What's most important to you? Someone? Something? A value, like truth? A feeling, like security? What do you really love?
If you had to choose one of these , which would you choose and what would you choose in the category?
What we consider most important is actually quite revealing.
Imagine now what's most important to God. If you go by what He is willing to sacrifice for what is important to Him, reconsider how important you are to Him. He sacrificed His son for you and me to have life. That makes us very important.
Now what does that mean to us? It makes me want to live up to His expectations. His expectations start with holiness.
1 Peter 1:15 (MSG)
"As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness."
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7 comments:
What do I love? healing..being a vessel of healing..
Yes, we are important.. special.. precious.. unique.. lovable and loved.. and if only everyone in the world "got" that there could be so much healing. Where can you go with "love others as yourself" if you don't even like yourself much?
Lord, Make me a mirror, wherein others can see themselves as You see them. Planned.. cherished.. full of potential.. Your children all.. Amen
great word!
Brengle speaks of holiness etc as having a loving heart, a heart filled with divine love...
with holiness as a priority all mision, worship etc will follow...
What a gospel to share!
I would be interested in what folks say can lay the groundwork for drawing the broken toward God.. We have all known despair crushed souls that seem lost in their own darkness.. They see nothing but their faults and "worthlessness" and grow more angry and bitter with each passing day.. What bridges can be built to reach these people and lift their eyes toward God's light?
The Gospel means so much more to me after my son (first child) was born over two years ago.
My love for my children is the closest thing to unconditional love I have experienced...and to think God gave his!!!!
Thanks for your thoughts.
Holiness is so important to our Salvation Army growing and advancing the kingdom! I would love to see more discussion within the Salvation Army about how our holiness (or lack of) affects our kingdom-growing potential as a movement.
One of my most important values is Growing the Kingdom, it is so important to me that I am able to live as a representative of Christ in this world. With the Holy Spirit living and working inside me, I am surprised at the way God is able to use me! Praise the Lord!
Gen Y's - strive for holiness, commit to it and this world will be changed...
A- Good word. Thanks
J- Preach it!
A- This is a good question and one worthy of dialogue. It seems obvious what does not draw the unbroken to Christ, but the bridges are what we need to focus on. Holiness is a good start.
D- The illustration is perfect. Wait until your son is 16 (a very good age). It will take on an even added dimension.
S- You're right on target. Isn't it God that sends people our way, or us to their way? Only in holiness will He be likely to send more.
Hallelujah!
Re bridges
I've been quite interested in seeing if Maslow's heirarchy of needs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow's_hierarchy_of_needs)
can't be used as a tool in assessing where and how individuals can be supported in reaching for God. This thought came after thinking about William Booth's idea of not being able to preach to a man with an empty stomach. If one has a basic need that need becomes uppermost in the minds focus and becomes all consuming. I think many get lost trying to fill whatever is their uppermost need.The psychological theory describes a series of needs, from food and water to safety to belonging and self esteem through to self actualisation or trancendence.. becoming the best self one can be and then serving humanity.. the hungry need to be fed.. the homeless given shelter.. are addicts seeking a form of love? can folk lacking self esteem be encouraged into mentor relationships where they gradually assume responsibility in a safe supported context where they are allowed succeed?
Praise the Lord Who can fulfill all our needs!
Grace
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