Doing A Little Spring Cleaning On My Christianity…
As the first day of spring arrived, it got me to thinking about some deeper household cleaning projects. Some of the things that we might decide to tackle around this time of year are cleaning out our garages, washing our windows, cleaning out closets, polishing our furniture, sweeping down the cobwebs from the corners of our porches… the list could go on and on!
While thinking about getting the motivation to start some of these projects, it crossed my mind of how, as a Christian woman, I could apply this same motivation to do some “deep cleaning” in my spiritual life as well!
Here are a few ideas for some “Spiritual Spring Cleaning”…
- I could work on removing the clutter from my mind and life and make more room for what should be there!
In II Timothy 2:22, the Bible says “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (KJV)
Also, in I Timothy 4:12-13, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” (KJV)
Then again in I Timothy 4 verse 16 the Bible states, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” (KJV)
- I could sweep down the “cobwebs” of hurt feelings and grudges that I may be harboring against someone and decide to do as I am commanded in the Bible and forgive!
I read in Matthew 18:35, “So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses.” (KJV)
Again in Matthew, I read in chapter 6, verses 14 and 15, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (KJV)
Then, I am told in Matthew 5:44 how to handle those who hurt me. “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (KJV)
When I feel sorry for myself and how my feelings are hurt, I should be reminded of how my Lord and Savior was treated and how He suffered all so that my sins could be forgiven! I immediately know that my “hurt” is nothing compared to the suffering He did for me!
- I can remove the dust from my Bible and work on deeper study to put a real shine on my heart and mind.
In II Timothy 2:15, I read to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (KJV)
Then in Romans 12:2, the Bible says “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (KJV)
- I can get down on my knees and offer up deeper prayer time!
We read many scriptures on prayer. Colossians 4:2 says “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” Then reading in Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” While, I Thessalonians 5:17 simply states to “Pray without ceasing.”
So, if I were to apply these scriptures to my Christian life, I am sure to have a much “cleaner” heart and mind this spring! As for the deep spring cleaning on my home, well… let’s just say I am still searching for that motivation! Happy Spring!
Kitty Hackney http://ahappyheart3.blogspot.com/