IT IS TIME TO TAKE OUT THE TRASH
BY: KEVIN CIEPIEL
01/25/2009
Have you accumulated a lot of stuff over the years? Some of it you really wanted and bought it because it has value. Other stuff you just accumulated, accepted, and grew attached to it, even though it brings no benefit to your life. Some items you really do not want anymore, so why do you still poses them? Other items you have are of great benefit to you, but you forgot you have them. Sometimes the very tool you need to fix something broken, is in the back of your toolbox, out of sight-out of mind. As a result, the broken item goes unfixed in your life for a long time. Are you like some people who are proud of all the stuff they have, both the good and the bad? Have you ever said phrases like, "I am such a pack rat" or "I have so much junk, I can never find anything I need?" or "I do not even know what I have."
Well, may I suggest to you that how you relate to this subject in the physical world, is similar to how you relate to this concept in the spiritual world.
OUT WITH THE OLD
Have you ever said: "I have a cold" or I have a bad attitude" or "I have had a bad childhood" or "I have no one who loves me" or "I have lack in my life" or "I have depression" ....the list can go on and on. You have these bad things so long, you probably forgot you had them. You may be thinking, "I do not have anything bad I am holding on to, but I know someone who does." Instead of going down that path,let me encourage you to take another one. Today is the day that you take inventory of everything you posses spiritually. Please take a few minutes to prayerfully ask yourself the following question:
1) What am I holding onto that is bad for me?
2) Why am I still owning it?
3) How does it benefit me to still keep it?
4) Where do I have it?
5) Am I ready to get rid of it know?
If you have identified some items that you are tiered of having (ex: past failure of finances, a bad relationship, hurtful words said to you....) decide to get rid of them, NOW! The Good News is that Jesus came and wants you to give Him all your garbage (those items you do not want anymore)! That is one of the things that He did on the cross. He took all of your pain, sickness, hurts in your spirit soul and body! You can accept what he did by simply closing your eyes and picturing that you are handing God your garbage bag, and believing that He has truly taken it away. Once that is done you need to forget it, and move on, "forget what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead" Philippians 3:13-14 (Amplified Bible)
IN WITH THE NEW
Now, bring to the your remembrance the good things God has given you, the tools for successful living. Dust them off, and put them right out in the open, ready to be used. "Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies." Philippians 4:8-9 (The Message).
