Friday, November 29, 2013

November 29, 2013

11 My sons, do not be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen you to stand before him and serve him. . . 
2 Chronicles 29:11a (NIV)


There are many things that appear trifles, which greatly tend to enervate the soul, and hinder its progress in the path to virtue and glory. The habit of indulging in things which our judgment cannot thoroughly approve, grows stronger and stronger by every act of self-gratification, and we are led on by degrees to an excess of luxury which must greatly weaken our hands in the spiritual warfare. If we do not endeavor to do that which is right in every particular circumstance, though trifling, we shall be in great danger of letting the same negligence take place in matters more essential.
Margaret Woods

Once again, the Bible gets to meddlin' with my life! 

Just yesterday I was trying to justify some slick receipt sleight-of-hand in order to save some money in a previously purchased ladder and a Black Friday sale.  

"Well, I could. . ."
"Yeah, but. . ."
"They are such a big company. . ."

Bottom line, I was trying to rationalize a semi-shady deal in order to save a few dollars.  (Luckily I had decided against any under-the-table retail shenanigans before reading today's verse.)  Margaret Woods speaks to this type of behavior very eloquently.

"Indulging in things which our judgment cannot thoroughly approve. . ."  If you have to justify, rationalize or contort a decision, most likely it is not the correct path.

"Endeavor to do that which is right in every (emphasis mine) particular situation. . ."  Not just the easy ones.  Not just those that are beneficial to you.  But EVERY situation.  

But what if it costs me more money?  EVERY situation
But what if it means I have to admit I made a mistake?  EVERY situation
But what if it means I am not part of a certain group?  EVERY situation
But what if it means I have to (fill in the blank)?  EVERY situation

EVERY means EVERY. 

*Daily Strength for Daily Needs- November 28
http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/8534/pg8534.html

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