Coming Clean

  For me the coming of a new year is always rather exciting. It is a time of fresh starts, "maybe this year I can be organized", "this year I can learn something new" and so much more! It is a time that I love to go through my house (I attempt to get this done just before the new year but that usually doesn't fully happen) and get rid of clutter and excess things that are just slowing us down. It is a time for cleaning and renewal.

    Sometimes it can be easy for us to stick with the physical, you know all that dust and clutter you can see. But that isn't all that needs some cleaning. We often have messes that are much worse in our hearts! There are so many neat verses that encourage us to do some cleaning there. I thought I would share a few with you.

"If we say that we have fellowship with HIm and yet walk in darkness,

we lie and do not practice the truth;

but if we walk in the light as He himself is in the light,

we have fellowship with one another,

and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."

1 John 1:6 & 7

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Cleanse your hands, you sinners;

and purify your hearts, you doubleminded."

James 4:8

"For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer

sprinkling those who have been defiled,

sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh.

how much more will the blood of Christ,

who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God,

cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

Hebrews 9:13 & 14

"Therefore, having these promises beloved,

let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit,

perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

2 Corinthians 7:1

"And now why do you delay?

Arise, and be baptized,

and wash away your sins,

calling on His name."

Acts 22:16

I hope those verse leave you (along with me!) inspired and encouraged so clean not only our desks or kitchens, cars or houses but also our hearts and lives.