2011-10-23 - Who Stole the Cookie From the Cookie Jar?©

Originally Published 1998-12-18

Titus 2:11-12 - For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.

I watched a TV talk show one time. During the course of the program, they had some cookies set on a table in a room with a hidden camera and two way mirror. They then created a situation where the kids and their parents came to where that room was. The families entered in one at a time so that there was only one child and one adult in the room at a time. Each child was told by their parent, "I have to go out and get something. If you leave the cookies alone, when I get back, you can have one."

Very few of those kids waited until their parent came back. Some took longer than others to actually eat a cookie. Some of the kids waited until the door was shut and were at the table, eating. Others played with them a little before actually eating one. I remember one boy walking around the table and touching one cookie, walking around and touching another, walking around, walking around ... until finally, as if he couldn't stand it any longer, he was cramming cookies into his mouth.

That show reminded me of us. We don't want to deny ourselves of the things we want. We touch, play with, and finally we are cramming cookies into our mouths. Yet, God wants us to put Him first. He has said to us in so many different ways, but over and over again, "Put Me first, and I will give you the delights of your heart."

Do we? Honestly? No.

We are consumed with things to be consumed. Whether it's "stuff", activities, thoughts, words, etc, we refuse to be second. Philippians 2:3b -in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Say WHAT? We live in a "Me first" generation. Everyone is shouting for their "rights". No one is willing to deny themselves in order to raise up someone else.

I sometimes think that's why we have to have commandments, "Love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, with all thine soul and with all thy might, and love thy neighbor as thyself, on these hang all the law and the prophets."

If we Christians, the followers of Christ, lovers of God, honestly put God first, others second and ourselves last, our wants, needs and desires would change. We wouldn't care about our rights because we'd be too worried about others'. We would be able to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world.

And the cookies would all still be on the plate.

Father God, forgive me, I have sinned. I honestly can say that I do not love You first and foremost. I want to, so very much. I say each day that today I'm going to put You first, but each day I fail. Thank You for loving me anyway. Thank You for forgiving me. Thank You that Your mercies are new every day. Lord, I also thank you for temptations. I thank you that I can sometimes say no, even though sometimes I say yes. Lord, they strengthen me. Thank you for that opportunity. Thank You too, that You gave me the best tool, Your Word to teach me. I like You a whole lot, Lord. Help me to love You. Amen

Sandi

cfdevsandi@yahoo.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org/