MONTHLY MANNA

Min. Carenda Deonne

Keep Your Hands Clean

Many of us were taught at a very young age the importance of washing our hands. I could not place my legs under the table for dinner if I hadn't done so. Even now when I visit my dad and Mom A, don't even think about opening the fridge without first washing your hands. Even now with the pandemic, many of us have increased hand washing by 200%. Washing our hands physically is a sign of cleansing. It is a way we remove residue, dirt and germs. When you think about it, our hands touch so many familiar and unfamiliar places in a matter of hours. It made me think, if we can be so diligent in washing our hands outwardly, we must be even more diligent in keeping our hands clean spiritually.

We have crossed over into a new month as well as the fourth quarter of 2021. As 2021 ends and 2022 begins, you cannot cross over with dirty hands! You cannot cross over with unresolved issues, unforgiveness, pride, and the lack of integrity. I pray for you even now as you read this article that your hands will be clean, in every area of your life, in Jesus Name. I pray the abundance of blessings will flow freely in your life, even as this year ends, because you will not negotiate your obedience to Christ.

I don't know about you, but this past month has been very challenging for me. I have had an array of emotions, and my heart was heavy. I had a situation to take place professionally, and it caused me to feel anxious, and weighted. I remember coming home and getting on my knees. Dr. Charles Stanley says we are the tallest on our knees. Let me just say, I stay tall often. The Lord shared with me something that immediately caused my countenance to shift and my heart to become lighter. He said to me, "Do not fret, neither be dismayed, your hands are clean."

I want to encourage you that no matter what the situation or circumstance, if you understand it or not, if you agree or not, spiritually always keep your hands clean. Even in the most challenging situations and circumstances when your hands are clean you can sleep well at night. When your hands are clean you can move forward with assurance. When your hands are clean you can spend less energy focusing on what's behind you, but instead looking forward to what's ahead.

I want to give you four ways in which you can keep your hands clean in any situation in your life.

2. Apologize and seek forgiveness if needed, and do

it quickly. One thing that will keep your hands dirty is unforgiveness and pride. Do not cross over into 2022 with matters left in pending status. If you need to ask for forgiveness, do it quickly. If your brother or sister has said or done something to offend you, follow through with having that conversation quickly. Do not brush issues under the rug. Do not run from what you need to face. Even in tough conversations God's grace is sufficient. Please hear me. Get your matters in

order THIS YEAR!

3. Speak Life! The good book tells us that life and death is in the power of the tongue. Keep your hands clean by speaking life, restoration, revitalization, and rebirth. Speaking doubt and demise will keep your hands dirty. You have come too far to quit. I challenge you to neither murmur nor complain in this fourth quarter of 2021. Speak life and see the supernatural provision of God in your life!

4. Give thanks without ceasing. The good book tells us to give thanks in all things for this is the will of the Lord concerning us. Keep your hands clean by being grateful. Be grateful in your seasons of planting, in your seasons of waiting and in your seasons of harvest! Be grateful when you have much and be grateful when you have little. Express your thanksgiving by sharing with others, writing it down or saying it out loud. Stop saying, "It's always one thing after another." Instead say, "Thank you Jesus that all things are working together for my good."

It is my sincere prayer that as you go through life, and as seasons change in your life, be it people, circumstances, relationships, and situations that you will always, and I mean always, keep your hands clean. Remember, if we live we belong to the Lord. If we die we belong to the Lord. Either way, we belong to the Lord. Therefore, let's reflect His love, character and principles by keeping our hands clean. Think about that every time you go to wash your hands.

You are not just blessed, you are always blessed! Happy Thanksgiving!

1. Never negotiate your character and integrity. The good book tells us that we were made in His image and in His likeness. That means our actions reflect God. Your character and integrity are your lifestyle. Even when it doesn't feel good, commit that you will always do the right thing.