From the Inside

Springtime sunshine beckoned us with an irresistible pull. Out the door we went – heading for all the things out of doors that needed “dealt with.” We mowed grass, worked in the flower garden, burned junk . . . it was work, but it felt so good to be getting things “in shape.”

One of our bushes had gown a bit “out of control.” It also appeared to have something seriously wrong with it. Although there was a little life left, some of it was lifeless. As we began working on it, a large piece of it easily came off – leaving an open sight into the inside of one of its branches. The inside was covered in termites. Nasty, crawling termites, destroying our beautiful bush from the inside out.

My mind went immediately to the words of Jesus in Matthew 13:27. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.”

What are we from the inside out? “Blessed are the pure in heart,” Jesus also tells us, “for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).

The purity of heart God desires to give us results in the holy living He seeks from us. He knows we are human – He created us. But He also knows His power is great enough, His love is deep enough, His holiness is unchanging enough that when we call on Him for cleansing – He will do it. “Faithful is he who called you who also will do it” (I Thessalonians 5:24).

It is by HIS Spirit we are kept from falling. It is by HIS Spirit we overcome. In our own strength we aren’t able – but, “I can do ALL things THROUGH CHRIST who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

We are in a partnership with Christ. We surrender – and He keeps. Surrender – think on that a moment. Absolutely everything – every dream, every hope, every thought, every temptation, every trial, every good thing, every bad thing, the past, the present, and the future – everything – all of us – surrendered to ALL OF HIM! Possessing Him leaves no room within us for anything else. No room for termites – eating away our spiritual life, leaving us full of “dead men’s bones.” No room for substitutes – easing our longing for a short time only for it to come back with more fervor than before. No room for anything – but Christ and Christ alone. As He lives through us real living begins – from the inside out!

By: Janene A. Dubbeld

Take it with You

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, is glory and majesty, Dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen” (Jude 24, 25)