As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, Be holy, for I am holy (1 Peter 1:14-16)
Now is the time for believers to show the world what our God is really like. He is Holy. The Israelites introduced the surrounding sex -crazed pagan cultures to their Holy God by keeping themselves pure as they outwardly obeyed the Ten Commandments. We have the law of God written on our hearts. This enables us to be living epistles known and read of all men. And in this day of looseness, we have a tremendous opportunity to shine!
It’s time to pursue holiness! Notice 2 Corinthians 7:1: Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Not only will your fellowship with your Holy Father deepen, but you’ll begin to be noticed by those around you as different, and that’s a good thing!
Sensuality is on the rise everywhere. It’s the spirit of the age. Watch your TV and movie viewing and don’t compromise! The internet is full of filth. Magazines and newspapers are filled with risqué pictures and articles that just don’t need to be written! Be wise!
If you don’t make an on purpose decision to be Holy or separated from the perversion that abounds today, you’re likely to yield to it or be hardened by it. Notice what Peter says to us from the Amplified Bible: So, since Christ suffered in the flesh for us, for you, arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God]. For whoever has suffered in the flesh [having the mind of Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases God], So that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living by [his] human appetites and desires, but [he lives] for what God wills (1Peter 4:1-2 – Amplified).
Paul says it so well in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8: God’s plan is to make you holy, and that means a clean cut with sexual immorality. Every one of you should learn to control his body, keeping it pure and treating it with respect, and never allowing it to fall victim to lust, as do pagans with no knowledge of God. You cannot break this rule without cheating and exploiting your fellow men. Indeed God will punish all who offend do offend in this matter, as we have plainly told you and warned you. The calling of God is not to impurity but to the most thorough purity, and anyone who makes light of the matter is not making light of man’s ruling but of God’s command. It is not for nothing that the Spirit God gives us is called the Holy Spirit.
Stand before the Father today and pledge to Him your devotion and love by committing to a life of holiness and purity. Refuse to compromise God’s standards by yielding to the low standards of the world. Our nation’s future depends on our morals. If they fail, our nation will fail. History begs us not to repeat it!
In john 17 Jesus says the Word sanctifies, and in Jude, after listing tons of sin, we are told to pray in the Holy Ghost... Sounds like the winning combination!
ReplyDeletePastor Mitch;
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your church services and I plan on becoming a member. I have already put my name in as joinging some of the church groups and helping with the October Fest. The reason I attend church services is for the message from our Lord and Father. Don't get me wrong, I also enjoy listening to the musical group and the songs they sing. What I don't agree with is that there is much more singing (and standing up) than there is delivering a good message. There are older generations (like myself) that just can't stand for an hour and singing. I had much rather hear "The Word" than a lot of singing. Like I said, don't get me wrong, I enjoy good singing as much as anyone. But I get more from your message than all of the singing. Please don't take this wrong or use my name in the service. I still enjoy the church services and the friendly people that make up the congregation. Victory is a more friendly church than some I have attended. (And I am of the Catholic faith!) Thank you for your time and reading this.
Dear Anonymous:
ReplyDeleteI hear what you saying in wanting to receive the Word. And I totally agree that the Word is the most important thing we do.
To give some perspective as to what we're doing, let me give some background. My ministry gifting is that of a teacher in the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11). For years I have methodically, line upon line, precept upon precept ministered the Word. Our bookstore has many CD series from my ministry in the past.
Recently The Father has been moving us into a deeper dimension of His presence. This deeper experience of His presence comes through worship. Check out on our website the mp3's of our Wednesday night services where I talk about the Praise and Worship and how it brings the manifest Presence of God. That's the reason we've had some extended times of "singing" or worship. Yes, I will preach the Word as I always have, but there are times we need a good dose of the strong Presence of God too, and this comes as we worship. So give this a little space; sit down if you like; but enter into the worship and ask the Father to reveal Himself to you on a deeper level. And watch what happens!
One more thing. If you haven't received the Baptism with the Holy Spirit let me encourage you to ask the Father to reveal the experience to you. This experience will enhance your worship times, and make the Word better than the best juicy steak you've ever tasted!
And, thank you for bearing your heart!
Pastor Mitch