Good afternoon friends of Heartstrings

Again, I thank you for being patient with me. Things happen and time moves so fast these days. Thank you for gathering with us today. Blessings to you and yours.

Is anyone else out there doing spring cleaning? It seems to hit me as the days become warmer and the tiny flowers begin to emerge from their cold winter beds. My heart is glad to see that the season is upon us, even though we have had recent snows off and on. We are grateful for the moisture here in Montana.

Okay, so you may be wondering what bittersweet means? Well, my heart has been going through a deep cleaning. Sweeping out the old and preparing for a new season of walking with the Spirit.

While on this particular journey, I find some difficult reminders that I am undone and in such need of Jesus my Savior. My heart longs for more of Him but, unless I give Him room, I am really just sitting in a heap of stuff and things. 

So, movies, books, other entertainments just haven't made me happy. I do not intend to just move them from one space to another in my home. They had to go. The idea isn't to replace them with newer stuff and such. And, there is another plus to this. Open spaces mean easier cleaning in the future.

A fresh life is what I long for. As I depend more and more on the Lord as my vital necessity. As my body needs repair, I am praying for wisdom to know how. My mind returns over and over again to God's Love Letter. It seems my Bible times are most important to my health and well-being. From head to toe, inside and out, my dependance upon God's Word is what heals me. And He is faithful to His Word!

Just yesterday, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart that I had been carrying an idol of self-pity. It was hard to admit. It was a bitter pill to swallow.Yet, having brought it to the cross and repenting, There has come a sweetness in my soul that reminds me of early spring showers. A time where bitter is replace with sweet. Like the smell of earth and new flowers forming to bring joy to a sleepy, lazy winter. I don't know how else to explain it.

How it happens? I only know that humility before the throne of Grace replaces the deadness. Like raking the old leaves off the surface to see what promises lie beneath. I can breathe easier and deeper and songs rise out of the shadows that once were.

Do you know how to attain fresh life? I John 1:9 says..."If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Why do we make it so difficult?

There comes joy in the morning! Isaiah 61:10 says..."I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."

Leave the bitter for the sweet! You won't be dissappointed! Take time to ask the Lord to show you what must go for real joy. Get rid of the worthless and hold fast to the precious! I am finding out that there is very little in this world worth clinging to. 

Do you want a blessing today? Psalm 89:15-16 says..."Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of Your presence, O Lord. They rejoice in Your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness."

Learn your lessons well. Your teacher is the Holy Spirit. Pay attention to the things of God. Stay humble. Remove the idols along with the anxiety. When they are gone so will the anxiety be gone. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Cling to Him, hold fast to His promises. He longs to give you an abundant life. Today.

When we learn to keep Jesus as our First Love, there comes overflowing grace and peace. No matter what your situation is, abiding in Him will lift your countenance and the Light of Jesus will shine to others even before you speak. That is what I am longing for. To make a real difference in the lives of those who cross my path. Family, friend or stranger...oh to be like Jesus!

Until we hear His call to come up to meet Him, the mission is to reach out to those who are lost. It doesn't matter if they have their name on the church pew or if they give to the poor...they may still be lost without Jesus Christ. He is the only way to Heaven. Will He say, "depart from me for I never knew you" or will He say, "enter into the presence of the Lord!" Where do you stand? 

Are you living a bitter life? Sweeten it with Jesus Christ. He is waiting to hear from you today. Grace (God's undeserved favor) be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying and incorruptible [love]. Amen (so let it be). Amen.

Abundance is...leaving the bitter for the sweet