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This Week’s Devotional Topic
MAKE TIME TO BE HOLY
Take time to be Holy. One of the earlier references to this concept is found in Exodus referring to the Priests.
Exodus 29:21 Then take some of the blood from the altar and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and his sons and on their garments. In this way, they and their garments will be set apart as holy.
Leviticus 11:44 “For I am the LORD your God. You must consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. So do not defile yourselves…”
And then it is clear that being Holy is not just for the Priests but for all the Children of Israel.
Leviticus 19:2 “Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy”.
One of the realities of being Holy is being set apart, consecrated, dedicated, committed to God.
Leviticus 20:26 You shall be holy to me, for I the LORD am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.
Ephesians 1:4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.
Part of the process of us being Holy is reflected in our actions and appearance. Just one example of this importance is found in God’s instructions to a Nazirite who would take a special vow, consecrating themselves to God for service.
Numbers 6:4,5 As long as they are bound by their Nazirite vow, they are not allowed to eat or drink anything that comes from a grapevine—not even the grape seeds or skins. “They must never cut their hair throughout the time of their vow, for they are holy and set apart to the LORD. Until the time of their vow has been fulfilled, they must let their hair grow long.
How to be Holy is described in scripture.
I Peter 1:13-16 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
It is a fact that as we prioritize our time, talent and resources, we take time for what is most important to us. God help us to take time, ‘make time’ to be Holy. Part of our process of becoming Holy like He is means investing time in His presence. That includes worship, praise and thanksgiving. Considering those three elements, it helps me to imagine that worship is like a coin. Praise and Thanksgiving are the two sides to that same coin.
Psalms 100:1-5 A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Our body is the temple of God. It is an instrument of praise. For example: we kneel in prayer and worship. Scripture often describes God’s people falling on their face before him. And we raise our hands in praise.
Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Matthew 17:4-6 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground.
Christ Himself bowed in prayer to the Father, God.
Matthew 26:39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
What position would we take if we were in the very presence of God. A song describes how that it may be time when we stand up, raising our hands and voices in praise, then as we are over whelmed by thoughts of how undeserving we are of God’s love and grace, we fall down with our face to the ground. Please listen carefully, prayerfully now as we imagine that experience that we, the saints are all the sinners that fall down prostrate before Him and then get up.
This week’s Scripture:
Leviticus 11:44; 19:2;20:26; Exodus 29:21; Ephesians 1:4; Numbers 6:4,5; Psalms 100:1-5; I Peter 1:13-16; Philippians 2:9-11 and Matthew 17:4-6;26:39
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