Circumcision

Bless you all in Jesus’ name.
After the new generation of the children of Israel crossed the Jordan, one of the first things they had to do was circumcise their males. It is a private, vulnerable place. I know it is gross, but it is in the bible, Joshua 5. The stuff they cut off was ugly, and they even named the place! Then they had a huge victory at Jericho.
We are circumcised in the heart. That is a private and vulnerable place, too. The sin that was cut off was also ugly and gross. We now have a covenant with the living God! Our victory is now and eternal.
I have seen, though, that I need to circumcise my mind. The old way of thinking is just as ugly and gross as the physical junk. For instance, thinking that we have to defend ourselves is the old way of thinking. The Lord Jesus is our defender, redeemer and deliverer. Anything we do outside of the love of God is counterproductive and will definitely backfire eventually. But it is so hard! There are times when, for me, what began as a simple request, or even a thank you, ends up with me defending myself because I was misunderstood. Which is usually strife. Strife is ugly and gross. We need to be committed to getting rid of strife, whatever it takes. With that in mind, please pray for me. The breathing mask makes it hard to communicate, and I can’t wear my glasses so I squint sometimes. It looks like I am frowning. For now my job is growing my faith, and faith works by love. Not strife. My flesh wants to defend me and fully explain myself, but with my caregivers it sometimes makes it worse. That is a way of thinking (defending myself) that needs to be circumcised. Jesus does a fine job of defending me, if I let Him. Victory against strife can be mine. Even if I am misunderstood. Wisdom says I need to clarify some, so please pray that I will know when to speak. Amen?
What ways of thinking do you have that need to be circumcised? I know it is not pleasant, it can be painful and vulnerable. But the victory is worth it!
I love you all.
healed by His stripes,
Nancy Bass