Friday, February 08, 2008

536 - Wax Off Wax On

Laced with Grace fantastic girls have asked me to post a devotion in Feb. and March. I am thrilled to be asked and wanted to let you know. My devotion will be up on Monday I believe. Hope over there and see what they are all about. Sweet, sweet new friends!

Below you will see the new STMM Prayer Blog button. I would just be thrilled if you would steal it and place it on your blog. I want everyone to know they can come to us at Speaking Thru Me at any time for prayer. The requests will not always be posted if that is what you require. It is all new to us so come on over and help us to know how to work this thing out!! We are also looking for prayer warriors... Thanks

"You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being currupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in attitude of minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Eph. 4:22-24

Do you remember ever getting into trouble and hearing your momma say, "You know better. I have taught you the right thing to do and you know better." Man, how bad did that make you feel? That is kind of what Paul is saying in this verse to the people of Ephesus. You have been taught right, you know what to do, now let's get on it. Just as the ignorance doesn't hold in a Court of Law, neither does "oops I forgot" or "Oh yeah, now I remember". That is one of those things about Christianity that is pretty tough. Once you have been taught and shown the right way then you are expected and accountable to do it. Rmemeber the verse that say "You know the right thing to do and yet do not do it - you are guilty of it all". Yes, Leigh paraphrase. We could get a legalistic, but no!! We can't live in that either. There is much grace - we just tend to go overboard with it much of the time! Or at least I do.

I hear God speaking to me this morning and saying - Girl, you know the right thing to do to gain control in certain areas of your life. (Yes, that is right folks, there is not just one area in my life that neeeds restraint and "fixin".) We have been through this before and you know the right way to go - get up and get after it. Put off that old self that ties you down, leaves you with much guilt, has many consequences, negatively affects those around you, leaves you bummed out in a way, etc... Throw down that old self, walk on top of it, and get on with life!! Let's not stay there and wallow.

I love that the verse 'admits' if you will, that we have much more than just an action problem. There is a mind game going on and must be reckonded with as well. "to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self". Isn't that the way it is? We have to get our minds straight, figured out, and thinking correctly many times before change sticks - putting on the new self. Oh there might be a brief change in action and for example much weight lost, but if we don't have a complete change of the mind or attitude we will go right back to the old way of doing things - especially when things go south and trouble hits.

So what are we going to do today - wax off and then wax on!! (I think it was said the reverse in the Karate Kid movie.) Take off the old ways of doing things and then put on the new self. Put on the right way of doing things - His holiness and righteousness. We know better any way, right? Wax off, then wax on. It is going to be a good day. My hubby comes home after being gone all week and I HAVE to go to Evansille today for a few things. Sure hate it - ha ha! I am already set on having a fantastic salad at Panera - greek!! Make it a great day in the Lord!

10 comments:

fuzzytop said...

Hi Leigh,

I love the wax off, wax on idea! And you're right that it is not just "...doing the thing" (as Mama Beth would say) but also in our thoughts.

Hey, I'm having lunch with a friend today and we are going to Panera Bread too! SO I'll think of you enjoying your Greek salad as I enjoy mine.

Hugs,
Adrienne

Valarie said...

Go in peace, Danielson!! hahahah Love that movie!

Great post today and God disciplines those He loves!! ;-)

Love the new pic btw!!
Have a good one.
V

Kathy Schwanke said...

Hello Leigh, I came over here last night and felt like I had made a new friend after reading a few of your posts. Very easy reading and I could relate to all your ponderings.

This is so practical. I just told my friend "I would be 10 lbs lighter if I didn't cave into my cravings during pms" I just gotta fight it, dont I??? I read something else you wrote last night (somewhere) about praising the Lord instead of satisfying the craving with food. Yeah!
Thanks, and nice to meet you!
Kathy S.

Anonymous said...

Hi Leigh! Just wanted to leave note that I did a post on my blog about your prayer site and added your button. I also wanted to thank you for being such an awesome "vessel" of the Lord's word and touching my heart !!

Nise' said...

I needed to read this Leigh! I will be going back and reading thru your posts this week and look forward to what the next 35 days bring!

Thank You Lord for speaking what I needed to hear today through your servant Leigh.

Speaking Thru Me Ministries said...

Adrienne - was it good??? mine was so good - and I had water too!! This is such a good thing!! Talk toy ou soon - get your bracelets?

Leigh

Speaking Thru Me Ministries said...

Kathy S - we are friends - now that you have come by and commented - that is a new best friend to me. ha ha!! thank you for your kind words and I hope you will come by often. It is such encouragemnt. The Lord doesn't allow me to go to many blogs - I am on a major computer time restraint - I hope you wil understand!! Hvae a wonderful day!!

Speaking Thru Me Ministries said...

Shannon - girl - thank you!!! Hey - I would love to come back to your church some time OR send one of my speakers!! I miss the real mid-west!!

love, Leigh

Speaking Thru Me Ministries said...

NISE!!!!!!!!! long time no see!! Thank you for your encouragement!! Have a great weekend!

Kathy Schwanke said...

Leigh, I doooo understand. I usually lose a bit of sleep for the privelege of computer time...It's fellowship-right?
(smile) Kathy