Chores
March 31, 2019
1 Peter 2:1-3 MSG
2 1-3 So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. You’ve had a taste of God. Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God’s pure kindness. Then you’ll grow up mature and whole in God.
Last Sunday I preached a message on “your Daily Survival Kit” and used the following scripture as my opening scripture: 21 I will give thanks to You because You have answered me and have become my salvation. 22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23 This came from the Lord; it is wonderful in our eyes. 24 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. [Psalm 118:21-24]
The main verse of emphasis was verse 24: 24 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. My intent was to help us recognize that each day is a gift from God and we should treat it with the respect it deserves.
Focusing on doing everything we can to serve God in those moments He gives us: as I say at almost every invitation “we are not promised tomorrow.”
This week I started with a scripture which I took from the MSG translation because it fits perfectly with today’s devotional. It starts; So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. I found in my reading a devotional someone did years ago. It was anonymous so I cannot give credit where credit is due. However, it was a list of things they were going to do each day, “Chores” if you will and I took that list and added scriptures for each day.
Here’s that list:
Monday – Wash Day: 35 In every way I’ve shown you that by laboring like this, it is necessary to help the weak and to keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, for He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” [Acts 20:35] Lord, help me to wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead.
Tuesday – Ironing Day:2 Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it. [Hebrews 13:2] Dear Lord, help me to iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have collected through the years so that I may see the beauty in others.
Wednesday – Mending Day: 15 Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. 2 Each one of us must please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. [Romans 15:1-2] O God, help me to mend my ways so I will not set bad example for others.
Thursday – Cleaning Day: 59 I thought about my ways and turned my steps back to our decrees. 60 I hurried, not hesitating to keep Your commands. [Psalm 119:59-60] Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.
Friday – Shopping Day: 21 “If you want to be perfect,” Jesus said to him, “go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” [Matthew 19:21]
O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love.
Saturday – Cooking Day:18 Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share, [1 Timothy 6:18]
Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.
Sunday – The Lord’s Day: 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. [Psalm 23:5-6] O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please come into my heart as my honored guest so I may spend the day and the rest of my life in your presence.
So today, let us prepare for this week and maybe consider looking at our lives to see if there are “chores” we may need to attend to. Oh and here is the Holman version of today’s scripture;
2 So rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, desire the pure spiritual milk, so that you may grow by it for your salvation, 3 since you have tasted that the Lord is good. [1 Peter 2:1-3]
Be Blessed,
~ Pastor Floyd