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Listen while you read: "Standing At The Portal Of The Opening Year"1 (Lyrics) |
I think that I'm a good housekeeper. My house is always neat; cabinet tops aren't cluttered; I vacuum and mop on a more-or-less regular basis. But in November, I was seized by the urge to do what is usually called "spring cleaning".
I have a small house, just four rooms; it didn't seem daunting. I live alone, so I'm the only one to make messes. I started with the main bathroom, then the bedroom. As I got down on my knees or stretched high to look into corners, I found dust in places that I never suspected: on top of moldings, in crevices where cabinetry isn't smooth, and oh my! the ceiling fan in the bedroom! I could swear that I had just cleaned that a few months before.
Three rooms are done — swept clean. Other events have filled my days recently; I'll get back to it soon. But I couldn't help think of the parallels between my "spring cleaning" and my Christian life.
1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (KJV)
As I was on my knees scrubbing corners and ledges and getting rid of dust, I thought about the corners and ledges full of the dust of sin in my life. Some of these are hidden; others, I tend to ignore, not willing to confront attitudes and actions that need confessing and changing. I need to be on my knees talking to God, confessing my sins, asking for forgiveness, and accepting His cleansing of my life — perhaps, even while I'm scrubbing, since I'm on my knees anyway!
Psalm 51:7 – Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. (NIV)
We live in a fallen world, much like the dust and desert of Arizona where I live. Sometimes, we have to clean the effects of that world out of our lives, whether it's activities that we participate in which take our focus away from God, or media — television, Facebook, movies, or literature — with content which is not God-honouring.
Psalm 139:23-24 – Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (KJV)
As we move into a new year, let us make a clean sweep! Let's look closely at our lives and start 2019 with cleansed hearts.
Prayer: Father, help us to be open with You, to come to You on a daily basis as we search our hearts. We want to stay close to You, to have You know our thoughts, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Amen.
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Thanks.
Great post for the new year. Thanks Sharon!
AMEN! So may it ever be! Shalom. Happy New Year!
Thanks for the good word, Sharon. Have a Happy New Year.
What a wonderful New year message. Thank you so much.
Very appropriate to start the New Year. Thank you and blessings as we enter 2019.
Happy New Year and thank you for this devotional!! Good reminder for sure.
God bless.
A good New Year resolution! Happy New Year, Sharon. Look forward to hearing more from you.
Good thoughts as we move into a new Year, Sharon. Here’s to a spanking clean year! Blessings.
Thank you, Sharon, for sharing this devotional with us. Praying blessings upon you in this New Year. Blessings.
This devotional is food for thought Sharon. Thanks for sharing. A blessed New Year to you!
(Ontario, Canada)
Sharon – a great beginning for 2019. Thank you for the reminder for me to check all my “corners” for dusty things that God would like me to address. God Bless you.
Thanks for a good word today Sharon. You’re also welcome to come and do my place next if you like!
Blessings.
Thank you for this wonderful message to start 2019
May 2019 be a year of Prosperity… a continual flow of God’s Blessings for you and your family.
Oh yes. I hear you. My house is big: to accommodate 6 grands when they all come for several days at a time which they will do tomorrow. I cleaned it (with some help from friends) to be ready for family Christmas. I found a lot of dust and thinking about the things in my life that need to change. Thanks for the stimulus! Happy New Year.
Hi Sharon,
Great devotional and perfect comparison of cleansing home and soul. The Lord is sure to rejoice to see us each start the New Year with a clean slate and a greater reverence and thankfulness for His love and care.
May you enjoy a New Year of abundant Lord’s special blessings.
(B.C.)
Hi Sharon,
Great New Year’s message!
Apparently, we both love a clean, swept, organized house. The old saying goes, “A place for everything and everything in its place.”
In our hearts and lives like you alluded to in your devotional, God’s has a place (First Place) and He doesn’t settle for anything less.
Amen.
Hi Sharon,
We do live in a fallen world indeed. There are so many strange things going on and sometimes I don’t know what to pray anymore other than that “A Change will come about.”
That the Lord will speak to the hearts of those who have the ability to change things for the better.
Thank you for writing this fine devotional.
I wish you good cleaning and a Happy New Year.
Dear Sharon,
Thank you very much for the meaningful New Year’s devotional.
Keep writing.
Hi Sharon,
Good devotional.
Thank you for writing and keep up the good work.