Did you know that a $1.59 item readily available in any supermarket is important to having a healthy heart? That’s right! It’s your toothbrush. Brushing your teeth thoroughly twice a day and flossing can prevent serious heart disease! The American Academy of Periodontology says that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to have coronary artery disease (also called heart disease). If a person has gum disease (gingivitis), cavities, and missing teeth, he has as strong an indicator of future heart disease as high cholesterol levels. You knew there was a reason you were harping on your kids to brush their teeth, right?
Much of life is like that. We see the BIG issues and don’t connect them to the little decisions made along the way. The simple act of putting on a seatbelt every time you get in a car is a huge factor in avoiding one of the leading reasons for extended hospital stays; serious injuries in a vehicular accident. Making coffee at home instead of stopping at Starbucks every morning can put a $1000 back into your pocket each year. Learning simple courtesy – please, thank you – predicts a life of better relationships, which is one of the keys to emotional and financial success! Yes, it’s true. A person who knows how to relate well, who has good empathetic skill, has a much higher earnings potential.
Why am I writing about all of this? It is has a spiritual connection. Great Christians who find intimacy with God and life-enriching meaning in their faith almost never discover those things in a single BIG moment, a crisis experience, or in a moment of revelation. They "keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25, NIV) 15 minutes of Scripture and contemplative prayer every morning can make the difference between an empty religion and a love for Jesus. A choice to quickly forgive others allows us to know God’s love more deeply. Moment throughout the day when we ‘check-in’ with the Lord can help us to avoid falling into temptation.
A recent roundtable discussion with a dozen teens from Christian families revealed an alarming fact to me. To a person, each of those teens said that their parents seldom, if ever, had a discussion in which their faith was connected to specific life decisions. Most reported that as far as they knew for their parents prayer was a perfunctory gesture before meals, not a predictable response to needs and/or problems. The Scripture was seldom opened in search of guidance and never taught at the table. One teen said, ”I think my parents believe that I understand how to live as a Christian because we go to church together.” In that hour, I discovered why so many kids raised in church appear to abandon their faith at age 16 to 20: they never owned it to begin with because the hand-off never happened! Again, it’s the little things that make a huge difference. When Johnny is having a rough time in school, meaningful prayer with him shows him how to trust God. When Susan is trying to figure out how to deal with insecurity, teaching her what the Bible says about her incredible worth to her Father gives her a foundation for life.
Spiritual health is a daily decision. God tells us that "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads." (Deuteronomy 6:6-8, NIV) In other words, keep my Truth close at hand, everywhere, all the time.
Want to find a deeper, richer life in the Spirit? Do the little stuff! Get up in time to spend some time alone, reflecting on your day and inviting God to lead you. Open the Scripture and feed your spirit. Get a devotional guide if you don’t know how! "I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." (Psalm 119:11, NLT) When the Spirit whispers: “Stop that.” “Say this.” “Go there.” – just do it. You will "grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do." (Ephesians 4:15, The Message)
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Let me be a man
With a perfect heart,
Let me be a son
Who will please You, Father;
Let me be a child
Who reveals Your will
In all I do and say.
Fill me with Your Spirit,
Lord, I pray, that Jesus
Will be seen in all of my life;
Let me be a son
Who will please You, Father,
Let me be a man
With a perfect heart.
A Man With A Perfect Heart
Hayford, Jack
© 1995 Annamarie Music (Maranatha! Music [Admin. by The Copyright Company])
CCLI License No. 810055
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