December 28, 2011
Transformational Thought
A big snowstorm was reportedly heading our way tonight – 12 to 20 inches! At least that’s what the weather experts said. (Boy, I would love to have a job where I could be wrong so often and still be loved, popular, and an expert in my field!) So, along with the masses, I went food shopping this morning. The grocery store and the shopping carts were chock-full. The longest we would be homebound by this storm…something like 12-24 hours. However, most shoppers were purchasing weeks’ worth of supplies…all based on the fear of being without what they need to nourish and sustain their bodies…for just one day.
This mob scene made me wonder why I don’t think more…no, actually worry more, about how well my spiritual cupboard is stocked; will I run out of blessing and grace? Will I have enough of God’s goodness within me to make it through my next spiritual snowstorm? Do I have enough Bible understanding and application nuggets ready to implement? Or is my cupboard empty, filled with stale or moldy bread that has been sitting unused for many months (except Sunday mornings or the obligatory devotional times)?
Just imagine for a minute walking into a spiritual gifts, nuggets, and blessings supermarket. Shelves stocked to the ceiling…and all you have to do is fill up your cart. No check-out lines, no credit or debit cards…no need for cash. It’s all free; already paid for. The reason that we don’t stock up for snowstorms is that it costs money and we have limited room. But God’s supplies are free, and He made our hearts to store as much as we want – no limit.
Well, it does take some time and effort, I’ll grant you that. But Satan tricks us into thinking that the other options are free and take no time…that they have no downside. Just think about all the effort you put into chasing empty options, worry, embarrassment, frustration, wrong choices, relational mistakes, and sin areas. Every option that exists requires time and effort. The options that cost the least, are the easiest to get, and have the biggest return on investment are at God’s supermarket of spiritual treasures.
Today, know that the door is right before you. All you have to do is believe and then open that door to receive. That door follows you wherever you go. His store is open 24/7. This superstore has everything you need to sustain you not only for days and weeks…but for the whole of this life and for eternity. What’s in your heart? Do you have enough to weather your next spiritual storm? Don’t cheat yourself. You can always shop for more, use it with abandon, then go back and restock because it’s free and your heart can hold it all. Your decision, choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I want to have my name in the book of life. I pray for Your strength so that I may “overcome”, so that I may stand firm to the end. I know, Lord, that just as sure as You saved me, You will mold me to Your likeness and finish the work You started. Thank You, Father. Help me, Lord, to focus on my spiritual cart instead of my physical shopping cart. Help me develop the wisdom to endlessly shop in Your store for free treasures…available just for the taking. Fill my basket, Father, with all Your blessings. I pray this in the name of the One whom You sent to save me, Jesus Christ; And all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
Then He said to me, “It is done I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.”
Revelations 21:6,7