What are YOU looking at!?!

The day was finally here!!! Daddy went on a touring trip with some friends of ours and it was time to pick him up at the airport! We arrived on time and with each shadow peering around the gate, we stood on our toes for that shadow's face to appear and know if it was "someone's" Daddy, or our Daddy. One by one they filtered past and with each one, our shoulders dropped with a sigh, "Not him..."  Until...it was him!! We had locked eyes on him and watched him come straight for us. If the railing had not been there, we would have jumped on him no doubt!! It was sooo good to see him. He hugged each of us and we rubbed on his new "fluffy face" (beard) and began to walk with him along the rail towards the exit when all of a sudden a friend popped up out of no where! What?!?! He said, "Yes, and there's the rest of thr group that just walked past." What?!? I was in a state of shock at first because I was completely focused on him, then the fact that I didn't even see our other friends with him. There's one of them right there in the picture!! How bizarre!
Although I knew he travelled with a group of friends, it was my understanding they had separate flights from my man's. So, I wasn't looking for anyone else and then when we saw them, it didn't compute right away. We were so focused on what we knew- that Daddy was on his way, and that our minds were set only on him. We didn't see our friends because we were not looking for our friends. We planned on Daddy, we were looking for Daddy, we only saw daddy and we grabbed onto Daddy when he arrived. Of course, once "he" pointed out our friends, it was a double joy to get to welcome them home too!!!
God used this experience to remind me of what it means to fix our eyes on Him. To set our hearts and minds on Him alone. Being so intently focused on Him, that the world around us fades, and it's all about Him. We can get so easily distracted in this connective and politically correct culture that our hearts and minds can stay busy trying to analyze every situation, every word, that we take our eyes off Him, our Daddy!
Because it is through Him, that the rest of our life matters. If we look for evil: fear and approval of others and gossip and money and worry and sinful lusts, quick fixes, we are sure to see them. And the opposite is also true, if we look for good, we will find it: peace, strength, purity, hope, kindness, patience, joy, etc. When we seek first, The Lord, who is above all and over all, and in Him all things hold together (Col 1), setting our eager anticipating hearts on Him, there we will find Him and walk along the rails of our life and live it in whole-hearted devotion and focus on Him, towards the final Exit, taking in everything else. We see what we are looking for.
 I only love others well when I love my God well. I only live well and love well, when I live and love through Christ alone. God, help us to turn our eyes towards You. Click here for a 1 minute worship moment. Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.

Proverbs 4: 25-27 "Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil. "  

 

Matthew 6:21-23 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  "The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!"

 

Matthew 6:33-34 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."   

 

Welcome Home!!!   

 

Salt in my Bible

Evidently I didn't clean off my table very good the night before! I know you are probably not surprised, no claim to fame over here as a Super Cleaner, lol! I noticed it the next morning when I picked up my Bible off the table to go my morning study, and there they were, salt granules stuck into the back of my leather Bible. Great, eventhough I wiped off all the salt, it left bunches of tiny markings all over the outer cover. Great, a holey, Holy Bible...kinda funny actually!
Who knew salt could leave marks...and then my spirit stirred, of course.....it should. God tells us in Matthew 5: "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." We should be concerned if our salt isn't leaving impressions on the "things" around us. God calls us to be the salt and light. He says, "You are the salt...Let your light shine...so they may see and give glory to God."  As a Believer in Christ Jesus, you have salt to make the world around you saltier. You will leave "holy" impressions. Just as iron sharpens iron, the more salt and light, the saltier and brighter our life becomes, thus more glory to God! 
Interestingly, my days got busy and I am just now returning back to this blog and had wanted to upload a picture of the back cover of my Bible. You know me, visual girl, but to my surprise, the hundreds of little pits were gone. Completely flushed out. The leather eased itself back to the way it was. So, no pictures, but I did get what was meant to be Part 2 of the lesson God was/is teaching me. Although we have been given salt and light, we can loose our salt and light. (Not salvation, but our impact.) And if we loose our saltiness, and if we loose our light, how will we make an impact on the world around us? How will God receive the glory if we aren't even reflecting Him? What impression are we leaving, if any?!
So, if we can get our minds and hearts around the fact that we already have been given salt and light within, (this can be a hard concept to accept for those who struggle with insecurity, low self-esteem, or those whos' faith and trust in God has not been deeply rooted), then how do we remain salty and bright?
I am thankful to be a part of a church that teaches you how to be "holey" as we give glory to a Holy God. God has blessed me personally with some seriously Salty Sisters. You know how when you go to the beach and the second you step out of your car, you can taste the salty air? That's the impression I have when I get close to these women! Plus, you almost have to put on the sunglasses when they speak and serve unto the Lord! Their saltiness, their light, makes holey, Holy impressions in my heart, mind and soul. They certainly season up my life!!!
So, how do we remain salty? Deuteronomy 10:12-14 gives us a list: "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good? Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it." 2 Peter 1:5-8 also encourages us "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Increasing in saltiness means remaining steadfast in the Lord. His Word is life. Be faithful and consistent. While this is a personal thing that only you can do for yourself, you will also be salted when you are around salty people just like when you show up at the beach! Refresh yourself in the Light and Truth of God's Word, fearing, walking, loving, serving Him with all your heart and soul, making every effort to supplement your faith and walk close with others, growing and glowing!
Believer, do not let your light dull. Do not loose your saltiness. God, restore us, we want to glorify you through our lives. Help those of us who are weak in our faith, to draw strength once again in our hope that we truly are Your salt and light in this world. Forgive our laziness. Forgive our unbelief in You.. Help us to remember that Your Holy Spirit dwells within us and that we can be a useful instrument of Your love. Guard us in Your Light that we might be brighter to shine for You in this dark world. May our salt and our light lead the Way, leaving impressions that last. Help us to not become lazy or dull. Make Your Word alive once again to us. Help us to leave a holey Holy impression. Thank you for those you have placed in our lives to light up our paths, those that add lots of spice and flavor to our life and those who shine so bright for You! Replenish them and bless them Lord! Thank You Faithful Lord, amen.

My LifeProof

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:" Ecc 3:1
You bet I have the LifeProof case!!! I live with 4 kids, a dog and a cat, and have a pool and we vacation in snow and sea!!! I am frequently pulling it out of my pocket to take pictures...taking way more pictures than calls! lol
I take pictures on the water and in the water without worry. It proves durable even at the beach where I am able to capture great pictures while snorkeling and digging for sea shells in the sand.
There are times when I remove the phone from its very secure case and let me tell you, I am a nervous wreck!! It's thin, fragile and slippery. The thought of it slipping out of my hand and breaking to pieces on my tile floor or into the pool is enough to throw me into a panic! Don't bump me, trip me, I have the phone in my hands!!! Keep back 20ft!! lol We are talking big bucks to replace it, so I am serious...can't drop the phone!!! I do my best to keep it Life-Proof, cuz life happens!!! God's Word is our LifeProof case. We are breakable creatures (physically, emotionally and spiritually) and it is crucial we surround ourselves with the protection of God's Word. The mornings I go without my LifeProof protection, I can feel it. I feel vulnerable, on edge, breakable. The slightest bump in the day will send me into a panic. Someone or something "running" towards me can take my breath away. My heightened vulnerability only intensifies my responses to circumstances I face during the day. Don't bump me, trip me or scare me cuz I am holding onto my "self" and if I drop, I will break into a million pieces!
How much more peace and strength when I have on my LifeProof case, cuz life happens!! God's Word proves durable. It is my shield and protection through all terrains, through every season. I don't have to walk around a nervous wreck, keeping everything and everyone 20ft away because I know with God, He goes before me and holds all things together! (Col 1:17) I can live my life without fear!!!! I will not put my LifeProof case to the test. I will simply trust it where I am at, as I go and do.

Father God, Almighty King and Creator of ALL things, Thank You for the covering You provide for my fragile self. We are breakable creatures, with bodies, minds and hearts that can be quickly destroyed. It is this knowledge of our weakness that we hold on to You, putting on Your armor of Protection!! Your blood covers us wholly. Thank You Abba Daddy, for watching us, going before us and guarding us. You are all we need. Move in our hearts Lord to remember with fervency to keep our LifeProof shield on at all times so we are not quickly broken in this busy and chaotic world. Help us walk confidently, trusting Your guard over us. Wrap us up and remind us we are more than conquerors in Your name. For all seasons, You are Lord over all!! Praise You The Great I Am. Amen.   

 

"Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied."

1 Samuel 17:45

 

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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."

Ephesians 6:10-13

 

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones."

Proverbs 3:5-8

 

 

  

Serving out of the pit to get out of the pit!

"Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that He had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside His outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around Him." John 13:1-5
Jesus knew His trial was near and He rose and served, laying aside His outer garments, preparing to wash the feet of His disciples. What a beautiful picture of selflessness, setting aside your own "problems" and meeting the need of another. It was an act of Love, demonstrating how we too should respond in the face of pending trials.
Serving others is not a natural instinct for us. We live in a world that screams "Each man for himself!!" We get so wrapped up in our own little circumstances, fretting and stressing about our situation that we tend to drown out the world and focus inward, hearing our thoughts alone. When we are in times of uncertainty, we conserve, hoard, protect, and even shut down, emotionally and physically. Trials drain us and distract us from the needs of others. Satan knows how to quickly quiet us. Nothing like a raging storm for us to take shelter within. It's then that we have a choice, to shut down and close out the world or rise up and continue to serve. Time after time, Christ rose up, gave and served, walking on the water of the storm, rescuing others from the pit! Gracious I Am.
I faced this in a big way several years ago when I went through a season of fear and anxiety. All I could hear was fear. Fear consumed and drowned out the rest of my world. Looking back on those days, I realize how much time and energy I used trying to figure out my thoughts and what to do next. The more I sat and tried to understand what was going in my crazy heart and soul, the more I slipped into a pit of depletion and despair. Day by day, my world grew smaller and smaller as I slowly shut down, emotionally and physically. It was a vicious cycle of trying to control was out of my control. Fearing the lack of control only caused me to fall deeper and deeper into my pit of despair, uncertainty and doubt.
One day, my precious and Godly Aunt called me and as we were talking all I could say was, "I just don't know what to do, I don't know what to do. I can't live like this." She said to me, "Michele, you have got to stop sitting around and thinking. Get out and volunteer, serve others. It will do you good to get out of the house and stop listening to yourself." I wondered how in the world will I be able to do that when I cannot even hardly help my self, and even my family. My thoughts were scrambled, my heart took my breath away at each racing palpitation and I had nothing left to give.
Well, she began praying for me to gain the energy and focus to get outside of myself and live!! Amazingly (that I was able to), yet not surprisingly (that God showed up), I got outside. I rose up, took off the old garment and grabbed a new towel and began to serve. He was the strength in my weakness. It was nourishment to my dry and weary soul. It felt good to stop dwelling in my dwelling. I admit that it began simply as a desperate act to keep myself busy and distracted. Soon, however, I began to feel life, peace and joy. His grace gave and was sufficient.
Eventhough my trial remained, I found how to choose love over fear, ultimately life over death. It was not easy. I fought for every day to be a good day. I fought against every instinct to shut down. I fought to replace each thought of fear with hope. Surrendering to God does not equate to easiness. Surrendering to God equates to obedience which equates to blessing and blessings give peace, strength, hope. I had to choose to rise up and stop sitting down. 
Jesus came to seek and save. He came to serve, so that God the Father would be glorified. Jesus faced many trials before His ultimate trial and through each one, He served, loved, gave as He lived each day, one day at a time, in The Father's name.
Jesus has risen and washed your feet. Won't you too, follow in His example the next time you face a trial, and rise up, take off your outer garment, grab a towel and "wash the feet of another." Let your heart not be troubled or afraid. He will be your power and strength.
Humbling yourself, serving in Love's name, will bless your heart, mind, soul and spirit like nothing else will. Get outside of yourself. Choose life. Rise up and serve in Jesus' name!

" You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them." John 13:13-16 

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9   

  

Ya think ya know it all, until....

I was talking with a dear friend today and the comment was made, "You think you know it all until you have to take a test. Testing proves what ya really know." God brought it back to mind this evening and He "tested" my thoughts.
A "test." It stirs up anticipation and even more anxiety just at the mention of this little 4 letter word. And yet, testing is a part of life. Before you buy a car from a dealer, you want to "test drive" it before you place your most valuable treasures within it's carriage. Teachers want to "test" their students to find out whether the knowledge given was actually learned. Customers want to "taste test" foods so they can find out if they want more of a product. We "test" our children to see if they are ready for the next step in trust or responsibility.
And yet, when we read verses like Exodus 16:4, "Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not." and 1 Peter 4:12, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." , we panic. It's one thing to be the one giving the test and a whole other thing to be the one given a test. I don't know about you but I am certainly more anxious than I am anticipating in the face of a test. I imagine most people get nervous about taking a test...having to prove oneself...what if I fail? What if I am wrong? Will they think I am stupid or ignorant? What if I am not as great as I think I am? And then when God says He will test us, there's a Holy-fear-humbling kind of panic...what if I fail...will it ever end...what if I am not as strong as I think I am....what if others see my lack of...will God give up on me...should I quit?
James 1: 2-3 says "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." We want steadfastness but honestly, we want it given not earned by way of trial and yet God says that it is in the "testing of your faith" that you acquire steadfastness. Jesus understands the plea of "if there's any other way, please Lord." Our Sovereign Lord hears our pleas and know what we need. As a Parent to His Child and a Teacher to His Student, He will teach us then test us to see if we have actually learned from the knowledge given and are ready for the next step. 
Testing is not easy and it in fact can be very painful, pushing us to what feels like the end of oneself. One thing for sure, it reveals our limits, what we know and what we can handle. It's always a humbling reminder of how much we need the mercy and grace of our loving God. Without Him, I would certainly see my limit and give up. December 2008 was that very difficult season of testing for me and thanks to the precious people God brought into my life, they cheered me on in my faith, to the completion of that long and difficult test. It was a exhausting trial and without their steadfastness to stand with me, I would have certainly given up.
Sure, I have "meet trials of various kinds" since then. Some are small, quick tests while others are exhausting and seem never-ending. And yet, to every season of growth, there are beginnings and ends. They come as refining fires in every single area of our life. Our spirit's health is not separate from our relational or physical life. The Spirit living within me is a constant presence and guide therefore it affects all of me-my heart, mind, soul and body. It is up to me to prove that to be true as I believe, trust, surrender and devote my life to Him. (Thank you Pastor Nathan for this reminder Sunday.)
Sanctification tells us it's a never-ending process of one refining fiery test to the next. Steadfastness of faith will one day usher us to the Gates of Glory with Hallelujiah hands lifted high to our Teacher, Abba Father and Lord where we will be great in anticipation and void of anxiety.
So, next time you face a test, before you panic, won't you "consider it a joy, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness" and remember that "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12 Embrace the opportunity to grow in your faith next time you face a trial and do not panic! Believe, Trust, Surrender, Devote yourself to remaining steadfast, standing at the Cross of Victory!!!
And by the way, if you have completed a recent test, won't you ask God to give you the opportunity to help another who is about to go through theirs. Don't you know they could use the encouragement. Stand by them faithfully and don't let them quit!!! Remind them of who God is and who they are in Him and this opportunity to grow in faith. 
A good Teacher cares enough to test His Students.
A good Father blesses His obedient Child. 
Are you learning? Are you trusting? Are you surrendering? Are you devoted?
Be strong. Be faithful. Be Blessed.

Father God, "Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind." Psalm 26:1-2 Till The Day of Completion, Amen.

Because God Said So

Our church is a Praying Church! In recent months, our Pastor has placed a renewed emphasis on prayer and we have begun a Prayer Gathering on Sunday evenings at 4:50pm. Last Sunday I walked in a few minutes after it had officially started and I slipped in to one of the open pews in the back. I really wanted to kneel at the alter up front but I felt as if God was holding me back in the back. And He was, for a lesson.
When I first entered the large Worship Center, there was a still quiet except for a few small voices praying aloud from within their small groups. Much different than when I had entered just a few hours before for Corporate Worship! Although I had planned to pray up front at the alter, I had to fight the internal battle going on within me to sit in the back rather than move to the alter which is what I had planned to do. (Just that decision alone was a big deal for me as I am typically a "stay in the back" type of person, so I was excited to conquer going to the front that evening. I know, it's the little victories!! heehee) But....I felt the command to sit in the back. Yes, I huffed for a moment not understanding exactly why I had to sit there, in the back! Well, "Because God said so" was the only reason and that is one I have learned to accept without explanation or understanding! He is The Great I Am and I am the Little I Will.
It was towards the end of the prayer time that I sat up and "lifted me eyes up" as I had read so many times through the scriptures in recent study times (great things always followed that statement) and I finished my personal prayer time looking forward towards the Heavens. Then, my eyes dropped down and I began to notice the number of persons that were praying,...maybe only 10 persons. My thought went to, What a bummer that not very many were here. My heart was not judging, rather it was an observation the Lord was giving me. I knew there would be a few kneeling like me which I could not see, and yet it still seemed vacant. That large of a space easily swallows up a dozen persons.
Our prayer time finished and upon the final benediction and "amen" my spirit gasped at the amount of people that rose up from below what I could not see earlier. So many others had obviously been down praying on their knees or possibly their faces, praying before the Lord.
My heart rejoiced and was glad at the sight of all those who rose up! It's good to be wrong in cases like this!! LOL!!! God used this lesson to remind me:
God is working in ways we cannot know or see and it may not be as we had planned, for God's ways are not our ways! Like an anthill, at first glance, you may come to believe it's vacant...until you step into it and an eruption of ants coming flooding out! God is always moving and working despite what we "see." Our finite minds cannot even begin to comprehend the hands of God moving among the Universe, holding everything together in the Spiritual World and the Physical World (Colossians 1:17).
What a blessing to know there are those battling it out on their knees before the Lord, not before men, for the sake of Christ, that His will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven. To think how many things were being prayed for, by so many people. What a comforting thought. What an encouraging reminder that we as the Body of Christ are not alone even when it sometimes feels like it. There are infact, armies busy working "underground", waiting and ready to come flooding out from the seemingly quiet coverings and at moment's notice/interruption!
Do you recognize Christ as the Great I Am and your place as The Little I Will? Can you hear His calls to pray for others, not just yourself? Do you remember that you are not alone and that He will send you rescue? Do you trust that He is working on your behalf and nothing can separate you from Him as His child? Romans 8 is a great encouragement if you need some reminding of these truths and promises!!!

Thank You Lord God of Creation, Maker of heaven and Earth, Lord of lords and King of Kings, Our Great I Am, thank You for Your faithfulness to work on our behalf. Forgive us when we believe the lie that You have left us to battle alone. Forgive us when we believe we can do life on our own. When we feel alone and outnumbered, God please remind us that You are there and that You have surrounded us with Your protection and provisions even if we are blinded to them, may we trust Your Mighty hand and outstretched arms. Give us the eyes to see and ears to hear the things of this world and in Your spiritual world, that You want us to see and hear. May we then be quick to act and trust in those moments of Truth, the plan You have for us. Thank You for those who You place in our lives to stand with us in the battles, praying, helping, encouraging, teaching, interceding on their knees. Help us be sensitive to the promptings of Your Holy Spirit to be obedient in these things for others too. Bowed before Your throne and not the throne of man, to You be all glory and praise. Amen.

Dirty vs Dirtier vs Clean

My Mother in Law was coming for the night and I needed to prepare her room. We have a unique set up that we have an apartment built onto the back of our garage that we use as a Pool House and Guest House. Depending on the amount of people over throughout the week, grass trails in and crumbs are left behind, toilet paper disappears quickly and on rare occasions, toilets are left unflushed, yuck! So, I was out there taking inventory and to my pleasant surprise, all that was needed was a bed change and a quick vacuum in a few spots by the doors.
As I began to vacuum one beautiful carpet line at a time, the area which I thought only needed to be cleaned became clean with the area next to it to now appearing dirty. Instead of the room being clean with a few dirty spots at a glance, it was actually dirty with a few dirtier spots that needed more attention. God prompted me to ponder:

* At a glance, everyone looks good, but in fact, "all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God." This includes when we look at ourselves. We need to be honest when we look at our self seeing what is there, needing a necessary clean. Same with others, no one is perfect. No one should be on a pedestal of perfection otherthan the Lord Himself! He is worthy of our praise!!
* It takes more than a minutes' time to evaluate what's in your heart. Once you "get in there" you will soon find there are plenty more areas that need to be cleaned up. God is gracious to gently refine us. One layer at a time, one sweep at a time, He cleans us. There will always be crumbs and remnants of grass and if we don't clean them up, it will only pile up.
* Our standard of "comparison" ought to be the Law and Love of Christ, not others. Our standard of "cleanliness" cannot be up against another's clean area. We will become prideful or shameful in comparisons. We can only hold our selves alongside the Lord and be truthfully humbled and cleansed.

Thank You Lord for how You cleanse me, gently but thoroughly. When I hide in a corner and start collecting dust, You are loving enough to shine Your light into my dark little corner and bring me out to be dusted off and made clean. Thank You for cleaning out my yucky areas as well as polishing up my refined areas. Lord, humble us today to willingly accept the cleansing that needs to be done in our own hearts so that our hearts will be pure for You. "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Amen.