Clean Out Your Closet

I was cleaning out my daughter's room last year around this time and found myself COMPLETELY overwhelmed! I don't know about you but I hate sorting through clothes, toys, nick knacks or really any kind of cleaning in general. SO this particular Saturday was not my favorite. As I put stuff aside to donate, packed clothes away for our next baby, threw A LOT of junk (I'll call what it is) in the trashcan I felt refreshed and powerful. God spoke to me about the holiday season and how we need to "clean out our closet" to prepare our hearts for the season. We need to allow our hearts to receive the true meaning of the season. Thanksgiving is meant for celebrating what we are THANKFUL for, what are you thankful for? CHRISTmas is meant for celebrating Christ's birth not Santa popping in late on Christmas eve with a bag full of goodies. Although the goodies are fun and exciting we should be excited about what God did for us when He sent His one and only Son to earth for one purpose only, US!

How do we "clean out our closet"?

#1. Figure out what separates us from God. Me personally, I get separated by busyness - that's a HUGE one for me. I once heard Sheri Rose Shephard say something like this at a conference at Open Door... the devil might not be able to take away God, he might not be able to break our faith BUT he can make us busy – that’s a trick of the enemy. That is powerful to me, I get sucked in to my busy schedule so easily then there's no time for God, no time during this season to be truly thankful. Tricky enemy! So figure out what prevents you from spending time with God, get rid of whatever it is or make some changes to your schedule, learn to say NO.

#2. Stay focused on HIM. Remain in His Word, have quiet time! Romans 12:1 says Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your act of worship. 2 DO NOT CONFORM any longer to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His GOOD, PLEASING and PERFECT WILL. Do not conform to the world friends, be transformed by His Word, accept His good, pleasing and perfect will for your life.

#3. PRAY... PRAY... PRAY!!! I think that pretty much speaks for itself!

James 4:4 says You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. HATRED toward God, wow! I personally want to be a friend of the Lord not the world, what about you!

Separate yourself from the world during this beautiful time of the year, stay focused on HIM and pray my sweet friends. I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving, CHRISTmas and New Year!