Cleansing..... "Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter." Isaiah 5:20
God created us to be whole and Holy in Him (Leviticus 19:2, Deuteronomy 6:4) After the fall of man in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1-3) the separation between God and mankind meant man's wholeness & holiness was no longer certain.. God sent the great flood because the world had become so evil (Genesis 6-8), saving only Noah and his family who had remained righteous.
Today God hates evil just as much (Psalm 11:5) and Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sin - and that of the whole world (John 21) To be free of sin we must acknowledge our iniquity to God, removing our pride and restoring us in right relationship with Him and others. We need to be cleansed from any and all past or current sin. We may need cleansing from the sins of our ancestors / the sins of others. we may need to seek the forgiveness of any who we have sinned against (Ephesians 2 14-22).
To remain right and pure in God's sight we must remain hidden in Christ - constantly seeking and abiding in Him so any impurity will be brought to light (Colossians 3 1-17). We must be willing for any dark corners to be exposed and swept clean (Jeremiah 17:10). We must acknowledge our faults and weaknesses, listen to wise counsel and follow the Lord (Luke 9:23)
His presence is our power, hope, comfort and guide. (Ephesians 2:14) We must press in the hope and purpose of Christ, (Philippians 3) aware of ourselves yet not self-centred, as the days grow darker.... yet with the true light shining brighter (1 John 2) focusing on Him in faith, hope and thanksgiving (Philippians 4 6-7)
Go to God and spend time with Him. pray for His cleansing whilst acknowledging any sin that you are aware of or that is brought to your attention... set your mind upon Him (1 Peter 1) and determine to follow Him closer:
Jesus draw me ever nearer
As I labor thro' the storm
You have called me to this passage
And I'll follow tho' I'm worn
May this journey be a blessing
May I rise on wings of faith
And at the end of my heart's testing
With Your likeness let me wake
Jesus guide me thro' the tempest
Keep my spirit staid and sure
When the midnight meets the morning
Let me love You even more
Let the treasures of the trial
Form within me as I go
And at the end of this long passage
Let me leave them at Your throne
"..when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." Titus 3 4-7
Don't forget this month: shoeboxes ... also still available for your encouragement: all the Daily Strength music videos & other resources
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