Encouragement for Today - Sept. 29, 2008
September 29, 2008
Upside Down
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” Matthew 6:25 (NIV)
Devotion:
Everything in my closet is shrinking! Do you notice it too? It is amazing how a little extra around my waist causes my pants to rise above my ankles! And I am sure that since I hit the 50 mark, the Michelin Tire Man has taken up residence inside my skin. I don’t need an inner tube when swimming in the lake with my grandkids; I have one permanently affixed to my middle!
Recently I made a commitment to get back on track with my eating habits, choosing vegetables instead of bread, and fruit instead of snacks. Even though I know this is the right approach, I have found that it tends to consume my thoughts. Aren’t we funny creatures? We seem to major in the minors of life.
The Bible teaches us to put first things first; to seek God before all else. And yet, we continually put Him somewhere on the to-do list with everything else. He has proven to me over the years that if I put Him first, all the other things will fall into place. So why is it so hard to do that on a day-in, day-out basis?
1 Chronicles 16:11 tells us, “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.” So what do I do instead of seeking the Lord? Often I seek my own will or pleasure before I seek God. Sometimes I’m more interested in getting what I want before I ask what He wants. Other times, I operate in my own logic and strength – calling my own shots according to what seems right to me.
When I live that way, I turn the guidance of the scriptures upside down. Matthew 6:33 clearly instructs us, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
So here is what I’ve learned recently on my quest to eat right. When I begin my day seeking Him, my appetite stays in check. Period. When I truly focus on my relationship with Him, eating is just where it needs to be. It becomes part of my day but not the focus of my day. God’s ways do work – we just have to follow them. So I challenge you, turn your logic upside down this week and begin each day seeking the One who created you.
Dear Lord, thank You for being enough. Teach us each day to seek Your face before all other things in our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
A Woman’s Secret to a Balanced Life by Lysa TerKeurst and Sharon Jaynes
Self Talk, Soul Talk by Jennifer Rothschild
Application Steps:
Rise each morning this week and spend quiet time seeking the Lord. Spend this time only focused on Him, who He is, and what He has already done in your life. Save the “I wants” and the “please help me” for later. Then record how your days become drastically different than the norm.
Reflections:
What challenge am I facing today?
Why do I try to conquer challenges on my own?
How can I turn my prayer habits upside down?
Power Verses:
Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (NIV)
Luke 12:31, “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” (NIV)
Acts 17:27, “God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.” (NIV)
© 2008 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
