It’s Time for a Good Cleaning

Gwen Smith: As I sat in the dentist chair, I considered the state of my teeth.  I found it rather interesting, and somewhat frustrating, that even though I brush my teeth two times a day, stains are still a problem. I hate that.  Who wants dingy teeth?  Not me. I like my teeth to sparkle. I want them to rank “fabulously-white” on the sliding scale of teeth colors. I’m sure that my two cups of coffee each morning don’t help, but for goodness sakes, I take care of my teeth!  I use whitening toothpaste with fluoride, brush in circles for two minutes or more, and I floss. {Okay – so I don’t floss everyday…but I do floss!} Yet, in spite of my efforts, I still have to visit my dentist every six month for a good cleaning.  It occurs to me that stains probably build up in our hearts over time, too.  It’s a gradual thing.  Even if we confess our sins daily, I believe we can still encounter residual build up of un-holiness.  Now, hear me friend, this is not a message of condemnation. I live freely in the promise found in Romans 8:1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”   I trust that our Lord forgives and forgets our confessed sins completely.  But we need to be careful. Subtle choices such as resentment, laziness, gossip, selfishness, un-forgiveness, self-indulgence, pride, and uncontrolled anger can diminish the shine on our souls and keep us from God’s best.  It’s time for a good cleaning.  God wants you to cast aside everything that keeps you from Him. As you invite God to change your heart, the laser treatment of His holy light will remove lingering stains that dull the appearance and evidences of our faith and purity.  When you sincerely turn your heart toward God, He would remove any stains that have built up on your soul.  “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” (Psalm 34:5) It’s Time for a Good Cleaning  May 26, 2015  Gwen Smith Today’s Truth - "Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." (2 Corinthians 7:1, NIV) Let’s Pray Dear Lord, Would you please show me the stains on my soul?  Please forgive me for _____________.  Make me a pure reflection of Your holiness. Guide me in paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Now It’s Your Turn What came to mind as you read this devotion?  Is there a stain on your soul that you are aware of, yet have chosen not to repent of? Take a few moments to think this through. What behaviors have you been trying to “clean” up in your own strength? Let God take over. Ask that He would purify you in that area. Call a friend and ask her to pray for you and hold you accountable in this area.  Remember…iron sharpens iron.  Are you struggling to trust that God’s love can bring beauty to your life? Learn how God wants to bring you beyond your past heart-wounds and your present challenges to His wholeness, strength and beauty.  To order Broken into Beautiful, go to Amazon or, for a signed copy, visit Gwen Smith’s web store. info@girlfriendsingod.com www.girlfriendsingod.com     (By permission. Emphasis added) Today’s quote:  Elizabeth Elliot - "It is a merciful Father who strips us when we need to be stripped, as the tree needs to be stripped of its blossoms. He is not finished with us yet, whatever the loss we suffer, for as we loose our hold on visible things, the invisible become more precious – where our treasure is, there will our hearts be." Some thoughts today: We need diligent cultivation, elimination and diligence in the maintaining of our souls, to be right with God. - Virtue has moral excellence in it. If we heed the following, (2 Peter 1-10), we'll not stumble in our walk with God: Knowledge (of Christ's promises in God's Word) Diligence (obeying what God's told us to do) Virtue (high moral standards) Self control in everything (temperance) Patience (ability to wait something out) Godliness (in thought, word and behavior) Brotherly kindness (to everyone, especially for believers) Love for others (even for the unlovely)  Sharon Jaynes - "Heavenly Father, help me to be a reflection of Your glory today. Help me to be good salt that makes others thirsty to know You, to want You, to crave more of You. Open my eyes to see You in all creation today. I am sleuthing for Your fingerprints on the pages of this day.  In Jesus’ Name,  Amen." (From Sharon's post: Are You a Reflection of God’s Glory?) 9th- Sunday evening’s post:  When God Anointed Men of Old Lee Forbes 11th- Tuesday's post:  #85  Naming and Mapping the Powers C. Peter Wagner 13th- Thursday's post:  #86  Do Spirits Really have Names? C. Peter Wagner 15th- Saturday's post:  Searching for Love in all the Wrong Places Mary Southerland A popular post:   The Gift of Forgiveness  Dr. Charles F. Stanley shares with us about forgiveness in his magazine, In Touch:  "Webster defines gift as 'something given to show friendship, affection, support, etc.'  Using this definition, it seems logical..." jean-oathout.blogspot.com   (save) Samples of Jean's crafts http://twitter.com/jeanoathout http://facebook.com/jean.oathout