Stinking Closet

Yesterday after a nice nap, I planned on cleaning out my bedroom closet. I knew it would be a challenge but I was up to it. My closet is big but not huge. I turned on the Christian radio and I started the process and cleared everything out on my side and on the floor. I did my side. Kevin's looks fine but needs some folding, hanging, and straightening up, but its in order. It looks great, but now I have several totes and boxes that are filled with “catch all junk” – no homes. It looks like I just moved along the wall. The rest of the room looks clean and orderly. I thought I would head to bed but after making some work arrangements for the week, I decided to continue the process. I fixed up my antique dressing table drawers with my makeup, added a light up mirror and some small decorative boxes to hold my hair bands, bobby pins, etc. It looks real nice and perfect for the “queen” which is what I feel like when I put my make up on there until the mirror asks “who’s the fairest of all?” WAH!

I tell you all this to get you up to my night, I am officially tired at midnight. I sit and talk to Tim and his friends outside until 12:30am. We laugh, talk and I counsel. I think they still like me. I take a shower, put on my nice smelling lotion, and almost literally crawl into bed. My legs hurt. It’s 1:00am. I do a crossword puzzle to relax. It’s weird I know. Then I see a thin orange colored booklet in my nightstand. I picked it up and started to read. Ladies it was a 20 minute read. It was inspiring. I want to share parts of it with you. It's a long blog today but I think you will find it thought provoking.

My Heart – Christ’s Home, by Robert Boyd Munger, professor at Fuller Theological Seminary.
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

(I am only typing out bits and pieces and writing my comments within parenthesis.)

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes…. (3:16-17)….”That Christ may settle down and be at home in your hearts by faith” (Weymouth).

(The author is reflecting on his coming to Jesus in faith. In the process he shares the reality of Jesus' home being his heart. Think of your heart as a home for Jesus as you read)

…one of the most remarkable Christian doctrines is that Jesus Christ himself through the Holy Spirit will actually enter a heart, settle down and be at home there. Christ will live in any human heart that welcomes him.

“If a man love me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:23).

(The author reflects on the evening he invited Jesus into his heart.)

It was not a spectacular, emotional thing, but very real, occurring at the very center of my soul. He came into the darkness of my heart and turned on the light. He built a fire in the cold hearth and banished the chill. He started music where there had been stillness and harmony where there had been discord. He filled the emptiness with his own loving fellowship. I have never regretted opening the door to Christ and I never will.

(Ladies, sit a minute and think of that day or if not the very day but when you knew Christ was in your heart…the day you opened the door. Try to get the feeling again or if it’s still real, smile and bask in the joy. I was a young teen. I know it was real and I knew He lived in my heart. I suddenly had a sense of peace, hope and His presence, in the midst of abandonment, alcohol, and a critical environment. I knew He was ever present and spirit convicting me throughout my worldly choices. I must have broken His heart. Nonetheless, at invitation, I was a changed person. I was truly forgiven and heaven bound. I had joy.)

After Christ entered my heart…I said to Him, “Lord, I want this heart of mine to be yours. I want you to settle down here and be fully at home. I want you to use it as your own. … I want you to enjoy our time together.

(The author proceeds to describe his heart as having many rooms where he walks Jesus through. Consider the rooms of your heart…your home for Jesus.)

THE STUDY
…the study of the mind. …it is the control room of the mind. In a sense, it is the control room of the house.

He…looked around at the books…the magazines on the table.

I had not felt bad about this room before, but now that he was there with me looking at these things, I was embarrassed.

As for the pictures on the walls-the imaginations, and thoughts of my mind-some of these were shameful.

“…Will you help me shape it up and change it to the way it ought to be?”

(Jesus) “…First of all, take all the material you are reading and viewing which are not true, good, pure and helpful, and throw them out! Now, put on the empty shelves the books of the Bible. Fill the library with the Scriptures and mediate on them day and night. As for the pictures on the walls, you will have difficulty controlling these images, but I have something that will help.” He gave me a full-sized portrait of himself.”

…the awareness of His presence, purity and power causes wrong and impure thoughts to back away. So He has helped me bring my thoughts under His control, but the struggle remains.

THE DINING ROOM
He seated Himself at the table and inquired, “What is on the menu for dinner tonight?”

…”my favorite dishes: money, academic degrees, stocks, with newspaper articles of fame and fortune as side dishes.” …secular fare.

(Jesus) “I have food to eat you do not know of. My food is to do the will of him that sent me.” … If you want food that really satisfies you, do the will of your heavenly Father. Put his pleasure before your own. Stop striving for your own desire, your own ambitions, your own satisfactions. Seek to please him. That food will really satisfy you. …”

At the end everything else leaves you hungry.

What kind of food are we serving our divine companion and serving ourselves?

“All that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16), our self centered wants?

THE LIVING ROOM
He seemed pleased with it. He said, “Indeed, this is a delightful room. Let’s come here often It’s secluded and quiet, and we can have good talks and fellowship together.”

He promised, “I will be here every morning early. Meet me here and we will start the day together.”

Those times together were wonderful. Through the Bible and his Holy Spirit he would talk to me. In prayer I would respond. So our friendship deepened in these quiet times of personal conversation.

However, under the pressure of many responsibilities, little by little, this time began to be shortened.

Matters of urgency demanding my attention were continually crowding out the quiet times of conversation with Jesus.

Glancing in…Jesus sitting there. …in dismay, it came to me, “He is my guest. I invited Him into my heart! He has come as my Savior and Friend to live with me. Yet here I am neglecting Him.

“Master, I’m sorry! Have you been here every morning?”

“Yes,” He said.

He had been faithful in spite of my faithlessness.

He said, “The trouble is that you have been thinking of quiet time, of Bible study and prayer as a means for your own spiritual growth. …this time means something to me also. …At a great cost I have redeemed you. I value your fellowship. …Whether or not you want to be with me, remember I want to be with you. I really love you.”

THE WORKROOM
He said, “This is fairly well furnished. What are you producing with your life for the kingdom of God?” He looked at one or two of the little toys that I had thrown together on the bench…

“Lord, that’s the best I can do. I now it isn’t much. I am ashamed to say that with my awkwardness and limited ability, I don’t think I’ll ever do much more.”

(Jesus) “Well, first remember what I taught you: ‘Apart from me you can do nothing’ (John 15:5). …I know you are unskilled, clumsy and awkward, but the Spirit is the Masterworker. If he controls your heart and your hands, he will work through you. Now turn around.” Then putting His great strong arms around me…He picked up the tools and began to work through me. “Relax. You are still too tense. Let go-let me do the work!”

Be sensitive and responsive to what He wants to do. Trust Him. He will surprise you with what He can do through you!

THE REC ROOM
…He inquired about the rec room, where I went for fun and fellowship.

There were certain associations and activities I wanted to keep for myself.

…I was on my way out …, he was at the door and stopped me...”Are you going out?”
I answered, “Yes.” …He said, "I would like to go with you.” …I replied I don’t think, Lord, that you would rally enjoy where we are going….Tomorrow night we can go to a Bible class or a social at the church…”

“As you wish,” was His comment. “Only I thought …we were going to do everything together—be close companions.”

(Jesus came and transformed His “rec room” with the author)

He transformed it. He brought new friendships, new excitement, and new joys. Laughter and music have been ringing in…”

(Jesus) …He smiled, “You thought that with me around you wouldn’t have much fun, didn’t you? Remember, I have come ‘that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.’ “(John 15:11)

THE BEDROOM
Though I knew my relationship with my girlfriend was a good one, I felt funny talking to Him about it.

(Jesus) “You are beginning to question my teaching on sex, aren’t you? That intercourse is only for those who are joined in the covenant of marriage? You’re feeling I may be asking something unnatural if not impossible for you. You’re afraid my will on this will limit the full enjoyment of life and love. Isn’t that true?”

(Jesus)”…listen carefully to what I am saying,” He continued. “I forbid adultery and premarital sex not because sex is bad but because it is good. Beyond the physical ecstasy it is a means of bonding two lives in deepening love. It has the creative power to bring human life into being. Sex is powerful. Used properly sex has tremendous potential for good. Used improperly, it destroys the good. For this reason God intends it to be expressed only within the commitment of a loving life partnership. There is far more to love than just sex…Talk to me about it! Acknowledge the wrong! Take steps to avoid it happening again! Rely on my strength to keep you from falling and to lead you…”

THE HALL CLOSET
(Jesus) “There’s a peculiar odor in the house. Something must be dead…I think it is in the hall closet.”

In that closet behind lock and key I had one or two little personal things I did not want anybody to know about…rotting things leftover from the old life—not wicked, but not right and good to have in a Christian life. Yet, I loved them. I wanted them so much for myself I was really afraid to admit they were there.

(Jesus) “Well…if you think I am going to stay up here (floor of the closet)…you are mistaken. I will take my bed out on the back porch…I’m certainly not going to stay around that.”

When you have come to know and love Jesus Christ, one of the worst things that can happen is to sense Him withdrawing His face and fellowship.

(Jesus) “…give me the key. Just authorize me to handle that closet and I will.”

Then He cleaned the closet, painted it, and fixed it up all in a moment’s time. Immediately a fresh, fragrant breeze swept through the house. The whole atmosphere changed.

No matter what sin or what pain there might be in my past, Jesus is ready to forgive, to heal, and to make whole.

TRANSFERRING THE TITLE
“I have been trying to keep this heart of mine clean and available for Christ but it is hard work. I start on one room and no sooner have I cleaned it than I discover another room is dirty….”

…I asked the Lord, “Lord, is there a possibility you would be willing to manage the whole house and operate it for me just as you did that closet? Could I give to you the responsibility of keeping my heart what it ought to be and myself doing what I ought to be doing?”

(Jesus) “…You can’t live out the Christian life in your own strength. That is impossible. Let me do it for you and through you. But,” He added slowly, “I am not the owner of this house. …I am here as your guest. I have no authority to take charge since the property is not mine.”

“Lord, you have been my guest, and I have been trying to play the host. From now on you are going to be the owner and master of the house. I’m going to be the servant!”

I took the title deed to the house describing its assets and liabilities, its condition, location and situation. …I eagerly signed it over giving title to Him alone for time and eternity.

He knows how to keep it and use it. A deep peace settled down on my soul that has remained.

May Christ settle down and be at home as Lord of your heart also.

MY CLOSET
Girlfriends, are you exhausted? I am. Cleaning out the heart is some kind of work, even with Jesus. The exposure is one thing and the change is another. Tough stuff. I know this got a little silly but my bet is that some of you have a room or two that needs attention. We can clean it up with Him. He is doing the work but we must follow the directions. It takes obedience.

It’s like my closet last night. It was overwhelming. Kevin has his stuff that belongs in the closet and in the right place but it is messy, unkempt. Not too bad if we are talking about his spiritual life. My side was filled with unnecessary items that didn’t belong because I didn’t have a place for them outside of my closet and some was just trash, unusable stuff. I had things that didn’t work. I had clothes with stains that I wasn’t going to wear. I even had stuff that belonged to other people. I had lots of excess stuff that no one needed. I had several things that were useful but hidden in the closet…Bibles, books, gift wrap, stationery, and even a pretty doll I bought for a girl a long time ago. I was going to give it to her as a gift. She’s too old for it now. I am thinking my closet resembles my home for Christ. I have lots of good stuff that is waiting to be used by Christ in me. I have distractions and trash. However, my closet now is clear and only useful and appropriate stuff is in it. It has order and I am being very careful of what I am storing in it. My side is looking “user friendly”. Maybe my heart will follow. I love my Lord and His home in me needs lots of attention. It’s happening, friends, I am changing. I can feel it. He is sweeping already. Maybe He will decorate with some big comfy furniture…He can! But probably won’t. Somehow I think he wants me on my feet and ready to go. WAH!

Love ya truly, girlfriends. Get to work. Check out where Jesus is in your heart. Hopefully not on the porch looking for fresh air. Lol!