What am I storing up?

Matthew 12:35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

These are the words of Jesus. It's part of the good-trees-produce-fruit discussion that Jesus has with the Pharisees when they accuse Him of using the power of Beelzebub to drive demons from someone. There is no revelation to the statement but it offers an opportunity for self-examination.

I really haven't thought much about what I "store up" within myself. I've thought about storing treasures in heaven but not about whether I store good things or bad things within myself. I think when I harbor ill-feelings for someone or something, I may be "storing" them. When I nurse hurt feelings, or remain angry about something, or want bad things to happen, I risk "storing up evil".

I need to rid myself of that and work to store up good things within me so that I am more able to bring forth good things when opportunities present themselves. I think this means not only getting past bad feelings and thoughts but also looking intentionally for good things to think on.

I started this post a few days ago. Today I read a passage that adds to this thought. 1 John 3 verses 4-5 says: "Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin." In Jesus is no sin. As we allow more and more of Jesus into more and more spaces of our lives, there is less and less room for sin and evil. So, let's store up Jesus, bit by bit and deep recesses to deepest recesses.

Dear Jesus, I ask you to fill me up. Take over the deepest darkest places in my life. Root out all the stored up things in me that are unacceptable and occupy those places. I want to be like you! Amen.

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