Walking in Holiness

Hello Faithful Readers,

  What grace we all share as we live in a country that has been set apart by God, for God’s use. Yes, we all have struggles we are dealing with on a daily basis, but there is no doubt that we live in the greatest country in the world. Because of the great faithfulness of our first President, George Washington,  and his obedience to God, this country has experienced the hand of God over it ever since. Each of us as born again believers have a choice to walk each day in holiness, totally devoted and dedicated to God, set apart for His sacred use, or we can continue walking in the world and our old sinful ways. There is great peace and security for those who walk in holiness daily before God.

  Ezra was a Jewish scribe who was also a teacher of the Word of God. He dedicated his life to reading and applying God’s Word in his life and to teach others to do the same. His obedience to God and His Word made him very valuable to God. Ezra through his faithful actions was set apart and made holy by God. This meant that God could use him to help the Israelites return to walking holy before God. The impact Ezra made on the Israelites spiritual lives was great, and it was because he was called and trained by God for this task and because of his willingness to learn and apply God’s Word to everything he did.

  As born again believers, we are called to be holy and set apart for God’s special use, and set apart from sin and its influences. Even though we walk side by side with non-believers, it doesn’t mean we have to live as they live. When we are saved God sends His Holy Spirit to live in our hearts to help us desire to read God’s Word, so we can become holy and set apart for the special work God has planned for each of us. But if we are not making time daily to read God’s Word so it can be applied to our daily lives, we will not grow in holiness, and we will not have the great privilege to be set apart for God’s sacred work designed just for us. I hope you desire holiness and that you will apply the gifts God has given you, His Holy Word and the Holy Spirit living in you as you grow daily in holiness.

  We all have different stories to tell of when we were born again and started walking in the new life God gave us, through His Son Jesus Christ. But one thing I have noticed in all the stories as well as mine was that the day I received Jesus as my savior, I began reading God’s Word intently desiring to know what it all meant for my life. This was and still is the marvelous work of the Holy Spirit working in me. Even though this was opposed, my desire to read God’s Word was stronger and so in time, several years, I began to understand what being a Christian should look like and how to keep from falling prey to sinful influences in this world. I have to admit that I have six different copies of the Word of God, because there are great Bibles out these days that have different types of study tools in them to help in understanding and applying God’s Word. One of my favorite Bibles is called NIV Life Application Study Bible from Zondervan. I would highly recommend this type of study Bible because it is packed with life application notes from highly accredited Bible translators and teachers. There are several translations in the Life Application Study Bible type. I always felt it was like having a Pastor with me as I read the Bible. My life today is that of walking holy and dedicated to God and His plans for my life. I continue my desire to know Him and almost everyday I am still learning about Him and how He is continually sanctifying me daily to walk closer with Him. One thing I am learning right now is keeping Him with me all day long, seeking His wisdom and guidance in all that I do. Jesus keeps reminding me, “Rest in Me.” This is easier said than done at times because I am so used to doing it myself in my own strength, but that is not how God intended us to live our lives, in our own strength. His desire is for us to live our lives in His strength and that is how he makes us holy. We must stay humble before God and seek His face in all we do and God will grow us up into His precious few who are willing and able to do His will for His purposes.

  Won’t you join me today and devote yourself to desire the life God has for you? In order to receive that life we must first desire God with our whole hearts. We are able to let go of the pull of this world when we understand that this life is only a single breath, compared to eternity with God in heaven. Won’t you leave behind the possessions of this world that will fade away and can be destroyed, and start living for eternity in heaven where nothing fades away or is destroyed? When this way of life is understood in your heart, living holy and set apart for God becomes the most important thing in our life. This is true for me, how about you?

“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” 1Peter 1:14-16

“I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them to slavery to righteousness and holiness.” Romans 6:19

“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation – if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.” Colossians 1:21-22

“…I am the Lord, who makes you holy.” Exodus 31:13

  Walking each day in God’s holiness is a great privilege as His people who are set apart for His sacred use.

We will be reading Ezra for one more week.

Blessings

Patricia