GOD IS HOLY

International Bible Baptist Church

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GOD IS HOLY

Day 168

June 17, 2024 • Leviticus 19:2

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Leviticus 19:2

Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy..

God is holy. His holiness separates him completely from sin. The Bible tells us that we must be holy. But how can we be holy when we still have our sinful nature?

Some people would have us think that we must try really hard, live a certain way or do or not do certain things, and then we can be classified as “holy.” However, to try to attain holiness is an impossible task. Instead, the Bible tells us that we become holy in God’s eyes because of what Christ has done. “To them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:” (1 Corinthians 1:2). “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” (Ephesians 1:4). “In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:” (Colossians 1:22). “Because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:” (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

We mustn’t get caught up in thinking that we must work hard to be holy. God has made us holy through Christ.

GOD’S PROMISE TO ME:

• I am perfectly holy.

• Everything I do is holy.

• You are already holy in my eyes because of your faith in Christ.

• I will help you live a holy life.

MY PRAYER TO GOD:

Thank you, Lord, for your holiness. You are perfect! That fact gives me great peace. I choose to trust that you already see me as holy and that your work in my life will help me mature in holiness. Amen.

GOD KNOWS YOU INTIMATELY

September 20, 2024 • Psalm 139:1–2

September 20 GOD KNOWS YOU INTIMATELY Psalm 139:1-2 O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Chances are good as you rush through a typically hectic week you sometimes feel misunderstood. A co-worker gives you a strange look. A family member overreacts to an innocent remark. Chances are also good that some days you don’t even understand yourself. “Why did I do that?” you sigh. Or “What in the world made me say that?” Well, here’s a bit of comfort: God understands you completely. He made you, and he knows what makes you tick. Your thoughts, your whereabouts, your needs—God sees it all. Next time you—or others—are having trouble getting a handle on you, turn to the one with perfect knowledge and insight. Rest in the knowledge of his absolute acceptance. GOD’S PROMISE TO ME: • I see your heart. • I know your thoughts and actions—everything about you. MY PRAYER TO GOD: Heavenly Father, you have examined my heart. You see me as I truly am—my failings and flaws, as well as my successes. Thank you for accepting me and for choosing to love and care for me. Help me to rest in your love. I want to follow your guidance. Amen.

GOD PROVIDES SUPERNATURAL STRENGTH

September 19, 2024 • Philippians 2:13

Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. God wants us to live by faith (see 2 Corinthians 5:7 and Hebrews 11:1). Many times, however, we live by feelings. If we are moved by a rare desire to pray or reach out to a neighbor, we act upon it. But in the absence of such feelings we often confess weakness and choose to do nothing. The result is an unsatisfying, excuse-filled Christian experience. Now, consider the promise above. It says God is at work within us—giving us the desire to do right, meaning we can never honestly say, “I don’t feel like it.” And it’s not just new desires. The promise also guarantees the necessary power to do what needs to be done. Why would we choose to keep riding the “feelings roller coaster” when God offers us a radical new way to live? GOD’S PROMISE TO ME: • I am at work in you. • I give you the desire to obey me. • I provide the power to do what pleases me. MY PRAYER TO GOD: God, you are at work within me. Teach me to obey—even when I can’t sense the desire to do what is right. You give me new desires—and new power to live as I should. Wean me from the inadequate and immature excuse that “I’m too weak.” Your strength is sufficient for whatever I’m facing. Amen.

GOD SPARES THE FAITHFUL FROM SHAME

September 18, 2024 • Psalm 25:1–3

Psalm 25:1-3 Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. A dying father once told his teenage son: “Make sure you are right with God and you have nothing to fear.” Wise words. Others may question our actions, mock us or even spread vicious rumors about us, but if we know in our heart of hearts that we are walking with God and honoring him, we never have to fret over the evil intents of others. This is because disgrace, in the most literal sense, means “without grace.” Such a description is never true of the children of God. We are always in his care. We are always loved and favored. Trust the Lord. Serve him. Then, no matter what happens, you’ll be able to hold your head high, knowing that God will vindicate you in the end. GOD’S PROMISE TO ME: • I will not allow my faithful ones to be disgraced. MY PRAYER TO GOD: I lift my soul to you, Lord. You are good. I trust you. No one who walks with you will ever be put to shame. As long as I know I am pleasing you, it doesn’t matter what others say or do. I believe that you will make all things right in the end. Amen.