GOD Morning! March 15 Boot Camp Day 10 / Stinky Attitude

GOD Morning!  March 15

Boot Camp Day 10

Stinky Attitude

Maybe you are like me. For many years, I was confused every time I sat down to read my Bible. I had no idea where to read each day. I have an answer for you! Simply read my blog every day. The whole passage is here for you. Plus you can comment your thoughts if you wish. You can be my editor as well! There are definitely mistakes, plus I am certainly no Bible scholar! I’m just a regular student of the Word. I may be totally off base sometimes, and also it’s fun to hear a different viewpoint.

Matthew 25:1-30

Parable of Ten Virgins

25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish [thoughtless, silly, and careless], and five were wise [far-sighted, practical, and sensible]. ³ For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them, ⁴ but the wise took flasks of oil along with their lamps. ⁵ Now while the bridegroom was delayed, they all began to nod off, and they fell asleep. ⁶ But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! The bridegroom [is coming]! Go out to meet him.’ ⁷ Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order [trimmed the wicks and added oil and lit them]. ⁸ But the foolish virgins said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ ⁹ But the wise replied, ‘No, otherwise there will not be enough for us and for you, too; go instead to the dealers and buy oil for yourselves.’ ¹⁰ But while they were going away to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut and locked. ¹¹ Later the others also came, and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open [the door] for us.’ ¹² But He replied, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I do not know you [we have no relationship].’ ¹³ Therefore, be on the alert [be prepared and ready], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come].

Parable of the Talents

¹⁴ “For it is just like a man who was about to take a journey, and he called his servants together and entrusted them with his possessions. ¹⁵ To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and then he went on his journey. ¹⁶ The one who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he [made a profit and]gained five more. ¹⁷ Likewise the one who had two [made a profit and] gained two more. ¹⁸ But the one who had received the one went and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

¹⁹ “Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.²⁰ And the one who had received the five talents came and brought him five more, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted to me five talents. See, I have [made a profit and] gained five more talents.’ ²¹ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.’

²² “Also the one who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have [made a profit and] gained two more talents.’ ²³ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.’

²⁴ “The one who had received one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a harsh and demanding man, reaping [the harvest] where you did not sow and gathering where you did not scatter seed. ²⁵ So I was afraid [to lose the talent], and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is your own.’

²⁶ “But his master answered him, ‘You wicked, lazy servant, you knew that I reap [the harvest]where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter seed. ²⁷ Then you ought to have put my money with the bankers, and at my return I would have received my money back with interest.²⁸ So take the talent away from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’

²⁹ “For to everyone who has [and values his blessings and gifts from God, and has used them wisely], more will be given, and [he will be richly supplied so that] he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have [because he has ignored or disregarded his blessings and gifts from God], even what he does have will be taken away. ³⁰ And throw out the worthless servant into the outer darkness; in that place [of grief and torment] there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger].

Have you ever worked with someone with an overall stinky attitude? Omgoodness, it’s tiring.

They say, “I know everyone else is so much better that I am.” And, “I know that I probably won’t be chosen for this solo part,” etc.

Here’s a good one. “You have never liked me.”

Sometimes it’s constant unintelligible muttering under the breath. Sometimes it’s simply an eye roll. Sometimes it’s a perpetual ugly scowl.

No one likes to work with someone with a stinky attitude. Leave your stinky attitude at the altar, for heaven’s sake! It takes tears, soul searching, and letting go.

I can’t tell you the times that I have felt overlooked, ignored, and dismissed. Ouch! It hurts! When my passion is so strong inside of me and I am slapped in the face with rejection. When my actions are totally misinterpreted. I have to crawl down to an altar of repentance and scrub out my heart. With a big old bucket of tears. And the cleansing soap of God’s word.

I have to swallow my pride and my “its not fair!” attitude.

Why? Because no one wants to work with someone with a stinky attitude.

A stinky attitude has never worked out for anyone.

“Dear God, I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that You despise a stinky, bratty attitude, such as the example of this disrespectful servant. I have been this guy in the past. Please, when I am crushed in spirit, don’t let my hurt turn into an attitude. Nothing good will come from acting like a spoiled child. Please help me to humbly run to You with my pain and turn my test into a testimony.  And help me to follow Your perfect example of loving everyone unconditionally! This sounds impossible, but ALL things are possible through YOU! In Jesus’ precious name I pray, AMEN.”