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Wholly Holy: Holy Character

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The word holy has a bad reputation today. A holy-roller is “holier-than-thou.” Holy is placed before any and all exclamations: Holy cow! Holy smoke! Holy malarkey!

Yet in the Bible, we come to know a holy God. Peter said, “as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct” (1 Pet. 1:15, HCSB).

The English origin of our word holy is “whole.” To be “whole” is to be complete or mature. Can we aspire to be wholly whole, or wholly holy? This week let’s determine ways to be wholly holy in dependence, character, thoughts, speech, and actions.

 

Holy Character

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory.

1 Corinthians 10:31, HCSB

hair_dryerThis morning I sat picking lint out of my hair dryer. I can’t remember doing this during my years as a working wife and mother. So why am I bothering with it now? Don’t I have better things to do? After all, wasn’t Jesus constantly about His Father’s business (Luke 2:49)?

Did Jesus do His own laundry? Did He take time to cook? I remember that one day He prepared breakfast for His disciples (John 21:9-12). Who prepared the bread He ate or repaired His sandals?

What do the seemingly endless daily tasks of life have to do with the kingdom of God? And why do I feel they are somehow less than what I should be accomplishing for Christ? Why? Because I live out of the misconception that doing counts for more than being.

Maybe you feel like that. You may be swiping at little runny noses and changing diapers. Or sitting in your car while the soccer practice goes on and on. Perhaps you are caring for a relative’s illness, changing bed sheets and washing pj’s. Some of you are permanent caregivers for elderly parents or aunts or uncles. You wipe drool and repeat the answers to questions that have been asked only moments before.

God’s Word assures us that life’s main purpose is to develop Christ’s character and the mind of Christ. Our attitudes are to become more like His. (See Phil. 2:5, 1 Pet. 2:21.) The fruit of the spirit passage doesn’t imply a single action that wouldn’t first grow out of who we are (Gal. 5:22).

Maybe picking the lint in my dryer isn’t the most important thing in the world, but I did learn a little more patience. This week ask God to rub some rough edges off a character trait that you want Him to chisel into your life.

Seeking to be wholly holy,

Betty

Wholly Holy: Holy Dependence

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The word holy has a bad reputation today. A holy-roller is “holier-than-thou.” Holy is placed before any and all exclamations: Holy cow! Holy smoke! Holy malarkey!

Yet in the Bible, we come to know a holy God. Peter said, “as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct” (1 Pet. 1:15, HCSB).

The English origin of our word holy is “whole.” To be “whole” is to be complete or mature. Can we aspire to be wholly whole, or wholly holy? This week let’s determine ways to be wholly holy in dependence, character, thoughts, speech, and actions.

 

Holy Dependence

You are my hiding place. You will protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance.

Psalm 32:7

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????God is my safe place.

Recently my husband Sim and I were on our way to church dinner one Wednesday evening. I was supposed to “man” a display booth outside of fellowship hall. Our plan was for Sim to eat, then relieve me at the booth, and I would eat.

All’s well that goes well, right? Our car rounded a curve on the interstate and WHOP! Sim veered to the left but couldn’t avoid hitting a piece of metal in our lane. Not able to change lanes due to the traffic, he really had no choice but to run over the object.

Whatever it was got stuck under the car beneath the driver’s side. The left front tire would no longer turn, and we skidded to a stop just inches off the stripe at the edge of the road.

On the passenger’s side (that would be me), cars whizzed around the curve, having no warning that there we sat. On the driver’s side, a sixteen-foot wall of rock kept us from moving the car any further off the highway. Did I mention a similar rock wall was on the other side of the three lanes of traffic?

Sim yelled for me to get out of the car. What? Climb over the console in the middle of the front seat? Sheer terror helps one to overcome obstacles! Once outside, we had no protection. If a car rounded the corner with a distracted driver, we’d be squashed like the proverbial bug between the car and the rock wall.

But Sim led me to a literal cleft in the rock, where we huddled until two road assistance vehicles appeared behind our car. One driver put up lane closure signs while the other jacked our car and retrieved the metal object. “Drive off,” he shouted as he hurried back to his van. Did I mention the temperature was in the 20s?

We couldn’t wait to share with our Christian friends that God had provided a safe place for us and hidden us there in His hands. Strange how when God is all we have, God is all we need!

That same sense of dependence is the key to being wholly holy. Only the Spirit can accomplish in us all that God intends. He needs our cooperation—not our competition! This week, ask the Spirit to quell that spirit of rebellion that is in each of us and give us a “dose” of reliance on Him. After all, He’s the one who has promised everything we need for godliness (1 Pet. 1:3).

Seeking to be wholly holy,

Betty

Photo credit: rock wall: ID 1012043 © Dianne Mcfadden | Dreamstime.com

We’re In This Together: Can’t Get Enough Of Hur

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So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. 
Exodus 17:9-13, NASB

Tucked neatly into five verses in the 17th chapter of Exodus is found a powerful portrayal of a battle-weary, yet faithful Moses. While this passage may have little screen time in God’s narrative, it packs a big message. Let’s unpack it together this week …

 

Can’t Get Enough Of Hur

“See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship.”

Exodus 31:2-3 NASB

IMG_0103I can’t seem to get enough of Hur this week, so please bear with me as we talk a little more about this seemingly minor character whose actions had a major impact in the story of God’s people.

If you’re still with me in Exodus 17, you can turn to the right in your Bible and you will find in Exodus 31 a man by the name of Bezalel, who was chosen by God to build the Tabernacle. This gentleman is the grandson of a man named Hur, who is believed to be the same Hur that we met earlier this week. Pretty cool, huh? What makes this so cool? I’m glad you asked.

We’ve all heard that “little things” can make a big difference in the lives of those around us, but sometimes I need a little reminder. Hur is a man whom we know was faithful in a seemingly little thing, and it is presumed that his grandson went on to build the tabernacle. Is it possible that Hur was a man who was consistently faithful in little things, leaving a legacy of faith for his family?

Each of us have a sphere of influence. It may be in our homes, our school, our workplace, or our neighborhood. Regardless of where we are, people are watching our response to not only the battles of life but also our day to day. They see how we respond in the little things as well as the big things.

It’s easy to believe the lie that the work we’re doing is not important and that we are contributing little to the kingdom. But I believe, that all we have to do is what God has called us to do. We only need to do the “thing” that He has placed before us, regardless of whether it’s “little” or “big.” Today, my job has been to give extra love to two of my kids who are sick. It’s certainly not worthy of accolades, but today, that is the job the Lord has given me. And because it is assigned by Him, I trust that it is kingdom work.

Friend, someone is watching how you live your life. Your spouse who wants nothing to do with church, sees your faithfulness. Your neighbor sees your kindness and your faithfulness to your friends and family. Your integrity in the workplace does not go unnoticed. Friend, your faithfulness in “little” things can impact generations to come.

Dear God, we thank You for the awesome opportunity to witness to others by simply living our lives. However, we realize the magnitude of this task, and we cannot do it alone. Lord, please help us to be faithful in the big things and in the seemingly little details so that we may impact others and glorify You through the lives that we live. Amen. 

Amazed by His grace,

Traci