Clutter.... Setting the stage for Spiritual Chaos

Have you ever noticed that the amount of things a person has is directly correlated to the chaos and stress in their lives?  Sure, things are fun, but each thing requires a precious commodity.... mainly TIME.  But is it only time we are giving up?  Because these things dominate our time, they also cloud our mind with the things of this world.  There is an ancient Chinese proverb that states, 

"A cluttered space equals a cluttered mind".  This would indicate that these possessions we collect are slowly starting to dominate our thoughts, leading us to somewhat of a mental chaos.

Yesterday, I was on a return flight from a mini-vacation with my bride.  We had a screaming 15 month old in the seat in front of us, which was an interesting dynamic for the entire plane.  The child was being taken by aunt and uncle for a week to give mommy a needed break, so that is an admirable act of service.  About an hour into the flight, a nice lady from a few rows up came back to calm the child.  She had a kind and gentle spirit about her and she obviously loved children.  She was acting in a selfless way to serve not only the aunt and uncle, but the whole plane.  During this kind gesture, the child's foot accidentally knocked over this fella's beer onto his precious computer.  His entire demeanor changed as he violently rushed to dry off and attempt to salvage his device.  He has no idea how shallow he looked at that time.  Then I thought about all of the times I have acted the same way, even modeling the unnecessary reactions to my children........

Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth.  Colossians 3:2

But everything must be done decently and in order.                       1 Corinthians 14:40

So are we creating our own chaos?  Are we building our own stress levels by having the "things of this world"?

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.  Romans 12:2

Other versions say "patterns of this world" or "trappings of this world".  This is a warning to each of us.  If we are HIS WORKMANSHIP (Ephesians 2:10), and uniquely created (Psalm 139:13-14), WHY would we want to conform and be something OTHER than what we were created to be?

How easily we are deceived by the physical things of this world, because of our thoughts.  Notice all the scriptural talk about the mind.  And it continues.....

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.  2 Corinthians 10:5

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.  Philippians 4:8

Interestingly, the 2 verses prior to Philippians 4:8 give us directives about stress and anxiety.  the Bible tells us what to let in our minds for OUR OWN PROTECTION.  His truth is so evident in the lives of those who have rejected His love and care for them.  He offers the peace that we cannot understand (Philippians 4:7).  You see, our mind (thoughts) offer a doorway to our heart.  This is where life flows from.  If our joy is compromised by our thoughts, we have little to give.  If we are wounded and have not received freedom and healing, we will rarely trust enough to give of ourself.

Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.  Proverbs 4:23

What is holding you back today?  What are the areas of physical/spiritual clutter that you need to clean up?  What thoughts are you struggling with?

I urge you to seek Biblical counsel and discuss these areas with someone today.

Thank you for reading.   I invite you to like, follow, and share with anyone who might enjoy or need this message.  Freedom in Christ is available to all who are willing..... to leave the ledge.

Declaration.... Devotion's Call

"Soldiers, when committed to a task, can't compromise.  It's unrelenting devotion to the standards of duty and courage, absolute loyalty to others, not letting the task go until it's been done."
- John Keegan

I want to start this off by honoring those who have served the United States of America, those who fought, declared, and kept her independent.  While she is far from perfect, she is the greatest nation in the world. I am proud to be an American.  This would have never happened without the original visionaries, who were devoted to putting vision into print as The Declaration of Independence.

dec-la-ra-tion

-  a formal or explicit statement or announcement.
-  a formal announcement of a beginning of a state or condition.

Declarations call us to be devoted to a cause outside of a personal desire.  They call us to, at times, act and think differently, but with purpose.

Who is wise and understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom's gentleness.  But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't brag and lie in defiance of the truth.  Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.  For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil.  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy.  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.  James 3:13-18

On February 1st of this year, Tracy and I celebrated 25 years of our original declaration of marriage.  God continues to bless our marriage as we continue to declare Him Lord.  As we devote ourselves to Him, our selfless pursuit of each other becomes second nature.

A cord of three strands is not easily broken.  Ecclesiastes 4:12

At our 25th anniversary, we rewrote and read vows in the presence of God and witnesses.  It was a declaration of deeper devotion to each other, with new spoken words.  It was our witness and the word of our testimony to those who were in attendance.  We want others to see that selfless devotion is beautiful and consistent.  Much like the flag that we fly today is a symbol of our independence, our marriage is a symbol of our pursuit of each other... and the continued love and devotion on display is our daily declaration.

"The time you spend alone with God will transform your character and increase your devotion.  Then your integrity and godly behavior in an unbelieving world will make others long to know the Lord." - Charles Stanley



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