Life can be like a classified ad sometimes. Getting rid of stuff in our life can be funny. Here are some true want ads directly out of some local newspapers.
Personals: Have you had a cardiac arrest/died? Would you like a support group? Reply to P.O.Box xxx. (No doubt when I die I’m sure I want a support group). For Sale: Older clothes dryer, works well but needs new home. Will trade for 2 large packages of Oreo double stuffed cookies unopened. (Now that’s an offer no one can refuse). Classifieds: Semi-annual after-Christmas sale (Think about that one). Correction: The China Seafood Restaurant ad that ran in last Saturday’s Green Section was incorrect. It read 诶 艾弗 艾娜 吾 迪. It should have read 艾儿 艾 伊吾 豆诶尔诶. We regret any inconvenience this may have caused. (Now that’s a sincere apology). Ad seen in New York Times-For Sale by owner: Complete set of Encyclopedia Brittanica-45 volumes in excellent condition. $1,000 or best offer. No longer needed. Got married last weekend. Wife knows everything. (Sounds like this will be a long and fruitful marriage). Self Help: Struggling with illiteracy? Write for help at P.O. Box XXX (That’s just cruel). Free Puppies: ½ Cocker Spaniel and ½ sneaky neighbors dog. For Sale: GEORGIA PEACHES – CALIFORNIA GROWN – 89 cents lb.( Huh?). For Sale: CHINA CABINET-buffet, hutch solid pine, 6.5 tall x 4.5 wide, lighted windows, few cat scratches but cat has been killed, $700 or best offer-call 475-XXXX. (Guess the nine lives were up on this one).
As we continue our devotions on "life has an expiration"-think about what these ads are really trying to do. Though funny, the ads are trying to get rid of something that no longer has value, their usefulness has expired. Do you have anything like that in your personal life? Is there “junk” in your life that has no value and weighing you down? Let’s take out a personal ad today and see if we can get rid of some things that have no value or usefulness.
Personal Ad: Wanted, the ability to live today without guilt
For Sale: Personal garbage for sale. Old lifestyle keeps coming back consisting of impure thoughts, anger, greed, bitterness, deceitfulness, lying, cheating, lust, laziness, foul language, etc…Will trade for love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
How many times this past week have you lost it? Did you get angry and yell at someone? Did you tell just a little “white lie”? Maybe you were hanging out with some co-workers at the sports bar and didn’t guard your tongue. Some things came out that you normally wouldn’t say. Maybe the kids got the better part of you and you punished them out of anger rather than self control? Perhaps you were out of town on a business meeting and in your hotel room was an inappropriate movie that enticed you to watch? There are hundreds of things that happen every week that can drag us down and hurt our walk with God.
The good news is we can let the things that drag us down expire. Today can be a new day without carrying the burden of guilt. Romans 8:1 says, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”. If you are a true believer in Christ then you have the privilege of never being condemned. God will forgive even the sin you’re going to commit tomorrow. What a feeling knowing He loves us so much that through Christ He will not hold our sins against us. We are set free and don’t have to live in guilt. Instead, we can live as Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Today send a “Want Ad” to God. Ask Him to take something in your life that has no value away. Confess it to Him and ask for His forgiveness. THEN DROP IT, realize that He will not hold it against you and joyfully go through the day desiring the fruit of the Spirit.
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