HIS

Devotion

2-24-10

HIS

Psalms 24:1

"The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it."

 

Have you ever stopped to look closely at the things around you?  What about the people in your lives, do you really see them for who they are? When you look into a mirror do you notice who you are?  It is very easy in our every day lives to be so busy with our "to do" lists, and so consommé with our responsibilities that we can not see the most beautiful part of our lives.  In fact all too often we not only do not see the beauty of our lives we do not see the one that is really responsible for our lives. Ok, so maybe it sounds like I am talking in circles, so let me explain it a bit clearer.

 

We have been studying about how we are to set ourselves aside and to increase the lordship of God in our lives.  So I want to share a short example for you that I heard the other day.  A visiting pastor was talking about how a church he visited was completely out of debt.  He asked the pastor of that church how he was able to get the members to be so giving and the pastor told him, "sticky notes, that's how."  Not sure what he meant by that he asked the pastor to explain. He told him that the church had sticky notes made for every member of the church and they were to stick them on everything they had.  Put it on their cars, their houses, their tools, radios, clothes, and even on themselves, etc.  This would remind them to give. The powerful reminder came from what the sticky notes said. They simply read, "HIS." That one word reminded them that everything in their life belongs to the Lord and with that reminder they would be able to make their decision as to how they should give.  Well, that was a great idea I thought to myself as I listened to our visiting pastor tell the story.  I was going to buy me some of those sticky notes and do it for myself.  But before I could even buy them I had an opportunity to share the story with a co-worker.  This is where it gets exciting for me.

 

It was just the other day when a co-worker and I went out for coffee together to talk. We had had many conversations about issues in her life that she was struggling with and how important it is to always seek God's wisdom when making a decision.  As we talked the story of the sticky notes came to my mind and I shared it with her.  I told her how everything needed a sticky note on it and that is when she asked me this question, "Even my "female" body parts?" I look straight into her eyes and said, "Yes."  Suddenly she looked up and told me that she understood now.  She said she was driving a car that she has not paid for yet and so she is really careful how she takes care of it.  She continued to tell me that she had noticed that she takes better care of things that do not belong to her. Now I was in awe!  It made even more perfect seas to me as well.  Not only would the sticky notes remind me that everything is His, it would cause me to think about how I am taking care of His things, including myself.  After we left the coffee shop my mind had all kind of thoughts running through it. The sticky notes that read "His" would also be a continual reminder that He needs to increase in my life and I need to decrease by putting selfish desires aside.

 

 

Do you remember John 3:30?  Write it down from memory, or as much of it as you can and then go to God's word and look it up.  If you missed any of it, write it again correctly. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Now write down Psalms24:1

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Write Psalms 24:1 again and this time insert your name into it at the end where it says, all who dwell in it. Example: Marcy who dwells in it. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Now write a list of everything that you now understand belongs to the Lord in your life. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ok, if you understand that the Lord is the owner of all life and of all things, is you willing to label everything in your life, including yourself, with sticky notes that say HIS? 

If you are, than let me challenge you with doing it.  I did it today and every time I wanted to reach for an unhealthy snack I couldn't take it because I know I am His. 

 

Knowing that all of the earth and all who live upon it belong to the Lord, truly believing it helps us to make wiser decisions.  Helps us to have better relationships, and helps us to think before we do or say things.  You see even the impatient driver who almost pushes you off the road is HIS.  Even the spouse you are so mad at right now is HIS.  Even those rebellious children are HIS. And yes even the one who has hurt you, abused you, abandoned you, rejected you, or lied to you is HIS.  Your wallet or purse, your home or your car, your spouse and your children, they are all HIS.  So how will you care for all of it?  Will knowing everything is HIS cause you to be willing to allow Him to have it all?

Place your life, your spouse, children, grandchildren, family, home and the things you own, your work, your needs, worriers, fears, doubts, dreams, hopes, finances, future, and yes even those you do not like at the foot of the cross and watch what God will do with it all.  He always takes care of His.

 

 

Father, I pray we will each label all we have and our hearts with HIS. You lead our lives, our decisions, our families, our homes, our churches, and job in such a way that they will bring You glory.  In Jesus name Amen.

 

What do your sticky notes say?