“Be Holy, for I Am Holy”

“Be Holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). This is an incredible command that is full of great challenge but also great hope. When God gives us a command it is always on the basis that the power to achieve that command is available to us. Holiness, not perfection, is achievable.

Peter in 1 Peter 1:13—16 tells us three steps that are vital to the achieving of this command—“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” More succinctly stated, they are:

1.    Have a made up mind. We must make an unshakeable, determined commitment to take action that leads to change.

2.    Keep your eyes wide open. Know that our habits, desires, and the messages of the world around us will work against our change. Therefore we must keep an eye on ourselves to make sure that we are not sabotaging our commitment.

3.    Keep your ultimate goal in focus. Realizing that we can all sacrifice what we presently have for what we view as better, Peter tells us to keep our eyes on the great prize—eternity with Jesus.

As you go through this day ask God to show an area of your life that needs to be changed so that you might live more holy in His sight. Once that area is highlighted apply this 3 step approach to change Peter highlights for us. 

“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”

—Galatians 6:9

Staying Focused

One of the most surprising events in the life of Jesus that is recorded in the Gospels is the story of Jesus’ response to His mother in Luke 8:21. In this account Jesus’ loving and caring mother comes to Him because she is concerned about Him and wants to pull Jesus aside to counsel Him not continue ministering because He is creating powerful enemies. But Jesus’ response is to let her know that He must continue to focus on accomplishing God the Father’s will for that is His primary focus in life. The lesson for us—Even though a parent is to be respected, even this honor becomes secondary to our obedience to God’s desires.

In this same vein we must realize that although we have various God mandated responsibilities to others in life (our parents, our spouses, our children, our bosses, etc.) our greatest responsibility is to please God. How are you doing in keeping this perspective?

May the Lord bless you today as you seek to honor Him above all others in order to enjoy His rich blessings—“Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; In Thy presence is fullness of joy; In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever” (Psalm 16:11).

“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”
—Galatians 6:9

The Answer is ...

Well, what was your answer to the question posed earlier today? What is ‘the one thing I knowingly strive to accomplish every day?’

As we consider this year’s ministry theme of Investing Wisely this is a key question.

Please don’t lower your sights to just aim at completing another day of work. Don’t limit your goal to just love your spouse and your family. Maybe it is just to get back to bed each night. These are each good goals, but there is a higher target for us to aim at that will bring each of these goals into a heavenly focus.

I would propose that the one thing you should knowingly strive to accomplish every day from the moment your feet hits the ground in the morning, till the moment they are drawn back into bed at night is:

To be led by the Holy Spirit in all I think and do

If we are continually being led by the Holy Spirit throughout our day then we are being fashioned by God into Christ’s image. Note Romans 8 where the work of the Holy Spirit is noted in v. 26 (“And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness”) but the end of His work in our lives is noted in v. 29 “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.”

So, will you make this your daily goal? Begin your day tomorrow praying that the Lord will guide you by His Spirit through your day.I am sure you will then realize what it means to be a person of purpose.

“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”

—Galatians 6:9

The Question

Please take a moment to complete this one minute test. Later today I’ll send you an answer to consider. Give some thought to this question and come up with your own personal answer.

The one thing I knowingly strive to accomplish every day is?

“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”

—Galatians 6:9

5 Final Points on Authority

One final word to wrap up our discussion on authority, here are five points that Christian author J. Oswald Sanders (from his book Spiritual Leadership) makes and that every Elder is to keep in mind as he considers the use of spiritual discipline in the congregation:

1.    Such action should be taken only after the most thorough and impartial inquiry,

2.    it should be undertaken only when it would be for the overall good of the work [church] and the individual,

3.    it should always be in a spirit of genuine love and conducted in the most considerate manner,

4.    it should always be with the spiritual help and restoration of the offender in view, and

5.    it should be done only with much prayer.

Please pray that these points will always guide Grace’s Elders when spiritual discipline is considered for use in our church body.

With a new month comes a new memory verse. Here’s the next verse in the series of verses we’ve been memorizing. Our memory verse for May is Galatians 6:9

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

People of Hope

Of all people Christians, children of the sovereign God, should be known as people of hope for we believe that everything is moving towards one supreme goal—the glorification of our Father. To not have this mindset is to adopt a pessimistic view that we and our actions do not matter.

Let us never allow ourselves to resemble a pessimist for we then miss golden opportunities that are presented to us in life. Or, as Michael Levine has said, “A pessimist is someone who complains about the noise when opportunity knocks.”

We should not be surprised then that Paul tells us to in 1 Corinthian 10:31 “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” So, whether you are voting (please do that today), working at your job, speaking with a neighbor, helping someone in need, driving, interacting with your kids, being challenged by an issue in life, or whatever you do, remember that these things matter to God and are great opportunities for God to reveal Himself if you will see them as such.

So, what’s in your day? Remember, what you encounter and what you do will become great opportunities for you depending on how you view and respond to them.

“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”

—Galatians 6:9

Biblical Authority

Have you ever experienced biblical authority in the church? Many of us have experienced or heard of extremes when it comes to those wielding authority in the church but few have experienced authority that is biblical. Let me give you an analogy that I hope communicates what this kind of authority is like. 

Authority in churches is a lot like the porridges, the chairs, and the beds of the three bears in the story of Goldilocks and the three Bears. When authority does not function according to the Bible it either becomes too hard, focusing more on judging and controlling those under its oversight as humanity’s sinfulness is in focus, or it becomes too soft, where everything and anything is allowed as the end goal is for us to ‘just get along.’ There are many Christians who have given up on churches because of experiencing these extremes. Yet there is a third option that I think is more like what the Bible has in mind.

This third authority option is hard enough to boldly step in when people get out of step with the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28-32), yet soft enough to teach God’s Word, encourage His people, and to then step into the background to allow believers to love one another even to the point of confronting each other in love when they are wrong (Matthew 18:15-20). 

Please pray that Grace will continue to practice biblical authority. Also pray that each of us will seek to walk under such authority so that we might fully experience the blessings of God (1 Peter 5:1-2, 6).

“For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

Galatians 6:8

The Blessing Of Authority In Our Lives

When we think of authority we can often think of negative consequences before we think of positive ones. That is because we have most likely experienced authority that abuse and works to hurt rather than blesses and seeks to build up others. But God views authority as that which is good and He highlights godly authority as a key to our experiencing life as He intended it to be experienced. That is why God has placed authority relationships in every area of our lives—marriage, parenting, church, government, work, etc.

To show us just how important our proper response to these authority relationships are, God tells us that if we will properly respond to those in authority over us He will bless us. Please note that there is no exception to this principle for ‘I will submit if those in authority please me.’ The emphasis is on our response, in time God will deal with the actions of those who are in charge over us.

How are you doing in the various authority relationships in your life? Here are a few steps you can take to help you ‘get under in order get over’:

1.    Pray for your attitude towards the concept of authority in general. Authority is a dirty word to many people in our society but to God it is an important aspect of life. He sees authority as good and a blessing to life.

2.    Pray for your attitude towards those in authority over you. Don’t be fooled, our outlook is primarily determined by our attitude. Or as someone put it, ‘your attitude determines your altitude.’

3.    Pray for those in authority over you. There is always a greater responsibility and accountability for those who lead. Paul even went as far as describing Elders, those who have primary authority in the church, as ‘those who will give an account’ because ‘they keep watch over your souls’ (Hebrews 13:7).

4.    Thank the Lord for those in authority over you. A thankful heart sees God in everything, everywhere, at every moment. No wonder we are commanded ‘In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you’ (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

“For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

Galatians 6:8

Rest For The Busy Life

It is always important to focus on the truth God is trying to have us grasp when He is pictured in Scripture in human terms or form. So when God is pictured as resting after being intimately involved in creating everything around us and getting His hands dirty in making us we need to determine what the truth is that is being highlighted for us. As we noted on Sunday, that truth is summarized in a principle—

The Principle is that none of us can continue to run at our paces emotionally, physically, cognitively, or spiritually if we do not take time to stop and replenish ourselves. We must ‘stop for go.’ If we do not stop, we will not continue to go.

In light of this principle, how are you planning on making your Sabbath this week a true Sabbath? I would love to hear your plans so that I might share them with the rest of Grace (without giving your name).

Please note our new memory verse as we enter the month of April:

“For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

Galatians 6:8

The Nature Of Living By Faith

Come on admit it, to our human outlook on life walking by faith is an ‘upside down, back to front’ way of thinking and living.  For example, die in order to live, give a portion of your earnings to God and you will have enough, walk by faith and not by sight, and, the one we examined yesterday, do less in order to do more (or activity does not equal productivity). Where does God come up with these approaches to life?

But please remember that the very nature of living by faith is to move us out of the driver’s seat and to allow God that position.  The reason why it is so hard for us to live by faith is that it neutralizes our ability to be in control. So, please take a moment today and do what does not come naturally or comfortably in order to allow God to work in your life. Go on, pray before you start your day even though you have a lot to do. Tell that certain person about Jesus even though he or she may talk about you. Sit with that person at lunch even though you can’t forget how they treated you wrong not that long ago. I am sure the Holy Spirit can show you a few other ‘upside down, back to front’ actions you can take in order to let Him work through your life today.

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.”

Galatians 6:7

Power Of The Resurrection

Let me remind you as a gray Monday ushers us into another week that the power of the resurrection is a 24-7, 365 day reality! So, as we committed to yesterday, let us begin our day praying Philippians 3:10—“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,”

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.”

Galatians 6:7

Movement Towards The Cross

How are you investing this week? For most Christians around the world this is “Holy Week.” The designation refers to the fact that this was the final week in Jesus’ movement towards the cross in order to die for us. Because Christians view this as the most significant week in human history we have come to call it by a phrase that communicates its significance.

Biblically the week begins with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem as many tossed before Him (as He rode on a donkey) palm branches as an act of honor (Zechariah 9:9; Mark 11:10). But less than a week later these same people were crying for His death, Jesus was crucified and buried, but rose again on Sunday.

To fully experience the joy of Resurrection Sunday we must first enter into the pain of this Holy Week. Here are a few suggestions on how to invest wisely in this week:

·    Pray that the Lord will make this week ‘real’ to you.

·    Take some time daily to read over the biblical accounts of the events that occurred this week (Mark 11—16).

·    Spend time in prayerful contemplation of what Jesus did for us through His sacrifice (Romans 8:32—35).

·    As Jesus gave up heaven’s glory in order to give His life for us (Phillipians 2:5—8), so also enter into such God honoring sacrifice by giving up something dear to you this week.

·    Join us Friday evening for our Good Friday worship service.

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.”

Galatians 6:7

Showing His Love

Are you praying that God will use you to show His love to someone around you today? I am convinced that it is God’s desire to hear that prayer. His desire is wonderfully expressed in the life of Abraham.

God tells Abraham “enough is enough” and that He would finally judge Sodom & Gemorrah. Abraham is put in an incredible position to begin to ‘bargain, haggle’ with God to see lives spared. Abraham begins to ask God if He will bring about this judgment if fifty righteous individuals are found there. Abraham continually tries to get the numbers down to the point where he feels it is safe and so he finally ends at ten. But as we read this account we gain the sense that Abraham may have quit asking before God was ready to stop granting Abraham’s request. There is a clear longing expressed in God’s gracious accommodation of Abraham that challenges us to the fact that God wants us to love those around us as greatly as He does. Remember—“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Again, are you praying that God will use you to show His love to someone around you today? Take a moment to invest in a life and then extend an invitation for that person to join us on Sunday for Friends Sunday.

Have you invited a person who does not have a church home to Friends Sunday this Sunday?
You still have time.

Share the Great Taste with Your Friends

One morning this week I noticed on the back of my cereal box this interesting request—“Share the great taste with your friends.” Below that statement was a website for those who liked the cereal to get tools by which they could invite others to taste and see how good this cereal is.

The Bible gives us a similar request about God—“And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:23). Please don’t miss the fact that God is asking us who have tasted and seen that He is good to share this great taste with our friends.

Trust me, your experience is worth the praise. Trust me, there are others who need to hear it from your lips. Trust me, there are some who would like to know what makes you so committed to the Lord. Trust me, take a moment today to prayerfully go beyond the common interactions in your friendship to share a testimony and an invitation to ‘taste and see.’

Have you invited a person who does not have a church home to Friends Sunday this Sunday?
You still have time.

The Central Role of Love

Have you ever considered the central role love should have in our lives? One of the key pillars of the early Church (therefore known as a ‘Church Father’) Clement of Alexandria stated that the real Christian “practices being God” when he or she reflects love in his or her life.

Wow! There are a lot of people who practice being God by telling you what to do, seeking to control your life, and even trying to have you honor them more than anyone else. But to think that love is the best way to reflect God.
This is why John states in 1 John 4:12 (in The Message) the fact that an invisible God’s image is reflected in His children when they love each other—“ No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love!”

So, listen to Clement and have a great day practicing being like God.

Have you invited a person who does not have a church home to Friends Sunday this Sunday?
You still have time.