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[0:00] A pastor's reflections. A choice of lifestyle. Exodus 35.3 You shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the Sabbath day.

[0:13] ! 1 Timothy 4.4-5! For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

[0:27] Romans 14.8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we die, we die unto the Lord. Whether we live, therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

[0:41] The normal practices of living an everyday life in this world can seem so routine and insignificant. So much so that we often forget that even these are to be brought before the throne of God and surrendered.

[0:55] Why? Is God interested in what I do with my food? Or how I heat my house? How does any of this apply to my relationship with God?

[1:06] In Exodus 35, Moses is preparing to give the people of Israel the laundry list of items needed for building the tabernacle. This will be an important undertaking and not something to be taken lightly.

[1:20] However, before Moses directs the people in the work of God's dwelling place, he first reminds them how they are to live within their own dwelling places.

[1:32] If they cannot follow the commands of God at home, how will they ever follow outside of the home? 1 Timothy 3.5 For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?

[1:50] When God focuses in on the threads of the very fabric of our lives, he is not trying to micromanage or unravel us. He is seeking to prepare us for something so much more than we could have imagined.

[2:03] What we see as the everyday routine, God sees as the foundation for something so much more. Matthew 25.23 His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant.

[2:18] Thou hast been faithful over a few things. I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of the Lord. God is interested not just in the big things of your life, but in the seemingly insignificant ones as well.

[2:36] God has no desire to control you. But he does have a desire to bless you. And the only way he can do that is when you let him in, not just to your heart, but into your life as well.

[2:50] Matthew 6.33 God desires not just to be the God of our lives, but the God of our lifestyles as well.

[3:06] Father, thank you so much that you have not only promised to always be with me, but to always be with me in all things, whether those things be big or small.

[3:19]  Help me today to not only live my life for you, but to style it after you as well. Amen. Amen.