Flipping through the menu on my T.V. I wasn’t that surprise to see tons of remodel/fixer upper shows. Personally, I do love a few myself. But when I got to thinking about how much time we spend on watching these shows. Or shopping for home décor, and maintaining our homes, in general, I started wondering. Why we don’t put as much thought and care into ourselves? Do we need to do a spiritual renovations and remodeling in our spiritual life?
Aside from Sunday mornings when do we spend time with the Lord? How much time do we take to be in His Word? Or do good works for His glory? I am just as guilty as the next person. I spend more time getting ready (so to speak) than I do in actually taking action.
Let’s beginning with renovations.
Volunteer-From nonprofit organizations, to Christian based ones, whether the goal is to raise funds, or organizing events for awareness, there are so many ways to give back. All of us have a talent/gift so why don’t we let God place us in any environment where we can use them to our fullest ability.
-As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace 1 Peter 4:10
Clean house– Many of us have more things stacked in your house than you need. And that can mean only one thing, donations. Every few months I fill bags (we’re a family of 6) up things that we no longer use. From clothes to toys, if we haven’t used it in 2 months we won’t miss it. Once the bags are fill they can be donated directly to an organization, or sold at a yard sale (then the money can be used to benefit another), or you can give those items to someone you know that will use them.
–Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God Hebrews 13:16
Be a servant– One great example that easily comes to mean is babysitting. To an exhausted couple, or a stressed out single parent this act can be a prayer answered. Getting away for a weekend or a few hours can help a parent recharge and refocus. Just as cleaning the home of an elderly neighbor, or cooking a meal for a family experiencing a medical trail.
-In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven Matthew 5:16
Now the top three tips (and yes there could have been plaint more) are things you can do to help others, which does, in fact, benefit us too. Funny how acts that glorify God have a way of doing that. But the next four items we’ll look at are specifically for us ‘individually.’ It’s more than throwing on a new coat of paint; it’s tearing down walls. Let’s take a look at remodeling.
Edit your surroundings-There maybe a T.V. show, a type of music, a friend, etc. that you have in your life that is keeping you at arms length from God. To fully surrender to God we must remove all things from our life that doesn’t please Him. We don’t have any control over what to rest of the world does…or even our loved ones for that matter. But we can avoid the negative and remove those things that are spiritually unhealthy, which keep pulling us down.
-Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect Romans 12:2
Sign Up for a Bible Study-Whether it’s a Men/Women study, or Married Couples group, get signed up. There is so much we can learn from the different leaders of these groups, and each other. Not only are we building a ‘spiritual support group’ to keep us encouraged, but we will also have our fellow brothers and sisters there keeping us accountable.
-Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Be in the Word-In the quiet time you have to yourself spend time alone with God. From reading the Bible to reading a simple daily devotional, we can set time aside to allow God to reveal what the world tries to drown out. It is so important to be in the Word, daily. Our enemy never rest, but we can; in the Lord. If we let Him fill us, then nothing can drain us. God will put the right message, in the right place, at the right time…every time.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ Romans 10:17
Pray, like all the time– Prayer is powerful. Praying can change our mood, or help us reprioritize things. The list is endless. So talk to God. It’s just like picking up the phone and speaking to a friend. Let’s come to Him as a trusted friend who we can vent to, ask for help from, and thank.
-And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you Luke 11:9
There are numerous ways to strength our walk, and these have only scratched the surface. Have you wandered off course? Well, know that you’re not alone. Once you’ve realized this act, ask God for help and direction. We are all called to do works that glorify God, and to have a relationship with Him. Though renovations and remodeling can be a messy job and a lot of hard work remember that our Savior is the son of a carpenter and an all Might God. We can do all things because He is in us.
Dear God, help us to build (and on more occasions than we’d like to admit) remodel our spiritual life. Forgive us for our shortcomings and help us to hear your voice above all others. And let us feel conviction when we let things of this world take the focus off of you. God make us strong men and women who desire to please you. -Amen