When I initially thought of writing this particular blog I knew that I wanted to write about steps to take in preparing for the New Year. As I pondered the steps that should be taken in preparing for something new I strongly felt in my spirit that the Lord wanted me to talk about preparation from a totally different angle.
Most of the time when we think of preparing for a new event, change in life, adventure, or goal setting we think of steps that we need to take to make sure that the things we are preparing for turn out successfully. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact, there’s a quote that I love which states, “Success always comes when preparation meets opportunity.”
Let’s look at preparation another way. The Lord wants us to make our hearts ready on a daily basis so that He can work through vessels that long to please Him. He wants us to have hearts that are honest, sincere, full of integrity, and that offer Him true worship.
We must check our motives in the things that we say and do. We have to be aware of how we treat others this includes our body language, and our tones when we answer people. We have to take an honest examination of ourselves and ask if what we’re doing is pleasing to God.
God is not standing over us waiting for us to mess up so that He can immediately punish us but, He does want us to live a holy lifestyle unto Him. So whatever issues we might have whether everyone knows about them or whether they are private it is vitally important that we give them to the Lord.
So many people have learned to shout, dance, and praise around their issues by pretending that certain negative things in their lives are non existent. The Lord clearly sees those things and is willing to fix them if we just be honest and open with Him. Don’t ignore the issues.
So this is a reminder that as we seek to allow the Lord to use us for His glory we must give Him everything that’s in our hearts the good as well as the bad. Seek His holiness, righteousness, His way of thinking, and doing things. We must be willing to ask our loving Heavenly Father to turn His searchlight on our souls and remove any impurities. For surely this too is preparation
Reflections
1. What do you do in order to make sure that your heart is pleasing to the Lord?
2. Are you willing to ask the Lord to search you and deal with those places that you have tried to hide?
3. What does the following scripture mean to you? “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psa 51:10 KJV
4. Be sure to incorporate these verses in your prayers (as well as Psa 51:10)
“Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24 AMP
God Bless,
Minister Kimberly L. Smith
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