Going on a Walkabout

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My title is an Austrailian saying, It simply means I’m going to take a break and change the scenery.

I have been running on empty for quite a few weeks, not on material, but on the passion I want to have when posting.  I want my posts to burn inside me as I prepare them; I do not expect anyone to want to read my posts without it.

In order to give out one must take in. As a result I will be concentrating on my devotions with God, bible study, time with the family, serving at my local church and my Rest Home ministry.  I should also mention my day job, I have to pay the bills.

I am extremely grateful for those who have faithfully followed my posts.  The support is truly a blessing to me.  You will notice, if I set it up correctly, that likes and comments are disabled for this post. This is no plea for sympathy or support, I just need a break.

Our site will continue; the Fellow Servant will be posting here.  In fact he is the one who started the site in August of 2012.  I hope you will be supportive of him during my absence.

My return?  As soon as the passion to post returns. I am sure I will miss you before you miss me.

Until the Fire Burns Again,

A Servant

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1 Peter – Be Ye Holy II 1 Peter 1:15-16

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Scripture Text

1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Introduction

Last time we were examining the command in God’s word to be holy. As we ended I said “We see holiness as unattainable. Why? Is it possible that we don’t fully understand what is being said here?” We need to also be reminded; this is a command from God.

Word Study

Interestingly the root of the Greek word for holy describes an “awful thing”. We have this type of thing in our language as well; let’s use the word “died”. We all know what that means. Now add three letters to it and you get “studied”.

Back to the word holy: as in English add a couple of letters and now an awful thing is made pure. How cool is that, contained within the word holy is our original state and the work that God performs when we are saved.  If you have a Greek dictionary here is what you will see: Sacred-set apart, Morally/Physically Pure, Consecrated-dedicated.

Okay, here goes, our works do not make us holy. We were made holy when we received Christ. The command we received is “be ye holy”. We have been transformed; we must show the world what God has done for us. We have the freedom now to say no to sin; project that changed life for the world to see.

Word of Caution

When we make holy unattainable then we make excuse for sin. God would never command us to do something out of our reach so when He tells us to be holy, we can obey. We have learned that God is the one who made us holy, consecrated and separated; we are to show that transformation.

Someone might think… “Nobody’s perfect”. First of all I’d invite them to make sure they understand what holy means and then my response would be “Are you doing your best to show the holiness God invested in you?” (this is the command we were given)

Closing Thoughts

So what is our conclusion here? Peter is challenging us to use what God has given us.  We have been set apart and dedicated to God’s service. Because of our salvation we have been purified by the blood of Jesus. We were consecrated; we were made holy. Stand up and act like it, show the world what holiness is, a gift from our Heavenly Father.

Until Night,

A Servant

 

“Be Ye Therefore…” – Followers of God

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Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children…

Introduction

This is the sixth in the ‘Be Ye Therefore’ series. The term Christian means literally, to be like Christ. At Antioch they were first called Christians meaning ‘little Christs’. They were identified with and their way was identical to Christ.

Become As Little Children

Jesus in Matthew 18:3 told His followers that they must be converted and “become as little children”, humble and trusting in the Lord for not only salvation but also the daily providential care of the Father.  Remember when we were children?  I never worried where my next meal was coming from.  I didn’t worry about how the light bill would get paid.  I know my Dad would take care of our family.  That is the same trust God wants from His children.  Paul tells us to follow, some say imitate or strive to be like, our heavenly Father.  When I was a child, I wanted to be like my Dad.  I still do.  I remember when he would take me and my siblings walking in the woods.  He seemed to be able to walk so quietly, hardly disturbing the forest floor.  I would try to walk in his footsteps because I wanted to be able to walk like that.

 

1 Peter – Be Ye Holy 1 Peter 1:15-16

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Scripture Text

1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Introduction

What do you think of when you hear the word “holy”? Most would say “I think of God”. That would be a logical response; God is holy. Our next two verses charge us as Christians to be holy. Now, what is your first reaction to that bit of news? It is likely we would say “not possible”. God’s word says it is, in fact, it is a command.

 

Words Have Meaning!!!

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This was my week to go to the doctor for a checkup / blood work. This visit will be a little different; the good doctor has a new nurse to assist him.

Bright and early yesterday morning I am off for a fun filled hour or so at the XXX Medical Building. The good doctor, I really do like him, talked to me about the normal things: diet, exercise and so on. All and all a good visit with the exception of… possible embellishment ahead… the Countess Dracucilla siphoning off a quart or so of A positive for testing purposes.

Today is the bigger day; the day when my test results arrive. This is usually when the nurse gives me a lecture about this level is too high or that level is too low. As I stated earlier I have a new nurse now.

My phone rings this afternoon and the Caller ID informs me the doctor’s office is on the line. Let me remind you of my title “Words Have Meaning”.

Nurse: “Mr. X this is nurse Y from XXX Medical Building. I have your test results.” There is a short pause and papers rattling.

Nurse: “We see the early signs of kidney disease.” I’ll have to admit, that wasn’t what I was expecting so a brief pause was in order.

Me: “This is new”. She had my full attention now.

Nurse: “It is common in people your age.” Okay now I am still curious with a dash of annoyed.

Me: “So this is just an age thing?”

Nurse: “Yes but there is another factor. The guideline for measuring kidney function has recently changed and the scale has been narrowed.”

Me: “So my age coupled with a change in the way you evaluate kidney effectiveness is why you brought this up.”

Nurse: ‘That is correct.”

Me: “How far over am I?”

Nurse: “You are not actually over the number but you are getting close.”

Me: “So I am still in the normal range but getting close to the top.”

Nurse: “That is correct.”

Me: “Is there anything I need to be doing different?”

Nurse: “Make sure you drink plenty of fluids.”

Me: “Thanks for calling.”

Words have meaning! Let me offer a different approach to this whole conversation. “Kidney function will degrade as we get older so you need to be even more mindful of hydration. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids.”

Note to the blogging community: If you are in your 50s and up, and go in for a check-up soon, don’t overreact if you hear a nurse say “We see the early signs of kidney disease.”

Until My Kidneys Fail,

A Servant