Don't become hollow...

Spring is just about over...in fact, as I sit and type this, I am enjoying the outdoors.  I love spring and summer!

I didn't finish my spring cleaning though...there is just too much to do!   I have to admit,  I do love it when it is all done!  I sit back and just enjoy the clean.

What about your personal life?  Inside.  Does that need a spring cleaning as well?  Mine does, and I am working through that too.   

Take this self-evaluation and see what God leads you to do...

1) Based on regularity of your personal devotional/prayer time, how would you rate the place of these activities in your life?

*  Very important

*  Somewhat important

*  Not that important

2)  Consider your giving time, spiritual gifts, money and other resources to the local church or other ministries, how would you rate the place of such giving in your life?

*  Very important

*  Somewhat important

*  Not that important

3)  When you do something wrong or hurt another person, how often do you make an apology and ask forgiveness?

*  Very Important

*  Somewhat important

*  Not that important

4)  When you are struggling with a sin issue in your life how often do you discuss/confess that sin with your spouse or another person?

*  Very important

*  Somewhat important

*  Not that important

5)  Based on how often you go before the Lord and engage in honest evaluation or soul-searching concerning the quality of your spiritual life, how often do you describe this activity?

*  Very Important

*  Somewhat important

*  Not that important

If you answered most of the questions with a "Very Important"--great!  Thank the Lord.  If you answered "Somewhat" or "Not That" spend some time with the Lord.  Ask His insite on your spiritual walk.

That's what I am doing now...I am spring cleaning the inside.  I may just do a spiritual retreat by myself!

1) Set aside a block of time--at least a couple of hours or up to 24 hours--and go to a place where you will not be distracted.  You may wish to fast as part of the preparation.  Take your Bible and notebook.  Feel free to go on a retreat yourself.  It's good to get away with God!

2)  Begin your retreat with an extended time of prayer and meditation on scripture.  Some scripture:

Ps. 46

Ps. 139

Ps. 51

I John 1:1-10

Romans 8:1-39.

Be still, wait on God.  Ask Him to reveal to you areas of sin that need your repentance.  List significant items on a piece of paper , which you may chose to destroy later.

3)  Pray through your "Repentance List".  Ask God for forgiveness of each item.  Claim His assurance of forgiveness (John 1:9) and thank Him for cleansing you of all unrighteousness.

4)  Take the sheet of paper listing sins you have confessed and write I John 1:9 across the paper.  Find a spot to bury or burn your paper.  If you struggle with guilt from confessed sin, consider cover the ashes from your paper with several rocks to form a landmark that will always remind you of God's forgiveness.

5)  In your journal, write down any actions you need to perform that will give evidence of your repentance.  For example, if you have wronged someone, you may need to make restitution.  You also may wish to share issues from which you repented with a friend who will hold you accountable in the future.

6)  If your repentance involve confessing a sensitive sin to another person, seek counsel from a godly individual who can guide you through the steps.

7)  Conclude your retreat in prayer, asking God to give you the strength to turn away from sin and evil and do what is right.  Ask Him to help you keep short accounts with Him so that you will confess and repent regularly rather than allow sin to build up and become a barrier between you and God.

8)  Share with your spouse or friend what you learned through this process.  Pray with each other.

Don't become hollow!