Preparing for Change

Preparing for Change

Genesis 35: ² And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. ³ Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone.” ⁴ So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree which was by Shechem.

 

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Jacob was told to go to Bethel, the place where GOD showed him a great ladder where angels were descending and ascending. Over the years, Jacob picked up many people as servants, who had varying beliefs. He told everyone, including Rachel, to get rid of the foreign gods.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob had finally placed all of his trust in the LORD.
• Jacob saw the power of GOD’s protection in the past and did not want to do anything to upset the balance.
• Jacob finally saw value in purifying, getting rid of foreign gods and cleaning up to see GOD.

 

As if to say “You can’t just show up any old way,” Jacob told everyone to prepare to meet GOD. He did not want a single person to show any kind of opposition to GOD. He had been in distress before and was facing a larger problem.

 

He ran from one person before. He ran from Esau and ran from Laban, but this time he could not run from a reputation of being a murderer and a thief of an entire city. This label would need GOD’s intervention. He prepared his group to be as reverent, outwardly, as possible.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about Jacob’s instructions to his entire household?
• What preparation have you done to turn to GOD?
• Is this a time that you should purify yourself to hear GOD’s pending instructions for your next steps?

 

Passed Inspection

Passed Inspection

Genesis 7: Then the Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation. ² You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female; ³ also seven each of birds of the air, male and female, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth. ⁴ For after seven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will destroy from the face of the earth all living things that I have made.” ⁵ And Noah did according to all that the Lord commanded him. ⁶ Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters were on the earth.

 

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Patience was given to Noah from GOD. It seems that GOD did not rush Noah in completing the ark, rather HE waited for him to complete the ark before giving him final instructions. The LORD must have entered the ark and saw that it was complete. “Come into the ark” let’s me know the LORD was inside.

 

My Observations:

• GOD waited for Noah to complete the ark versus giving him a deadline.
• GOD inspected the ark, not for HIS sake, but to let Noah know it was ready.
• GOD gave Noah the final instructions which may have caused Noah to act differently.

 

Assurance was probably needed after expending this great amount of effort. Noah had probably become comfortable with the building process, but now it was time to execute GOD’s plan. Noah may have been nervous about his work, so the LORD calmed him down. Noah no longer had time to try to convince his siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, and neighbors that GOD was about to wipe out everything.

 

“It’s going to work” was the implied feeling because GOD told Noah that prey and predators were supposed to be gathered together in the quantities HE commanded. GOD had changed the animals during the curse. HE then explained something that was strange. “I will cause it to rain.” It had never rained before. There was no need because plants grew themselves, even after the Garden of Eden. GOD was confident that the plan would work.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about this conversation with Noah?
• Has GOD ever told you to do something and you did it, but was unsure that what HE told you to do would actually work?
• Are you willing to trust in the LORD will all your heart and not lean on your own understanding today?

Building Materials

 Building Materials

Revelation 21: ¹⁸ The wall was made of jasper, and the city itself was made of pure gold, as clear as glass. ¹⁹ The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation stone was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, ²⁰ the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh yellow quartz, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chalcedony, the eleventh turquoise, the twelfth amethyst. ²¹ The twelve gates were twelve pearls; each gate was made from a single pearl. The street of the city was of pure gold, transparent as glass.

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After following the instructions, I finally finished putting together the furniture. I had to force the shelves to align, but finally got everything to fit. I accidentally spilled some water on an exposed end and the wood began to swell in one spot.

• The furniture was made of particle board which could not withstand water.
• The machining of the furniture was not done well, so I had to force things together.
• The furniture was flimsy and broke easily when it was moved.

John, the disciple JESUS loved, was given the list of materials the city’s foundation was made of. Each foundation stone was a “precious” stone that was probably rarely seen, even in the new earth. The city and streets were made of pure gold as clear as glass. The wall was another precious stone and the gates were made from a single pearl.

My Observations:

• GOD wants us to have something special.
• GOD can create rare things that are precious.
• GOD made you and me and there is no one like us.

Precious things cannot be found everywhere. I mean, when something is rare, it is not only hard to find, it is impossible to replicate. GOD used precious stones for the city that HE made for HIS precious people.

No one is exactly alike. GOD spent time thinking about the building materials of your entire existence. Nothing was a mistake. HE made you and me and was delighted. Your very existence pleases GOD immensely! I am glad GOD thinks of you and me in a precious way!

Challenge

• Why does the writer give this detail?
• Have you ever seen precious stones or something valuable?
• Can you believe that GOD values you as precious to HIM and was excited when HE made you?

Dirty Hands, Dirty Feet

Dirty Hands, Dirty Feet

Hebrews 10: ¹⁹ We have, then, my friends, complete freedom to go into the Most Holy Place by means of the death of Jesus. ²⁰ He opened for us a new way, a living way, through the curtain—that is, through his own body. ²¹ We have a great priest in charge of the house of God. ²² So let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith, with hearts that have been purified from a guilty conscience and with bodies washed with clean water. ²³ Let us hold on firmly to the hope we profess, because we can trust God to keep his promise. ²⁴ Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good. ²⁵ Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.

 

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After playing outside, a neighbor invited us into their house. It was a strange invitation, because we really had never been inside this particular home. “Take off your shoes” was the first statement. “Sit on the plastic covered furniture” was the next statement. The walls were white and so wase the carpet.

 

• I felt like I was dirty.
• I felt uneasy being around something clean while I was dirty.
• I felt I could not touch anything or do anything because I would make the clean stuff dirty.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, tells everyone that, through JESUS, there is “complete freedom to go into the Most Holy Place.” This is the sanctuary of GOD and no sin is allowed. He implies that we have freedom to walk around because JESUS made us clean.

 

My Observations:

• GOD is holy enough to clean me up to be in HIS presence.
• JESUS died for my sins so I could become holy enough to into into the Most Holy Place.
• Since I am in the Most Holy Place, GOD wants me to use it well.

 

Bam, “you are clean, now what?”” is the tone of the message. I mean, as dirty as I have been, JESUS cleaned me up. I don’t even know the areas I am dirty. HE sees my entire being and cleans areas of me that would not be allowed to enter into the Holy Place.

 

I can now come near to GOD with a purified heart, clean body, firm hope concern for others and a desire to meet with others. The HOLY SPIRIT provides the ability to do go and show love. I am glad GOD allows me to be cleaned of all unrighteousness.

 

Challenge

• What is “The Most Holy Place” the writer speaks about?
• Have you ever felt that you have sinned too much to be loved and forgiven by GOD?
• Has someone made you feel less than clean?
• Will you turn your life to JESUS so HE can truly cleanse you and give you access to GOD who has great things planned for you today? 

Breaking Old Habits

Breaking Old Habits

Ephesians 4: ¹⁷ In the Lord's name, then, I warn you: do not continue to live like the heathen, whose thoughts are worthless ¹⁸ and whose minds are in the dark. They have no part in the life that God gives, for they are completely ignorant and stubborn. ¹⁹ They have lost all feeling of shame; they give themselves over to vice and do all sorts of indecent things without restraint.

 

²⁰ That was not what you learned about Christ! ²¹ You certainly heard about him, and as his followers you were taught the truth that is in Jesus. ²² So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to—the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. ²³ Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, ²⁴ and you must put on the new self, which is created in God's likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy.

 

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Scared and shamed, I peeped through the hole in the door of the women’s locker room at school. This made me want the “real thing.” In college I progressed to “the real thing”, but did it under the cover of night. Someone said to me “I saw your car parked overnight in front of a certain dorm.” He was proud of me.

 

• I was no longer shamed.
• I was progressing down a path where I was led by my desires.
• I was ready to defend the dangerous path I was on in an ignorant and stubborn way.

 

Paul is very direct with his words as he addressed a concern with those who had given up on following purity as a means of worshipping GOD. Their lying minds had put them on a path where they were no longer ashamed of their actions, rather they had found a crowd who accepted their deceitful desires.

 

My Observations

• Only GOD can provide a new heart and mind for me.
• When life seems hopeless, I have a new self I can put on that is made by GOD.
• GOD’s likeness is a way of life that I can strive for.

 

Getting rid of old habits is not always easy. I mean, when life’s pressures come knocking on my heart, I want to throw away self-control and indulge in the ways of the world for a moment of pleasure. BUT GOD wants different.

 

HE offers a better way that is full of life. GOD has a life that is full of truth which is upright and holy. HIS path is always right and HIS rewards will never fall away. I gladly surrender my life to GOD, daily.

 

Challenge

• Was the message of the writer shocking to you?
• Is there any part of you that seems to keep you from growing up that you struggle with?
• Will you believe GOD gives you another chance daily because HE is willing to wipe away your sins?
• Will you remain encouraged and ask GOD for HIS help with keeping you on HIS path so you can put on the “new self” as the answer with a new heart and new mind today?

Good Reputation

Good Reputation

Acts 28: ²¹ They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. ²² But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”

 

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Excited about the new boss, I looked forward to meeting her. Too many times I had run into those who would stretch the truth for their own convenience. Here reputation was that of an honest firm leader. Other people spoke well about her, and so did I.

 

• I have met many people who had good reputations.
• I have met many people with character.
• I have met many people who lead by example.

 

The church leaders whom Paul brought together told him they had not received any bad reports about him. Paul had been very vocal about JESUS wherever he went. Now, the group he faced was curious and Paul could speak to them about JESUS.

 

• GOD wants me to follow HIS ways.
• GOD wants me to openly admit I am a sinner so HIS reputation will shine.
• GOD wants me to point people to HIM as the answer instead of looking at me.

 

Building a good reputation amongst humans can be dangerous. I mean, not everyone will like me no matter what I do. I may build a crowd I am comfortable with and never cross over to those I am uncomfortable speaking to. What if they misunderstand “my” reputation? BUT GOD has a remedy.

 

HE wants me to speak about HIS reputation as the answer. GOD knows the human heart and is the only one who can show true love. JESUS did so by dying for the sins of mankind and was raised from the dead. HIS reputation is the only one that can save me. I am grateful HE led by example.

 

• What is your reputation?
• Would people have a good report about you if they saw the hidden things?
• Will you stop trying to manage a good reputation and point to the only one who is sinless, namely JESUS?

Common Ground

Common Ground

Acts 10: ²⁴ And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. ²⁵ As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. ²⁶ But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.” ²⁷ And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. ²⁸ Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. ²⁹ Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?”

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“That group messes everything up” I said out loud. I’m sure the department head of the group I was speaking of felt the same way about my department. The Chief Operating Officer had to step in and tell us to “fix this.” “Come meet in my office” I said. But the offer was rejected. He did the same and I rejected the offer to meet.

• There were times when I wanted people to meet me on “my” terms.
• There were times when I was told to reconcile, but had no intentions of doing so.
• There were times when I remembered all of the mess ups of others to show how great my group was.

Peter was summoned by someone of another race. Until then, Peter had kept to his own kind, BUT GOD had another plan. GOD told Peter not to call another race common or unclean. He was sent, so he went.

• GOD wants me to look at other humans as people who need JESUS.
• GOD wants me to see other humans as HIS creation.
• GOD wants me to view other people as “us” instead of them.

Desiring to harm someone because they do not look or act like me, is detestable in GOD’s eyes. I mean HE loathes when I call someone a fool. In fact HE said, “Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.” GOD wants me to meet in common ground. But where is that in these days of deep, century-laced hatred?

JESUS is the common ground that holds mankind together. Because of a “true” relationship with HIM, I can seek love for all HE sends me to or to whom I am sent. HE cares for the heart, not the outer shell. HE wants me to seek those who need HIM and sometimes the common ground may be hard to find. I am grateful GOD took the extra steps to save me. HE values my extra steps to extend common ground.

• Are you furious at another race right now?
• Do you feel anger versus love?
• Will you combat the distraction of hatred with the more powerful weapon of love for one another today?

Looking Across

Looking Across

Acts 10 ⁹ The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. ¹⁰ Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance ¹¹ and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. ¹² In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. ¹³ And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”

¹⁴ But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”

¹⁵ And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” ¹⁶ This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.

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When certain people walked in the room, I got nervous. I mean, what was I supposed to say? I shook the CEO’s hand and said “I won the President’s Award recently.” He replied “Good for you” in a missed opportunity way. I did not know how to speak to the upper echelon.

Sometime later I walked around downtown. “Do you have any spare change?” asked a homeless person. He wreaked of all kinds of smells. With money in pocket I replied “Not this time.”

• Many times I treated some people as if they were higher than others.
• Many times I treated some people as if they were lower than others.
• Many times I treated some people as if “they” were unclean because “they” were sinners.

Peter was given a vision from GOD that was kind of extreme. He was told to eat animals and bugs that were not ceremonially clean for a Jew. Peter, trying to be righteous, replied “I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” He looked down on certain foods and up at others.

• GOD wants me to see people as “us” not “them.”
• GOD wants me to sympathize and empathize with people.
• GOD wants me to treat everyone the same and share GOD’s love, even to those I feel do not “deserve” it.

Looking up or down at people causes problems. I mean when I think I am lower than other people, I may not speak about GOD to them even if HE tells me to. On the other hand, when I look down at people I may not think they “deserve” a message from GOD.

Looking across at people enables me to see that “we” are all fallen people . I have sinned and so have they. As I have said before “We are in the mud, throwing mud at each other, saying ‘you have mud on you’.” GOD wants me to have an attitude of grace, not mud flinging. I am grateful HE sees me as clean, I should see others HE sends me to, the same way.

• Do you look down on people around you or on the news?
• Do you think you are better than “that” person?
• Will you widen your heart to include people who do not look or act like you so you and them will receive GOD’s grace today?

Clean Lenses

Luke 11: ³³ “No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light.³⁴ The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. ³⁵ Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. ³⁶ If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.”

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Traffic was more heave this particular day. “Why does that person keep darting in and out?” I said to myself. “And why is the radio playing the same song over and over?” “Why is it so dark and cold?” I made it to my destination and someone asked “What’s wrong?” They could see something on my face that I couldn’t.

• Sometimes I am full of complaints.
• Sometimes I see the world negatively.
• Sometimes I see more problems than opportunities.

JESUS seems to be speaking on the outlook on life. Whatever enters the spiritual eyes affects the entire mindset and actions of the looker. If I use sin as my filter, then my mindset will be bent towards sin, same with negativity, doubt and fear. BUT GOD has an answer.

• GOD wants me to see more situations through HIS eyes.
• GOD wants me to look at the day with the same loving view HE looks through.
• GOD wants me to reduce my negative, complaining, fearful view and replace it with faith, truth and love.

Perspective is extremely important to GOD. If I see people with a negative view then they I will be quick to point out how wrong they are. GOD wants me to lift people up so they can grow in CHRIST. HIS blessings are poured out on me on the darkest days. GOD is my shield. HE clears my eyes.

• How do you see things?
• Does everything seem like a disaster to you?
• Can you stop thinking negatively and look at the day, and people, the way GOD sees them?

There is a Difference

Ezekiel 44: ²³ They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.

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“Don’t go behind the pulpit” was a statement that struck fear in me as a child in a church I attended. I thought something would happen to me so I figured I would put it to the test. I stuck my hand behind the place where the preacher would speak and nothing happened, although I quickly removed it because I did not want to take any chances. Soon I was bold enough to walk back and forth behind it and make silly faces at it.

• Many times I have taken something sacred and turned it common.
• Many times I have looked at holy things as common.
• Many times I have treated something that should be holy as a thing that can be used like any other thing.

After growing up, I noticed churches were treating their places as common places looking very similar to any other place that had a crowd. I thought this was the norm and quickly fell in line. BUT GOD wanted me to think differently.

• GOD wants me to treat HIM as HOLY not common.
• GOD wants me to prepare myself before I enter HIS sanctuary of prayer and worship.
• GOD wants me to take some time to stop doing my everyday stuff and to have some sacred time between HIM and I.

GOD said to Moses “Take off your sandals for you are on sacred ground.” This intrigued me. I mean why was the dirt over there common and the dirt he was on sacred? The answer is GOD declared it.  GOD declares sacred times, namely the Sabbath. HE declares sacred places, namely prayer closets and churches. HE even declares sacred words, namely HIS message to us in the Bible.

It is up to me to see that there is a difference between holy and common, I don’t mean in a phony legalistic way. GOD wants me to lower my glossy eyes on common things like the new gadget and place them on heavenly things like GOD’s growing kingdom. HE wants me to see a difference in the common and the holy and teach others to hold GOD up in the highest regard.

• Are you treating GOD as common?
• Is nothing sacred in your life?
• Can you set aside some sacred time between you and GOD?

Past is Erased

Psalm 26: ¹ Vindicate me, Lord,
    for I have led a blameless life;
I have trusted in the Lord
    and have not faltered.
² Test me, Lord, and try me,
    examine my heart and my mind;
³ for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
    and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.

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Enjoying my normal speeding routine, I ignored all of the posted limits. Eighty just felt right for my old junker. Something said “slow down” so I did. As I crossed the threshold of about sixty eight miles per hour I saw a cop turn on his lights. He pulled me over and asked the normal “admitting you are guilty” questions. I answered “Yes I know how fast I was going.” To my shock and surprise, he said. “Slow down” and let me go.

• All have sinned and I am part of that group.
• All fall short of the LORD and I fall short daily.
• All hearts are wicked who can know them, mine included.

If I say “I have no sin” I make GOD a liar. So How can the writer say “I led a blameless life?” What if I declared myself to be blameless and I am full of blame? GOD does something amazing.

• GOD says to me “I have removed your sins and forgiven you.”
• GOD says to me “I have cleansed you of ALL unrighteousness.”
• GOD says to me “MY grace is sufficient” meaning even my sin cannot exceed HIS grace.

Sometimes I pout and think I “deserve” something from GOD. I mean I have been “good” for ten minutes or so. Don’t I deserve extreme wealth, no problems and health that lasts forever? Quite the opposite, GOD said to me “You will have troubles but I will never forsake you.” Troubles come from my sin or someone else’s.

BUT GOD became a human and eradicated my sin. HE pardoned me of my past and erased what I did. HE lets me take advantage of HIM, but loves when I admit my sins and follow HIS ways.

• Do you think your sins are too frequent or big for GOD?
• Do you think GOD can’t possibly forgive me?
• Can you throw away those lies and believe that GOD’s grace is much larger than any sin you could ever commit?
• Will you believe that JESUS is the way to being blameless?

Fixing people

Joshua 2:¹Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.

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After praying and having a number of discussions I felt pretty good about the progress made with this guy. “He is ready to serve” I assessed. Weeks later I got a phone call stating he had a lapse and was back on drugs. We have to “fix” him, otherwise he can’t serve I thought to myself.

• When I look at someone else’s sin I can get smug.
• When I look at people as projects I can get high and mighty.
• When I look at a person’s contribution to the GOD’s kingdom, I act like I can save them and I have a heaven or a hell to put them in.

When I single out a sin “that” person is doing that I’m not, I can get rather smug in my thinking. I mean, I don’t do “those” things any longer, or I “never” did. “Those people” is a term that assumes I’m not part of that group.  In fact it implies I’m above the group. GOD has something different in mind.

• GOD sees every person as one of HIS until they reject the SON.
• GOD can use the most unlikely person to do great things in HIS kingdom and HE wants me to never underestimate HIS choice.
• GOD wants me to treat every person with high esteem and let HIM assess their sin level and position with HIM.

I can’t tell what a person believes even by their actions. I know I sin and that’s all I should focus on. Talking about other groups of people is very easy. I can point out their flaws and character cracks and I can even doubt they can be used. BUT GOD is the one who cleanses us of ALL unrighteousness!

• Do you think "that” person is a project?
• Do you believe “those people” are far away from GOD and “you” are close?
• Can you stop treating people like projects and give the love?
• Won’t you drop you assessment of sin and listen to what GOD wants you to do?

Keeping it clean

Leviticus 15: ³¹ “‘You must keep the people of Israel away from things that make them “unclean.” Then they will not die for being “unclean.” And they will not die for making the place where the Lord lives “unclean.” It is in the middle of the camp.’”

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As the hours passed at the bar, the conversation quickly turned into body parts and off color comments. “Should I stay or go?” was my first thought. I had never been in the “in” crowd so I stayed. Everyone actually enjoyed my antics and laughed the night away.

I wonder if I could tell them about CHRIST if I ran into them today.

• My unclean actions can be seen by many.
• My unclean words can harm those around me.
• My unclean ways can seep into many parts of my life.

Even though JESUS died for my sins, I still don’t have a license to go out and do what I want whenever I want, however I want. HIS word tells me I need to remain as clean as I can even in today’s modern society.

• GOD wants me to follow HIS ways so I can be clean.
• GOD wants me to understand HIS law and continue to use as much of it as I can but not to depend on it for my salvation.
• GOD wants me to be clean.

When GOD said “Be holy because I am Holy” it was more of a decree than a command. I am only holy “because” HE is holy and I am only clean “because” HE is clean. My thoughts and actions cannot clean me up but GOD can make me clean.

• Are you doing something the GOD would not approve of?
• Are you making yourself unclean?
• Won’t you thank GOD for making you clean through HIS SON?