I love my little cockapoo puppies. Skylor, my boy pup is relaxed, cuddly, and carefree. Ebony, my girl pup is hyper, snuggly, and playful. They always make a bad day better, and even though they bark at random blades of grass waving in the wind, they are a blessing in my life. But...there is a dark, deceitful, evil side to them. Not a lot of people get to see it.....but oh, it's there.
There’s nothing better than catching a puppy in the act of doing something bad. They spin around to look at you, assume the low-to-the-ground “I’m-about-to-run-away” stance, and carefully study your body language to see what’s about to happen. They’re usually standing in or wearing evidence of their crime.
Skylor loves loves loves to eat paper. If I leave a sticky note on the coffee table, or a magazine by my super comfy reading spot....he sneaks over, and carefully eats it. Then, when I walk in and say, "SKYLOR!" He looks at me as if he's done nothing, even though I can see little scraps of paper hanging from his mouth. Ebony loves to swipe food from anywhere she can find it. One evening I was eating popcorn and watching a movie, and I got up to get some more water. I came back into the living room to find popcorn stuck on her nose!
While keeping your nose clean can take a literal meaning with a dog, it takes a figurative meaning with people. Stay out of trouble. Be found blameless. Work on developing a good reputation.
Here are some ways to keep your nose clean:
Isaiah 33:15-16 (I like the NLT version)
Proverbs 22:1 (NLT)
Philipians 1:27 (NLT)
Proverbs 10:9 (NLT)
What, exactly, does someone who keeps their nose clean spiritually do?
...Your actions line up with what is right.
...You are honest, stand up for truth, and guard the words that you speak.
...You have pure motives and get what you want through honest means.
...You do not participate in hurting other people or allowing it to happen without saying something.
...You do not have bad thoughts towards people.
Read the above verses. In your journal, confess to God about actions, thoughts, or behaviors that make your "nose" dirty. Make a list of ways to keep your nose clean. Ask God to give you opportunities at your extracuricular activities, or school to act out these verses. We can only keep our "noses" clean when we turn to Him for strength.
In the past I have hurt others, lied to those I love, thought negatively about myself and others, spoke in ways that harm others, made bad choices, sat silently when I should have stood up for what was right, have put money before God, made up rumors about other people, been lazy, and have held grudges instead of forgiving others.
ReplyDeleteI can keep clean by...
1.Forgiving others.
2.Telling the truth, even when it hurts or is uncomfortable.
3.Showing God's love to those who are hurting and broken.
4.Ask my friends or family to hold me accountable to making good decisions.
My Prayer
God, so often I act off my emotions, and hurt myself and people I care about. I tend to forget that You have called me to be different. Help me share Your love with others. Give me opportunities to turn to Your strength, and act in a way that would please You. Thank You for continually forgiving me, even though I make the same mistakes time and time again. Thank You for Your patience. I love and honor You.
Amen.