Remove and Replace
The other day, I walked to my car and sat in the passenger seat. I heard some rustling, and from the corner of my eye, I saw something moving behind me. I thought it was my youngest daughter; but, to my surprise, it was a cat! I was shocked, got out, and yelled for my husband. (I am not much of an animal person). When he got there, the cat hopped to the back seats, so my husband opened the trunk door and it jumped out. I was wondering how it had gotten in, then saw that the driver's side window was three-quarters of the way open. I didn't know that cats were gutsy enough to go into random parked cars, but I think I know why it came in. The night before, we went to a fast-food burger joint and left the bag in the car with its empty contents. The bag was also full of candy wrappers and other garbage. I'm sure the cat was looking for something to eat because that bag was ripped and the garbage was scattered everywhere.
Anyway, God showed me something important about this encounter. He showed me that we need to clean ourselves: mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. If we don't, the garbage and clutter (wrong thinking, negative thoughts, grudges, jealousy, anger, hostility) within us will attract unwanted things. These unwanted things can evolve into self-hatred, depression, suicidal thoughts, hatred, and more. It may have started out as a negative thought, but then turned into hatred or something else detrimental. Garbage (negativity) feeds and breeds other pests. Have you ever opened your dumpster and found maggots? Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind (1 Peter 2:1) We have to unclutter and throw out things that weigh us down, make us bitter, and keep us in bondage, things that are troublesome, disadvantageous, and harmful to us. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us to Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Satan is just waiting for an opportunity to make you and I miserable, ineffective, depressed, or hopeless. He isn't stupid. He doesn't do it when we expect it: the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made (Genesis 3:1). Therefore, we must change our faulty and flawed thoughts, habits, and assess how much junk we have. Once we have acknowledge that we have things to dispose of, we clean and get rid of it!
But it isn't enough to just clean. Once we discard the unhelpful items, we have to put something positive in it's place. REMOVE AND REPLACE! We need the close the window (or opening), and seal the entry point to make sure the unwanted thing(s) do not come back! And if it does come back, we want to be sure that it cannot get in, that it can no longer come in, uninvited and unwelcomed! Make sense? Let's take a look at a Bible passage that speaks of this in a more extreme manner. Matthew 12 says: When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, “I will return to the house I left.” When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation (v. 43-45). What am I saying? Remove and Replace! We don't have time for more problems or junk! Can we acknowledge our need for Jesus and ask him to fill those empty places! He is our Protector and Defender! Don't try to replace your junk with more junk. Don't replace a negative thought with another negative thought. Don't replace an addiction with a different addiction! Replace the space with grace: JESUS! In my blog post Don't Be a Pharisee, I talk about how Jesus is standing at our door, knocking and waiting for us to answer (Revelation 3:20). He knows that we need someone to watch over and take care of our house, life, needs, and everything else of ours.
When we don't declutter, when we don't get rid of the garbage, we attract other things that are not helpful or conducive to our health and well-being. The sin, negativity, and wrong thinking in our lives just invite more stress, distractions, issues and trouble. We have to be alert and aware of the damaging and destructive things we let into our lives. Let's be real and assess how many disastrous things we have in our life, and turn those things over to God, Remove and Replace! We cannot expect to have life turn out differently if we keep doing the same things. We can't have a different outcome if we refuse to acknowledge what is really there, bringing us down, and make a change. God wants us free, happy, peaceful, and joyful. We don't have to live this way. We don't have to let unwanted things continue to come in and out of our lives. We can make the choice to open the door and invite Jesus into our lives! Remove and Replace!
Let us pray.
Father God Almighty,
Thank You for this message and the readers. Use this message and the Scriptures to speak into their lives. Show them what they need to remove from their lives, the garbage, clutter, and things that weight them down. Show us where the unwanted things are coming from, and how they're getting in. We don't need anymore junk in our lives, LORD. We need to remove them and replace them with Christ. Help us to keep an inventory of our lives. Show those who need to acknowledge their circumstances, what they need to do. Some of us have gotten used to it, but that isn't how You want us to live. Help those to get out of their comfort zone, and move into all the wonderful things You have for them. Be our Security guard, Defender, Watchman, and Protector. Holy Spirit, minister to the readers and give them understanding, faith, and hope. May they know the truth that is found in Jesus Christ. Thank You so much, Lord. You are Sovereign and forever reigning. All power, honor, glory, and praise belong to You! Be glorified! In Jesus' name, amen.
Prayerfully,
Pam
