Ooohhhh....the Temptation!

It's finally here...Cyber Monday! I'm really feeling the burning desire to sit at home and spend money. I'm beginning to think that Cyber Monday for spendaholics like me is similar to alcohol to alcoholics. I'm nearly twitching in my chair as I write this...I have a million other things I should be doing, but I'm thinking about all the "deals" that I'm missing out on. 

Yesterday at church, pastor talked about how we all have a few "troubled spots" in our lives that we keep coming back to. It could be out of control spending, anger issues, or other temptations. If we have temptations that we find ourselves coming back to time and time again, we should equip ourselves with the armor God has given us to fight such thoughts. Memorize scriptures. He suggested to start by having 7 scriptures that relate to our temptations or reoccurring sins. Amen. I really need to equip myself with verses regarding self-control. 

Be Content

I must say I was surprised the other day when my friend encouraged me to start blogging again. She said she liked to read what I was posting. Good to know!! You know who you are...and Thank YOU! So here I am "back in the saddle again" so to speak. I am down to only one class so I have a little more time to blog. 

Thanksgiving is over and the holiday rush to get Christmas presents is here. Last year I did tackle the Black Friday sales. I came away with a lot of things I didn't need (some I still have) and a horrible sickness that lasted a few weeks (probably from lack of sleep). I decided to skip that stress this year and stay home. 

I did have an ulterior motive for staying home...to save myself from ME. I must say I do have a spending problem. I'm really ashamed of how much money I can waste so quickly. I still have this burning desire to go out and "get the deals". More is better, right? No, I don't think it is. 1 Tim.6:8 tells us "But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."

Let's face it...I have a lot of really great coupons crying to be used today. Instead of using them for things I really don't need any way, I decided to get out my Bible. God lead me to that passage in 1 Tim. The next few verses go even further to say "people who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into may foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction." 1 Tim. 6:9 Interesting...so is it "bad" to go out and use my coupons to get things? After praying and meditating on this verse God pressed on my heart  No it's not horrible to go out shopping, BUT doing so could lead me astray in many ways such as wasting time driving and standing in line, fueling the desire to always want more or ignoring God and my family to get more things.

After reading this passage in 1 Timothy a few times my burning desire to run out and use those coupons finally subsided.

Dear Lord, let me see that you give me just enough for what I need. Help me to give more to others that are struggling just to live. 

Open my heart and mind to your gift of giving that YOU may be glorified through me. Amen.