“My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene.” ~Jesus

26 Wednesday Jul 2017

Posted by Michael Wilson in God is God, God Thoughts

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Holiness, Holy, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 13

Jesus knows what is important. I think I do some days. I have my to do list. It isn’t always aligned with what Jesus thinks is important.
Holiness is the key to life. I get off track with things that don’t matter. They seem urgent to me. They seem to be the “right thing”. Yet, is the focus on holiness? If not, why not?
Not all of us are clean, even those who are closest to Jesus. Jesus chose Judas to be one of the twelve. He knew that Judas would betray him. In spite of that, Jesus put Judas in charge of the Good News Ministry finances. Now that was bold.

Jesus said, “If you’ve had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you’re clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene. So now you’re clean. But not every one of you.” (He knew who was betraying him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you.”) After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table.

Source: John 13:10-12

Heartfelt experience with Jesus

“But what happens when we live God’s way?” ~Apostle Paul

21 Thursday Apr 2016

Posted by Michael Wilson in God Thoughts, God's Goal

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Affection, Compassion, Energy, Exuberance, Fruit, Galatians 5, Gifts, God's Goal, Holiness, Jesus, Loyalty, Master, Peace, Perseverance, Serenity

Fruit

My challenge is to live God’s way. Many times I don’t want to but it isn’t about what I want. God doesn’t necessarily care about things I want that aren’t useful to God’s plan. Jesus governs in God’s country. Jesus is in charge. God has a goal for me.

I am growing and learning to live the way God wants me to. I have been given the power of the Holy Spirit. That growth brings fruit and blessings.

What is the fruit?

Affection and caring for everyone I know and meet.
Enthusiasm for living. It is another stunning day in paradise.
I am at peace. That is amazing. Peace and serenity are huge. Without doing what Jesus wants, I don’t have it.
Perseverance and “sticking with it” is growing.
Compassion at my core and in my heart. Compassion is becoming natural. There was a time I was angry with the homeless. Why weren’t they working? Now my instinct is to help. What can I do?
I see holiness in my world, which is God’s country. I see holiness in others.
I am loyal to others. It isn’t always to my advantage but that isn’t the point.
I don’t have to have my way. I am not there completely but it is “dialing down” in my life.
I can direct my energy into doing what is important to Jesus, my Master.

But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

~Apostle Paul – Source: Galatians 5:22-23 (The Message Bible)

A new year’s prayer: May a golden thread of Holiness run throughout the year

01 Thursday Jan 2015

Posted by Michael Wilson in God is God, God Thoughts

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Holiness, Holy, Jesus, Matthew Henry, New Year

May Matthew Henry’s new year prayer be ours:

“Lord grant that I may be more holy, and walk more closely than ever in all holy conversation;

I earnestly desire to be filled with thy holy thoughts, to be carried out in holy affections, determined by holy aims and intentions, and governed in all my words and actions by holy principles.

O that a golden thread of holiness may run through the whole web of this year.”