The Big "Strip" - Deciding to declutter

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us 'lay aside' every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:1-2

The words “lay aside” are taken from the Greek word apotithimi. The word apo means away and the word tithimi means to place or to lay something down. Together, it gives a picture of someone who is laying something down while at the same time pushing it far away from himself. It means to lay something down and to push it far away and beyond reach. Thus, this word implies a deliberate decision to make a permanent change.

The word “weight” is from the Greek word ogkos — a word that describes a burden or something so heavy and cumbersome that it impedes a runner from running his race as he should. It is used in the athletic world to signify the actions of an athlete who would deliberately strip himself of excess weight before participating in a competition. This stripping process included the loss of excess flesh through dieting and exercise. Then on the day of the actual competition, he stripped off nearly all his clothes so no extra weight would slow him down. He had his eye on the prize, so he was determined to strip off all “weight” that might potentially keep him from being the best athlete he could be. - (Renner's Sparkling Gems)

The athlete of the ancient world didn’t become “unweighted” by accident. He dropped all excess weight on purpose. He dieted; he exercised; and he shed every other unnecessary weight he could find to shed. This stripping process demanded his attention, his decision, and his devotion. It wasn’t going to happen by accident, so he had to initiate the process of removal.

Our sinful and unhealthy habits and wrong mindsets have the potential to entangle us, weigh us down and cut us off from our purposes in God. It makes no sense in continuing to engage in victim mindsets and/or blame others. WE have to make the personal and deliberate choice to change! The Holy Spirit is urging us to take inventory of our hearts, minds and lives and then to intentionally and purposely make the decision to permanently 'lay it down and push if away from us'. Remove everything that weighs you down and watch how the 'race' becomes a joy as we press through to Victory!

- pastor m Entering God's War Room #2016 21 Days of Prayer/Fasting

I. Preparing Practically 1. Take Inventory of your environment (home, office area, car, refrigerator, etc) 2. Go through your kitchen cabinets and throw away any junk foods and high calorie sweets in order to 'remove' temptation to indulge during your fast/healthy eating. 3. Start decluttering and organizing one room at a time this week (Begin small so as not to overwhelm yourself: your purse, your hall closet, your bathroom, etc). II. Preparing Physically 1. Don't wait til Day one of fasting to cut out sugars/sweets. Start slowly but start NOW. Decrease your intake of coffee/caffeine/sugar over the next several days. Remove one item (sugar, bread, dairy) from your diet a day from now til next week so that your body can have time to 'adjust'.

IIII. Preparing Emotionally/Mentally 1. Write down your goals/dreams/hopes and keep them in plain view. (mirror, fridge, desk) 2. Read and declare the word over yourself such as the verses in today's devotional. 3. Keep motivated by posting scripture/inspirational 'pics' and thoughts throughout your home/job. IV. Preparing Spiritually 1. Get up 5 minutes earlier to pray/read the Word

2. Fill the atmosphere with the sound of Worship. 3. Take inventory of your thought life, daily habits 4. List those things which 'beset' you with ungodly 'fruit' (anger, jealousy, overeating, prayerlessnes) 5. Detox/Cleanse and replacing your old thoughts/habits by reading/soaking in the purity of the Truth of God's Word. Prayer

Lord, I know that You’re on my side and that You want to help me. So today I’m asking You to help me lay aside the attitudes, negative thought patterns, and bad habits that keep pulling me back down into miserable defeat. I’m exhausted from trying to live for You while dragging along these old weights behind me at the same time. I need to drop them and leave them behind! So today I am asking You to help me make the big break. Help me make this the day I permanently drop all the unnecessary weights that hinder me and walk away from them forever! I pray this in Jesus’ name! Amen.