TIME TO UPGRADE!
You know it never ceases to amaze me how God involves himself in the smallest details of our lives. How he lovingly guides us through thoughts and ideas just so that he can reveal himself in some type of way.
I have recently started a new journey to a healthier me, both physically and spiritually! I realized that I needed an upgrade! Yep! you heard me; this girl was in need of a spiritual make over. No one walked up to me and told me that I needed an upgrade, but I could feel that an upgrade was needed. When I would look in the mirror, I could see that an upgrade was needed. In my spiritual life I could feel that an upgrade was needed. One day I spoke it out loud and something happened. It was as if the Holy Spirit was agreeing with me. I felt a confirmation as if that is what he's been waiting for me to say. Note: If you want the Lord to respond quickly start speaking upgrade over your life!!
The only thing I needed now was to figure out how to make it happen! So I began to think of people I know who have upgraded their homes and why they felt that an upgrade was needed?
People upgrade when they want to "enlarge an area"
(I thought about God enlarging my territory!) 1 Chronicles 4:10
People upgrade when they want to take something old and make it "like new" again!
(I thought about putting on a new nature) Colossians 3:10
People upgrade when they want to "maintain the usability" of what already exists!
(I thought about how God will complete what he has begun in me) Philippians 1:6
People upgrade when they want their homes to be "more presentable" (I thought about presenting my body as a living sacrifice!) Romans12:1
People upgrade when they want their homes to be "transformed"
(I thought about being transformed by the renewing of my mind!) Romans 12:2
Somebody say, .."It's time for an upgrade!"
When I think about scriptures like 1 John 4: 12-17, I am reminded that my Savior lives within me; that he has taken up residency within me. "Oh, Lord if this is true, what kind of residential host have I been to you?" I knew the answer. I have been nothing more than a "slum lord" to my Savior and the Holy Spirt! Now, I know that sounds awful, but it's the truth! I was not being intentional about the upkeep of my spiritual premises.
When I think about scriptures like 1 John 4: 12-17, I am reminded that my Savior lives within me; that he has taken up residency within me. "Oh, Lord if this is true, what kind of residential host have I been to you?" I knew the answer. I have been nothing more than a "slum lord" to my Savior and the Holy Spirt! Now, I know that sounds awful, but it's the truth! I was not being intentional about the upkeep of my spiritual premises.
What makes one a spiritual "slum lord?" Let's take a look...
Failing to rid the premises of filthy conditions, such as unrepentant sin!
Refusing to upgrade when prompted...which is disobedience!
Oh, and let's not forget, allowing "trash on the premises!...trash talking, trashy behavior, watching trash, listening to trash, putting trash in our bodies, drugs, alcohol, and yes, even unhealthy eating patterns! Being allowed to share living space with our Lord.
Ask yourself today...Am I a "slum lord" to the Holy Spirit's dwelling place? Is he pleased with his living conditions within me? Is he able to use me with all of the stuff that I have allowed into his dwelling space?
I realized that I had an displeased tenant; a grieving Holy Spirit! And I realized that I needed to do something about it! Well, I made up my mind! I don't want to be a "slum lord" any longer and therefore I must make a change within!
No more just touching up the premises here and there!
No more just covering up the problem areas! I needed the Lord to expose me!
I had to acknowledge that he has trusted me to manage what is rightfully his. I had to become responsible with the tools he had given me; tools to make his dwelling place more inhabitable and the wisdom to get it done!
You can declare today, "I am under construction and on my way to a well needed upgrade! And when I feel that it's getting too hard and I can't finish the upgrade alone, Lord remind me that my upgrade has already been PAID IN FULL! When I put my trust in you!...
Let's Pray:
Lord you said in Proverbs 29:11 that you know the plans that you have for me that will bring me to my expected end and it is your expected end that I want for my life. I now move out of your way so that you can do what you need to do, and I will do that which you have called me to do that brings me closer to you. I thank you for being the God of my upgrade!!
Amen
