Day 24: Genesis 35-37

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2035-37&version=NIV

Does Your House Need Cleaning?
One thing I hate is housecleaning. For me, it is very hard to get motivated to clean house. But the housecleaning we read in Genesis 35 must be done by each one of us. No maids are allowed. The Lord told Jacob to travel to Bethel to worship Him there. Jacob obeyed but he realized there is a big problem. The hearts of his family had divided allegiances toward God. Jacob knew his wives had one foot in following God and one foot in the world. God desired to break this double-mindedness The Lord wants to do the same with us.

Gen 35:1-3
Then God said to Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother." And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, "Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments.

In Jacob’s day if the people of God had a divided allegiance toward God, it was represented by them hanging onto their idols. They served God yet at the same time they trusted in their idols. We might think, “We surely don’t do anything like this?” Today of course most people don’t carry these types of idols in their pockets. Rather our idols have transformed into cars, pleasures, money or people. Almost anything can become an idol in our life if we let it. Even good things meant to bless us can become an idol if we put more affection toward it than toward God. Jesus desires to set us free from all idols and to get our heart fully committed to Him.

God wants us to clean house by examining ourselves to make sure we have submitted everything in our life to the will of God. We must be willing to lay everything at the foot of the cross and say, “I give this to you Lord”. Sometimes out of fear, I don’t want to let go of what I’m trusting in and give it to God. I think, if I give this to God, I’ll lose it forever and then I won’t be happy. Or if I do it God’s way, I’ll be miserable so I hang onto it with “white knuckles” refusing to give it to God. It gets hard and frustrating doesn’t it? God is so good He allows me to get into a position where I’m willing to give it to Him and to submit to His will. “Okay, Lord, here it is”. “I’m willing to do it your way” “Help me Lord to be fully committed to You” A funny thing happens when I decide to place God first in my heart. What I thought I needed, I really didn’t and then God starts to bring new and beautiful things into my life.

Matt 6:33
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

When I became born again Christian, my daily prayer was, ‘Please God help me not to choose the world over Your Word and help me to have a pure, innocent love toward You’. I cried out to the Lord because I knew my tendency was to choose wrong over God’s way. I realized God is the only one who can control my desire to sin and to keep me from justifying my sin.
What are some areas Christians can justify in their mind to the point of having one foot in the world and one foot in God? Christians can go to church, attend Bible study groups and prayer meetings but then hang out in the clubs and bars drinking the night away. Thinking in their mind, "I need a good social to go to" Or watching pornography while saying in their mind, "It’s better than committing adultery" or justification improper physical contact with a dating partner, "We are in love with each other so there isn't anything wrong with this." This way of thinking can deceive and blind a Christian’s mind.

Lately I found myself negotiating in my mind some areas of temptation in my own life. It brought a lot of guilt just thinking about it. I knew I was in danger of falling until finally I got on my knees and asked the Lord for help, “Please Lord help me! Purify my heart“

As we continue to read in these chapters, we are moving into the story of Joseph. God isn’t trapped in time like we are. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. The Lord starts in motion a plan which will benefit His people and others. No one realizes God's plan in a young man’s life named Joseph. Even Joseph doesn’t fully understand what God is up to.

Take note men and women of God: God is working a plan in our life and sometimes we have no idea of the end result or what God is up to. Today, no matter where you find yourself in life, we can look through the eyes of faith and praise His name. We can rejoice in Him knowing He is working a grand plan for our life. A plan which will be a blessing to us and a blessing to others.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jer 29:11-13

KW and Abrianna