Holiness

1st Peter 1:15,16 “but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, Vs 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I Am holy” (NKJV)

One of the main attributes of God is His holiness.

One might ask the question “what is holy or holiness”?

The word holy or holiness can be described as that which is sanctified or set apart for divine service. Holy or holiness also describes one of God’s attributes as being righteous; having moral perfection and ethical wholeness.

One might also ask “what does someone have to do to be holy”?

God gives instructions to be “imitators” of Him (be holy, for I am holy). The definition of an “imitator” is; “a person who copies the behavior or actions of another.”

God has told His people in several scriptures to follow “the example” that He has set before them:

1st Peter 1:16 “Be holy, for I am holy”

Leviticus 11:45 “For I am the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Leviticus 19:2 “Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.”

Scripture describes how God sees His people:

1st Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

Abstaining from sin can be the 1st step that can be taken in a believer’s conduct towards being holy. Having a constant watch over our gates will assist with not sinning;

Eye gate…not looking at any or everything that is put before us.

Ear gate...not listening to any or everything that we hear.

Taste gate…not consuming any or everything that is offered.

Touch gate…not touching someone or something inappropriately.

Nose gate...not smelling any or everything that has been put before us.

Roman’s 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”

Father in heaven, give your people the strength that is needed to have and live a life style that represents holiness, in Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in HIs service…Rev

The Name that is above every other name

Jesus

Philippians 2:9-11 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: ¹⁰ That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; ¹¹And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (KJV)

Poverty                  High blood pressure          Cancer   

Tuberculosis             Arthritis        Heart disease                  

High cholesterol        Diabetes       Gout       Drug addiction

Alcoholism      Mental illness    Eating disorder  

Pneumonia        Influenza        Depression    PTSD                          

Anxiety         Glaucoma           Eczema          Heart disease

 Kidney failure   Alzheimer’s     Dementia     Rheumatoid  Arthritis    

HIV          AIDS          Suicide       Parkinson Disease                

Stroke   Cerebral Palsy        Hypertension   Autism

Multiple Sclerosis   Abortion     Lupus   Gun Violence  

John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

John 14:13  “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son”

Luke 10:17 “The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”

Jeremiah 10:6 “There is none like you, O Lord; You are great, and Your name is great in might.”

Acts 3:6 “But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”

John 1:29 “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

Lord Jesus, we take full authority over sickness, disease and anything that is not like you, we cast it out of our lives and send it back to the sender…By your stripes we are healed…in the name of Jesus we call those things that be not as though they were…and stand on your word that all of your promises are yes and Amen.   

Continuing in His service…Rev      

Repentance

2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (KJV)

Repentance is a turning away from sin, disobedience, living in rebellion, and turning back to living by God’s standards.

T– taking a different view and trusting God for forgiveness

U– understanding that God forgives and won’t hold your past against you

R– renew your relationship with God

N– new way of thinking about sin or sinning

1st John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (NKJV)

When someone repents, they have a change of mind in their lifestyle. Some may experience feelings of remorse or regret for their past conduct.

David recognized fully, how horrendous his sin was with Bathsheba. David blamed no one but himself, and prayed to God for divine forgiveness.

Psalm 51 was written by David after his affair with Bathsheba, and intentionally having Uriah put on the front line to be killed in battle. This Psalm has often been called a “penitential Psalm”.

In verses 1 and 2 David makes a plea for forgiveness

In verses 3 thru 6 David makes a confession

In verses 7 thru 12 David prays for moral cleanness

In verses 13 thru 17 David describes a promise of renewed service

In verses 18 and 19 David petitions for national restoration

David set a powerful example of how to be a man after God’s own heart with the writing of Psalm 51. We may not always immediately recognize the consequences of sin, but it is never too late to do a 180 degree turn away from sin. This 180 degree turn is the step needed to get back in good standing with God.

Heavenly Father, thank for your faithfulness toward forgiving our sins. Thank you also for your cleansing power that can keep your people from anything that is not pleasing in your eyesight, in Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

“Your reputation”

1 Samuel 29:5 Is this not David, of whom they sang to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands’?”

The word reputation generally means; an opinion that some people can have about someone or something, or the amount of respect or admiration that is had based on past accomplishments, actions, behavior or character.

1st Samuel 18:6 and 7 records what was said about David and Saul when they were returning home after David slayed Goliath;

1 Samuel 18:6-7 “Now it had happened as they were coming home, when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments. ⁷ So the women sang as they danced, and said: “Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands.”

Many times a person is identified by a reputation that has been given to them by other people, and that reputation can also follow you wherever you go. David’s reputation followed him everywhere he went.

Reputations that people have can be have many meanings when viewed by others. Sometimes others may see a person as being harmful or threating, others may see that same person as being harmless and non-threatening.

Often time’s people will put forth an effort to try to live up to the reputation that has been given to them by others. This is often called “people pleasing.” Trying to be what others see you as, or what they want you to be, is not always a good idea.

David had a reputation of defeating his foes or enemies in battles that he fought, and his reason for fighting in almost all of his battles was not to gain fame, recognition or live up to the reputation that he had obtained.

In 1st Samuel 17:26 David asked the question “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

As we read further in the same chapter, David states the reason he is going into fight with Goliath; “Then David said to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defiled.”

David was not concerned about making a reputation for himself when he fought Goliath, he wanted God to get the glory over Goliath be defeated.

A good reputation is great to have, but we shouldn’t let our reputation dictate the type of life style that is lived.

“Lord Jesus, lead and guide us in our thoughts, words and actions so that our reputation won’t be the determining factor in how we live, in your precious name…Amen!”

Continuing in His service…Rev