Thursday, September 29, 2016

God is our guide! 9-29-16

Does sin bother you?



A very simple question for you this morning....does sin bother you? It should. Anytime we sin against and holy God it should be very troubling to us. If sin does not bother us it is a sign of very big trouble in one's life!

Look at this quote from JC Ryle: "I cannot see how any man deserves to be called "holy" who willfully allows himself in sins, and is not humbled and ashamed because of them." 

And "I do not understand how a man can be a true believer, unto whom sin is not the greatest burden, sorrow, and trouble!"

Now look at God's Word:

Psalm 38:18 For I will declare my iniquity; I will be in anguish over my sin.

Psalm 51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me.

2 Corinthians 7:9-10 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

Luke 18:13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’

If you can sin and it does not bother you, you relationship with God has a major problem. Go to Him immediately and repent and get right with Him! It is of utmost importance.

Perhaps you are sinning and don't even know it...that is why reading and knowing God's Word is so important.

As a follower of Jesus I know when I sin and it bothers me until I confess it and strive not to repeat it! I pray your sin bothers you too!

Tom

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Love deeply 9-28-16

Growing in holiness is to keep a spiritual mind.



As we continue in the sanctification (growing in holiness) process as followers of Jesus, it is of great importance to keep a spiritual mind at all times.

We must go through the daily business of life but at the same time keeping our minds on eternal things as Jesus has told us:

Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

To gain these treasures in heaven we must keep our minds focused on the things of God. We must remember we are just a pilgrim passing through here, and to be holy in this world you will be a stranger!

1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

As we keep this spiritual mind in out daily walk there are some things that should be natural to us like....bible study, prayer, assembling with His people which will help us continue to grow in holiness!

Thus we will feel like King David:

Psalm 63:8 My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 119:57 You are my portion, O Lord; I have said that I would keep Your words.

Tom

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

It is God who commends. 9-27-16

Being holy means being faithful in our duties.



As JC Ryle says about being faithful in doing our duties in life, “He will try, not merely to fill his place as well as others who take no thought for their souls--but even better, because he has higher motives and more help then they.”

Do you do everything in life to the best of your ability? God tells us to through Paul:

Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

Romans 12:11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.

As followers of Jesus, we should strive to do everything well as Jesus did. Jesus even asked the question in Matthew 5:47b what more are you doing than others? 

So are you faithful in your duties as a:

husband/wife

student

teacher

employee

boss

neighbor

friend

dad/mom

human being

follower of Jesus

Think on this day as you are growing in holiness, are you being faithful in all your duties?

Tom

Monday, September 26, 2016

Walk by faith! 9-26-16

If you are holy, you are humble.



How are you doing the area of humility. As we study the bible it is clear when men and women got right with God, they also were humbled and lived lives of humility. Look at some of these words from past saints before a holy God:

Genesis 18:27 Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes.

Jacob said in Genesis 32:10a I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, 

Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Do we realize as we stand before the Holy God, we are not worthy of anything??? But in His great love He pours out His love, mercy, and grace upon us!!!

Not only are we to humble to God but also to man as Jesus showed us here:

John 13:14-15 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.

Whose feet have you washed lately?

How is your humility this day as we continue to grow in holiness?

Tom

Friday, September 23, 2016

Thursday, September 22, 2016

God's council stands! 9-22-16

Proper fear of God



As we have been talking about being holy in a follower of Jesus life we must have a proper fear of God. He is God!!! We need to uphold Him in His proper place which is above all. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and everywhere all at the same time! He has the right to judge us as He sees fit and give us any punishment or reward that He wants. Every decision He makes is right! He loves us too! Think on those things for a bit. Do you live live with a proper fear of God? The majority don’t give any thought to it.

Look at this example from Nehemiah 5:15 The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God.

He treated people right! Why? Because He had the proper fear of God...knowing one day he would stand in front of God and give an account of himself. You will too!

So do you have a proper fear of God?

Tom

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Peace? 9-21-16

Purity in all things



As we try to live a holy life we must remember to strive after purity in all areas of life. Think about that for a moment....what you watch do you turn the tv off or to another channel at sexually explicit scenes or vulgar language? Do you true the radio station at unwholesome songs? When someone is telling an off colored joke do ask them to stop or walk away? Do you dress in appropriate attire that is pleasing to God? Do you work honestly as working unto the Lord? We can go on and on, are we practicing purity in all areas of life and not just picking and choosing when to be holy and when not to.

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

1 Peter 3:1-3 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.

Ephesians 4:24 you put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.

Ephesians 5:3 But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints.

Think about your purity today...with the power of the Holy Spirit we can live pure and holy lives!

Tom

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Unclean lips! 9-20-16

Love and kindness



As a follower of Jesus and one who is continually working out our faith and sanctification we are told in the scriptures to always show love and kindness to others. 

Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering;

Now as a follower of Jesus read these verses and put your name where the word love is and see if you are fulfilling the scriptures as you are growing in holiness:

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Let us be holy and show love and kindness....ALWAYS!

Tom

Monday, September 19, 2016

Control that tongue!

From some reading today....A quote from Kent Hughes on the verse below. "An out of control tongue suggests bogus religion, no matter how one's devotion is carried out. The true test of a man's spirituality is not by his ability to speak, as we are apt to think , but rather his ability to bridle his tongue."
Chew on that a while!
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.
BIBLEGATEWAY.COM

Draw near to God. 9-19-16

A holy life is to live by the fruits.



Something that is not easy in living a holy life is daily living by the fruits of the Spirit. They do not often come natural and must be developed in one’s life. Here are the fruits:

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Go over each of these fruits and see how you Are doing in applying them in your daily life. Most of us have some weaknesses that must be worked out with the power of the Holy Spirit. Pray for God to help you in living out these fruits in your life. 

To live a holy life is to live out the fruits of the Spirit daily!

Tom

Thursday, September 15, 2016

The goal of holiness....



In obtaining holiness our goal is to be like Jesus!

A life of faith, patience, compassion, love, peace, unity, forgiveness, unselfish, humble, truthful, and power in the Holy Spirit! So in our sanctification process are we conforming to the image of Christ?

Romans 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Think about this today...are you like Jesus...or at least growing in Christlikeness?

1 John 2:6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

I bet we all have work to do!

Tom

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Guard that heart!

Hate sin, love the Word!



As we strive to be Holy one thing the Word teaches over and over to us is to Love the Word of God and hate sin! This sounds so easy but when we sit down and think about it, why is it so hard to do???

Hate sin:

Romans 12:9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Love the Word:

Psalm 119:140 Your word is very pure; Therefore Your servant loves it.

1 John 2:5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

Luke 11:28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.

Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

So do you hate sin and desire the word of God? It is something that may not come natural and must be learned for the follower of Jesus to grow in holiness. Move in that direction today...it is of utmost importance!

Tom

Monday, September 12, 2016

Spiritual Discipline. 9-12-16

Being one mind with God



One of the ways we grow in sanctification (becoming holy) is by becoming one mind with God! This is a continual practice and well we never get there but that does not mean we can’t get very close so that we are living godly lives!

1 Corinthians 2:16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

As JC Ryle says here is what the mind of God will look like in a follower of Jesus:

“agreeing in God’s judgement
hating what He hates
loving what He loves
measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word.
He who most entirely agrees with God--he is the most holy man.”

So do you agree with God and follow as closely as you can or do you pick and choose what you want to obey and disobey?

Let us all grow in holiness by being of the same mind as Christ!

Tom

Thursday, September 8, 2016

Do not conform. 9-9-16

Who needs holiness?



JC Ryle asks “How does the account stand between our souls and God? In this hurrying, bustling world, let us stand for a few minutes and consider the matter of holiness.” 

It is a very important matter for the follower of Jesus as the Word of God says:

Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

Don’t miss that...without holiness no one will see the Lord!

Over the next several devotions we will explore what holiness is and how to live a holy life but for today to define it is to say to live a pure life before God. Maybe even to say to live a life by having the same values and characteristics of God. To follow every Word of God. Now we will never be God, but He does tell us “to be HOLY for He is HOLY.”

So who needs holiness? Every follower of Jesus needs holiness!

Tom

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

2 gifts from Christ. 9-7-16

Being Holy means showing grace and mercy.



Now I will be honest, today’s lesson in growing in sanctification (becoming more holy) is extremely hard! When we are Holy as God has called us to be we show grace and mercy....all the time. Here is the scripture example:

1 Peter 2:21-23 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;

Wow. I told it was hard. Here is the short of it...Jesus is our example. He suffered for us and never sinned! He never lied! When He was insulted, He did not insult back. When He was abused, He did not abuse back. He gave it all to God who will take care of it as He sees fit!

So how ya doing in this being holy business? When we can do today’s lesson on a consistent basis we are growing in holiness!

Tom

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Salvation for all is available! 9-6-16

Being Holy means loving others.



As we are being sanctified(growing in holiness) one sure sign is the ability to love others. Not just those who are loving to us but to all. Wow is that ever hard to do, huh? We can not do it on our own, only through the power of the Holy Spirit!

Luke 6:32-36 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

Wow that pretty well sums it up! 

Of course if w are grow to be holy we must be in Christ, look what Jesus says here:

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

How and who we love may just tell us where we are in Christ....or not!

Tom

Friday, September 2, 2016

Remember your purpose.



Isaiah 43:7 Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”

This is really simple...God made us all, and the purpose for making us? For HIS glory. 

Here is the problem, because God loves us He gave us free choice. So we can choose if we want to follow Him and if we want to give Him glory.

I choose to follow Him and give Him my life, what about you? 

Thank you Lord Jesus for my salvation and the mercy and grace you show me even hour of every day. I am so unworthy but You alone are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. May all bow before you willingly for One day they will no matter the choice they make!

Tom