Questions in Lockdown

We have been living with restrictions to our daily lives because of coronavirus and of course we are all looking forward to the time when things can get back to normal. What the new normal will be I just do not know but I have put together a few thought provoking questions to help us think about how we can make the most of our time in lockdown and benefit from it. Here they are:

1. How are you using this time in lockdown to evaluate what matters in life?

Yes, you may have less stress from running in the rat race of life and there may be less pollution in the air but have you been rediscovering the little things that matter in life? Has spending time with your family cooking, painting, gardening, reading, listening to music and online info, etc. given you a new appreciation of family life? What precious times do you plan to continue after lockdown? Will you view your employment differently when all this is over? What and who will you value more?

2. What are you doing to benefit your spiritual, physical and mental health?

Yes, you need proper rest, good diet, and exercise. Perhaps you have been spending time on your hobbies and even DIY jobs around the house. These are all very beneficial for your well-being but do not forget to take time out for God. Also, remember to share the load of household chores and if you are struggling with home educating your children, make sure to take time out for yourself.

3. If you believe in God, do you turn to HIM first with all your heart in this crisis?

Yes, it is good to heed the advice of the experts and follow the government's guidelines for keeping safe. But perhaps as you listen to all the media reports your heart is filled with worry and fear.

Remember, Jesus said: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me." (John 14v1)

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3v5+6) 

Trust the Lord in the crisis and trust Him to solve it, even though we may have many questions about why it is happening.

4. If you believe God answers prayer, are you trusting God to answer prayer?

There are so many things to pray for: Those suffering and bereaved, world leaders, church leaders, medical staff, key workers, wisdom and healing, and much, much more. Pray people will turn to God through this pandemic. However, it is so easy to say prayers that are really only from the lips and not from the heart. Trust God with all your heart to answer prayer.

Jesus said, "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." (Mark 11v24)

5. If you believe the 10 commandments are God's moral rule for our lives, what are you doing to keep them during lockdown?

I suggest that you get your Bible out and go down each commandment as found in Exodus 20v3-17, carefully considering how you can  keep these commandments during lockdown. Don't forget to consider how your time on the internet and social media relates to them. Don't forget your heart attitude as well. I think if we are honest we all fail to keep the 10 commandments perfectly.

6. If you are a Christian, how are you practising Christ's command to love thy neighbour as thyself?

Jesus taught that we are to love God first and that we are to love our neighbour as ourselves (Matthew 22v37-39). Our neighbour is not just the person who lives next door but other people too. You may not be able to get out during lockdown and isolation but that doesn't mean you cannot keep in touch with and care for others. A little text or phone call may be all it takes to encourage and help others. Praise God for social media and all the benefits of modern technology. Of course, you may even be able to bring essentials to those who cannot go out. Perhaps you know someone vulnerable or in danger??

7. How are you making use of all the volume of good material and sermons online?

Now that the churches are closed, it would be so easy to forget about listening to sermons and just let Sunday pass as any other day. However, most churches are providing teaching for adults and children by various means online. In fact, I have never seen my Facebook newsfeed so filled with good sermons, children's talks, helpful blogs, hymns and gospels songs. Research these for yourself.

8. Are you thankful?

The Bible tells us, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5v18)

Be thankful for your blessings, food to eat, and lovely weather. Just imagine what lockdown would be like inside in the cold and wet! I am so thankful for being able to enjoy the sunshine in my back garden. Praise God for answered prayer and for all those who recovered.

9. Are you hopeful?

Yes, we hope it will end soon. Hope for vaccine/cure. But the Bible talks about the living hope we have through Christ. Read 1 Peter 1v3-5. This is not just some hope for the best, maybe it will happen by chance idea. No, this Biblical hope is steadfast, as if we already had it. Do you possess that living hope and strong assurance of faith?


By considering all these questions honestly and privately, I hope they will help you to decide how you will come out of lockdown a better and stronger person.

Please do not send me answers to these questions as they are not a test. I do not pretend to have all the answers right in my own life but I just offer the above questions to you for careful contemplation.

Love God and stay safe!
Rhonda

Easter Lockdown

Easter is on lockdown. We are asked to stay at home. No trips to the beach or scenic places that we always enjoy at Easter. No visiting family and friends. No groups gathering for egg hunts or special Easter meals. No church services to remember Christ's resurrection and take communion at. About a quarter of the world's populatuion is in some form of lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic. Not exactly the way we like to spend Easter.

Nonetheless, all this reminds me of the first Easter lockdown. You can read about it in the Bible in John 20v19-29. The disciples of Jesus had spent three of the most frightful days of their lives. Jesus their Master had been betrayed by Judas Iscariot, arrested in Gethsemane, whipped and beaten, mocked and spat upon, tried and falsely accused, denied by Peter and then cruelly put to death on an old Roman cross. The disciples were terrified and had fled in fear. They were afraid of the Jews delivering them up to the Romans to be treated likewise. So, they assembled together, shut the doors and went into lockdown.

But while these strong, healthy men were terrified and in lockdown, some women were making their way through the empty streets of Jerusalem very early in the morning just as the first day of the week was beginning to dawn. They were to make the most amazing discovery....Christ had risen from the dead. Yes, they were frightened by the angel at the tomb but they got the message very clearly about Jesus: "He is not here for He is risen." Then, while they ran to tell the disciples, the Lord appeared to them and they worshipped Him.

Later that day Jesus appeared in the room where the disciples were locked away for fear of the Jews. He did not burst into the room or enter through the door. He just suddenly appeared inside the room in His resurrected body. Only Thomas was missing and he would not believe until he had seen the risen Christ for himself.

I want to draw your attention to how the Lord dealt with His terrified disciples.

1. He greeted them with peace

They were terrified, in fear because of the Jews and now this figure suddenly appears, standing in the room before them! He greets them with words of peace (v20) in the midst of their fear. Perhaps you are filled with fear at this time. The news is full of coronavirus reports and they strike fear into your soul. Remember, Jesus can bring you peace. He is the One who speaks peace in the midst of the storm and calms the waves. Perhaps it would be an idea for you to sit down with your Bible and find times when Jesus brought peace.

Jesus had told His disciples before He went to Calvary, 'Let not your hearts be troubled...' (John 14v1-3); 'My peace I give unto you... In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world' (John 14v27; 16v33). So, may the peace of God that passes all understanding give you courage and strength at this time.

2. He showed them His scars

He showed them the scars of the nailprints in His hands and feet and the scar where the spear was thrust into His side (John 20v20 cp Luke 24v39+40). He was not just a spirit standing before them. His resurrected body was real. His wounds were not still bleeding, for the full price for our sin was paid when He shed His blood on the cross at Calvary. This really was the Lord. It was no imposter. He had the scars to prove it. He had risen as He said He would. Yes, He had conquered death and burst open the tomb that morning. The soldiers could not stop Him. Not even Satan himself could stop Christ.

When the Lord entered the disciples' lockdown and showed them His scars, the Bible says, Then they were glad (v20). They were filled with gladness when they recognised their Lord. This resurrection morning, I encourage you to meditate upon the One with the nailprints in His hands. Dear Christian, as you contemplate upon what His death and resurrection mean for you, surely it will fill your heart with gladness. Coronavirus lockdown may be a fearful time for you but Christ can bring you joy and gladness. Do you recognise Christ as Lord in the midst of all the current crisis?

3. He rebuked them for their unbelief

Thomas was not there that first Sunday when Christ appeared to them, so he would not believe until he would see the nailprints for himself (v25). That is why he is sometimes called Doubting Thomas. But the Lord graciously gave Thomas that opportunity. One week later, with the disciples still in lockdown, Christ again suddenly stood before them and told Thomas to reach out and feel the nailprints in His hands and the scar in His side and be not faithless, but believing (v27). Immediately Thomas recognised Him and said, 'My Lord and my God' (v28).

However, Mark 16v14 tells us that Jesus rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they believed not those who had seen Him after he was risen. Was the testimony of Mary Magdalene and the other women who saw the risen Lord not good enough? What about the witness of the two men who talked with Him on the Emmaus road? Why would they want to live in lockdown with unbelief and hardness of heart? I suppose the truth is they had not seen Him for themselves and 'seeing is believing.' However, Jesus did not commend them for their unbelief and hard hearts. In fact, Jesus said, "Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed" (John 20v29).

None of us today have seen Jesus but by faith we believe on Him. The Lord does not want us to live in fear, unbelief and hardness of heart. He wants you to have the faith, peace and joy that are found in Him. Just because we cannot go to church and we are to stay at home, it does not mean we cannot believe and rejoice in the Risen Saviour!

4. He gave them the great commission

When Jesus had dealt with their fear and unbelief, He gave them the great commission:

"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16v15)

Later, before He ascended into heaven, He told them to teach all nations and to baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28v19+20).

The disciples fearlessly fulfilled that great commission that Christ gave them, after they were endued with the power of the Holy Spirit. They did all they could in their then known world to preach and teach the gospel.

Christ still expects us as believers to proclaim and teach the gospel. These are strange days in which we are living and yet it is so amazing to see so many sermons, devotional messages and children's talks available online. I believe their effect will be very far reaching. Take time to listen to some of them this Easter and may they lead you to worship Christ the Risen Saviour with all of your heart.

So, as you are in lockdown this Easter, you can still remember the Risen Christ who is the Saviour of the world and may you find encouragement and strength from Him to help you through this time of coronavirus lockdown.

Happy Easter to you all!

Rhonda

**You can read more about the Resurrection of Jesus in Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 19+20.

Remembering 2019

It's that time of year when I stop to reflect upon the past year and consider what lessons and encouragement I can take with me into the New Year.

Christmas 2019

The first half of 2019 gave me some beautiful memories to treasure. I think particularly of our beautiful holiday in Tenerife in May. It was a lovely time to relax and enjoy walking around Port de la Cruz. I think there was one day where I actually did over 19000 steps! Also, I had the experience of walking on black sand beach for the first time. The memories roll as I view my holiday photos. Here are just a few:

Then, I really enjoyed the Holiday Bible School week at the beginning of July. These are just a couple of photos to illustrate what we taught the children about during that week. I am so thankful for the great team of workers who excelled in work and unity. 

The second half of 2019 was very different. On 23rd July my mum fell and has not been fit to be home since. Life changed dramatically for her and dad after over 64 years of marriage. He is tired and vexed that he cannot bring her home. For the rest of us there is a big focus now on visiting mum and doing what little we can to help her. But, even in all of this, I have learned to take time out to spend with my own family Adrian, Isaac and Jemima. They have been so understanding, patient and helpful, especially concerning housework, cooking for themselves and driving me about. It has not been possible to be at home every day to have dinner ready for them coming in from work.

At 58 years of age, my body tells me what it is able to cope with. I realize it is important to take time to relax, chillax, to refresh my body and to spend time with Adrian, Isaac and Jemima. This means that I must prioritize the things I do, even if it does not please everyone. Yes, and it has even meant cutting back a bit on my commitment to church activities.

Here are just a few things to think about as we enter 2020:

1. Praise God for the good times and seek His strength and guidance in the difficult times
2. Appreciate family and enjoy time with them
3. Respect the body God gave you and do not burn yourself out
4. Take care of your physical, spiritual and mental health
5. Unity brings blessing from God and joy to your soul
6. Try to resolve problems with others before they fester
7. God's grace is sufficient for you in every situation in life.

This is the Bible verse that I have chosen to take with me into 2020:

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Phillippians 3v13-14 KJV

The New Year brings new challenges and opportunities. My sole focus for 2020 is to be Christ as I run in the spiritual race of life. I must not let the difficulties and struggles of the past year hold me back. May I ever keep my eye on the finishing line and the heavenly prize that God has for me!

Wishing you every blessing for 2020.
Rhonda

Christmas Lights

One of the things that has fascinated me about Christmas since childhood is Christmas lights. I particularly like various coloured ones. Drive through a town and view the streets decked with beautiful colours in stars, candles, trees, greetings, etc. I love it!🎄 Drive through the country and see the lights of Christmas trees in houses and even some extravagant garden Christmas lights. Doesn't it just warm your heart? When I was a little girl I used to count the Christmas trees when going on a journey in the car at night. I may not be very good with my own displays but I can admire everyone else's.

This year I have been contemplating upon lights in the Bible around the story of the incarnation of Christ. Here are just a few thoughts:

The glory of the LORD shone round about the shepherds and they were sore afraid, terrified. What an amazing brilliance to what started out as an ordinary night caring for their sheep! It became an extraordinary night that they would never forget. That excellent crystal clear light that shone around them was the glory of God. It is incomprehensible to everyone of us what this experience was truly like, as we were not there to witness it. I guess that even the shepherds present on those Bethlehem hills that night could not find words adequate to describe it. Remember, the glory of God is the light in heavenly Jerusalem, as Revelation 21v23 tells us. I wonder what the glory of the Lord actually felt like, for it caused them to be sore afraid. Also, people in Bible times believed that if they saw God, then they would die. I wonder was this going through their minds too??

But the angel of the Lord told them 'Fear not' and brought them good tidings of great joy of the birth of our Saviour Christ the Lord. Then, the multitude of the heavenly host suddenly appeared, praising God. Oh, I would have loved to have heard that heavenly singing that night!! Those shepherds that night went from fearing God, to believing God, to glorifying and praising God, too, and telling it all around about the birth of the Saviour. As I contemplate upon the glory of God shining upon the shepherds, I must ask myself: Do I truly fear God enough to count myself unworthy in His holy presence? Does the birth of Christ bring me real joy or is it just a festive season for me? Do I trust God's Word enough to act upon it? Do I love others enough to tell them of the only Saviour from sin? Am I continually glorifying and praising God?

Now to proceed with more thoughts on lights, read on down the chapter and see that Simeon described Jesus as 'A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.' (Luke 2v32) I am really glad that Christ's salvation is for Jew and Gentile. Praise God, He did not leave me in the darkness of sin.

I must not forget the wise men following the star to visit Jesus. That special bright star in the sky led them to seek Christ the King. It guided them right to the very place where He was and they fell down and worshipped HIM, (not Mary or Joseph). He became their King and God. Is He your God and Saviour and is He King of your life?

It is very significant that Jesus who described Himself as the Light of the world was born to save us from the darkness of sin.

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

John 8:12 KJV

Jesus also said, "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness."

John 12:46 KJV

The person who follows the LORD Jesus is not going to walk in the darkness of sins but will experience the light of life that only God can give. So, where do we gain our knowledge of how we should follow the Light of the world. Turn to the Word of God which is a light to show us the way.

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

Psalms 119:105 KJV

Once we experience God's salvation, we need to be burning shining lights for Him in this dark sinful world.

Jesus said, "Ye are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Matthew 5:14+16 KJV

So, to conclude, Christmas lights are a reminder to me that I must follow The Light of the world to be a light in the world for Him and that I need to walk in the light of His Word.

**(Read Luke chapter 2 and Matthew chapter 2 to discover more of the story concerning the shepherds and the wise men.)

Everlasting arms

This picture used to hang on a wall in my grandmother's house.....and, yes, you have probably guessed....it now hangs on a wall in my bedroom! As a young girl when I used to help her with some housework, I would often stop and look at it and think about what it was saying. I wish to share some thoughts about it in this blog...

Underneath are the everlasting arms

The picture depicts a beautiful calm scene of the milkmaid in early morning. Just look at how still the water is. There's not a tree blowing in the wind. The fire is lit and the smoke is rising straight up from the quaint old cottage, so there is no sign of a storm. The pathway is dry showing it has not been raining. Look at how contented the cattle appear and the cow lying down chewing her cud.  The milkmaid is dressed so prime and proper as she leaves the meadow after milking the cows. The meadow scene is just so calm and idyllic with the brightness in the sky as a new day has dawned.

The Bible text "Underneath are the everlasting arms" just seems so appropriate for this picturesque scene that the artist has portrayed. The Everlasting LORD brings such wonderful peace into our lives when we rest in His everlasting arms.

The natural beauty of this scene from a bygone era is unspoiled with man-made paths or neatly cut hedges. I can imagine the meadow hiving with insects and wildlife as the sun gets up. There are a few flowers blooming (looks like some briers too). The picture is calming on mind, portraying tranquility and serenity but there are a few questions that bother me:

• Why is there only one tree depicted as deciduous, possibly an ash whose leaves appear later than other trees? Perhaps it is to have the effect of showing a new dawn and new season appearing. But, if it is spring, where are the baby calves?
• Why is the milkmaid walking in opposite direction from cottage? And is she left handed?
• What is she thinking as she walks away looking back?

But then, my thoughts drift to think of how difficult life may have been for the milkmaid. Very early mornings and no excuse for not being there. Heavy pails full of milk to carry back to the dairy on the farm before straining and cooling it and making butter or whatever. Perhaps a master who was not so kind to her or appreciative of her work. No leisure centres or keep fit classes for her....hard work was her exercise. What of the dangers she may have faced in the fields alone as she walked in the twilight of the early morning? (Remember there were no mobile phones then!) Life was not all easy then, no matter how idyllic and romantic it is portrayed.

Perhaps your life appears so calm on the outside and people would almost think you never have a problem in life. But you know different. You have problems that you do not share: problems with health, finance, family, work, education, temptation, bullying, abuse, etc. etc. Well, this scripture text is for you too. No matter how difficult life is or how much you struggle to cope....Let the LORD carry you in His everlasting arms. He will never let you go and He will carry you safely through it all and bring you out the other side when a new day will dawn for you to praise His name.

"The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deuteronomy 33v27 KJV)

Is the Eternal God you refuge and do you rest in His everlasting arms?

Two Hoots

A few months ago I was told by someone that another particular person did not give two hoots about what I thought. Now I do not believe that the person concerned was purposely intending to be nasty or hurtful to me but those words 'couldn't give two hoots what you think' had a deep impact on my thoughts process. My thoughts ran like this: Does the person who said those words to me give two hoots about what I think? Does anyone really give two hoots about what I think? After all, I don't live in a mansion and have plenty of cash to flash around. I have my health issues. I do not belong to some popular political party, big church or esteemed organization. I am not a celebrity. I do not go along with all the 'leftie' thinking that's going about today. So, why should anyone give two hoots what I think? My opinion is worthless. It does not matter. So, why bother giving it? In fact, why should I spend so much time preparing little Bible-based studies, thoughts and picture texts to share on the internet, if no one gives two hoots what I think?

I had to stop right there for I must confess I felt a wee bit like Jeremiah in the Bible. God's Word is a joy to me and I love to share it in the little way I can. However, if people do not give two hoots what I think, or even what I share from God's Word, why should I keep doing it? When Jeremiah was derided daily and mocked for speaking God's Word, he decided to stop telling it BUT he found that God's Word was so burning within him that he just could not hold back from speaking it (cp. Jeremiah 20v7-9). That kind of describes a bit of how I feel. Life has a big void if I cannot share God's Word...that message that so burns within my heart to get out, even if no one gives two hoots what I think.

A couple of weeks back I opened Facebook one morning and two precious promises that God had given me years ago just came up in my newsfeed. John 15v16; Exodus 33v14.

"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." John 15v16 KJV

"And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." Exodus 33v14 KJV

This was no accident. God was showing me that even if some people didn't give two hoots about what I thought, He had chosen me and He cares about me. I am important to Him. It matters to Him what I think. He wants my opinions to be so rooted in the Bible that I am actually propagating HIS will.

When I stop to think about it, I have as much right to my opinion as those people who don't give two hoots what I think. My desire is to ever give Bible-based opinions that promote godly living. I may not be rich, strong or powerful and I may be deemed foolish, unimportant, useless or a failure by some people but by God's grace I intend to continue living for Him. He has said:

"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12v9 KJV

I may be weak and unimportant by this world's standards but remember God uses such people that He alone should have all the glory (1 Corinthians 1v26-31). This gives me great encouragement to keep going, even when I know that others couldn't give two hoots what I think. 

In conclusion, your opinion is not more important than mine, just because I dare to differ with you, or even because you couldn't give two hoots what I think.

We all have the right to our opinion but that does not mean we are right. We may be sincere in what we think and believe but we can be sincerely wrong. So, we all need to make sure that our opinions line up with what God says in His Word, not against it, because one day we are all going to be judged by the standard of God's Word (cp. John 12v48). At the end of the day, it is what God says that matters!

Thanks for taking time to read this blog post. Hope I haven't come across too harshly but I just wanted to share how God encouraged me to keep going when I was made to feel inferior.

Rhonda

Spring cleaning

It's Spring! Hooray. Can't you feel spring in the air? I love it. The bushes all around us beginning to bud. The daffodils are out and other little plants starting to peep out of the winter soil. (Actually, the daffodils are nearly finished and it's tulip time already). The days are getting longer and soon the clocks will go forward to bring in British summer time. Newborn lambs and other baby animals arriving. It makes me think of the Bible verse:

"The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land." Song of Solomon 2:12 KJV

The time for Spring cleaning is here, that time when you give your house an extra deep clean to get rid of all that winter dirt. The bright days are showing it up and you want to get in behind furniture and machines to remove the dust and cobwebs. So out comes the dusters, polish, cleaning agents and even bleach. The yard outside maybe needs a power hose to remove the green. The garage or garden shed needs a clear out too. Well, that's the general idea but I'm not too good at doing it.

Spring cleaning makes me think about the Israelites in the Bible clearing all the leaven out of their houses at Passover time. Not a bit was to remain (Exodus 12v15). Leaven is a picture of sin (1Corinthians 5v6-8). We need to be diligent to ensure that sin is removed from our lives, lest it rises to control us.

Adrian took some days off work a few weeks ago and we spent two of those days spring cleaning. He cleaned the guttering and wiped the fascia board. What muck he took out! I took to washing down the walls inside where the dogs had rubbed up against them with their wet coats, and to pulling out furniture removing dirt and cobwebs.

Day two was a bigger job than I expected.... clearing out the attic. Wow! It's one thing to put things up in the attic out of the way but it's quite another to have an attic full of boxes and accumulated rubbish...some of it there since the year 2000! Adrian had to go twice to the dump with stuff. 

Well, two days did us and I've still lots to do. Cleaning windows and a kitchen deep clean are included on that list. Plenty of elbow grease needed! Painting and a garden make-over have to wait until the weather gets a bit warmer.

My thoughts are bursting with application but here are just a few:

1. Deep clean is necessary to get rid of much ingrained and hidden dirt.
Spiritually speaking, we need to get rid of sins like envy, pride, jealousy, lust, selfishness and covetousness that are hidden deep in our hearts. They will lead to more sins if allowed to stay. See Mark 7v20-23.

2. You discover precious memories and things you had forgotten about. 
Maybe it's a bunch of old photos, a gift from someone special, a book or prize with sentimental value, some work of art, or a toy that brings those memories flooding back....and maybe tears too as we reminisce. Often as we sincerely search our lives with the spotlight of scripture, we can go back to reminisce on past blessings God gave us and times of great accomplishments and encouragements in our Christian walk.

3. You may throw out things others preferred to keep.
When we had finished our attic clear-out, Isaac informed me that it would have been nice to have kept the horrible histories series that he had collected when he was a child. Oops, sorry, too late, they're dumped! Why didn't he tell me in time? Yes, sometimes we don't see the value in things that mean something to other people.

4. You must be involved in your own spring cleaning to get satisfactory results, even if it's only to give instructions on what you want done, kept, or dumped. I had to get up into the attic to do the clear-out and clean-up. It had to be done right, my way. 😄 I wouldn't trust others to do it to my liking. 😏 Christian, when it come to a spiritual spring clean in your life, you must search your own life before God in the light of scripture. Psalm 119v9; 139v23-24.

5. Be careful not to dump things you should keep. 
Imagine having dumped something and then realizing later that you should have kept it. Make sure the fruit of the Spirit is growing in your life. See Galatians 5v22-16.

I conclude with this little Bible verse:

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Proverbs 4v23