Get Your House In Order!

I believe that how you end something is how you will begin! And the past few days I have been winter cleaning…de-cluttering, getting rid of, bringing this house into order  mode. I intend to begin 2014 with a physical and spiritual house that is in order. 

Order helps us get things done. It gives us an anchor so we’re able to deal with the bigger problems we face. The truth is, if we’re unable to manage the everyday details of our lives, how are we going to deal with crises when they erupt? How are we going to face the enemy when we can’t face a sink full of dirty dishes? And how will we help anyone else with their issues if our life is ruled by chaos?
 
Order is a good thing. It is defined as "a condition in which each thing is properly disposed with reference to other things and to its purpose; methodical or harmonious arrangement". In Genesis 1 it says that, "The earth was without order, and empty";  it speaks of the chaos that reigned on the earth before God began His work of creation and before He brought everything into a perfect order and harmony.   He then speaks "let there be light" and everything changes at once. Did you catch that? From nothing to everything, from chaos to order. God changed everything. The Spirit of God had been studying…examining…lingering and only after this hovering did God take action and move by bringing order. And as He looked at His creation, He was so pleased with the "order" He brought to "chaos"; He declared that it was “very good.” But it's important to note that God brought order from chaos by first hovering over the earth. When the earth was without form and void, the Spirit of God hovered over the abyss as He began to bring order out of disorder. This was His Holy wind of love conveying the promise of life, order, and beauty to what was of itself a mess. Because God’s spirit was hovering over it, chaos became promise and by speaking to it, He brought light.

God’s actions in creation help us understand how He approaches our lives, and the ways He can help us today. For God still brings clarity to confusion. He replaces disorganization with organization. Uncertainty is replaced by certainty. Chaos is replaced by order. Those who are aimless are given His plans. Emptiness is replaced by meaning and purpose. And any sense of darkness is replaced by His light.

Are there areas of your life that feel chaotic or out of control and could use God's light? As we approach this new year, take responsibility and bring order to your chaos. This is an  opportunity to look over our marriage, family, relationships; business and personal, finances, and stewardship and ask God to bring order out of chaos.  It may seem as if our marriage or our family is falling apart – it could be an illness, or death; it could be infidelity or lack of commitment; it could be falling into depression, the routine, the unhealthy comfort of life; it could be an abandonment of our spiritual connection with God and thus with one another.  Whatever it is that’s brought disorder and chaos in our life, in our marriage, in our family, we can ask God to send His Holy Spirit to restore order, to bring back harmony, to make something very good out of the  chaos we have created. Pray and ask your Heavenly Father, to speak to the chaos in your life so that He can shine His light so that He can get your house in order with  His plans, His peace and His joy!  

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Enter Into Prayer

Only you Father, can bring order out of this chaos. Say the word, All-Powerful God, and I know that the seas will be calmed, and I will be safe. My circumstances have obscured my view.  I look to You and struggle to see because I am drowning.  Life is hitting me on every side, and I fight to regroup and press on. My brain is scrambled. Exhaustion, confusion and discouragement overtake me. Today Father, I ask You, the God of my life,  the God of order to bring order to my life, and in doing so, take care of all those concerns that rise up around me like storm waves. Hover over me and calm the seas of my busyness; still the waters of my forgetfulness. Let me drift on the gentle winds of your love and care. I command my soul to be still, as I long to sit quietly in Your presence and meditate on Your goodness!  Your ever-faithful presence is a gift. You alone grant me clarity and peace.  Only you can grant me the wisdom needed for every decision.  


I command the Spirit of the Living, Loving God to take over! Clear my brain fog. Direct each step I take.  Bring order out of my chaos so that I might be effective rather than scattered.  Replace my stressed, racing heart with Your overflowing love.  As life continues to bump into me, let Your sweet love spill out of me onto all who are near.  Thank You for going with me, because I realize full well, I cannot do it alone! 

Lord Jesus, in my comings and goings, I ask that your presence be with me. I speak your peace, your grace, and your perfect order into home and my workplace. I acknowledge your lordship over all that will be spoken, thought, decided, and accomplished within those walls. Create a new order in my personal encounters and restore relationships which are strained or disrupted. Guide me in my actions that I may act appropriately so that everything is done properly and in order according to 1 Corinthians 14:40. Heavenly Father, I ask You to give me  divine healing now in every area of my  life, spirit, mind, will, emotions and physical being in accordance with Your Divine Plan and Order for my life. I  receive Your Divine Healing, Wholeness and Newness of life.

Father God, I ask that you give me a fresh supply of truth and beauty on which to draw as I come and go. Anoint my creativity, my ideas, my energy, so that even my smallest task may bring you honor. Lord, when I am confused, guide me.  When I am weary, energize me. Lord, when I am burned out, infuse me with the light of your Holy Spirit. And, Oh Lord, even in my most stressful moment, may I rest in you.  In the mighty name that is above all names, in the Matchless Name of my Lord and Savior Jesus I pray. Amen.