Can Your Life Withstand the White Glove Test?

Today I woke up as I do many Saturdays, with an urgency to clean up and get my home in order. Of course I did the “usual stuff" during the week to keep things orderly, and "looking presentable" but I knew that it was time for a thorough cleaning. I came downstairs and immediately began to assess the job ahead of me. I knew the major areas to hit, like the kitchen, the bathrooms, the living room, etc.  I started to dust, scrub and organize the various areas of the house. When I got to the living room, I decided to pull up the rug and furniture just to be sure there was no dust mites. To my surprise, a spider! I ran franticly to get the broom, swatting at the frightened insect franticly. At this point I was paranoid and began to pull up everything in sight. I tore down the curtains, pulled up the sectional, and moved the plants. Everything was undone just to be sure there was nothing lurking or hiding. Although I found no more bugs, there was an array of objects I had no idea was there. A fork, one of the babies juice boxes, crayons, dust bunnies galore, a battery, some loose change my favorite pen I’d been looking for. I immediately grabbed the broom and got to work. Next came the mop, some cleaner and don’t forget the mop and glow to make it all shine when I was done.

After finishing up, I inspected my work to be sure I did a thorough job. I looked at the base boards and all. Just then God began to speak to me. “Have you cleaned your life the way you have cleaned this room”? I stopped for a minute and pondered this question. I didn’t have to think long because I knew exactly what my father was asking.

Many times, in our lives, we go about our weeks doing the “usual stuff”, just enough to keep things looking nice and clean. We say hello to our neighbors, maybe give a little change to the person on the corner seeking food, go to church on Sunday and maybe we got a chance to catch Sunday school or Bible Study too. We call our parents just to say hey, check on the siblings, read our bibles, tithe, say our prayers and bless our meals. These things, whatever they may be in your life are like cleaning the surface of your life. It is not until you see the spider in your own life and go after it; will you be able to discover some of the hidden dirt and dust bunnies lurking, hidden from plain sight.

Matthew 12:43-45

New International Version (NIV)

⁴³ “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. ⁴⁴ Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. ⁴⁵ Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

Ephesians 6:26-27

King James Version (KJV)

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Be sure to pull up the furniture in your life.  Reveal those things that are easily hidden within your heart. Allow God to come in and clean you, purge you with hyssop and you can pass the white glove test!

Stay Blessed & Walking on Purpose

Elisa

Application is better than accumulation

Gaining a true understanding of God's word is far more important than the ability to recite scripture on demand.
When you read Gods word it's like hooking yourself to an IV. His vision for your life spreads through you. It's up to you to allow it to show threw in your everyday life. But we must remember that good works do not save us , but they display our faith.
Read James 2:17-26
How can you apply Gods word into your life?

You Can't Buy or Earn God's Love

Day 21 of the 21 Day Intentional Prayer Challenge. We have made it! I pray that we have all gained strength during this time of intentional prayer and being present in our worship and communication with God. As we close out this challenge I pray that each of you have established a new level of rest in God. He is most definitely listening to our prayers and If we listen he will speak to us. Guiding us every step of the way. I will close out this challenge with this. We must remember that God's love is already ours. He has given it freely. John 3:16 We can not buy or earn God's love. As good as we may feel from this purposely set aside time to commune with him don't feel like you have done good therefore earning his love. If you didn't stick with it don't feel that you have somehow become unworthy of his love. God's love has no beginning or ending. Live life fully responding to his love not in hopes of attaining or keeping it.