HOLY?

What does it mean to be holy? Webster's defines it as "exalted or worthy of complete devotion, divine, religious or morally good".

Many verses in the Bible deal with holiness and being holy. One of them is 1 Peter 1:16 (NIV) which says 'for it is written, "be holy for I am Holy".  In every area of life we should be seeking to be more Christlike. Whatever we say or do, we as a believer, should want to bring glory to Jesus. Think about your day to day life for a moment. Do you interact with your fellow man in a holy manner? I am not saying to be "holier than thou" but are you an example for the body of Christ?

Meditate for a moment on the majesty, awesomeness, and Holiness of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Stop and lift your hands in the air and praise Him. He alone is mighty, powerful, loving and forgiving. He is mighty to save and He does.  In 1 Samuel 2:2 in the Old Testament it says ' There is none holy like the Lord, there is none besides You; there is no Rock like our God.'

PRAYER: I want to act in a holy manner as I go about my daily life Lord. I do not want to act self righteous and better than others but I want to seek to be holy as you are Holy. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

WOULD JESUS GO TO STARBUCKS?

 

I have shocked a few Christian friends I think when they hear I go to Starbucks. They remind me of this chains support for radical anti Christian causes and their dissing of Christians. But today while attempting to write, at yes,,Starbucks, a young girl at the table next to me engaged me in conversation. Basically I could not write at all. At first I was a tad miffed but then remembered that I was here to represent Jesus and be a witness for Him no matter where I was or how inconvenienced I was. So basically that is why I continue to go to Starbucks off and on. I do not think Jesus would just go to church but He would go out where the people were. Where do you find hurting people? Perhaps at Starbucks?

Today this young girl was fascinated  by what I was doing. I gave her my business card and proceeded to try to write. She was relating to me how she had been there for two hours and has no car and was killing time till the rain stopped so she could walk home. During the course of the conversation I found out that she liked vampires. Now that was interesting. She asked me what type writing I did and I told her a Christian blog. She eventually left but before she left she had asked me how I got the ideas of what to write and what was my subject for tomorrow. I never did say the title but maybe I should have.

Never the less, the point being that if we as believers seclude ourselves in "holy huddles" and only go to places deemed "okay" by the Christian world we may never have the opportunity to be a witness for Him and to be "His hands and feet." Now I am not saying it is okay to go to strip clubs. Common sense has to be applied. An interruption may be a God moment to a hurting or lonely person. Keep that in mind as you go about your day and interact with people around you.

Jesus hung out with tax collectors, prostitutes, drunkards, and all sorts of people burdened with a weight of sin. In Matthew9:10-12(NIV) it says 'When Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" On hearing this Jesus said "It is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick."'

Where are you today? Do you only go to places that are "okay" or do you go about your day no matter where you are and shine Jesus light bright?

PRAYER: Lord today I thank you for the opportunities you place in my path to be a witness for you. Help me to stop for a moment dwelling on my own problems and try to reach out and be kind to a hurting person. In Jesus' name. Amen.

ARE YOU CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD?

Truly think about that question for a while. Do you let the world squeeze you into what is popular and cool? Do you often go against what you know to be right only to please a crowd or someone? Do you catch yourself doing something you know will not make you closer to the Lord? If Jesus were here to see you right now would what you are doing or believing make Him sad? Remember He is here. These are just some questions to ponder. 

We live in this world but if you name the name of Christ you are to be different and set apart for kingdom work. This does not mean you have to act and dress alike and get self righteous. 1 Peter 3:15(NIV) says 'But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to give a reason for  the hope that you have, but do this with gentleness and respect.'  Do you think people know you are "different" or do you pass by opportunities to speak out for Christ or set an example because of fear or embarrassment? Mark 8:38(NIV) says 'Anyone who is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with His Holy angels.' 

The following verse is good to end on. It was one of the first Bible verses I first  learned when i rededicated my life to Christ back in 1975. See if you can memorize it. Romans 12:2(NIV) 'Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind . Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will.' 

PRAYER: Lord I daily need my mind renewed so I can recognize if I am slipping into the pattens of this world. I know I am sent here to be your ambassador. Give me discernment of right and wrong and good and evil. Help me shine your light and show love to others. In Jesus' name. Amen.

WHAT ARE YOU "EATING"?

What do you have a constant "diet" of? I am not referring necessarily
to food but you have to consume the right amount of food and the right
types to stay healthy and within a good weight for your height. You
have to drink water to flush out toxins. Don't sit down and watch soap
operas all day unless you want to feed your brain on that . In a
similar way, don't play violent video games or your mind could be
affected. Pornography can captivate both men, and yes, women too so do
not even go there. Even some radio and TV shows can place wrong
thinking in your head. I urge caution and praying if you are in doubt
about something. Many things become your "daily diet" and tend to
shape you if you are not careful. Whatever you feed upon you tend to
drift towards.

The prescription for leading a good life pleasing to God is to feed on
good things. Turn on Christian worship music to lift you up. You can
listen to KLOVE on line I know and here in my area WAY FM is an
excellent choice. There may be some used to the old hymns which I am
not meaning to condemn but some of today's Christian artists have
awesome songs of worship that can really lift you up. I often include
one with my devotions to help set a mood. Give them a chance and I
think you will be pleasantly surprised.

In Romans 12:2(NIV) it reminds us ' Do not conform to the pattern of
this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you
will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing
and perfect will.' To be conformed to the world is to fit in a little
too much where the things of the world seem to be more important than
God. Is there something in your life you find you give more time to
than our Lord Jesus Christ? Just ponder that for a while. Do you get
up each day and look forward to spending time in reading God's word?
The only way to be conformed to Christ's image is to spend time in the
word, pray and you will slowly take on the character of Christ. Do you
spend more time with Oprah or Good Morning America than in time with
God. Which of those things do you think are shaping you then?

Christ does not bicker about denominations and who should not have

tattoos or earrings. He does not say 'Oh look at so and so. Can you

believe they do not have a tie on?' Jesus wants you to come as you are
to the throne of grace. He does not have a dress code for going to his
house to worship although many churches sort of make things up to seem
acceptable. The main thing is do you love the Lord your God with all
your heart, soul, and mind or are you too worried about other people
and what they do and your way is the only right way? He wants your
undivided attention and he wants to be what you feed upon. Why not get
your Bible out of hiding and pick it up and start with the book of
Psalms and ask God to show things to you in His word. Be blessed to be
a blessing.

Colossians 3:1(NIV) says "Since, then, you have been raised with

Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the
right hand of God." Are you able to set your mind and heart on things
above or are your passions to consumed in this world and its' passing
fantasies?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I want to be transformed to your image. I want the
light of Jesus to radiate from me. I know when I gripe, bicker,
complain, condemn, judge or belittle I am not acting as you would act.
Forgive me. Today I choose to "feast" upon the word of God so I can be
strong in the Lord and take on the character of Christ. In Jesus'
name. Amen.

Click link below for a worship song to get your mind focused on things above:
http://youtu.be/8vNPcmLzlvI

ARE YOU A 24/7 CHRISTIAN OR A CHURCH GOER?

What are you doing right this minute? Maybe you are in a coffee shop reading this or at work? Are you representing Jesus well in whatever you are doing? Does your light shine in the darkness around you? Just some questions to ask yourself.

There is a church in nearby Madison, Alabama that has a sign exiting the parking lot that simply says "You are now entering the mission field." Now that about sums it up. All of us who name the name of the Lord are missionaries in the little corner of the world God has placed us. It is not necessary to go overseas to be a missionary. There are many needy people right here. Look around you and see if there is a need you can meet in a hurting life. Get to know those around you. If you are working in an office somewhere do not chime in at the water cooler with all the other folks gossiping but instead let your light shine for Christ.

If you are blessed to get to be a stay home mom then your mission field is right there with your darling gifts from God. Do not beat yourself up comparing yourself to professional women thinking you need to be out there too. Your children are only home for such as short time you have such as small window of opportunity to impact their lives for Christ.

So around the clock in all of your waking hours no matter where life takes you your light should be bright for Jesus. Do not gripe, complain, worry, bicker, frown, judge, and get angry but focus on doing things to bring joy to others around

Is Sunday the only time you bring out the Bible or think about things of Christ? Do you desire to
change that? Ask God to place within you this desire for his word and the things of Christ. Be hungry for righteousness.

We are to be different than the world. 1 Peter  1:16 reminds us to" Be holy for I am holy." Does your life reflect the holiness of God? Matthew 5:16 says "Let your life shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Finally 1 Peter 2:12 says " Live such good lives among the pagans that , though they may accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us."

So there you have it? Do not just feel that you have arrived by checking the 'church block' on Sunday but go into the world the other 6 days sharing his love with others and above all do not forget to dust off that Bible and read it!!

PRAYER : I am so thankful for freedom in Christ.  I am  thankful Lord for the opportunity to freely go around different places impacting the world for you. Forgive me for any time I may have fallen short and did not set such a favorable example. In Jesus name. Amen.

TRANSFORMED OR CONFORMED?

In the book of Romans Chapter 12 verse 2 it says " Do not be conformed anymore to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so then you may be able to test and approve what God's will is. His good, pleasing, and perfect will."  What  does this mean exactly for someone who says they are a Christian?

 First of all we know the world and America is getting less and less Christian friendly. Christians who take a Biblical stand against a sinful act are called 'hateful' when in fact no one said anything about hate. All they do is stand up for what the believe in the Bible. Society is trying to get sinful behaviors accepted. This has been a topic of mine previously but bears repeating. The more and more you accept sin and immorality the less it bothers you what is happening. You get desensitized. The more you stay in the true word of God and study it the more the more will know the standards of right and wrong and good and evil in the Bible.

Satan hates the Bible because it has power to change and transform lives. There is that word 'transform' which means change. If you start taking God's word into your heart by reading it on a daily basis you can not help but be changed. The problem  is many Christians are just Sunday church goers with no active spiritual life beyond the doors of their church on Sunday. How can you know about God if you do not get into his word? How can you  know how to dance unless you are dedicated to dance class? You get the idea. Practice and study are what it takes.

 When the Holy Spirit does truly come into your heart you will desire his word and want to devour it. That at least was my experience back in 1975 when I rededicated my life to Christ. The word has the power to make you into a 'nonconformist' so to speak. Who will be left to speak out against the atrocities of a sin filled life and sin filled nation if we all conform to the standards set by our world?
1 Peter 3:15  says "Instead you must worship Christ  as Lord of your life and if someone asks you about your Christian hope be ready to explain it." Set your standards as godly standards but not in a self righteous way. Be a light in the world to make people around you want what you have.

 How about you? Do you conform too much to the pattern of the world? Each person needs to examine their heart and ask themselves if they appear too much like the world and less like Jesus.

 PRAYER: Father I thank you for the Bible which is the word of truth. Help me Lord not make excuses for why I am too busy to read it each day. Forgive me for the times I have been too absorbed into the culture and pattern of this world. Give me your strength to make a difference for you wherever you place me. In Jesus name.Amen.

Click on link for a great song of praise.
http://youtu.be/8vNPcmLzlvI

IN GODS' LIKENESS

 Does your life reflect Christ? Do you set a good example for the kingdom of God? Would people know by your actions that you love the Lord? Are you sold out to him or are you simply a 'casual Christian' who does not get too serious other than punching a church attendance card on Sunday? The saying goes " if you were arrested for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you?"  Do you find the Christian life boring or useless and simply think being a once a week Christian is enough?

Being a Christian means more than attendance at church on Sunday. It means trying to reflect Christ in your day to day life. When you leave church on Sunday you should leave convicted and different with a desire to get into the Bible to lead a life pleasing to Him. You should be different when you leave with a hunger to study and know more. A exit sign out of the parking lot at a local church here reads 'You Are Now Entering The Mission Field'. Your community is your mission field. Is your life reflective of a missionary?

1 Peter 2:9 says "but you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into the marvelous light."

Do you desire a closer walk with the Lord or are you satisfied with just coasting along leading two lives?  One is your Sunday life and the other is anything goes way of life. A believer should not be leading a double life.  Don't be a 'secret service' Christian. Being excited about Jesus and wanting to be more Christlike does not mean sitting in a lotus position singing Kum Ba Yah. It is an active lifestyle seeking to know Him better and seeking to lead others to Him through your words and your actions. Being holier than thou and condemning will not win people to Christ.  Remember Romans 3:23 reminds us "all have sinned."

Where are you today in your likeness to Christ? Does your attitude reflect His presence in your life? Love should be what you strive for. 1 Peter 4:8 says " above all love each other deeply as love covers a multitude of sin." 1 John 2:6 tells us "whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way he walked."  1 Corinthians 11:1 says " Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." Think about that when it comes to how you treat all people. Do you reflect his love?

Start today and seek to be like Christ in your every day life.

PRAYER: Father thank you for your word,the Bible, which is my handbook for how to be more like you. Forgive me if I let it gather dust or read other things more than it. I need more of you in my life starting today! In Jesus Name. Amen.

Click on link to worship the Lord in song. Happy Friday!
http://youtu.be/uor3TPX0of8

DAILY 'TO-DO' LIST TO KEEP YOU ON RIGHT PATH

Be thankful and say so
Smile
Be kind to others
Be kind when someone is mean
Be courageous
Let go of a hurt
Forgive even if person is still ugly to you
Let go of your right to get back or get even
Share
Say only what will build others up
Stop worrying and give cares to God
Go to church
Read your Bible daily
Pray
Find someone to bless each day
Shine for Jesus especially within your own home
Be honest
Do not lie
Do not judge others
Love unconditionally
Remember that God loves you
Don't fear
Do not worry
Know that God is your best friend
Don't compare
Don't belittle yourself because you are a child of the king and are of great value!!
Forget yourself.
Be a friend!

The scriptures say in 1 Peter 1:16 "Be holy as I am holy".   If you practice saying the list above out loud you will start to have a better outlook on life. No matter what is going on in life you can have victory through Jesus Christ. Stay in his word and the truth will set you free! Jesus is Lord!!

The point is to mentally remind yourself not only of the Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20, which help you stay on the right path in life but to have these little 'to do' items in your brain as reminders of how to be Christlike. Do not get in a trap set by the enemy where you feel worthless and of no value. Each and every day set out and stay focused on what you can do to show Jesus love to those around you. Do not let situations or other people rob you of your God given joy!

1 Corinthians 15:57 says "But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!"

PRAYER: Lord make me a light in a dark world. Where there is hopelessness let me show the hope of Jesus. Where there is darkness let use me to shine your light. Where there is hate let me show love. I purpose to focus on ways to be Christlike to all those people you place in my path. In Jesus name. Amen!
Click on link to worship the Lord in song.
http://youtu.be/wutmEjdbedE