Choose Holiness

"But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"1Peter 1:15-16

What does it mean to be Holy?
The first thing that comes to mind is to be set apart for God.

The culture seems to use the word ‘holy’ as a descriptive adjective like Holy Moley and so forth. The more I think about what holiness is it seems very irreverent to use Holy in any other way but to describe our creator. I especially hate to hear the word holy used with a swear word.

So folks what do you say. Can you choose to be holy in all manner of living this includes your life in front of others or in private.

PRAYER: I want to do things to emulate you Lord so help me stay on that path. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God Is A God Of Restoration

 

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Galatians 6:1 KJV Bible Gateway

 

Messed up? God wants people saved. Sometimes it seems like people shoot their wounded. You hear something you pass it on and get a gossip fire going.

 

A lack of judgment doesn’t mean God can redeem and set people free. Those people who had been overwhelmed and overtaken by temptation. The Lord loves them and wants to use them in kingdom work. Stop judging and condemning. (Matthew 7).

 

You can repent, be healed and restored. Put your mouth on neutral and instead of chattering about an issue pray for the people. All of us have messed up someway.

 

PRAYER: Father help me break strongholds in my life that are keeping me from wholeheartedly worship you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

 

Have You Fallen?

Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.Revelation 2:5

Consider how far you have fallen. Have you fallen? Only you can answer that. Have you disengaged with your life with Jesus thus allowing darker forces to penetrate your soul?

Maybe you say “I’m a good person” but really you need more than just being ‘good’ to be in Heaven upon your death. I am not trying to invoke fear but to attempt to get you to think.

Has something become more important than Jesus thus becoming an idol in your life? Do you need to ‘crucify’ your flesh with its’ earthly passions and run back to your first love?

PRAYER: I need you Lord and I know lots of people who need you but their pride gets in the way of repentance. Help me not be haughty or high minded but to seek to do your will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Offense Is So Prevalent Today

 

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV Bible Gateway 

These five verses pack a huge punch and are sort of telling what is going on in culture right now.When in fact instead of being mad at people it is Satan who is the provoker and who is to blame. 

If you have never had anyone take offense at you then consider yourself blessed. It is caused by misunderstandings, human nature, a contentious spirit, or deep hurt inside someone.

Sometimes the offended person stews over what it is and has a hard time dying to self and moving on giving forgiveness to the one who hurt them. If you are offended you are allowing a root of bitterness to grow inside of you. Stop now and root it out before it infects other parts of your life. 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for your mercy and grace which you freely extend to all no matter how messed up a person is. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Enough Already. Just Forgive-OK?

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

You are confused, hurt, bewildered, a tad angry and simply don’t get it. What happened that made a friend or family member turn on you and practically disown you? 

Don’t try to win the fight because there shouldn’t be a fight in the first place. Sometimes people have an internal battle going on you know nothing about and they are taking the rage of that out on you. 

All I recommend you do is to not push them but continue to press into prayer. You can not instantly make someone like you. Maybe you are puzzled by why they are so livid in the first place. Just keep praying. Don’t let Satan win. 

PRAYER: Father God my heart aches for those people with internal pain that take their pain out in others. I pray for those who have been hurt to give their hurts to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Do You Feel Defeated

 

Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.Hebrews 10:35-36

I don’t know about you but since Covid tested us and reared its’ ugly head there has been much confusion and hurt in many lives. Add on top of that election anxiety and you have a rocket getting ready to take off. 

The enemy is the weasel who wants to keep you down in the dumps, blue, sad, hurt, and a host of other emotions. It is necessary to try to keep God first place not your feelings. Try to get a grip on the thoughts you allow to enter your brain.

So many things pull us in many ways. Misunderstandings where the enemy keeps you wanting your way not God’s way. Maybe there is something you need to totally let God have and stop ‘driving‘ yourself. Relax, pray, and trust. 

PRAYER: Father I cry out to you Holy, Holy, Holy. This world and its’ problems is not my home. Help me shine your light and stop dwelling on my problems. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Watch Your Words

 

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.Ephesians 4:29 NIV Bible gateway 

Have you been hurt by someone else’s words? It may be a spouse, a friend, a relative. Words can cut like a hot knife through butter.

Many places in scripture there are verses about the dangers of wrong words. If you claim to represent Christ does your speech represent Him as well? Ponder that. 

Words can cause deep wounds that sometimes take years to heal and recover from. If you have hurt someone go ask forgiveness. It will take humility as our pride and selfishness gets in the way. If you have been hurt learn to forgive. Take the high road. 

PRAYER: Father I want to ask you to show me where I need to get better when it comes your things I say or text. In Jesus’ name. Amen.