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

Tug Of War

Romans 7:15- 20 ^“I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. ¹⁶ But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. ¹⁷ So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

¹⁸ And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature I want to do what is right, but I can’t. ¹⁹ I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. ²⁰ But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.” [New living translation]

A “Tug of War” is a contest in which two teams pull at opposite ends of a rope, with a ribbon in the middle, until one team drags the other team over a central line. 

In a believers walk they can experience a “tug” to do what is right or a “tug” to do something that is wrong. Faith and hope will encourage a person to do what is right, fear and doubt will encourage a person to do something wrong.

Things can be going along real good, and all of a sudden trouble comes along. Or a person will experience trails and difficulties for an extended period of time, and then suddenly a peace comes to comfort.

Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, and a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in him.”

Stronghold—a place that has been fortified so as to protect it against an attack.

Trust–having a firm belief in the reliability, ability or strength of someone or something.

Galatians 6:7 tells us that “God is not mocked.” When a person truly puts their trust in God, they can look to God as being a stronghold.

Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.“

Trouble represents difficulties or problems, but God is:

• Refuge – shelter
• Strength – strong
• Help – to assist with making things easier

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Peace – remaining calm when trouble, confusion, problems or difficulties are going on all around you.

Tribulation — a cause of great trouble or suffering

Overcome – to succeed or have success in dealing with problems or difficulties 

Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The peace of God guards our hearts and minds when we are experiencing a “Tug of War”.

1^st John 4:4 “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

Jesus is the greater force within a person, so you can depend on Jesus to help you win the “Tug of War”.

“Lord Jesus, thank you for being the greater strength that is within us that helps to win the “Tug of War” and live a victorious life, in Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

Jude 1:24,25 ^“To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy— ²⁵ to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!” 

On many occasions I have heard people make the comment “God can do anything but fail”, and there are numerous scriptures in the bible that refer to God “being able.”

Because we are human beings and are fallible, (meaning being capable of making mistakes or being erroneous) the choices or decisions we sometime make are not always in our best interest.

We may think that we are doing what is best for ourselves, but it doesn’t always turn out for our good or the way that we planned it.

When we first seek God for guidance and direction with a choice that we are making, “He is able” to keep us from stumbling or falling when the choice becomes a final decision.

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path.” (NKJV)

When a person is walking in the dark without a light, they increase the possibility of stumbling or falling. The word of God provides illumination for a person to be able to see clearly where they are going, thus minimizing the possibility of stumbling or falling.

Psalm 119:130 “The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” (NKJV)

God will make things very easy to understand when we trust Him. God is not complicated.

Psalm 119:66 “Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
For I believe Your commandments.” (NKJV)

When we seek God for direction, He will show us how to use good judgement.

Psalm 119:42 “So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word.” (NKJV)

We have to very careful about getting unwanted advice and listening to others. The Bible clearly instructs us to “seek wise counsel” when making choices and decisions. Proverbs 11:14: “Where there is no counsel, the people fall”

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV)

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us”

O God, you are truly the God who “is able.” Thank you for your grace, peace and mercy that You show your people. You alone are worthy of all the praise, all the glory, and all the honor...Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

 

Treasures

Matthew 6:19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.“

Jesus makes it very clear that having the wrong treasures (values) can lead to the heart being in the wrong place. What someone treasures (values) the most can control that person, whether that person admits it or not.

Ambition which is healthy, if not controlled can lead to greed which is unhealthy.

When a person has ambition, there is a strong desire to do or accomplish a goal that has been set. To accomplish the goal, determination and hard work will be required.

On the other hand if someone is driven by greed, ambition has turned into a selfish desire…having an uncontrolled longing for an increase in material gain, power or status.

When a person becomes greedy, that greediness can become an uncontrolled driving force that if not controlled, can lead someone do anything or “whatever it takes” to get what they want.

Colossians 3:1-2 “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above; where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Vs 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things of this earth.”

Keeping focus on heavenly things and not earthly possessions, will help a person to have the right perspective on what should be treasured. There is nothing wrong with desiring to have nice things, but greed can be a driving force to do anything to obtain them.

2^nd Corinthians 4:18 “while we do not look at the things which are seen, but the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

Earthly possessions are temporary. A person has to look past what can be seen, and by faith look to see what is unseen, looking past the present to the future.  

Psalm 84:11 “The Lord is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from those who walk up rightly.”

Having a lifestyle of righteous living, can open doors from heaven to receive multiple blessings.

3^rd John vs 2 “Beloved I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.”

Having the right values will lead to prosperity and being in good health to enjoy prosperity.

Proverbs 16:3 “Commit your work to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.”

Putting ambition in its proper perspective will be beneficial in being successful.

Father in heaven, help us to remain focused on your treasures which are in heaven, in Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev