent. Ask for forgiveness. Seek God to make right for what was wrong. Many years ago I threw away - literally - books and videos that were entertaining when I read them, but after I became a Christian, I realized that Jesus would not watch that movie, nor would He read those books. It was a real eye-opener to me. And I can give you an example.
When hubby and I were married almost 43 years ago, neither of us were Christians. On our honeymoon we went to watch 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas' - I think that was the name of it. It was hilarious and we both love (and still do) Dolly Parton who starred in it. BUT. One day I found it at Savers and I bought it, remembering how much we enjoyed it when on our honeymoon. Then we sat down to watch it. Talk about being convicted! Words and actions stood out like a sore thumb. We could not watch it, and it was thrown into the trash. Some of you may scoff at me for doing that - but I could not watch the movie once I became a Christian. What I thought was entertaining then, was not entertaining as I saw the scenes I had forgotten about. I still love the songs from that movie, but I cannot watch it.
Jesus wants our lives to be clean. We are not to entertain thoughts that are not of Him. Does that make sense? Let's see if I can come up with an example. You know that hubby and I have our difficulties at times. Ok, many times. But a lot of that is from both of our stubbornness to give up our 'rights' and our 'control'. I think we all go through those phases. Right? What if, as I live with hubby, my thoughts were always lusting after another man. Or for hubby, what if his thoughts would be lusting after another woman. That is opening the door to the devil and to a lot of trouble that he can cause.
Bottom line - Keep your thoughts pure and holy; for Jesus said, "Be holy, as I am holy." We will never be perfect; Christ is the only Perfect One. If we keep our minds, our thoughts, our lives, focused only upon Him, you will find such joy, peace, and everlasting refreshment in Him. What are you going to do? Live life as you are now? Or surrender your life to Jesus and ask Him to help you kick the devil out of your home. In fact, why not get up right now and tell the devil to get out of your home, that you and your family, your children, belong to Jesus and the devil is not welcome in your home! I've done it. I've gone around and anointed the doors and windows of my home, praying that God will block any evil coming in when we are angry with each other. That we will sit down and talk through it and work it out. Every family has disagreements. Don't let your disagreements affect the atmosphere in your home, or in the lives of your children. Be conscious of the words you speak, for you never know which ones you will have to eat.
Blessings!
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