Simplify: Back to BasicsSample

Cleaning Out the Heart

Our hearts are the hardest to untangle.

We get stuck in the past or in our emotions. We might have believed the enemy's lies and don't even realize it. Sometimes we have hurts that we have either neglected or slapped a Band-Aid on, so the wounds haven't healed yet.

God can deal with every bit of that!

All the ugliness, sin, rejection, bitterness, and unforgiveness--in the hands of the Healer, we can get better. As the Great Physician, he tends to our hurts gently and skillfully.

God wants to heal us. He wants to help us walk in purpose, and he knows that our healing becomes the testimony that can impact others' healing.

We don't have to stay hurt, wounded, or sad. Our hearts don't always need to have walls around them. We can let him dismantle our crusty, crumbling exterior.

God promises I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT) This means he will do the best cleanout job ever--if we let him.

All We Have to Do is Ask

He is waiting, friend.

God wants you to live a better life than the one you are currently living. He doesn't want you to live broke, broken, hurt, wounded, stuck, tangled, or defeated. He has the answer to every complication you face, and he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

If you want to be somewhere different 365 days from now, start getting back to basics. Lighten your calendar, steward your finances, get your house in order, and let the Lord BE the Lord of your life. Over time your life will change when you choose the simplicity of serving God, putting him first, and stewarding your time, treasure, and talents well.

You don't have to stay where you are. Your entire life can change through one decision to let the heavenly Father's love, grace, and mercy heal you in every area. His more isn't the way of clutter and stuff. His more for you is his light pushing the darkness out of your heart, so you have room to live the life he's called you to.

Let God show you what he can do with all your tangled messes. Invite him in and ask him to help you wherever you are struggling.

He loves your heart so much, and he has more for you than this.

Prayer: Lord God, be the Lord of my entire life. Wherever I need to simplify--show me. Remove my stony, stubborn heart and replace it with a tender, responsive heart so I can heal, grow, and learn all you have for me. Show me how to untangle anything that has gotten twisted and keeps me from hearing you or seeing clearly the way I should go. Take me back to basics. I love you, and I offer you my everything! In Jesus' name, amen.

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