I’m sitting here listening to the howling of the wind, with gusts anywhere from 25 to 37 mph. The typical Florida summer thunderstorms are intermittent. I love to hear the rain patter the rooftop. Tropical Storm Alberto has provided some time for me to do some examination. Studying “what to do on a windy and stormy day at the beach”. Assessing the home we are renting for a couple of months. Most importantly, examining myself.
Warning: The boat is in its slip ready for a day (or a couple of brief hours, according to the weather) of fishing. We did have a fabulous Friday evening and Saturday tarpon trips. Cole landed a sweet tarpon after sunset on Friday, one of Hunter’s friends (Dalton) ended up landing a beautiful tarpon for his birthday before noon, and then the boys hooked up to four more tarpon Saturday late afternoon (another landed tarpon for the birthday boy). Fun times!! Today is another story. Alberto is warning us to keep the boat at the slip, and we are doing so.
Getting rid: Since we are renting this home for a couple of months, like any home we vacation to, I’m treating it like my own: Sweeping, cleaning bathroom, organizing the kitchen, Clorox wiping everything, etc.. I’m getting rid of germs, dust, and dirt that linger on walls, doors, handles, and anything else where I see a need to clean.
Self exam: Before the house cleaning commenced, I went to church. Ahhh…ouch…ohhh…the self examination began.
The pastor at Crosspointe Fellowship, Ed Moss, titled his sermon, “The Evidence of Christ Within”. He focused on 2 Corinthians 12:19-21 and 13:1-5. Today’s sermon was a great accountability reminder as to how others see evidence of Christ in me.
Ask yourself that same questions, “Is it evident in my life that I am a Christian?” and “What do I need to improve upon so that others see that I live for Jesus Christ?”
Much like Tropical Storm Alberto warned us about keeping the boat on its slip today, and we heeded that warning, I want to encourage you to heed to some warning of sin that is in your/our life.
We are sinners (Romans 3:23). Unless you are God or Jesus, and I’m pretty sure you are not, then you are a sinner. The Good News is Jesus came to save us from our sins and loves us (John 3:16-17). As Pastor Ed shared today from 2 Corinthians 12:19-21, look at this small list of sins that do not bring glory to God (as if any sin does): “discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder...impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.” Examine yourself…do you have any ounce of any sin on this list within you? It’s time to repent. 1 John 1:9. Repent means to turn from a sin and completely go the opposite direction (my paraphrase). Having the evidence in Christ within is to have a lifestyle of repentance.
In 2 Corinthians 13:5a we are instructed to “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.” Like I was “getting rid” of germs, dust, and dirt at the rental home, do you need to “get rid” of some yuck in your life?
The pastor encouraged us to also read two other exam passages: Galatians 5:16-6:2 and 1 John 1:1-2:17. I would like to encourage you to do the same. I am. Just be on guard…don’t throw stones…exam yourSELF. These passages have a list of deeds of the flesh to avoid and fruit of the Spirit to aspire to acquire and access.
I’ll be praying for you (and me) as we strive for a lifestyle of Christ.
Time to get busy cleaning and examining.
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
