Feeling Ambitious

I woke feeling ambitious this morning.  A real bonus, since that is not always the case.  Since it was wet and somewhat rainy and humid, I opted to walk on the treadmill. I love getting that out of the way first thing!

Like most mornings, I prepare to read my Bible, when a certain book runs through my mind. Then another one. Then another.  So comes the ambition!

Since I enjoy reading and enjoy learning, I plan on doing a lot of it!  By the way, I have read all of these books already, however, there are a few that I haven't exactly finished, like Marriage on the Rock and A Woman of Moderation.  But you know how it is with a good book; worthy of another read.  And since I feel this would be a good place to share some great little nuggets of revelations, I want to reread these inspiring books and share them with you!
So there's my ambition for the next few weeks!

If you would like to read any of the above books, but don't have the time or really don't like to read, check here for some excerpts.  If I find something worth sharing, I will put it here.

On to today's revelation:

If you read yesterday's post, you read this verse:

Be very careful, then how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." Ephesians 5:15-17

What stood out to me yesterday was "making the most of every opportunity." Today though, this part of the verse demanded my attention, "live--not as unwise but as wise."  Do you ever go about your day making stupid decisions.  For example, eating something that has no nutritional value whatsoever and then wonder why your jeans are getting tighter?! Or maybe you spend well over your intended budget when you go to Kohl's or Hobby Lobby :/. There are so many decisions we make throughout the day that could really be classified as unwise.  Maybe you belittled your spouse or your child.  Maybe while spending some time with a girlfriend, your friendly conversation turned into gossiping.  Or perhaps that annoying addiction of yours won you over because of your unwise choice to surrender to it.

We all tend to make unwise decisions.  This verse warns us to be careful.  Not just careful, but very careful. We are also told that the days are evil.  This is what that means to me.  Our adversary, Satan, wants us to make foolish decisions.  One foolish decision leads to another and another; keeping us in the same cycle that we are trying to break. Every day is a battle for many of us.  Your struggle may look different from mine, but the similarity is this, Satan wants you in bondage to it.

The last part of the verse: "do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." We should understand that the Lord's will is always for us to be wise--to live with wisdom.  That really is his will!  It's mentioned right there in the beginning of the verse.  If we become wise with our decisions, think about how much more we can "make the most of every opportunity"!!
 
If you need a daily inspiration verse, let it be this one!  Write it down on a Post-it or index card.  Keep it with you throughout the day.  When you are close to making an unwise decision, whatever it may be, meditate on this verse.  Break it up into little pieces and pray about each one!!

Okay, so I know I could have broke this up into two posts, but that is how the cookie crumbles sometimes.  Too many things floating around in my brain that I just feel the need to share!


Have a great and very wise day!!!