Sunday, February 19, 2012

BIBLE PICK 'EMS - The Checklist

I've been with out-of-town guests this weekend.

My cousins!

It's been great fun. We've talked, we've eaten, we've laughed, we've hugged...

But I've been super-busy.

So, will you allow me to do another re-post? (I didn't hear anything, so I'm going with YES!!)

This was originally posted on July 26, 2010:



It’s a competitive world, isn’t it?!


It seems like everyone is caught up in the "rat race" – always trying to get ahead, make more money, be more popular, look younger, beat the other guy – WIN, WIN, WIN!

There's a lot of pressure to succeed.

I once saw a license plate frame on a fancy sports car – "He who dies with the most toys, wins!"

Can you imagine a more futile life purpose?

Unfortunately, that's how most of the world operates. Thinking they're in control, people only look to fulfill their selfish desires. It's all about "me" – and being better than "you."

As Christians, we're supposed to be different…right?!

But are you like me?

Sometimes I get caught up in my own form of spiritual "rat race." I put a lot of pressure on myself to DO more for God – and then I chastise myself when I fall short and fail.

Am I dotting all those saintly *i's* and crossing all those godly *t's*?

Sometimes I run through a "checklist" – Bible Study, check…prayer, check…go to church, check…tithe, check…oops, could do a little more serving – oh man, I'm such a failure as a Christian.

Just the other day, I was feeling a little frustrated. Couldn't escape the feeling that I wasn't doing everything God wanted me to do. As a matter of fact, what DID He want me to do? So, I turned to His Word – "Lord, speak to me…"

And He did!

Today's "Bible Pick 'Ems" comes from Deuteronomy. And these verses told me exactly what God wants from me:

"…what does the LORD your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the LORDyour God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul…Look, the highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the LORD…And he chose you…You must fear the LORD your God and worship him and cling to him…He alone is your God, the only one who is worthy of your praise…Show love to the LORD your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him."
(Deuteronomy 10:12, 14-15, 20a, 21a / 11:22b)

The checklist just became really easy…

Fear the Lord.
Live in a way that pleases Him.
Love Him and serve Him with all your heart and soul.
Worship Him.
Praise Him.
Cling to Him.
Walk in His ways.
Hold tightly to Him.

Lord, I can do that!!!Check!


Are you *measuring* yourself by the right yardstick?


Linked today with Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

6 comments:

  1. I love this, and I love you my friend.

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  2. Hello Sharon,

    Hope all is well with you. Great post! The Lord makes it so simple for us, doesn't he? Often we put all this pressure on ourselves to do this and to do that, but God says "no, that's not what I want at all." He wants our hearts and devotion to him. Have a beautiful Sunday. Please come visit my blog, as I wrote about the passing of Whitney Houston.

    Blessings,
    Judy

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  3. Re-posts are always good...especially when they are full of such good advice! God makes it clear, doesn't He? Following His directions is much MUCH more fulfilling than following what the world would like us to think is our life purpose! Enjoy your time with your family!

    Blessings, Joan

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  4. I think doing a repost of a good lesson is a great idea. Hope you are having fun! Love, sandie

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  5. If I read this the first time, I don't remember it. I'm so glad you reposted. I think God nudges us from time to time to say it again. After all, isn't that the whole essence of the book of Deuteronomy anyway?

    As a compulsive list maker and and even more compulsive self-measurer, (Clearly, I made up that word. It has a red squiggle line) I totally relate to this and loved the new list so much better.

    I hope you had a wonderful time with your cousins!

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  6. That scripture was an encouragement to you and it is an encouragement to me. Thank you for sharing it and for sharing your heart with us each week.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)