More Musings From Bruce the Sheep

I don’t know if any of you folks use a water filtering system for your drinking water, within your home, but we do. It uses a six-stage filter that reduces lead and other heavy metals and definitely adds to the taste of the water. I had to purchase some replacement filters this morning and the thought crossed my mind that I could really use a filter, when it comes to what actually gets to reside in this mind, heart and spirit of mine.

There are an awful lot of harmful “heavy metals” or “irritants” out there hammering away at our minds and it can indeed end up with leaving a bad taste in one’s mouth (or mind, as the case may be). I could easily list some of the “heavy metals” that I encounter on a regular basis, but who really needs assistance in identifying them? The bottom line is that they are abundant and seeming continue to grow daily.

But guess what! The need for a filter for our minds, heart and spirit didn’t catch God unawares! And does God provide us with a six-stage filter? Yes He does!

Consider the following:

1st Stage – God’s Love : In spite of what we see, in spite of what we hear, in spite of what we are going through or experiencing, if our faith and trust resides in Jesus, we have the promise of Jesus that we are His. Believe it!  John 3:16-18 NASB and  Colossians 1:13-14 NASB refers.

2nd Stage – The Assurance of Jesus : Prior to the crucification of Jesus, when Jesus was telling His disciples what would shortly happen, things didn’t look good from a humanistic perspective. They soon would see Jesus die and the world that they had come to believe in, would be shattered. But Jesus refocused their attention, not on His death, but towards His resurrection when He said, “because I live, you also shall live“. See it!  John 14:19-20 NASB refers.

3rd Stage – Jesus has not left us alone : This is of extreme importance. The water that we drink of flows not from without, but rather from within. The Holy Spirit of God will feed our spirit, quench our thirst for His righteousness, sustain us in our darkest hour. And the source of this “living water” is from God Himself, and His Spirit resides within us. Drawing near to God as our source is vital. Do it! James 4:8 NASB, John 14:18-21 NASB  and John 7:38 NASB refers.

4th Stage – God’s Forgiveness : We all mess up, there is not one of us that perfectly follows God’s will, no not one. But the separation that sin causes between a Holy God and ourselves, is no longer a wall or curtain between us and God. Jesus took care of that on the cross and all we have to do is confess and forsake our sin and we have God’s word, that we are forgiven. Confess it!  Matthew 27:51 NASB and  1 John 1:9 NASB refers.

5th Stage – God’s Answer to Our Needs : Sooner or later, all those who seek God’s face, come to realize our own insufficiencies. Our understanding is limited, our ability to love is oftentimes limited and our desire to forgive is oftentimes limited, because of our focus on self. God understands this and Jesus alone perfectly addressed these deficiencies when He walked among us in the flesh. Jesus is our sufficiency. He is our strength, He is our righteousness. Every need we have is met in Him. Trust in Him! Philippians 4:19 NASB refers.

6th Stage – God’s Sure Word : One cannot thoughtfully and prayerfully read through the Bible, God’s Holy Word, without coming to the realization that what God says shall come to be. Jesus personified the Word of the Father, He spoke it and He lived it. Jesus, the Son of the living God. Consider John 1:1-11 NASB. When God speaks in the Bible, when Jesus spoke to us, there are no idle words. That which God has spoken shall come to pass, that which Jesus promised comes direct from the Father. God’s Word is sure as none other. Rest in God’s Word! Psalm 119:160 NASB. John 17:17 NASB and Ephesians 1:13-14 NASB refers.

So this morning I changed my filter, literally in my water filtering system and figuratively by reminding myself of He whom I place my trust and faith in. And the filtering works, literally and figuratively, I just need to focus on which process needs refreshing.

Does your process need refreshing?

Worthy is the Lamb! Blessings!