Maintenance after the purge (Part 3/3 : Spiritual Cleaning)

 

As I previously wrote, I have been so excited about decluttering and getting my house in order.  However I have noticed that once you have purged and organized your home, the maintenance is the most challenging part.  It is so easy to slip and return to old housekeeping habits, naturally and spiritually.   The devil is not happy that you surrendered to the process of being spiritually cleansed.  He will return and try to pull you back into old habits and leave you a bigger mess than you were before.  Read Mathew 12:43-45 to get more insight.  However be encouraged that the word reminds us that God is able to keep us from falling.  Yes it is true, God can keep you …if you want to be kept.

I have read numerous articles on maintaining a clean home and they emphasize having an established cleaning routine.   Established routines help to keep the clutter away.  Remember a house doesn’t stay clean without any effort, you have to be intentional about it.     So the question I ask you is, are you intentional about spending time with the Lord in prayer and the study of His word to maintain the cleansing you have received? Are you connected to like-minded believers to help to encourage you in your walk with Christ? While I am talking about fellowshipping with like-minded believers I would like to extend an invite to attend my church’s annual women’s advance.  Please click here for more information.  I pray that you will continue do all that is necessary to maintain the victory!

Be blessed

Anika

Admit that you need to be cleansed (Part 1/3 : Spiritual Cleaning)

With summer only a few weeks away, I realize I am a little late getting on the spring cleaning bandwagon.  However, whatever the season, purging and cleaning is always in order. As I have been doing just that, the Lord has been ministering to my heart and showing me some spiritual correlations.

The first step for effective cleaning is facing the mess, acknowledging the need to clean. Admitting that I need to be cleaned (purified) requires humility.  It can be painful to face the mess and quite honestly it can be extremely overwhelming, but God gives grace to the humble.  Most cleaning experts say it is unrealistic to try to clean our house in a day.  The same is true in the spiritual; purification is a process.  God doesn’t expect you to get it all together in one day and He certainly doesn’t expect you to do the cleaning. You cannot fix yourself.  However He requires us to surrender, allowing Him to begin the process.

Most of us are willing to acknowledge that we need to get things in order.  We may say in vague terms, “Oh I know I am not perfect and there are things I need to work on,” but we stay stuck at just talking about it.  We don’t begin the process of giving it to God, allowing Him to begin the process of purging and healing us.  You may ask, where do I begin?   I encourage you to spend some time in prayer and ask the Lord to show you the areas in which you need to be cleansed, the things that you may be holding on to; anger, resentment, unforgiveness, worldly mindsets…just to name a few.  Be deliberate about pausing long enough to hear God’s response.

Scripture to meditate on

Psalm 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God,And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Note: While this scripture was written by David after He was called out for His sins with Bathsheba, I believe that His earnest cry and repentant heart is applicable to those who desire to be cleansed from whatever is not like God.

Be blessed!

Anika