Monday morning I helped my 89 year old friend, Rose clean out her bedroom closet; what to keep and what to discard. Like most of us, Rose`s closet and bureau draws were packed to overflowing. After hours of sorting and reminiscing, most items returned to their home in the closet, perhaps just neater. Is it that we are so accustomed to and sentimentally attached to our stuff, that we can`t get rid of anything.
Rose openly admitted that she would more than likely not use some stuff, but she just couldn't`t part with it. Is it the same with the closets of our souls. Do we hang onto our stuff; pain, resentment, bitterness, shame, guilt, revenge, fear, rejection, insecurity, jealousy, hatred, anger and unforgiveness, even though we`ve outgrown many of them. Is it their familiarity, comfort and our control that prevents us from a deep cleaning. It might not be good stuff but it`s "my stuff."
Psalms 139:13-16 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother`s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
If God knows every nook and cranny of our existence why are we compelled to hang on to our stuff? Does it have something to do with "faith and trust"? Just happen to find, principles for Freedom in Christ, 1. Confess the general areas in which you have received freedom positively and gratefully in prayer. Don`t allow one negative though germination space. 2. Meet each new day trusting in God`s power to help you make right choices. Don`t let your feelings deceive you. 3. Expect continuous and increasing freedom where satan has previously bound you or used you for his purposes. Move forward by faith without even a glance over your shoulder at what is now past.
4. Remember, anything the devil whispers in your ear is a lie. When satan speaks he is a liar and father of it. 5. Use the name of Jesus, the Blood of the Lamb, and your confession of faith against all satan`s temptations and condemnation. All condemnation comes from satan. 6. Avoid deliberate sin--like the plague. 7. Rely upon the Holy Spirit to control your life, your emotions, your desires and your imagination, together with your will, by deliberately giving Christ lordship over them each day. 8. Take time to make time to read--learn---meditate on God`s Word. 9. Beware of thinking you can make it alone. You never will make it alone in life because God never intended you should. Be smart: admit you can`t do it by yourself, and then do all things with HIS help! Only God can fill that God-shaped hole in your heart, not stuff, good or bad!
Psalms 139:24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Father God will you help me clean my closets? I`m ready to get rid of more stuff! Father, thank you for the years of love and friendship from Sweet Little Rose, I am so blessed to have the time to help her.
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