Thursday, August 25, 2011

Cleaning Day with Jesus (Romans 8)

Knock, Knock, Knock, "House keeping!"

Well that's odd, I don't have a house keeper! I guess I'll look out to see who it.... "Jesus! What are you doing here?"

"As I said, "House keeping! I want to go through all the dusty nooks and crannies of your heart! Lets get it all cleaned up in there!"

"Well ok! Help is Always appreciated when it comes to cleaning!"

"Lets start with this closet. There's a sign above it, it says "Things that make me happy.""

"Ok sounds good to me. Oh hey look! Here's that T.V. show I watch for mindless entertainment!"

"Do you really need that?"
"Well no.... but it gives me something to do when I'm bored and lazy."

"You don't think you could find something better to do with your time? Like pray or read your Bible or at the very least watch a cleaner more appropriate show?"

"Hmm.. I suppose you're right, ok lets TOSS IT!"

"That's my girl! What else is in here? Oh well would you look at this! Selfishness!"

"What!? Why is that in there? You know what, just get rid of that! That doesn't make me happy!"

"Good idea!"

"Although...... selfishness has made it so I can get what I want, and that always makes me feel better. I mean selfishness has taught me how to lie and manipulate to get my way.... Oh I don't know! That one's pretty hard to get rid of. We go way back selfishness and I!"

"Let me ask you something, does it really make you joyful, or just happy from time to time?"

"Um happy I suppose..."

"Does it make you feel good most of the time, or guilty most of the time?"

"Guilty."

"Does it bring you closer to Me or closer to your "all about me" mentality?"

"All about me.... ok, ok I get the point! Selfishness isn't worth holding on to! It may make me happy from time to time but ultimately it makes me miserable and turned away from You. TOSS IT!!!"

"Wonderful!"

"What is this doing in here?"
"What?"

"Anger! Who would put anger in their "Things that make me happy" closet?"

"Go ahead and TOSS IT!"

"Right!....... Although...."

"Yes?"

"It's just, well, you know... sometimes anger does make me feel kind of good. It makes me feel like others just have problems. Plus anger helps me get what I want when I want it!"

"But doesn't that lead back to selfishness?"

"I suppose."

"And didn't we just get rid of that?"

"ya..."

"Why would you want to hold onto something that tempts you into yet another sin?"

"I don't know. It gives me a rush and a sense of control!"

"Control? Over what? Do you feel like you're in control of your emotions if you're red with anger? And when you hold onto your anger do the situations really play out in your favor?"

"Sometimes! Sometimes I can make people do what needs to be done by showing them I'm angry!"

"Does that make you feel happy or guilty in the end?"

"Honestly a bit of both."

"Which do you dwell on more, the happiness or the guilt?"

"The guilt."

"So is anger worth it? Does it bring you joy? Does it bring you closer to me?"

"You already know that answer to all those questions, Jesus."

"Yes but I want you to admit to it and acknowledge what this "feel good sin" is really doing to you."

"Ok. No. Anger is not worth it, it does not bring me true Joy, and it definitely does not bring me closer to you. Wow this house cleaning stuff is hard!"

"It's never easy to get rid of what you think makes your life better. That's why I'm here to shed light on it and to show you how these things really aren't as wonderful and rewarding as you think! So, what are we going to do with Anger?"

"TOSS IT!!! Wow this closet is looking pretty empty! It's kind of sad actually."

"Don't worry! I'll fill it up with Love, Joy, Faith and So much more! Infact this closet may not be big enough for all the things that I can give you! We may have to build you a whole room! And the best part is the things that I give you will not only bring you happiness but Joy, true unending Joy! Now onto the "Grudges" corner!"

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life[d] because of righteousness.
                  Romans 8: 5-10






Thursday, August 18, 2011

Rediscover You

I think the misconception of So many new Christians is that the burning passionate feeling that you get when you first discover God will last forever. For me it didn't matter how many times someone told me it wouldn't always be that way, I thought nothing would ever change!I thought that if the passion went away then I obviously was doing something wrong. But then life happened. No, not horrible life tragedies or crazy financial ruin... boring everyday life. I've been distracted by getting up everyday and having to clean or go to work. Have you heard this all before from me? Maybe that's because life is constantly going on and I'm in constant struggle to put God above it all. The Christian walk is a tough and narrow path. It's not for the weak of heart! It's not always fun and it most certainly is not always crazy exciting! Sometimes God is hitting you with amazing blessings and answers and making you smile from ear to ear even when it rains... and then there are days when you feel like nothing is happening. For me these mundane days are what really test my faith, and let me tell you I am way better for it! :) I wanted to share a song with you tonight that has really hit home for me. You see, even though I know that even though my fire has burned down a bit I know I'm still saved and that God and I are still bound in a relationship. But that doesn't mean I don't want to burst into flames for Him again! This song has sort of become my own personal prayer to our Heavenly Father.  I love the part where they say "Bring me back to life like only you can do!" It's so true! With out Christ we are nothing and we aren't going to get any where! Glory be to God for His Love!