We’ve picked up things along life’s way that perhaps the LORD would have us toss away.
Isn’t it easy to collect things one at a time? But if you ever move you must toss things away. Recently, a dear friend moved, in the process she found that she had gathered way too much stuff over the years to take with her and ended up hauling more stuff away than she eventually took with her.
From the time we are born we gather information and copy things we see. Most of the time it is an unconscious gathering. The trouble is that the bulk of what we gather, even in Christian surroundings, are things of the world-things that we see that we want (the lust of the eyes), things that make us feel good (the lust of the flesh) and the pride of life (look at me see what I can do)(1 John 2:15-16) and all of these things have been set up and are controlled by the devil (1 John 5:19).
GOD warns us about these things:
But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants (habits and thought patterns) of the land (world) from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell. Numbers 33:55
Wow! These inhabitants are thought patterns and habits we have picked up in the world. To drive them out takes work, calling on the LORD and obeying when HE nudges us. But if refuse to put these things aside they will be pricks in our eyes so we can’t see clearly, they will be goads- sharp as thorns- that turn us aside to go where we should not go, and they will trouble us-increasingly.
How do we get rid of them? Where do we begin? Hebrews 4:16 tells us to run to the throne of grace for mercy and to obtain grace to help in time of need. Proverbs 3:5-6 says that if we trust the LORD with all our hearts and don’t lean on our own understanding but acknowledge (talk to the LORD) about everything that HE will direct our path to freedom.
I simply love our instructions in 2 Peter 1:3-4 that urges us to grow in our knowledge of GOD the FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST and use the great and precious promises found in HIS word and thereby we will escape the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Let’s go now to our Mighty Savior and ask what one thing HE wants to drive out of our lives today?
I urge you in CHRIST’s stead to consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding and keep you from deception (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10) as HE guides you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthens you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enables you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Now may the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.”(Romans 15:13) Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Hugs
Sharon
wakemyear 