Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark
"You are to be my holy people. So do not eat the meat of an animal torn by wild beasts; throw it to the dogs." Exodus 22:31
In closing out Chapter 22, God continues to issue instructions to the people of Israel on what He expected from them. This final verse contains within it two key points, one that supports the other. Let’s look at the primary point and then see the reinforcer. In the end, I think we too will learn a great deal about how God expects us to live as well as His children.
First of all, God tells Israel, "You are to be My holy people." And nothing has changed today. We are still expected to be holy people under God. OK…so what does it mean to be holy? Well, while there are many definitions of the word, the one that applies to God’s people is that we are expected to devoted entirely to God and His almighty works. When we do so with full devotion, we begin to model the One who we are devoted to. God said no less than four times in the bible that we are to be holy because He is holy. We start this process of being holy like He is by walking ever closer with Him and His Son Jesus.
So how do we walk close with God and Jesus? Well, here are a few ways:
1. Read the Word of God. If there is one thing lacking more than anything amongst believers today is that they don’t really have a good working knowledge of the bible. Many have bibles at home but too often, they remain on the bookshelf or on the coffee table. Many people have just allowed other things to take on greater priorities in their lives than reading the Word of God…and not only do they suffer but society at large suffers for it. The book that contains the very essence, wisdom, power and spirit of God Himself…the book He gave us a our instruction manual for life and holy living…this book is what lies untapped by too many. And then we wonder why so many people are lost and confused today. Make reading the Word of God a part of your daily routine. In the verses just before our scripture today, God told His people to give them their best…their first fruits. We’re to do this not only because He commanded it but also because it is the way to respond to Him in reverence and respect for giving us His all in His Son Jesus. Your first fruits each day should include bring a portion of your day to God. Part of that portion should involve bible study.
2. Pray without ceasing. Another portion of our first fruits unto God should come in the way of prayer.
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Colossians 4:2
"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray." James 5:13
"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer" 1 Peter 3:12
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12
"Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer." 1 Corinthians 7:5
There are many other passages on prayer. In fact the NIV version of the bible has 155 verses dedicated to prayer. There are even more verses, 365, that deal with praying. So this should tell you that the Lord puts a premium on prayer. It is our way of communicating with the Lord and establishing personal relationship. To walk closely with the Lord, talk with Him regularly. You’ll get to know so much more about Him if you seek to relate to Him. And He will reveal His Will and Way for you so you can go forward to carry on the work of His Son Jesus…the One by which salvation became possible…the One who called us in obedience to follow in His footsteps.
3. Put His Word and Will into action. Once you know the Word through bible study and know His will through prayer, then you must take the third step: put His Word and Will into action. In our scripture today, God commanded the people of Israel to "not eat the meat of an animal torn by wild beasts." This meat was considered unclean and not suitable for human consumption…especially by an Israelite people that were expected to stay holy. God and His Son Jesus have gave us plenty of commands within the Word of God. They also convict us toward doing their Will when we engage them in prayer. The expectation is for us to then go into action through obedience. Or as James says, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (James 1:22)
Living a life that is immersed in holiness is not as hard as it might sound but it requires commitment and obedience. This Lenten season, maybe there isn’t a better time to reflect on how well you integrate bible study and prayer into your daily routine. God expects us to be His holy people just as He expected Israel to be. My hope is that He speaks to you as he does to me through these daily devotionals as we look at His Word, pray over what it says and then seek to put His Word and Will into action. Thanks for your commitment to this holy Christian walk and for blessing me with your fellowship as we journey together.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
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