The Matthew 5:16 Project – Washed Clean

It’s hard to believe that tomorrow welcomes the month of March.  This year is well underway!

I wonder… have you participated in the Matthew 5:16 Project the past two months?  The idea is to challenge us to live intentionally and in such a way that our actions point others to God… resulting in His PRAISE. 

January’s Matthew 5:16 Project called us to replace those old lies with the TRUTH of who God says we are.

February’s Matthew 5:16 Project had us learn about what God has to say about love, and how to show it as a noun and a verb with others.

And now for March…

♥♥♥

By my good friend, Amanda Barnes…

I’ve been feeling a need to remember lately.  To recount my victories IN CHRIST, and acknowledge how far we’ve come together.  To look long into ALL I have been delivered from and TO.

And as I have taken some time to be thankful for all of the goodness HE has poured into my life… as I’ve counted all the places LOVE has touched me… as I’ve felt all of the GRACE that has been poured out and all the MERCY freely given…  I’ve realized I’ve spent very little of our walk together confessing or sacrificing.

The past several years have been such an in-depth healing journey for me.

God has been so very tender as I’ve soaked up every drop of love He’s poured out. 

He has cleared out the lies and torn down strongholds.

He’s removed walls and cleaned HOUSE.

God’s established me firmly on a foundation of LOVE and acceptance.

He has renewed my spirit with a sense of true belonging and royal identity.

I’ve realized how I spent the early years of my walk with Christ focused only on what He could do for me.  I’ve had every reason and excuse for why I did ‘such and such’ or why I behaved ‘in such a way.’

It’s a classic VICTIM mentality.

But now?

I am feeling a call to be honest about my human state – my flesh – my SIN.

It’s time to admit not all of my past was someone else’s fault.  I’m ready to admit that I played a role…  and I still do.

Are you ready, too?

Our will and our flesh IS STRONG!  And as much as our hearts cry out for God and His Kingdom – we can still battle with the longings of our flesh.

I don’t know about you, but I am feeling the war within.  And as I start to get real with myself (and God) about my weaknesses and my neediness, I see the stark contrast of:

• LIGHT and DARK 
• SIN and PURITY
• ME and JESUS! 

I NEED Jesus!  I can’t do ANYthing without Him, and for every need I have… I’m realizing the HE IS THE ANSWER.

He is your answer, too.

God has me on a new path.  He’s calling me to a higher level, so this EASTER I am expectant of a richer experience… one with a focus on HIS Resurrection life IN me because of His death FOR me.

LIFE is what HE died for…  mine and yours.

I’ve never really looked long into my sin.  I haven’t examined how I contributed to the DEATH of our Savior.  But I am ready to go where I haven’t before.

This year – I am going to be more intentional about looking realistically into the sin of my own life.

Hear me:  This is not a guilt trip or a chance to think up excuses.

• It’s a chance to look into my heart – the one God created and loves.
• It’s a chance to be honest about the darkness that creeps in if I don’t intentionally purge and pitch.

I’m ready to recognize my sin and receive forgiveness. Confess and repent.

Are you?

 Let’s not woller around in a pity-party anymore.

Let’s stop from jumping into a pit of depression.

No more blaming.

What an opportunity to model authenticity for our kids.  This project will teach them that rather than rug-sweeping or dumbing-down sin, we need to take responsibility for our words and actions.

And because of the blood of Jesus, we are washed clean.

We.  Are.  Forgiven.

Here’s what this month’s Project looks like:

Get two jars:  One labeled SIN and the other WASHED.

Fill the SIN jar with rocks.  Fill the other with water and red food coloring – signifying Christ’s blood.

When a sin comes to light, take a rock from the SIN jar… name it… and drop into His blood… knowing that His blood washes away our sin.

With Easter around the corner in April, let’s prepare our hearts in March by focusing on WHY we need Easter.

It’s a celebration of the GIFT of LIFE – FREEDOM – LOVE!  It’s about the perfect and spotless Lamb – God’s SACRIFICE for us.

Let’s fully accept the gift of JESUS – a crown of thorns – a cross – His Blood poured out…

I thank You God that my sins are remembered NO more.  I’m grateful they are dropped to the bottom of the ocean – as far apart as the east is from the west.  The paradox that my sin is crimson – and then is washed whiter than snow by Your blood red– the only pure sacrifice.  Lord, Help me only to remember my sin long enough to thank You for Your generous gift.  Let me receive Your washing with humility and gratitude.  Let my heart be washed and changed in Your presence and let me chase after YOU with all my heart.  I love You, Jesus… help me love You more!

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©2012 The Matthew 5:16 Project – careyscotttalks.com, Amanda Barnes

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