Posted by Charlie on Nov 17, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7, 8, 9, 10
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body[a] and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Observation
At the end of chapter 6, Paul urges the Corinthians not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers. Then, as he begins chapter 7, he refers to Leviticus and Isaiah, which assure God’s people that he will be their God, and even a father to them, if they will remain pure in their devotion to him.
We don’t have the full picture of what was happening in Corinth that prompted Paul’s comment, partially because the harsh letter Paul refers to in this chapter has been lost, but it boils down, once again, to the concept of being in the world but not being of the world.
Application
God has always intended for his people to be a living example of what it is like to be in right relationship with our Creator, but, as the history of Israel demonstrates, the tendency for people is to be influenced by the world, not the other way around. God wants us to be thermostats, not thermometers. The thermostat sets the standard for the environment, a thermometer simply adjusts to what is happening around it.
Prayer
Father, please guide me according to your promises today and grant that my life may be a picture of your holiness. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: holiness
Posted by Charlie on Aug 31, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Ezekiel 12, 13, 14; Revelation 5
Then certain of the elders of Israel came to me and sat before me. And the word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their hearts, and set the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces. Should I indeed let myself be consulted by them?
Ezekiel 15:1-3
Observation
Ezekiel 15 reveals the seat of idolatry: The heart. Though the elders of Israel my have set aside their carved images physically, the idols existed in reality in the heart. Since God sees into the heart of man, having an idol there is the same as having one on a shelf.
Application
Christians are good at wearing masks, but God isn’t fooled. God sees my heart, and requires purity and holiness there. Ezekiel is a good reminder to examine my heart to see what I have hidden there. God isn’t fooled.
Prayer
Father, you know my heart in full. Please reveal anything there that doesn’t please you, and grant me your light and truth to set aside any idols that keep me from knowing you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: heart, holiness, idols
Posted by Charlie on Aug 30, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Ezekiel 8, 9, 10, 11; Revelation 4
And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the vision that I saw in the plain.
Ezeliel 8:4
Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.
Revelation 4:2-3
Observation
God doesn’t show himself directly to people very often. In Scripture there are a handful of instances where people encounter the glory of God (Moses, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Paul, and John come to mind), and universally they are changed forever.
Application
These passages of Scripture are good reminders that God is holy. It is amazing that I am his child and have an invitation to come boldly into his presence, but I must also remember that his presence is holy presence.
Prayer
Father, I want to know you more deeply. Please open my understanding to understand you better, and grant me the grace to be changed into your likeness more each day, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: holiness
Posted by Charlie on Aug 3, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Nahum 1, 2, 3; John 5
The LORD is good,
a stronghold in the day of trouble;
he knows those who take refuge in him.
But with an overflowing flood
he will make a complete end of the adversaries,
and will pursue his enemies into darkness.
Nahum 1:7—8
Observation
I have to admit I’m still grappling with the juxtaposition of God’s overwhelming lovingkindness and God’s burning wrath. Nahum paints this picture boldly, with judgment on Nineveh’s wickedness, and compassion on Israel. What fearsome words: “Behold, I am against you, declares the LORD of hosts…,” and, “I will make your grave, for you are vile.” It is truly a fearsome thing to fall into the hands of the living God!
“But,” some will say, “that was the God of the Old Testament, but surely Jesus is all fuzziness and warmth.” Not so! In John 5 Jesus tells the corrupt religious leaders, “…as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. (John 5:26—29)
I think many people simply fail to understand and recognize the intense holiness of God—his purity, uprightness, and virtue, which burn like a white-hot flame. No one can stand in his presence, which is why sacrifices were necessary under the old agreement, and why the sacrifice Jesus presented on the cross was needed to bridge the gulf between my fallen, wicked, sinful self and God’s intense purity. It is because of God’s overwhelming love that I have been redeemed, at unimaginable cost to God himself. Ignoring this provision of life and forgiveness leaves a person with no mediation between God and man. That is a fearsome prospect! God has already made the way by sending his Son, Jesus Christ. Without it we are left before a flame dressed in filthy, oily rags.
Application
The intensity of God’s love is embodied in Jesus’ words, “Come unto me….” There is absolutely no excuse to live outside God’s love and abundant care today. God has already made every provision of life available to me. All I have to do is come to him in faith.
Prayer
Father, I turn to you this morning, and ask for your presence and your life to be with me today. Thank you for clearing the way—for building the bridge from my fallen humanity to your holy presence. Grant, I pray, that I may abide in you today and you in me. In Jesus’ name and for his sake, amen.
Tags: holiness, judgment, love, wrath
Posted by Charlie on Jul 22, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Isaiah 36,37; Psalms 76; 1 Peter 1
… if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
1 Peter 1:17–19
Observation
Paul Condie spoke on Sunday about our citizenship, first and foremost, being in heaven, and how that should affect our view of the world. It was a challenging message—one that evoked both positive and negative reactions from different people.
Like it or not, 1 Peter underscores the crux of Paul Condie’s message. The New King James Version, which I normally use, doesn’t give as strong a sense of the concept of citizenship as Peter does in Greek. The word he uses is paroikia, which means a sojourner in a strange land. The NIV gets closer: “…live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.” The ESV is stronger yet: “…conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile…”
Application
I’m grateful to live where I live. There’s no doubt—I won the lottery today because I woke up in America this morning. Citizenship is a wonderful blessing. Paul was grateful for his Roman citizenship and used it to advance God’s purposes more than once. But even more than being a loyal citizen of the United States, my first priority is that I’m here as an ambassador of a heavenly kingdom. It’s an amazing kingdom with no boundaries, and it seeks to incorporate the entire world in its reach.
Today I need to stay alert to the fact that I’m a representative of a heavenly kingdom. That means I’m called to conduct myself in holiness and the fear of God, remembering that I’ve been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, of infinitely more value than any earthly treasure.
Prayer
Father, thank you that I have a passport from the Kingdom of Heaven. Please help me to live in a way that pleases you on my sojourn through this world. Please use the influence of my life to bring others into your fold. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: ambassador, Citizenship, fear of God, holiness
Posted by Charlie on Jul 15, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Isaiah 22,23,24; Hebrews 12
In that day the Lord GOD of hosts
called for weeping and mourning,
for baldness and wearing sackcloth;
and behold, joy and gladness,
killing oxen and slaughtering sheep,
eating flesh and drinking wine.
“Let us eat and drink,
for tomorrow we die.”
Isaiah 12:12–13
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 12: 28–29
Observation
In Isaiah 22 the people of Jerusalem mistook prosperity as a sign of spiritual well being, which, in reality, was not the case. Through the prophets, God was calling them to be serious about seeking God—to mourn their sins, repent of their idolatrous ways, and to seek him with all their hearts. They saw no need, for they lived in ease and plenty.
Application
The author of Hebrews reminds me that my God is a consuming fire. Whether I live in plenty or need, I am his child, and when I face discipline I’m being treated as a son. I want to be responsive to God NOW, and not require the rug to be pulled out from under me like God had to do with the people of Jerusalem. It’s okay to enjoy plenty when God grants it. But acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, is a requirement for every season, for our God is a consuming fire.
Prayer
Father, today I turn to you. I lay my pride and my stubborn heart at your feet. Please forgive and cleanse me, and grant me a deeper place of abiding in your presence. I give you all of me. Please let my life be an instrument of your kingdom today.
Tags: discipline, holiness, repentance, worship
Posted by Charlie on Jul 1, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Isaiah 1, 2, 3; Titus 3
“Say to the righteous that it shall be well with them, For they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, For the reward of his hands shall be given him.”
Isaiah 3:10-11
Observation
The opening chapters of Isaiah are the recitation of an indictment against Israel and Judah because of their unfaithfulness before God. God pronounces woes that are sure to befall them because of their complacent prosperity that was devoid of justice, righteousness, and faithfulness.
Verses 10 and 11 of chapter 3 sum up the bottom line of their situation and concisely state the basic law of the harvest—you will reap what you sow. Paul gives the same message in Galatians 6: 7–10. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Application
In many ways I am living in a time of drought. The combination of a screwy international economy and a spiritual climate in America that is increasingly complacent and idolatrous mean that I face challenges in both my business and ecclesiastical worlds on a daily basis. I have a choice to press into the unchanging faithfulness and provision of God, or to roll over and go with the flow of scarcity.
I think this current trip through the major and minor prophets comes at a healthy time. The challenge to examine my own heart in light of God’s holiness, and to change my mind to agree with his in any areas where I am off course is essential to where God wants to take me and the church I serve.
The fruit of my life is guaranteed, for good or ill. I feel both sobered by the challenge to holiness and encouraged by the promise that it will be well with the righteous.
Prayer
Father God, thank you for the challenge to examine my heart. Please reveal anything that doesn’t please you, and lead me into deeper paths of holiness as I walk with you. Please grant that it would be well with me because I abide that deeply with you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: fruit, fruitfulness, holiness, repentance
Posted by Charlie on May 14, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: 1 Chronicles 22, 23, 24; 1 Thessalonians 3
And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
1Thessalonians 3:12–13
Observation
These two verses hone in on the most basic qualities that should characterize my life as a follower of Jesus Christ: self-sacrificing love and holiness (hagiosune). Hagiosune, which refers specifically to moral purity, is a word unique to the Bible, and is unknown in secular Greek literature.
Application
It’s crucial to note that God is the one who is at work building these qualities in me. He makes me increase and abound in love, and establishes my heart blameless in holiness. My job is to seek his face, and keep my heart soft and directed toward him.
Prayer
Father, today I desire to be holy and to abound in love. I submit my life to you and ask you to cleanse and purify my heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: holiness, love
Posted by Charlie on Apr 18, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: 1 Samuel 20, 21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5
You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:48
Observation
The Sermon on the Mount is one of those passages that is staggering to read. Jesus sets the bar so high that I can’t even begin to jump there. The consolation, of course, is couched in verse 17, where he says that he came to fulfill the law, which he did at Calvary.
Application
The holiness and perfection of God is reflected in these verses, and gives me a gold standard against which to compare my life, and assess my state of growth and maturity. Jesus doesn’t take any prisoners here. He burrows right down to the thoughts and intents of the heart as he reveals the mind of God in a number of truly challenging areas of thought and behavior. There is also great encouragement in these verses. He assures me in the Beatitudes that the person who seeks after God and his ways has reward.
Prayer
Father, thank you for revealing yourself in your Word. Please lead me into truth and teach me today. Grant that day by day the thoughts and intents of my heart would be under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and would be pleasing in your sight. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: Grace, holiness, perfect
Posted by Charlie on Apr 9, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: 1 Samuel 6, 7; Psalm 72; 2 Corinthians 9
Then He struck the men of Beth Shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD.
1 Samuel 6:19
Observation
When the stolen ark of the covenant was returned to Israel it should have been day of tremendous rejoicing, but the indiscretion of the men of Beth Shemesh blunted any sense of joy. Curiosity apparently got the best of them and they lifted the lid to take a peek inside the ark. They discovered that the mercy seat covers the law, and the law only brings judgement.
Application
American Christianity often flirts with a dismissal of the awesome holiness of God. Our God is a consuming fire, and only the propitiation of Jesus Christ (Greek: hilasterion, which means “mercy seat”) stands between God’s judgment and me. That gift of redemption is free and readily available, but I must never lose sight of the immense price God paid on my behalf. It is never to be treated lightly.
Prayer
God, today I am especially taken by the awesome gift of redemption you have provided to me. Thank you that when I was even your enemy you paid a price beyond my comprehension so that I can be in right standing with you. Please help me today to walk in a manner worthy of that sacrifice. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: holiness, judgment, Mercy, propitiation
