Tuesday, March 6, 2012 - Sponges

"And whatever you do or say, 

let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, 

all the while giving thanks through Him to God the Father."

Colossians 3:17

Addy in my hat.

     Spending time with Addy reminded me of how babies absorb what they see and the attitudes and languages of the people in charge.  When people clap, Addy claps and when we smile, she smiles.  She mimics goofy sounds and tries to match pitches. When she hears singing or music, she dances and claps.  The sweetest response she gives is to raise both dimpled little hands in the air when someone says, "Praise Jesus!"  

     Let's face it, each of us is a lot like my 10-month-old granddarling: mimicking, responding or reacting to whatever or whomever is in charge. Unlike Addy, we must constantly and consciously choose to look into the right Face and take our lead from Him. 

    As we follow the Holy Spirit's lead, we'll lose our tendencies to be conceited, irritating, and jealous of others: 

"If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, 

let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.  

Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another." 

Galatians 5:25

What we will find is a growing desire to become more like Jesus:

"Since God chose you to be the holy people whom He loves, 

you must clothe yourselves with 

tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."

Colossians 3:12

"But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, 

He will produce this kind of fruit in us: 

love, joy, peace, 

patience, kindness, goodness, 

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."  

Galatians 5:22-23

     As we learn to absorb how much God loves us, we also learn to respond to others with patience and to God with faithfulness.  (John 15:10-12).  When we're Spirit-controlled, we obey Jesus' command to love one another as He loves us (John 15:10-12) and the joy of obedience erupts in us through acts of kindness and gentle words of encouragement. As God's supernatural Peace reigns in our hearts and minds, we lose the need to spout off or have the last word. Instead we translate His Peace into gentleness and self-control toward ourselves and other people.

     Father, You're the only Influence we need. Help us mature enough to look to and follow Your lead.  Good and Loving God, Sacrificial Lamb, Truth and Healer, Light and Life, - why do we hurt ourselves by absorbing other influences?  Protect us from our own sinful natures.  You are God - Reign in us. Teach us how to meditate on You and absorb Your Character.   May Your responses be ours and Your Words flow through our mouths.  Satisfy us with Your Love, Joy and Peace. Glorify Your Nature through our hands and hearts.  Keep us from giving You meaningless words and don't let us deceive ourselves into thinking You're pleased with words alone. Please, Father, mold us into the Holy People You have in mind.  

In the Name of Jesus Who sent the Holy Spirit as our Comforter and Teacher