Making Changes

Matthew 6:6

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then you Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

This weekend on Blogging Domino, I’m reviewing a classic film which shows the trouble that goes with adding a computer to a non-computerized business. It’s a comedy which is funnier today than it was when it was first released. Technology helps us communicate more effectively today than ever before. But I think this film shows that technology isn’t all you need. We need relationships.

Our relationship with God will be the protective influence when we deal with today’s technology. God gives us guidance, wisdom, and help making decisions if we will seek Him. He isn’t against all technology, but expects us to use the wisdom He makes available.

Sometimes our goal should be to cut back on all computers, phones, and other tools so that we can communicate more effectively without distractions. The verse above from Matthew mentions praying in a room, in secret. The Old Testament shows a picture of a prayer room when we read about Daniel (chapter six) in an upstairs room where he prayed. However, he didn’t pray in secret. The windows were open. Probably no air conditioning.

Today, you and I can go into a bedroom, closet, bathroom, or other enclosed space and pray without distractions. My husband took an upstairs room of our house and turned it into his prayer room. When he needed uninterrupted time with God, he let me know to keep the kids occupied elsewhere so he could pray and listen for God’s answers.

Having a room or park bench or some specific place where you can go to pray by yourself will help you focus on what God wants to say to you. Take your Bible with you and maybe a pad of notepaper and a pen to write what God is guiding you to do. Some people have a prayer journal where they record their prayer requests, answers, and ideas they get from God.

Many people see texting as a relationship-enhancing tool, but with God, there isn’t a need for texting. You can get his attention anywhere you go. He’s never too busy, and his battery never needs to be charged.

Close Your Mouth

Romans 7:15-18

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

Doesn’t that verse sum up our feelings about trying to do what is right. This world we live in has so many temptations to sin. So many. We have to be on our guard all the time to train ourselves to say no to doing the wrong thing. We have to develop a stubbornness about doing the right thing. But even when we want to do the right thing, we end up doing the wrong thing because we are weak.

Super Bowl Sunday is a day known for parties. People gather around the TV and snack on fattening foods for a few hours. Many of those people have departed from their January resolution to lose weight. They don’t want to overeat, but they do it anyway. Discipline needs a little help sometimes. I tried to limit my food intake that day, but after the game was over, I found a weakness for the carrot cake my husband offered me. I didn’t need it, but I ate it. It was delicious.

One thing I can always count on is the mercy and forgiveness of God. His love is stronger than my ability to be tempted. It always has been and always will be. All I have to do is stay connected to Him. He is willing to strengthen me, if I am willing to run to Him. The bond I develop with Him helps me destroy the power of temptation. But if I stop seeking God, it’s so much easier for temptation to get the better of me.

My plan is to continue to seek God and continue to develop my relationship with Him. Won’t you join me?

A Couple In Love

Ruth 3:18

Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”

Ruth and Boaz are often mentioned in the Bible as a couple who showed love for each other. However, weddings which incorporate the verse from Ruth 1:16 are mistaken if they make it sound like the verse showed Ruth’s devotion to Boaz. “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay” is something Ruth said to her mother-in-law after she joined her in widowhood.

The two women returned to Naomi’s homeland where Ruth saw Boaz as she worked in his fields. Boaz had noticed her among all the workers and spoke kindly to her. I imagine the way he looked at her might have made her blush. He determined later as he woke up and found her at his feet on the threshing floor that he would do all he could to protect her, even marry her.

Chapter four of the book of Ruth gives us the result of Ruth’s and Boaz’s faithfulness. Verse eleven tells us that the witnesses of the engagement of Ruth and Boaz blessed them with, “May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel.” Verse eleven also mentions Bethlehem, the city of David. “May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.” It seems the witnesses knew what they were talking about because Ruth gave birth to King David’s grandfather.

Happy Month of Love!

Mentoring

1 Timothy 6:11-12

Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy and called him “my true son in the faith”. Paul was a mentor and father-figure to Timothy. He gave advice and told Timothy to command certain things and explained with “The goal of this command is love”.

Timothy was instructed by Paul to urge others to “be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” This is a command people from all walks of life can receive. This can be obeyed by young and old alike. Pre-school children can learn this.

It doesn’t matter what neighborhood you’re from. If you’re interested in doing God’s will, this is a good place to start.

As a parent, I’m trying to teach my kids to be considerate and have a generous attitude. When they become adults, I’d love for them to be able to recognize opportunities to give to others. My job is to “command and teach these things” to my children so that when they’re adults, they can teach from their own experience.