Category Archives: Holy

Are You A Part Or Apart??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #716

24 Wednesday Mar 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Clothed In His Righteousness, Come out of her, Commitment Or Convenience, Compromise, Conviction, Encouragement, Faithful is He that has Promised!, False Lives, Filled With His Spirit, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, Forsake Not Assembling, God Who Sees, Growing in Jesus!, He Died That We Could Live, Hearing God, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, Iron Sharpening Iron, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #716   Are You A Part Or Apart???

 

We live in a culture, a world in fact, that says we ought to accept everything, believe anything we hear, and follow the crowd.  But God calls us to march to HIS drum not the world’s, and Paul has a great thought in this regard in his letter to the Corinthian church.  We certainly need to hear and heed his admonition today as well.

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain

in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:57-58

We can walk in victory (not to be confused with popularity) when we keep our eyes on the prize—Jesus—and stand steadfast in His Word and His ways.  Where are you walking?  We are also called to be committed to the body of believers—the church—who are also committed to The Word of God in Spirit and in Truth; not committed in conforming ourselves to look like the culture so as to be appealing to the world.  Jesus Himself, said that the world would hate us if we followed Him in loving devotion to HIS truth—The Word of God!  Why then, do we keep trying to look like the world to appeal to the lost?  The lost world needs what the world can’t provide, and we need to lift up JESUS not popular venues of entertainment—we have been called to lift up Jesus, and to preach the Good News that Jesus saves.  We are to lift up the cross not entertain and placate a pagan culture.

“And I,

if I be lifted up from the earth,

will draw all men unto me. 

33 This he said, signifying what death

he should die.”  John 12:32-33

Jesus even told Nicodemus that light and dark are diametrically opposed.  Get off the fence and decide if you want to follow Jesus or the world?

“For God sent not his Son

into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten

Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds may be made manifest,

that they are wrought in God.”   John 3:17-20

And as He told his disciples shortly before His death:

“These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater

than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him

that sent me.”  John 15:17-21

Oh, how we need to be reminded that Jesus is our master and lord, and we ought to expect no less difficulty than our Lord and Master told us would come!  We all wrestle with rejection and the opinions of those around us, but Jesus has called us to “take up your cross” and follow HIM, regardless of the cost!  For our salvation caused our Lord to willingly, lovingly, sacrificially lay down HIS life for my/your deliverance from HELL!  Oh?  So, let’s be that “iron” sharpening “iron” and press on together “in spirit and in truth”.  Don’t give up on Christ’s body, we are to love one another and encourage each other to good, true and righteous works and words.  We aren’t called to be like the world but like our Lord and Savior.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove what is that

good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.   

3 For I say,

through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God

hath dealt to every man

the measure of faith.”   Romans 12:1-3

Well said, Brother Paul!  What will we do with this challenge?  May we march to the drumbeat of our Lord and God rather than the world. (I know I’m repeating myself, but maybe you, like myself, need reminding frequently!). Let’s band together for HIM!

“Let us draw near

with a true heart

in full assurance of faith,

having our hearts sprinkled

from an evil conscience,

and our bodies washed

with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast

the profession of our faith

without wavering;

(for he is faithful that promised;)

24 And let us consider one another

to provoke unto love and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling

of ourselves together,

as the manner of some is;

but exhorting one another:

and so much the more,

as ye see the day approaching.”  Hebrews 10:22-27

Sometimes when we are walking with our Lord, He calls us to separation—not isolation, but a calling out from the ways of the world.  Usually, a matter of conviction over particular activities and/or behaviors, yet a calling out to live holy lives that make a difference.  I have learned that when God lays a particular issue on my heart, I need to heed His voice speaking to my heart and obey—no matter the cost or inconvenience.  It’s often the kind of thing that will cause others to think us odd or peculiar, but if God calls me to it—or away from it—I surely try to heed His call and obey no matter what others think or say.  It’s not always easy, in fact it’s usually a hard place to be but I have found God faithful to everything He has ever called me to do or “not” to do or participate in.  What about you?  Are there places you go that dishonor your Lord?  Are there words you use that would embarrass Him?  Are there people that use you as an excuse to participate in questionable activities.  It’s kind of like I read in a life-changing Gospel tract many years ago, its title makes the point concisely, “Others may, YOU cannot”!  God may be calling you to a separation; and when He calls us to a stand on issues of personal holiness, it will usually mean a separation of associates—just saying.  Here’s God’s word on it!

“Wherefore come out from among them,

and be ye separate,

saith the Lord,

and touch not the unclean thing;

and I will receive you,”  2 Corinthians 6:17

“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying,

Come out of her, my people,

that ye be not partakers of her sins,

and that ye receive not of her plagues.

5 For her sins have reached unto heaven,

and God hath remembered

her iniquities.”   Revelation 18:4

I pray that this will bring conviction to our hearts, and that Jesus would truly find us faithful when HE comes, or when He calls us to Himself.  May we truly pursue His holiness and a heart that honors God by a life well-lived IN, BY and Through the power Jesus’ Holy Spirit living and working within ME/YOU!

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope to the end for the grace

that is to be brought unto you

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves according

to the former lusts in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy; for I am holy.”  1 Peter 1:13-16

Praying that we will pursue Him in Holy living.  Blessings on your week.

Amen and Amen!!!

A Holy Life Or A Holey Life??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #616

10 Friday Jan 2020

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Approved Unto God, Armor of God, Born Again, Faithfulness, Holey, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #616 A Holy Life Or A Holey Life???

 

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,

be sober,

and hope to the end

for the grace that is to be brought unto you

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.”  1 Peter 1:13-16

We have talked so many times about living for Jesus, yet it is ever a subject that we ought to remind ourselves of, for we live in a world that is looking for people who are real and genuine in their faith in Jesus.  God calls us to be a reflection of His glory, rather than to be blending in with an evil world.  When temptation calls to your flesh and mine, it is never to lift us up, but to drag us down and tarnish the name of Jesus.  Paul called the Philippian Christians to make a difference.

“Do all things

without murmurings

and disputings:

15 That ye may be blameless

and harmless,

the sons of God,

without rebuke,

in the midst of a crooked

and perverse nation,

among whom ye shine

as lights

in the world;”                  Philippians 2:14-15

I would simply like to ask each of us to examine our own heart and life; are we living a ‘holy’ life?  Or have we allowed the world to tarnish and destroy our light and leave the world looking at a “holey” picture, with great gaps in our purity and holiness.

Holy: having a spiritually pure quality; dedicated or devoted to the service of God….

Holey:  an opening through something; gap; a hollow place in a solid body…; a cavity…

Homonyms sound the same but are words with different meanings; this is what life can also be—while many claim to know Jesus, their lives are more “holey” than “holy”!  What about you and me?  Is your/my life in line with the Word of God?  How can you know?  Well, that’s a pretty simple (not easy) thing—you must get into the Word of God!  If you don’t know what God has said, you have no standard of measure by which to judge rightly.  In fact, scripture tells us that very thing!

“Study to shew thyself approved

unto God,

a workman

that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing

the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15

So, in conclusion, I pray that we will each examine our heart and life in light of the Word of God; that we will get into the Word so The Word can get into us!  If you’re measuring yourself by the world’s standard there will come a day when that will fail you, yet if you learn to “rightly” divide the Word of God, you can put on “the armor” of God and walk boldly into a world of darkness and corruption with the truth and the confidence of the King who loves YOU!  Yet remember, HIS Word IS the standard!

“For the word of God is

quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul

and spirit,

and of the joints

and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts

and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest

in his sight:

but all things

are naked

and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom

we have to do.”  Hebrews 4:12-13

As my mother often said:

“You can fool all of the people, some of the time!

  You can fool some of the people, all of the time!

  You can even fool yourself!

   But you can’t fool God!“

Amen and Amen!

 

 

 

 

Jesus IS Our Hope–Then–Now!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #610

13 Friday Dec 2019

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, A Father's Love, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Holy, HOPE, Jesus IS The Gift!

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #610   Jesus IS Our Hope—Then—Now!!!

 

“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,

and the glory of the Lord shone

round about them:

and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them,

Fear not:

for, behold,

I bring you good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day

in the city of David

a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe

wrapped in swaddling clothes,

lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel

a multitude of the heavenly host

praising God,

and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace,

good will toward men.”   Luke 2:9-14

I know we’ve heard this again and again, yet it ever rings true in my heart!  Jesus IS the “good tidings of great joy” and those of us who have trusted in His saving grace, ought to ever be a reflection of this “good tidings of great joy”!  Our families’ future depends on it!  Our churches’ future depends on it!  Our communities depend on it! Our nation and our world’s future rests heavy on us; you and I who have received this “great joy” in salvation need to be diligent to share it as we have opportunity!

And on that line, I’d like to share a favorite passage of mine; one that we so desperately need to rehearse and take to heart in these “perilous times”!  Our children and grandchildren’s future depends on it!  I pray that you will join me in seeking God’s face during this special time of remembrance of HIS great gift of Jesus to us—to the whole world!  HE IS our only Hope!  If Jesus isn’t our hope, we have little to none!

God has given us the greatest gift ever; yet if we have that hope and don’t share it with our children and grandchildren, we will have failed to give them hope or any kind of assurance of a future!  May this message from Moses ring in our hearts today and ever!

For this has been such a burden on my heart for so long!  Will you join me in prayer for our families—our extended families—our church families—and our opportunity to affect the lives of families that God sends our way!  May we see the need to stand for Jesus in all our ways and seek to encourage others with HIS truth.  Any time I think about or teach about families there is one main passage that always comes to mind, and I encourage you to read it and take it to heart!

The two main points are simple—firstly, we must love God and know HIM ourselves, before we can pass it on to our children, our grandchildren, or those whom God brings into our lives!  Secondly we must continually watch for those teachable moments in the lives of others (especially our children and grandchildren), walking a walk that matches what we talk, then God can use us to make an impact on the lives of those watching (and others ‘watch’ us way before they ‘listen’ to us)– living in such a faithful way as to spark their curiosity.   Then when they ask “WHY” do you/we live this way; we are able to share our testimony of what GOD has done and is doing for us!  Simple—yes!  Easy—no!  But by the power of God’s Holy Spirit, we can make a difference.  It’s what our world is starving for—real believers living the truth that we talk about!

Me/You—”Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord your God commanded to teach you,

that ye might do them in the land

whither ye go to possess it:

2 That thou mightest

fear the Lord thy God,

to keep all his statutes and his commandments,

which I command thee,

thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son,

all the days of thy life;

and that thy days may be prolonged.

3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it;

that it may be well with thee,

and that ye may increase mightily,

as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised

thee, in the land

that floweth with milk and honey.

4 Hear, O Israel:

The Lord our God is one Lord:

5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God

with all thine heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy might.”  Deuteronomy 6:1-5

Me/You–“And these words, which I command thee this day,

shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children,

and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house,

and when thou walkest by the way,

and when thou liest down,

and when thou risest up.

8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand,

and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.” 6:6-9

Them— “20 And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, 

What mean the testimonies,

and the statutes,

and the judgments,

which the Lord our God

hath commanded you?”

MeYou—”21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son,

We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt;

and the Lord brought us out of Egypt

with a mighty hand:

22 And the Lord shewed signs and wonders,

great and sore, upon Egypt,

upon Pharaoh,

and upon all his household,

before our eyes:

23 And he brought us out from thence,

that he might bring us in,

to give us the land which he sware

unto our fathers.

24 And the Lord commanded us 

to do all these statutes,

to fear the Lord our God,

for our good always,

that he might preserve us alive,

as it is at this day.

25 And it shall be our righteousness,

if we observe to do

all these commandments

before the Lord our God,

as he hath commanded us.”  6:20-25.

And the joy for us, is that JESUS becomes our righteous when we repent, believe and receive HIM—the Gift.  Jesus IS the gift!

Amen and Amen!

If Not Now? When? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 19

24 Monday Jun 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Changed Lives, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, If not now? When?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 13 No. 19   If Not Now? When?

 

When I consider all that is going on in our world, in our churches and in our families, I can’t help but think of the choices that we all make, and how they affect and trickle down to those around us.  Spiritual strength, character, salvation and revival comes from God!  Yet God has given mankind the opportunity to choose-we can choose to have HIS true spiritual strength through the saving, transforming, new life IN Jesus.  The only “life” that will grow powerful, godly character which can change our culture, and it starts with one person!  “One person” at a time, who will act now; affecting “one family” at a time; reviving “one church” at a time’; spreading that revival to “one community” at a time; to effectively change a world that is lost and drowning in darkness and corruption.  But we can only change the darkness by living “the light” of transformed lives as the redeemed; the redeemed living like the “redeemed”!  That means we who are born again living and heeding The Word of God as The Word/Words of God!  And, oh my dear friends, we must do it NOW!

If not NOW? When will we stand up for Jesus—not in mean, harsh, vindictive ways, but as our Lord Jesus did, taking the truth with us everywhere we go, among all whom we encounter!  Holy living isn’t reserved for Sundays or Wednesdays (or whatever times you have church meeting/service)—we must live for Jesus every day.  If not now, if not today, when?  Let’s consider what God records three times in His Word!

“Wherefore the Lord said,

Forasmuch as this people

draw near me with their mouth,

and with their lips do honour me,

but have removed their heart

far from me,

and their fear toward me

is taught by the precept of men:” Isaiah 29:13

God told the prophet Isaiah that His own people (those who claimed His name, for His blessings, when it was convenient, but had no regard for what His Word called them to be and do—sound familiar?) talked the ‘talk’ but they had no real ‘walk’ with Him!  How about us?  God identified this condition in those who had replaced the true “fear toward me” with the “precept of men”—in our vernacular, they had replaced what God said with men’s watered-down justification for sin! Jesus repeated this commentary in His own earthly ministry.

“Ye hypocrites,

well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

8 This people draweth nigh unto me

with their mouth,

and honoureth me

with their lips;

but their heart

is far from me.”   Matthew 15:8

And again:

“Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him,

Why walk not thy disciples

according to the tradition of the elders,

but eat bread with unwashen hands?

6 He answered and said unto them,

Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites,

as it is written,

This people honoureth me with their lips,

but their heart is far from me.

7 Howbeit in vain

do they worship me,

teaching for doctrines

the commandments of men.

8 For laying aside the commandment of God,

ye hold the tradition of men,

as the washing of pots and cups:

and many other such like things ye do.

9 And he said unto them,

Full well ye reject

the commandment of God,

that ye may keep

your own tradition.”  Mark 7:5-9

Ouch! What would Jesus say to us?  He who has called us to Himself, said that those who are truly His are to follow Him; not because ‘following’ Him saves us, but because when He saves us, we should want to follow the ONE who gave His life for ours. God knows who we really are—who I am? Who YOU are!!!

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure,

having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them

that are his.

And, Let every one that nameth the name

of Christ

depart from iniquity.”  2 Timothy 2:19

We aren’t saved because we depart from evil, but by the blood of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sin—by repentance and faith in HIS accomplished work at Calvary, but as HIS, we ought to avoid it!  Paul said it best:

“But God, who is rich in mercy,

for his great love

wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together

with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together,

 and made us sit together in heavenly places

in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come

he might shew the exceeding riches

of his grace

in his kindness

 toward us

through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are ye saved

through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus

unto good works,

which God hath before ordained

that we should walk

in them.”   Ephesians 2:4-10

God loves YOU and ME enough to give His own Son to pay a debt that HE didn’t owe; because we owed a debt we couldn’t pay apart from death and hell!  When Jesus saves us, He saves us “unto good works”!  We are God’s “workmanship” for we are “created in Christ Jesus”!  So, what are your works saying about “whose” you are? If not now?  When?  When will you start to live for Jesus?  He isn’t looking at your words, but your heart, for what is IN the heart, will come OUT!

“Do not ye yet understand,

that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth

goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things which proceed

out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart

proceed evil thoughts,

murders,

adulteries,

fornications,

thefts,

false witness,

blasphemies:

20 These are the things which defile a man…”    Matthew 15:17-20

How about you/me?  Do we “yet understand” that God has only one standard—JESUS—The Living Word, as well as the One who breathed scripture through chosen “men of God” (See 2 Peter 1:19-21)!  If not now? When?  WE must stop judging ourselves by the world’s standard instead of God’s.  Just because we change the name of sin, it’s still sin.  Oh, dear ones, we must cling to Jesus’ cross and His Word, taking up our cross NOW!  Please join me in seeking HIS face continually, not just washing our physical hands, while leaving our hearts unchecked and vile?  Apart from the life-changing power of His blood, we have no hope, yet in Him we can be victorious!  How about you?  Now?

“Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things,

and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes,

and be slain,

and be raised the third day.

23 And he said to them all,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross daily,

and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

but whosoever will lose his life

for my sake,

the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged,

if he gain the whole world,

 and lose himself,

or be cast away?”  Luke 9:22-25

What advantage?  NONE! Jesus made it clear to Nicodemus!

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son

into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name

of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness

rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil

hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.”  John 3:14-20

I pray that you will ponder these things and ask God to show you the true condition of your heart.  Please seek Jesus while He may be found!  I’ve talked to so many who say “When I get this new job, then I’ll come”; “When I get past this crises, then I’ll come”;  “I just can’t let go of this__________” (sin, unforgiveness, guilt, anger, selfishness, or self-reliance—it doesn’t matter what’s in your ‘blank’, if it keeps you from Jesus, it will lead you to hell—and that’s sad, for Jesus died for YOU to miss Hell!)!  Whatever is standing between you and God is something that Jesus can and will overcome if you’ll but come to HIM.

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:

 if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me…

22 He that hath an ear,

 let him hear what the Spirit saith …”    Revelation 3:20 & 22a

Don’t miss heaven for neglect!  I’m praying that you will find Jesus, if you haven’t already! If you go to hell, it will be by trampling the blood of Jesus, and in spite of this servant’s prayers! I’m also praying that if you know HIM, you will take up YOUR cross and follow Him; and that cross isn’t your ‘difficulties’, it IS dying to “self” by living to, for, with and through HIM.

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith

of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”   Galatians 2:20

Amen and Amen!

A Holy Or A Holey New Year??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 20

30 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by in Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Consider Your ways, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Follow Jesus, Holiness, Holy, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No.20 A Holy or A Holey New Year??

 

“And make straight paths for your feet,

lest that which is lame

be turned out of the way;

but let it rather be healed.

14 Follow peace with all men,

and holiness,

without which

no man shall see the Lord:”   Hebrews 12:13-14

I love Swiss cheese, and one of its qualities is the large holes that are in the cheese. I can remember as a child thinking that was a rip off—why pay for cheese when it has holes in it, so it’s not all there? But as I grew and matured I learned that the holes in Swiss cheese are part of what gives it its flavor. The holes are caused when elements interact between the lactic acid in the milk and certain bacteria and organisms; the creation of carbon dioxide creates pockets of air that result in the mature cheese having holes. In fact agro-scientists have even figured out how to control the size of the holes by controlling the amounts of certain things that can be added to the milk.

Well, believers in Jesus are called to the “holy” not “holey”! In fact you could say that we are called to be “wholly holy” not affected by the things of the world, but maintaining a “wholly holy” walk before our God and the world that He has called us to be a testimony to! And David was a great testimony of the power of God in the life of someone devoted to God. Even though David had his faults, when he sinned he knew how to repent, return to God and restore his fellowship with God. David records one of the greatest pictures of this from his experience (as well as inspiration) in Psalm 51.

“Behold, thou desirest truth

in the inward parts:

and in the hidden part

thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

7 Purge me with hyssop,

and I shall be clean:

wash me,

and I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness;

that the bones which thou hast broken

may rejoice.

9 Hide thy face from my sins,

and blot out all mine iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart,

O God;

and renew a right spirit

within me.

11 Cast me not away

from thy presence;

and take not thy holy spirit

from me.

12 Restore unto me

the joy of thy salvation;

and uphold me

with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors

thy ways;

and sinners shall be converted

unto thee.

14 Deliver me

from bloodguiltiness,

O God,

thou God

of my salvation:

and my tongue shall sing aloud

of thy righteousness.

15 O Lord, open thou my lips;

and my mouth shall shew forth

thy praise.

16 For thou desirest not sacrifice;

else would I give it:

thou delightest not in burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God are

a broken spirit:

a broken and a contrite heart,

O God,

thou wilt not despise.”   Psalm 51:6-17

While we must keep this in the context in which it was written, (the personal, permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit had not yet been accomplished) the message that David imparts to us, if we will be see it and receive it, is that even when we are in pain due to our own sin and failure returning to the throne of God, and seeking HIS face in repentance, brings His healing, and the restorative work of forgiveness, and bringing us back into intimate fellowship with Him. But He will also restore us to a place of usefulness in HIS kingdom. I love that David’s reveals the progression of God’s restorative work in us, to forgive us when we seek Him, desiring the restoration of our intimate fellowship with God, and the sense of HIS presence in our daily living. It’s almost the same message that the Apostle John gives us in his first letter.

“If we say that we have

fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship

one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive

ourselves,

and the truth

is not in us.

9 If we confess

our sins,

he is faithful

and just

to forgive us

our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:6-9

John reminds us that while Christians aren’t perfect, we do have an “advocate with the Father” when we sin! We have One who can and will forgive us when we confess (agree with God that we have sinned, and not try to rename it, clean it up or agree with the world that it’s ok to sin), and He not only forgives but also cleanse us “from all unrighteousness”! God will restore our fellowship with Him, and also our opportunities of service to HIM. We must understand that when we choose to sin, and walk “in the dark” there are consequences that will affect our lives; and while not all things can be wholly restored when they are broken (especially human relationships and reputations!). Yet the point I want us to see, is that when we strive for ‘holiness’ rather than settling “holeyness”, we will avoid many of the pitfalls of this world; for even genuine believers must understand that while we are free to make our own choices, we are not free to choose the consequences. And as I’ve heard it said before: “Sin will take you farther that you wanted to go, keep you longer than you wanted to stay, and will cost you more that you wanted to pay”, and that is a true principle of God.

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,,

that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7

So as we strive for holiness in all our ways, I would simply like to share a few passages that will point us in the right direction as we enter a new year. I encourage you to check your Bible concordance and search for the places where God calls us to “be holy”! It can be a great eye-opening exercise.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing

of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.”   Romans 12:1-2

Did you notice that we are to “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy” before our God, and that is “acceptable unto God”, what does that make “holey”? God Himself calls us to holiness!

“As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he

which hath called you

is holy,

so be ye

holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.”   1 Peter 1:14-16

And where is it “written”?

“And ye shall

be holy unto me:

for I the LORD am holy,

and have severed you

from other people,

that ye should be mine.”    Leviticus 20:26

God hasn’t changed the rules—but HE has given us Jesus, who IS the way to have His laws written in our hearts, rather than on tables of stone—HIS name is JESUS, and He imparts His Holy Spirit to those who are born again!!! And as His own Spirit-filled people we are called to live His Way!

“But the day of the Lord will come

as a thief in the night;

in the which the heavens shall pass away

with a great noise,

and the elements shall melt

with fervent heat,

the earth also

and the works that are therein

shall be burned up.

11 Seeing then

that all these things shall be dissolved,

what manner of persons

ought ye to be

in all holy conversation

and godliness,

12 Looking for and hasting

unto the coming of the day of God,

wherein the heavens being on fire

shall be dissolved,

and the elements

shall melt with fervent heat?

13 Nevertheless we,

according to his promise,

look for new heavens

and a new earth,

wherein dwelleth righteousness.

14 Wherefore, beloved,

seeing that ye look for such things,

be diligent that ye may be found

of him

in peace,

without spot,

and blameless.” 1 Peter 3:10-14

Since God has done so much for us, how can we do less than pursue His “holiness”, that He may be glorified and others may see Him in us? And as I close for today, I’d like to offer a challenge to each of us, especially those who participate in social media—watch what you write, what you share, what the comments on your feed say, and ask how YOU are reflecting Jesus? If you claim to belong to Jesus, why do the same ugly words appear on your feed as appear on the pages of the ungodly? If your share things, have you checked out the source? There are a lot of “cutesy”, seemingly nice, even ‘godly’ sounding posts that are coming from sites that are lurking to trip people up and trap them into ‘new age’ bunk that, as scripture says, “even denying the Lord who bought them”? And on a more personal note, are there words coming out of your mouth that shouldn’t be in a “holy” persons vocabulary? Are there actions or gestures that you use that don’t belong in the life of someone pursuing “holiness”? Do you watch and listen to things that blaspheme the Savior that you claim to love? It’s time (and a good New Year’s project) to examine our own lives and ask God to help us draw nearer to HIM and not the world. Whose altar are you really worshipping at? May we be found faithful when He comes—and that may be sooner than we think!!! It’s your choice, but remember there is a test at the end!

“Judge me, O LORD;

for I have walked in

mine integrity:

I have trusted also

in the LORD;

therefore I shall not slide.

2 Examine me, O LORD,

and prove me;

try my reins

and my heart.

3 For thy lovingkindness

is before mine eyes:

and I have walked

in thy truth.” Psalm 26:1-3

“Prove all things;

hold fast that which is good.

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly;

and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body

be preserved blameless

unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Faithful is he that calleth you,

who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21-24

‘Nuff said! Amen and Amen!!!