Let's Clean House!

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Let’s Clean House!

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

¹² Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. ¹³ No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

Proverbs 16:18

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Revelation 3:17-18

For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.

Proverbs 28:14

Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

1 Corinthians 8:2

If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.

1 Peter 5:8-9

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

Ephesians 6:12-13

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

2 Thessalonians 3:3

But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.

Devotional:

5:30. It is early. It’s not for everyone. As someone said when I was in Bible school, “don’t come unless you’re called.” Harsh words, but a fair and true and actually kind encouragement.... only sacrifice in the areas in which you are called. For our family, early devotions and spending time in God’s Word before the children get out of bed has become our way of life, and truly since it is the only wiggle room in our schedule, I see 5:30 almost every day.

Regardless of when the time is available, this time with God, this time of soaking in His wisdom, is without fail the one thing that keeps us lined up and whole. When we neglect it, which was mostly in the past at this point, we start to realize that we are again under spiritual attack as things in the natural start to unravel or something drastically wrong happens with our children. It’s just not worth it.

I am not saying that I spend time with God out of fear, but I am saying that I do not want to be vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy, and the Secret Place is the place of God’s shelter (read Psalm 91, the entire chapter).

I am impressed today with a grieving heart and sorrow for you to share that some of you are experiencing the trials you are experiencing because the enemy has taken ground that doesn’t belong to him. God wants to reveal to you what areas in your life are footholds for the enemy, and he does not want to allow you to stay where you are. He wants to provide escape for you. The way He does that is when we spend time in His Word, seeking Godly counsel through mentoring, listening to messages, and reading devotionals. Worshiping God will remove the spiritual blindness and is also a powerful form of warfare.

I encourage you to take a 30 day challenge that for 30 days, you spend 30 minutes in His Word and listen at least almost exclusively to worship or Christ-centered music and limit television but subscribe to God-centered podcasts and listen to them. Ask God to reveal what areas are footholds for our adversary. List and name them. Do a prayer walk around your house, and ask God to lead you as you pray for protection over your home, your family and yourself.

Let’s clean house, friends! There will be so much more room in our lives for joy and peace when we do. Standing firm in Him is our right position. He is our shield, and we need to allow Him to be that.

Prayer:

Father, today I ask You to reveal to me if I need to make small changes that will put me in the proper position as Your warrior. I repent if I have not been vigilant to stay prayerful and watchful. I thank You that You are my shelter, and You provide the way out when I am pursued by the enemy.

I ask that You would show me the best time to spend time with You. Give me the grace to do it, Lord. My times are in Your hands (Psalm 31:15).

I lift up my child(ren) today and ask for Your intervention. As I make changes to honor You in a deeper way, let those changes be a blessing to them. I pray that they would also have a hunger and a love for Your Word and Your worship, God. Teach me to train them in this so that the things of this world would grow dim and the things of Your kingdom would be attractive to them.

I lift up my husband today and I pray that You would anoint him to be the leader of the spiritual household. Let his eyes be awakened to Your Spirit and Your truth. Bless his Godly office, and teach me to respect him anew this day.

Bless our home with peace and security today.

In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.