A couple of months ago a co-worker’s son told me that he had been ordained as a minister. I thought this was a little surprising and asked what church body was “overseeing” him and his ministry. He told me none, he was “ordained” by filling out a form online and paying a small fee. He is going to officiate the wedding of his grandmother.
The Wedding Report, a research firm, says last year one out of every seven weddings in the U.S. was performed by a friend of the couple. From what I see on the internet and in magazines, this seems to be a growing trend. State laws tell us who can legally get married and who can officiate the marriage vows. They permit or allow clergy to be a part of the process, if the couple so chooses. My guess is they do not question who or how one is ordained because of the “separation of church and state” stuff. Anyone can become “ordained” so they may officiate a wedding.
I do not have a problem with a couple wanting a friend or relative to officiate their wedding, I have a problem with the person getting “ordained” to do it. The online process trivializes what it means to be a clergyperson. For those who have not practiced a faith and have no plans on doing so, getting married by a clergyperson is not really meaningful.
Some feel that marriage is a sacrament like baptism or Holy Communion. I won’t comment on that, but I believe that Scripture tells us: that we should prepare for marriage, it is OK to have a large celebration after the wedding, that we should not be unequally yoked, and the reasons for divorce are limited. There are a number of passages that discuss how husbands and wives should treat each other. The church’s relationship to Jesus is described as a marriage. If our desire is to have a Christ centered marriage, we often choose to be married in a church and definitely have a minister as a part of the service. But do we always have to have clergy present when we do certain things? I know of people who partake in the Lord's Supper at midnight at their New Year's Eve party with no pastor or priest present and without the pastor or priest doing the bread and wine prep. I also know of people who want the person who shared the Gospel with them to be the one who baptizes them, be it pastor, friend or parent.
With that being said, marriage is a state of the heart and mind. Someone may be legally married in the eyes of the state, but in the heart and mind he or she may be very much single. We’ll let God decide if they are really married or not. Some people have been baptized and have partaken in Holy Communion and have never had a heart or mind change. We’ll let God decide if they are Christian or not.
Please share your thoughts.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
MEMOIRS
Last weekend, we attended a family reunion in Atlanta. Friday night was game night, Saturday a picnic, Saturday night talent show and Sunday morning brunch and worship. The worship time was in the hotel banquet room complete with songs, prayer, scripture reading, testimony sharing and a short sermon. Several who shared gave earwitness testimony of hearing our grandmother pray while visiting her home. My paternal grandfather died in 1980 and my grandmother 1981, yet their faithfulness to God is still being told.
On two occasions, I shared from my memoir, my blog entries. I consider my blog and the journal that I now keep to be my memoirs. Some may think it vain or being controlling, but I want to leave my children and their children something to remember me by in my own words. I think it is interesting to watch a documentary of someone famous and see their grandchildren speak of their loved one’s values, thoughts, dreams and goals. You really know a person when you know their values, thoughts, dreams and goals. I want my descendants to really know me and that includes the value I place on having a relationship with Jesus. As Christ followers, we should do good works and be obedient to Christ’s teachings. I want them to know that good works do not save you, but having a relationship with Jesus does.
I got a couple of chuckles when I said that I was reading from my memoirs, but that is OK. The hearers now know me better :)
Read my post on "attending a family reunion is like looking in a mirror".
On two occasions, I shared from my memoir, my blog entries. I consider my blog and the journal that I now keep to be my memoirs. Some may think it vain or being controlling, but I want to leave my children and their children something to remember me by in my own words. I think it is interesting to watch a documentary of someone famous and see their grandchildren speak of their loved one’s values, thoughts, dreams and goals. You really know a person when you know their values, thoughts, dreams and goals. I want my descendants to really know me and that includes the value I place on having a relationship with Jesus. As Christ followers, we should do good works and be obedient to Christ’s teachings. I want them to know that good works do not save you, but having a relationship with Jesus does.
I got a couple of chuckles when I said that I was reading from my memoirs, but that is OK. The hearers now know me better :)
Read my post on "attending a family reunion is like looking in a mirror".
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Attending a family reunion is like looking in a mirror.
Think about this, attending a family reunion is like looking in a mirror. Why do we look in the mirror? To verify that we look good, to correct any minor imperfections or to discover the look that we were going for is not working!
At a family reunion when we see our grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins, we may see that we do in fact look good, we may see some minor personality issues, flaws if you will, that need correction or some major flaws we see in each other that we may realize that we ourselves have that must be corrected.
James 1:22 -25 says Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. NIV
Let’s learn and grow from what we see in our family, know that you are special and precious, worthy to love and be loved, though imperfect we can be made perfect in Jesus Christ.
At a family reunion when we see our grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins, we may see that we do in fact look good, we may see some minor personality issues, flaws if you will, that need correction or some major flaws we see in each other that we may realize that we ourselves have that must be corrected.
James 1:22 -25 says Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. NIV
Let’s learn and grow from what we see in our family, know that you are special and precious, worthy to love and be loved, though imperfect we can be made perfect in Jesus Christ.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
TAKE UP YOUR CROSS
Have you ever read a book, other than the Bible, or a magazine article that lead to a breakthrough moment? Well, I have. I used to think that "carrying one's cross" was enduring some some unpleasant situation like dealing with a boss that you did not like or dealing with a chronic illness. My thinking changed when I read an article in the March/April 1998 issue of Moody magazine, “Freedom in Surrender”, by William D. Watkins. In the article Watkins writes what message the Roman Empire gave to the on-lookers at a crucifixion.
“Crucifixion was not a sentence handed our primarily for retribution: that purpose was secondary. The main reason for crucifying a person was deterrence. The Roman Empire tolerated a great deal of diversity of belief and practice, but it refused to put up with activities it deemed subversive. The state’s authority had to be upheld at all costs.
So rebels against the state were forced to submit publicly to the state’s final authority in order that others would think twice before opposing Rome. And what better way to do this than display the rebel’s submission through death by crucifixion - one of the most humiliating and excruciating forms of capital punishment?
Indeed, the rebel’s visible submission to Roman rule began even on the way to the execution site. Victims were forced to wear tablets around their necks stating the reason for their conviction. The condemned was also made to carry the crossbeam through public areas until he reached the execution site, which was also in public view. Once the condemned was hung on the cross, the conviction notice was nailed above his head so everyone could plainly see the fatal consequence of rebelling against Rome.
In other words, to people in Jesus’ day, cross-bearing and crucifixion meant submitting to the authority one had rebelled against. When Jesus used this imagery, the authority He had in mind was not Rome but heaven, not the Emperor but the Father, not Caesar but Jesus Christ himself. ….”
It was impressed upon me how important it was for the Roman government that the public had to know to whom the victim was submitting. Does the public know to whom we as believers are submitting?
Let’s look at Mark 8:34 -37 with these ideas of Watkins in mind.
Mark 8:34And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37For what can a man give in return for his soul? ESV
Mark 8:34-37Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for? MSG
Denying yourself means ceasing to rebel against God, letting Him be in charge, or as the Message says letting God be in the driver’s seat. Denying ourselves allows us to discover our true selves, the unique ones that God wants us to be.
Tell me what you think.
“Crucifixion was not a sentence handed our primarily for retribution: that purpose was secondary. The main reason for crucifying a person was deterrence. The Roman Empire tolerated a great deal of diversity of belief and practice, but it refused to put up with activities it deemed subversive. The state’s authority had to be upheld at all costs.
So rebels against the state were forced to submit publicly to the state’s final authority in order that others would think twice before opposing Rome. And what better way to do this than display the rebel’s submission through death by crucifixion - one of the most humiliating and excruciating forms of capital punishment?
Indeed, the rebel’s visible submission to Roman rule began even on the way to the execution site. Victims were forced to wear tablets around their necks stating the reason for their conviction. The condemned was also made to carry the crossbeam through public areas until he reached the execution site, which was also in public view. Once the condemned was hung on the cross, the conviction notice was nailed above his head so everyone could plainly see the fatal consequence of rebelling against Rome.
In other words, to people in Jesus’ day, cross-bearing and crucifixion meant submitting to the authority one had rebelled against. When Jesus used this imagery, the authority He had in mind was not Rome but heaven, not the Emperor but the Father, not Caesar but Jesus Christ himself. ….”
It was impressed upon me how important it was for the Roman government that the public had to know to whom the victim was submitting. Does the public know to whom we as believers are submitting?
Let’s look at Mark 8:34 -37 with these ideas of Watkins in mind.
Mark 8:34And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37For what can a man give in return for his soul? ESV
Mark 8:34-37Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for? MSG
Denying yourself means ceasing to rebel against God, letting Him be in charge, or as the Message says letting God be in the driver’s seat. Denying ourselves allows us to discover our true selves, the unique ones that God wants us to be.
Tell me what you think.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
BIRTHDAY RELECTIONS
According to my mother, I made my debut at 11:45pm, February 20, 1959. I am blessed. How do I know this? I was born into a loving family where people feared God, loved God and sought to serve God. When I call my mother or brothers, I can hear them smile over the phone. Daddy went home to be with Lord February 18, 2001. I am blessed to have a loving husband. A number of our friends who have been married for decades are going through some very tough times right now, yet my husband has reaffirmed that he will be with me until death separates us. I have two sons who want to be Godly men by word and deed. I have all of this by grace, I have not earned it.
I think I can say that I am over the half way point in my life. From this point on I pray that I will become wiser. Aren’t old ladies are supposed to be wise?
This verse stood out to me today: Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 NIV .The editor’s note in The Quest Study Bible for this verse is “Wellspring of life, a metaphor for the heart, believed at that time to be the source of intelligence and the place where life-changing decisions were made. Just as a source of water could go bad, one’s thinking could become corrupted if it was not guarded.”
I fully realize that even at my advanced age I still need to be vigilant about guarding my heart. I still have life-changing decisions to make as I go through the Change. I still have opportunities to impact the lives of others. I still have the responsibility to impact the lives of others, for Christ. How do I plan to guard my heart? By continuing to study the Word of God.
I think I can say that I am over the half way point in my life. From this point on I pray that I will become wiser. Aren’t old ladies are supposed to be wise?
This verse stood out to me today: Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 NIV .The editor’s note in The Quest Study Bible for this verse is “Wellspring of life, a metaphor for the heart, believed at that time to be the source of intelligence and the place where life-changing decisions were made. Just as a source of water could go bad, one’s thinking could become corrupted if it was not guarded.”
I fully realize that even at my advanced age I still need to be vigilant about guarding my heart. I still have life-changing decisions to make as I go through the Change. I still have opportunities to impact the lives of others. I still have the responsibility to impact the lives of others, for Christ. How do I plan to guard my heart? By continuing to study the Word of God.
Friday, January 1, 2010
HOLY LIVING
I admit that I am one who so sometimes makes New Year’s resolutions. Usually they are the eat right, exercise more, read the Bible more variety. But in recent weeks I have been thinking more about holy living. If I lived a life of holy living, I would never have to make a New Year’s resolution again.
First, I must say that I am mighty grateful to God that ” … we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law” Romans 3:28 NLT. After 50 years of living, I am convinced that if salvation was based on obeying everything I should do in the Bible that I would be on my way to H-E-double hockey sticks. With that being said, I think we should have a different mind set as believers.” Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT. When we change the way we think our actions should change.
“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” James 2:14-18 NLT
I will show you my faith by my good deeds. What is a good deed? I will say, how does the deed line up with a WWJD check. I am going to call that holy living, making choices with our renewed, Christlike mind, guided by the Holy Spirit. “But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living. For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy” 1 Peter 3:15 -16 AMP
So if I apply the above scriptures to my daily living, in all my conduct and manner of living, all choices and decisions should be made with my renewed mind of Christ. This, of course, is a goal that I cannot completely achieve this side of glory, but one that I should strive. I should not let my times of missing the mark get me down because I will keep in mind that my salvation is from faith and not by works.
“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” Hebrews 12:2a
First, I must say that I am mighty grateful to God that ” … we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law” Romans 3:28 NLT. After 50 years of living, I am convinced that if salvation was based on obeying everything I should do in the Bible that I would be on my way to H-E-double hockey sticks. With that being said, I think we should have a different mind set as believers.” Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT. When we change the way we think our actions should change.
“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” James 2:14-18 NLT
I will show you my faith by my good deeds. What is a good deed? I will say, how does the deed line up with a WWJD check. I am going to call that holy living, making choices with our renewed, Christlike mind, guided by the Holy Spirit. “But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living. For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy” 1 Peter 3:15 -16 AMP
So if I apply the above scriptures to my daily living, in all my conduct and manner of living, all choices and decisions should be made with my renewed mind of Christ. This, of course, is a goal that I cannot completely achieve this side of glory, but one that I should strive. I should not let my times of missing the mark get me down because I will keep in mind that my salvation is from faith and not by works.
“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” Hebrews 12:2a
WHAT MY FRIENDS THINK ABOUT HOLY LIVING
Holy (holiness) is defined as: set apart, sanctified, devoted to God, having a unique purity.
So holy living would be living lives that set us apart from “the world” in such a way that those who observe us would see Christ in us.
How does that look?
1 Peter 1:15-16, we are to be holy like the Holy One who called us…..
Col. 3:12-13, we should have hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience…….
Ephesians 4: 24-32, we are to put on the new self that has been created in the likeness of God in righteousness and holiness of truth…..our conduct is described in the following verses.
1 John 2:15
Sounds great, right? But how on earth do we do all this???
John 15: we are to abide(remain) in Christ. If we abide in Him, His words will abide in us and we will bear fruit(the visible expression of Christ working in us).
1 John 4:13-15 if we are His children, He abides in us and we in Him
Gal. 5: we have to walk by the Spirit in order to live holy lives
==================================================================================
Holy living is living a life after God's on heart. Being like Christ! "Be holy, for I am holy." I Peter 1:15
It looks like peace in the midst of a storm; it's joy in the midst of oppositions; it's love in the midst of hatred; it's patience's in the midst of immaturity; it's faith in the midst of fear; it's intergrity in the midst of deception; and so on.
===================================================================================
To me “Holy Living” is living each day by the Word. You allow God’s Word to guide your every step. The best example I can think of in living by God’s Word is someone who demonstrates the fruits of the spirit in each and every aspect of his or her life. These are my thoughts and interpretations and are no means the entire answer to your question.
==================================================================================
This is not easy. I believe Holy Living is living according to God's word. It is trying day by day to do what the good book tells us to do. Especially to love one another and try very hard to get along with each other and to watch our tongue. I could go on and on, but again it is not easy to completly explain holy living.
===================================================================================
well no one is completely good at living the perfect life. But, trying to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord - - - giving over our desires and letting Him live in and through us is my quick answer. I'm still in process.
====================================================================================
Living having morals and being spiritual in your walk. This is hard!
===================================================================================
Holy living is wholly living for the Lord and it looks like Jesus, who always sought out His Father's will. He never went off doing what he wanted to do. It looks like Mary, when she accepted the motherhood of Christ. If we truly want to be like Jesus we have to do the will of the Father in our own lives. This can mean many things depending on the person. It can mean staying in a dead end job or being extra nice to people you don't like. It depends on what God says to you to do. Jesus said,"Whoever does God's will is my borther and sister and mother."
====================================================================================
I think my easy answer would be to live so that when people look at you they see and know Jesus.
====================================================================================
Let me give you my gut reaction, which I pray the Spirit will lead you to embrace or reject based how accurate or inaccurate I am. I do know that the idea of "holy" is being set apart, which leads me to idea that a Christian who is living holy--even (or especially) if that Christian is in and among the world--is so always in tune with what is of the Spirit and of Truth and what is not that this individual makes the right choices. Often that person will be so different from others that others want to be like that person (who is being like Christ); other times the difference will make others reject and scorn that person just as Christ Himself was scorned. Regardless, the person who is living holy will not let the reaction of other people dissuade him from living as he knows God would have him live.
====================================================================================
To me holy living is seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Everything else falls into place after that.
Short, but that's what I think.
====================================================================================
Holy Living is...
Knowing and acknowledging that I constantly need forgiveness.
Humbly worshipping the Lord Jesus Christ knowing full well that I don't deserve to be able to.
Loving God with all my heart mind and soul.
Loving my neighbor as I would want to be loved.
Using the Bible as my guide for daily living.
Giving my best for HIM.
Having a attitude of thankfullness.
===================================================================================
I have been reading and meditating on a book by David Timms entitled “Living the Lord’s Prayer” (Bethany House). I highly recommend it! In his chapter on the phrase “Hallowed Be Your Name” Mr. Timms first states that “hallowed be your name” simply expresses the fact that God’s character and person is wholly separate from us. However, he goes on to state that the phrase also expresses the plea or prayer “Lord, may you be honored by the way we live.” Mr. Timms says to glorify the Father means to show forth his character, not just announce it. We “hallow” the name of the Lord through words of adoration and lives of obedience and surrender.
Mr. Timms goes on to acknowledge that to live a life that brings glory to God will be anti-culture, challenged by others as exclusive & judgmental and just plain very hard. He reminds us that Jesus himself told us it would be “taking up our cross” and dying to ourselves daily”.
I encourage you to read the chapter in its entirety as you contemplate writing about Holy Living. Copies can be purchased on amazon.com for under $10.00.
=====================================================================================
While continuing to meditate on "Holy Living," I came across a pattern throughout scripture using the word "walk." The references below all parallel (and thereby define) holy living as walking with God.
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly
Psalm 89:15 Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD,
in the light of Your countenance.
Isaiah 2:5 O house of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of the LORD.
Isaiah 30:21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “ This is the way, walk in it,”
whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.
Jeremiah 6:16 Thus says the LORD: “ Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it;
Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me
shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
2 John 6 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment,
that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.
Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.
After all these examples, any definition I attempt just doesn't make it any clearer!
So holy living would be living lives that set us apart from “the world” in such a way that those who observe us would see Christ in us.
How does that look?
1 Peter 1:15-16, we are to be holy like the Holy One who called us…..
Col. 3:12-13, we should have hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience…….
Ephesians 4: 24-32, we are to put on the new self that has been created in the likeness of God in righteousness and holiness of truth…..our conduct is described in the following verses.
1 John 2:15
Sounds great, right? But how on earth do we do all this???
John 15: we are to abide(remain) in Christ. If we abide in Him, His words will abide in us and we will bear fruit(the visible expression of Christ working in us).
1 John 4:13-15 if we are His children, He abides in us and we in Him
Gal. 5: we have to walk by the Spirit in order to live holy lives
==================================================================================
Holy living is living a life after God's on heart. Being like Christ! "Be holy, for I am holy." I Peter 1:15
It looks like peace in the midst of a storm; it's joy in the midst of oppositions; it's love in the midst of hatred; it's patience's in the midst of immaturity; it's faith in the midst of fear; it's intergrity in the midst of deception; and so on.
===================================================================================
To me “Holy Living” is living each day by the Word. You allow God’s Word to guide your every step. The best example I can think of in living by God’s Word is someone who demonstrates the fruits of the spirit in each and every aspect of his or her life. These are my thoughts and interpretations and are no means the entire answer to your question.
==================================================================================
This is not easy. I believe Holy Living is living according to God's word. It is trying day by day to do what the good book tells us to do. Especially to love one another and try very hard to get along with each other and to watch our tongue. I could go on and on, but again it is not easy to completly explain holy living.
===================================================================================
well no one is completely good at living the perfect life. But, trying to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord - - - giving over our desires and letting Him live in and through us is my quick answer. I'm still in process.
====================================================================================
Living having morals and being spiritual in your walk. This is hard!
===================================================================================
Holy living is wholly living for the Lord and it looks like Jesus, who always sought out His Father's will. He never went off doing what he wanted to do. It looks like Mary, when she accepted the motherhood of Christ. If we truly want to be like Jesus we have to do the will of the Father in our own lives. This can mean many things depending on the person. It can mean staying in a dead end job or being extra nice to people you don't like. It depends on what God says to you to do. Jesus said,"Whoever does God's will is my borther and sister and mother."
====================================================================================
I think my easy answer would be to live so that when people look at you they see and know Jesus.
====================================================================================
Let me give you my gut reaction, which I pray the Spirit will lead you to embrace or reject based how accurate or inaccurate I am. I do know that the idea of "holy" is being set apart, which leads me to idea that a Christian who is living holy--even (or especially) if that Christian is in and among the world--is so always in tune with what is of the Spirit and of Truth and what is not that this individual makes the right choices. Often that person will be so different from others that others want to be like that person (who is being like Christ); other times the difference will make others reject and scorn that person just as Christ Himself was scorned. Regardless, the person who is living holy will not let the reaction of other people dissuade him from living as he knows God would have him live.
====================================================================================
To me holy living is seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Everything else falls into place after that.
Short, but that's what I think.
====================================================================================
Holy Living is...
Knowing and acknowledging that I constantly need forgiveness.
Humbly worshipping the Lord Jesus Christ knowing full well that I don't deserve to be able to.
Loving God with all my heart mind and soul.
Loving my neighbor as I would want to be loved.
Using the Bible as my guide for daily living.
Giving my best for HIM.
Having a attitude of thankfullness.
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I have been reading and meditating on a book by David Timms entitled “Living the Lord’s Prayer” (Bethany House). I highly recommend it! In his chapter on the phrase “Hallowed Be Your Name” Mr. Timms first states that “hallowed be your name” simply expresses the fact that God’s character and person is wholly separate from us. However, he goes on to state that the phrase also expresses the plea or prayer “Lord, may you be honored by the way we live.” Mr. Timms says to glorify the Father means to show forth his character, not just announce it. We “hallow” the name of the Lord through words of adoration and lives of obedience and surrender.
Mr. Timms goes on to acknowledge that to live a life that brings glory to God will be anti-culture, challenged by others as exclusive & judgmental and just plain very hard. He reminds us that Jesus himself told us it would be “taking up our cross” and dying to ourselves daily”.
I encourage you to read the chapter in its entirety as you contemplate writing about Holy Living. Copies can be purchased on amazon.com for under $10.00.
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While continuing to meditate on "Holy Living," I came across a pattern throughout scripture using the word "walk." The references below all parallel (and thereby define) holy living as walking with God.
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly
Psalm 89:15 Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD,
in the light of Your countenance.
Isaiah 2:5 O house of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of the LORD.
Isaiah 30:21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “ This is the way, walk in it,”
whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.
Jeremiah 6:16 Thus says the LORD: “ Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it;
Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me
shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
2 John 6 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment,
that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.
Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.
After all these examples, any definition I attempt just doesn't make it any clearer!
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