Time with Jesus

I really need to be doing some housework today... you know... the nitty-gritty, down on your knees scrubbing kind of clean.  It's been awhile since I've done that (right before surgery last week), so it's overdue.  BUT, before I started, I needed to spend time with Jesus.  I love that phrase so much.  I used to call it "time reading my Bible", or "devotional time", but my Sister (she's the best, by the way) would always remind me to "spend time with Jesus".  OF COURSE! This time alone with the Savior should not be a chore!  Something we HAVE to do.  It is a privilege, a joy, an honor! 

Why do I resist the good things He has for me?  Satan loves to make me procrastinate.  If he can keep me from spending time with Jesus, he can work on my mind and my heart to turn me away from the King.  I often find myself busy with things I enjoy (writing, sewing, reading) and things I feel I have to do (cleaning, baking, working) and put off my time with Jesus.  I say things like, "I'll just finish this chapter." or "I'll get this room cleaned up first."  When He comes to mind, I need to drop all else and visit with Him.  My day can then start!  I have a much better outlook after my time with Him. He puts all other things into perspective.  I am more apt to hear the Holy Spirit and obey His promptings (sometimes His "shoves") when I have spent my morning with Jesus.

I get to talk to Him about my family, their spiritual needs and their physical needs; I talk to Him about me and MY needs as well as my desires and my wants.  Christians are good at reminding that God said He would supply our NEEDS not our WANTS and I whole-heartedly agree.  But, just like with any friend, I still love to to talk over my wants with Jesus.  Just as I love to hear what my children want (I usually know what they need) so perhaps someday I can surprise them with a treat.  Sometimes He will remind me that what I want is pretty unimportant and unnecessary and perhaps even detrimental.  I will accept whatever He tells me (OK-sometimes I accept grudgingly or with a growl) and praise Him for knowing best and supplying my needs! 

My Bible is sort of like those search engine (Bing) commercials; one verse leads me to another thought, then another, then another.  It's really quite fun.  One of the reasons I started this blog was to write about some of the things I find in those searches and see if other people have thoughts as well.  I love talking about Jesus and how He loves us and wants to be the center of our lives.  Non-believers will roll their eyes at that and consider me a Jesus Freak.  It's not like that is all I can talk about, but when He is the center...all things revolve around Him and all thoughts are filtered through Him, right?  You try to get the perspective of the situation by looking through His eyes (the best we can). 

Well, I don't want this to become too long and tedious. Today's reading reminded me that sin leaves scars even when it's forgiven. (David killing Uriah the Hittite 2Sam 12:1-14)  Lord help me to avoid sin so I do not leave the scars! I loved the prayer at the end: 

"May I not presume upon Your mercy by assuming there will be no consequences for my sin."

God Bless!