BE HOLY

 

BE HOLY You are to be holy to Me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be My own. Leviticus 20:26 The words "holy" and "holiness" have fallen into disfavor because of legalistic abuse. Legalism is always a destroyer. Holiness is not something that can be imposed on others; that's when it all goes wrong. There's no set of rules anywhere that will guarantee you can find holiness by adhering to them. In fact, you're more likely to find misery and bondage. Holiness is a personal choice between a Christian and God. It is a journey, with the Holy Spirit teaching us every step of the way. Only God can show us what holiness is, because God is the only one who is truly holy. Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 NLT This verse in Hebrews possibly explains our need for Salvation better than any other: we need to be holy in order to see God, but we know that we’re not holy! We can't be holy! We are sinners through and through. Jesus offers us His righteousness so that we can be part of God's family. The world doesn't understand holiness at all. It is contrary to every natural way of thinking. Holiness is granted to us by Jesus Himself and therefore has a supernatural source. The grace of walking in holiness with God is addictive: like drinking water or eating food, we realize that we need this gift of holiness, because there is light and life in it. We can get more of God's holy presence by reading the Bible and through prayer. In fact, prayer becomes a constant, continual conversation with God about everything and anything as we go through our day. And God is not annoyed by this! It's exactly the kind of fellowship He wants with us. So, God knows what He's talking about when he tells us to be holy. This relationship is what He's hoping for and desiring from us. True holiness is not legalism: it is relationship of the best kind. When the prophet Nathan confronted King David for his egregious sins, David crumpled in remorse immediately. He knew what happened when King Saul disobeyed God: David was afraid that God would permanently reject him as well! The prophet comforted David and told him he was forgiven (even though punishment would be necessary.) David wrote a psalm during this time that describes his fear of God’s rejection, and his desire to be made clean again: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence; take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:10-12

 

THE NICENE CREED

 

THE NICENE CREED The Nicene Creed is a foundational statement of Christian faith. It was originally adopted at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD and then refined in 381 AD. At the time, the purpose for devising a creed was to eliminate any confusion regarding essential beliefs of the Christian faith, and bring greater unity among the Christian churches. It was also meant to put down some heresies that had arisen. In fact, it was because of heresies that church leaders believed an essential statement of faith was necessary. Other Christian Creeds that came afterward are very similar to this first, significant statement of faith. We live in an age of lies and deception, when loud voices are trying to tell Christians what to believe and how to live. Heresies have always existed, and they always distract from the essential core of the Gospel. They always cause division, and many of them promoted sinful behaviors. Christians need to know the basics of what we believe so we won't be distracted by the loud noises coming from the world. If there are doctrines that disturb the unity of the Believers then it's best to avoid such topics when we gather together. Our fellowship and unity is in Jesus Christ. THE NICENE CREED I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic (unified) and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.  The statements in the Nicene Creed are more than words: they are precious truths which are dear to the hearts of those who truly love God. There is one little word in this creed that is easily overlooked, and that is the word HOLY. As believers, God expects us to desire holiness in our lives. (More on that topic tomorrow.)

 

THE ABSENCE OF SIN

 

THE ABSENCE OF SIN An excerpt from Capt. Dale Black's near-death-experience in Heaven after a devastating plane crash. Part of the joy I was experiencing (in heaven) was not only the presence of everything wonderful but the absence of everything terrible. There was no strife, no competition, no sarcasm, no betrayal, no deception, no lies, no murders, no unfaithfulness, no disloyalty, nothing contrary to the light and life and love. In short, there was no sin. And the absence of sin was something you could feel. There was no shame, because there was nothing to be ashamed of. There was no sadness, because there was nothing to be sad about. There was no need to hide, because there was nothing to hide from. It was all out in the open. Clean and pure. Here was perfection. Complete and utter perfection. The revelation of sin’s absence was astounding and exhilarating. This is where I belonged. I was made to be in heaven. In a perfect place where there is no sin. I had been in heaven for some time before I recognized sin’s absence. ...I was so accustomed to sin that I hadn’t even recognized its far-reaching effects in every part of (earthly) life. But nothing had been tainted in heaven by sin’s destructive touch. This perfection I experienced was largely due to the absence of sin. Excerpt from the book "Flight to Heaven: A Plane Crash...A Lone Survivor...A Journey to Heaven--and Back" by Capt. Dale Black and Ken Gire, page 109, Baker Publishing Group.

 

JESUS CHRIST RETURNS

 

JESUS CHRIST RETURNS Study of Revelation Continues REVELATION 19.11 I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war. 19.12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has names written and a name written which no one knows but he himself. 19.13 He is clothed in a garment sprinkled with blood. His name is called “The Word of God.” REVELATION 19.14 The armies which are in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in white, pure, fine linen. 19.15 Out of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword, that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He treads the wine press of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty. 19.16 He has on his garment and on his thigh a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” -WEB Bible. MATTHEW 24.27  For as the lightning flashes from the east, and is seen even to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man 24.30  and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. 24.31  He will send out his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. -WEB Bible  It is not possible for any artist to depict this glorious scene, or even imagine it, or understand it. All we can do is read it. For those who know Jesus Christ as their Savior, this passage is very comforting, because we already know how good and righteous Jesus is. We rejoice at his long-anticipated return, when all things will be made right. But for everyone else, this will be a terrifying moment. And for the army of Armageddon, the appearance of Jesus Christ means this is the moment of their doom.  Furthermore, every single creature on earth will bow before the LORD of all: PHILIPPIANS 2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. KJV It should be noted that the solemn Jewish celebrations of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and the Feast of Tabernacles will be fulfilled at that time: because the Jews will accept their Messiah Jesus Christ by then. And, Christ will rule and reign in Jerusalem as prophesied. The Millennial Reign of Christ will fulfill yet more prophecies concerning Israel and Jerusalem. With the return of Jesus Christ, a new era will truly begin. His kingdom will not be established according to the repressive and corrupt human traditions of Babylon. The reign of Christ on the earth will be unlike anything we’ve ever seen. IMAGE CREDIT: Return of Christ, generated by SeaArt.ai and edited by C.A. Stevens.

 

MY BUNCH OF KEYS

 

MY BUNCH OF KEYS By F.B. Meyer I watched Hudson Taylor and two of his young students. They had strength and joy that I did not have. I said to Charles Studd, "What is the difference between you and me? You seem so happy, and I am always in the trough of the wave." He replied, "There is nothing I have which you may not have also, Mr. Meyer." So I asked, "But how am I to get it?" "Well," Charles said, "have you given yourself entirely to God?" I winced. I had been fighting deep conviction for months; my own will was entrenched in what I wanted. But I wanted to settle it with Christ one way or the other. And I owe everything to that one night when I opened my heart to God. I knelt in my room and gave Christ the keys of my heart: but I kept one little key back. It was the key to one little storage cupboard which I didn't feel I could give up. Jesus said to me: "Are all the keys here?" And I said, "All but one." "And which key is that?" said He. "It is the key of a little cupboard," said I, "in which I have something which You need not interfere with, but it is mine." Then, Jesus put the all keys back into my hand, and turned away to leave. He said: "My child, if you cannot trust Me with all, you do not trust Me at all.” I cried, "Stop," and He came back. Holding the little key in my hand, I said: "I cannot give the key to you, but if You will take it then it is yours." Jesus took the key, and within a month from that time He had cleared out that little cupboard of things which had been there for months. I knew He would. I looked up into the face of Christ that night and said, "Now I am yours." It was the beginning of a new anointing in my relationship with God. I learned that night to say "Yes" to Jesus, and I have tried to say "Yes" ever since. May I add one word more? Three years ago, I met the thing I gave up that night, and I could not imagine myself being such a fool as to nearly sell my soul for that mess. By F.B. Meyer, 1847-1929 Updated by C. Stevens (Actually, Roberta was playing a joke on her friends.)