Do I hear Your voice, or does my will deceive me?

Matthew 6:25 - 27

(25) Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.  Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

(26) Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.  Are ye not much better than this?

(27) Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

Question Challenge:  Where am I not living in this outline of Your design for my life?

1. I have a lot of clothes and shoes that I just "hold onto" but don't actually wear, or haven't worn in years, even when wearing that type of clothing, whether work clothes, work casual, church clothes, exercise, casual around the house etc, held hostage by the fear "I need to save them, I may need them".

2. I buy some snacks that I don't actually need to eat - though on the "healthier" scale, still not fresh fruit or vegetable - no gluten cookies, chocolate, Siete chips…

3. I hold onto things, not always sentimental, but "things" or furniture that we don't necessarily need, "saving" it for when we do.  Some makes sense, bed for a guest room, but not necessarily extras sets of dishes, pots or pans, small decorative things, empty plastic containers that "could" be used to store something.

4. Old mail that I just need to go through and toss trash - what is relevant needs to be actioned and/or filed.

Hope:  What is my Recourse and/or Gratefulness?

I will first seek God, His will for me, and all that I need will be provided, will fall into His will for me (Matthew 6:33), just as the sparrow follows the purpose for which God created it, and they have all that they need - how much more will God care for me (Matthew 6:26)? He knows the things I need (Matthew 6:32), He created me (Genesis 1:27). Even more, because I am His, and love Him, He cares even for the desires of my heart (Psalm 37:4).

1 & 3:  For the purpose of being mindful of my surroundings and letting go of things that add no value to my life, I will go through my closet and things stored, donating what has not been used in 1+ years.  "I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins." Proverbs 24:30-31  In doing this, I let go of clothes, shoes, furniture, dishes and knickknacks that add no value to my life, but could, for example, be of value to someone in a rehab working to improve their life, get a job and make a home for themselves and their children, taking an action to care for those that need help (James 1:27).

2: I will write grocery lists for specific purpose - meal and snack plans, so that I am mindful of my spending and eating, taking care of what I put into my body, and being wise with God's provision by chasing the wisdom of God, who gives freely to those who ask (James 1:5), then applying it so that I am wise with what God has blessed me (Matthew 25:14-30).

I will remember that my body is the temple of the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 6:19) and it was bought with a price, and I choose to glorify God in my body and spirit, because they are God's (1 Corinthians 6:20) by presenting it as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable, which is my spiritual service (Romans 12:1), my worship.

4: I will go through the mail pile(s) and throw away what is garbage, doing nothing but creating a mess, and action/organize what is necessary to keep for specific purpose, so that I am intentional in incorporating order and structure in my daily activities.  "But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way (1 Corinthians 14:40).

God is telling me:

We are working through this to not only declutter your life, so that you move about, spend, eat and organize better, eliminating those times you trip over furniture in an overcrowded room, or unnecessarily spend money on that "healthier" option then "overeat" that healthier option resulting in frustration for spending extra AND eating extra…in working through this, you will also learn to declutter your mind. As you are intentional to honor God in being mindful of what you watch and to what you listen, you are clearing things that take up space and add no value, thoughts that "trip" you, spiraling you to doubt, fear, or desires that only deplete your resources and cause you to miss your goals - on the other side of this, you will be able to hear Me clearer, understand more of Me, line your heart and mind with Mine…