John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”

Easter the Christian Holiday where we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ ” He is Risen” the time of year I like to re-discover my purpose and do a spiritual spring cleaning. We often find ourselves asking “What is my Purpose” perhaps finding my own purpose in life was by learning, reading and understanding how Jesus knew what his purpose
in life was. When Jesus was crucified on the cross he suffered all that pain with that purpose in mind. It is important to me in my own life to try every day to follow Christ’s example by doing the things that would glorify his name and honor his spirit. That would bring the same joy filled spirit to others that Jesus gave up for me.

My own faith teaches me that we are followers of Jesus, we are his servants we are on a journey here on earth to fulfill his good works. Jesus knew the purpose of his life was to die for us, to die for our sins so that we could have eternal life free from sin, he became the sin of all mankind so that we could be forgiven. It is our job to serve him throughout our lives the way he would of intended and expected us too. Hebrews 12:2 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus did all that and more for us he was shamed, ridiculed, beaten, crucified, so that we could have joy filled lives.

I like to think  and believe that Jesus wanted and needed us to be the joy the world needed to see and be by each of us being obedient and faithful followers and by serving him. The bible says that we love God because he first loved us 1 John 4:19. It also says “God saved you by His special favor when you believed. And you can not take credit for this; it is a gift from God” Ephesians 28:9. It is by his love and his amazing grace that I have been so blessed by the faith that he has in me and in allowing me to grow, learn and share that faith. Our Joy comes from within, His Joy comes from what we do for Him in glorifying Him and His name.

Spiritual Cleaning or even a Spiritual Awakening is good for the soul, it’s a way to start fresh, clean slate and get back on the right path His path. Some of the things I like to do I found after reading an article by Mary Fairchild so I thought I would share pieces of the article with you as they are ones I find the most meaningful. We all spend time in our home doing spring cleaning, we clean out our pantries, closets, rooms, garages, you name it we clean it out the once a year “Spring Clean”  but how often do we Spring Clean our Spirits I think every year when spring returns and we celebrate Easter and the resurrection that it would is the perfect time to do a “Spiritual Cleansing” of ourselves and lives. So where do you start simple the first step according to Mary Fairchild is and should be a no brainer you start with your heart.

1. Cleanse your Heart-Get your Heart Healthy-One of my favorite bible scriptures for this is Create in me a pure heart, O God,and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 (niv)

2. Clean up your Mouth-Deep Clean Inside and Out- The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45 (niv) As your heart gets clean, your language should follow. This is not just talking about bad language, but also negative talk and pessimistic thoughts that contradict the Word of God and faith. This includes the challenge to stop complaining. There is nothing more annoying to me than those that constantly profess their love of God and Christianity and then turn around and use inappropriate language, are disrespectful of others, talk and judge that is not what Christianity is about nor is it acceptable behavior. It’s even more disheartening to me that so many individuals as well as young adults and teens behave in this way and that for some it’s perfectly acceptable to the parents. Not in my house is it nor will it ever be. Time for some parents to reign in there kids and teach them what matters. We have a society today of very intolerant people, and spoiled entitled kids. Time to be the parent not the BFF’S . Time to bring Jesus into the family.

3. Renew your Mind-Take out the Garbage-We must enter in our minds and spirits the Word of God instead of the garbage of the world. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this 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. Romans 12:2 (niv)

4. Clean Out Your Spiritual Closets- When you clean out your Spiritual Closets by confessing ones sins the heaviness of that sin will be lifted. “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22 (niv)

5. Release Bitterness – Get Rid of Old Baggage-Bitterness is like old baggage in the attic you just can’t seem to part with. You are so familiar with it, you don’t even realize how it is hindering your life. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32 (niv)

6. Include Jesus in your Daily Life-Walk with Him Explore with Him Let Your Light Shine-What Jesus wants most of all is for each of us to have a relationship with Him, to know Him, to honor Him, glorify Him, to love Him . He wants to know us, to renew us and our spirits. To help us refresh, re-charge. You want daily exercise walk with Jesus best walking partner you will ever find. Let Him be in your life, to be a big part of your life and guide you through the good times and the bad. He will not forsake you or abandon you. Just as we all sometimes struggle with our faith, so did Jesus. In times of need,  look back and see the footprints in the sand to realize that God is, has and always will by our side.

“Footprints in the Sand”

One night I had a dream…

I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord, and
Across the sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand;
One belonged to me, and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of my life flashed before us,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that many times along the path of my life,
There was only one set of footprints.

I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest
and saddest times in my life
This really bothered me, and I questioned the Lord about it.
“Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
You would walk with me all the way;
But I have noticed that during the
most troublesome times in my life,
There is only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why in times when I
needed you the most, you should leave me.

The Lord replied, “My precious, precious
child. I love you, and I would never,
never leave you during your times of
trial and suffering.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you.

7. Learn to Laugh at yourself and at Life-So many of us and people in general take and view our life way too seriously, or ourselves too seriously. Jesus wants us to enjoy ourselves, and learn to have some fun. God made us for His pleasure so we need to let Him see us enjoy the gift of life he gave to us! “Be joyful always”   1 Thessalonians 5:16 (niv)

This Easter season now that Spring if officially here give Jesus the gift of Joy, Joy in you! From my family to yours we wish you a very Happy and Most Blessed Easter with your families!

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