Moments in the Meadow--There's Dirt Behind the Refrigerator (part 3)
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God:
and renew a right spirit within me.
We've admitted there's dirt. We have a choice. Leave it there or clean it up. Sounds so simple, doesn't it?
Why?
Why?
Why?
Do we wait so long to take care of something that'll make us feel so good?
Today, our choice is easy. TOGETHER, we are going to start the cleaning process. Believe me, my fridge needs it just as badly as yours.
What do we do? I'm so glad you asked. After the admission of the dirt, the next step is to....
#2) RELOCATE THE FRIDGE:
Psalm 51:6a says:
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts....
It's kind of embarrassing to admit that something so hard is really so simple, however, the only way to get to that grime is to remove what's standing in the way of reaching it.
First off, identify the dirt. What is it in the recesses of your heart that you don't want anyone else to see or know? Is it gluttony, backbiting, pornography, drugs, etc.? Do you live in constant fear? Not knowing if/how/when you can trust God? What's hindering you from surrendering all? Take an open, honest look at your heart. As God begins the scrubbing process, it will be tough. He needs elbow grease when it comes to me and my stubborn, fearful will.
Next, initiate God's Word. The Bible says it is a Two Edged Sword. Cuts going in and coming out. Get in the Word. Find a good study book on the grime that's hiding behind your refrigerator. Work with a good Christian counselor, your Pastor or accountability partner. Ask God to help you identify Scripture to defeat and resist temptation.
************************ The Bible says in James 4:7***************************
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
How did Jesus defeat satan in the wilderness? He used Scripture. Plain and simple. There is nothing more powerful than God or His Word. Use it to encourage you, keep your heart clean, and defeat the enemy. We aren't fighting that piece of chocolate cake for comfort, a drug to help us feel better, or that sex-filled computer screen. No, dear Christian. We are fighting principalities and powers. That's what The Bible says in Ephesians 6:12. Evil doesn't care about anything except destroying your testimony for Jehovah God, whom he hates. We'll take a coffee break in the next post and I'll include a list of Scriptures to help in this battle of dirt, grime and nastiness.
Last, and definitely not least: Imitate God. Do what God says. What would Jesus do? He is sitting there with you as you start to reach for that cookie, pill or favorite ungodly website. Say it out loud. Jesus, are you pleased with this action. You will hear His gentle reply. You aren't strong enough to clean this dirt, but HE IS. He can do it! Trust Him. He is worthy! Hallelujah!
We are almost finished. The floor under and the cabinets around the fridge are beginning to look new again. Woohoo!! The end is in sight. You've worked hard the last little bit. We'll take a break in a bit for lunch and feed off The Word to get the strength and stamina for the last scrub. Throw out your second dirty water mop bucket and break. You deserve it. God is so good! Your gonna love the lunch He has prepared for you.
Joyfully,
Dianne