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 One of the most difficult aspects of walking with God is the concept of being holy. What does it mean to live a holy life? How does God view holiness? Does holiness depend on what I do or do not do, or is it primarily a heart issue before God?
Recently I have been reading through the Psalms and found myself in the longest Psalm of the Bible, Psalm 119. Whether I understand all the questions concerning what holiness is or not, I certainly pray for God’s help is living a holy life. Below are several verses from Psalm 119 that you can turn into prayers as you seek God for the grace to live a life that pleases Him: Pas 119:5 Oh that my ways may be established To keep Your statutes! 6 Then I shall not be ashamed When I look upon all Your commandments. Psa 119:17 Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word. 18 Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law. 19 I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me. 20 My soul is crushed with longing After Your ordinances at all times. Psalm 119:24 Your testimonies also are my delight; They are my counselors. As the Bible says elsewhere, "let the Word of God richly dwell within you." (Col 3:16)  Pastor Aaron brought an excellent word on Sunday (May 31, 2015). I would encourage you to check it out here if you have not heard it. Below are a few of my thoughts taken from his sermon:
We must be careful not to approach the Bible through the lenses of our own personal biases and prejudices. It is important to avoid rationalizing scripture to fit our particular mindset. As you read the Bible learn to absorb what it says first and then apply it to your life, even if it is contrary to your worldview. We must fit our mindset and perspectives into the Bible rather than trying to make the Bible fit into our understanding of life. Two excellent verses that speak to this our found in 1 Corinthians … 1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Rom 12.1-2) Meditate on the Word of God and allow it to permeate every part of who you are. God's Word will never return void in your life. Believe it!  The Bible has a lot to say about one another and assembling together, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. There is something significant that takes place when God's people gather together for the purpose of praying and worshiping Him.
You find interesting verses like this one from the book of Leviticus ... 7 ‘But you will chase your enemies and they will fall before you by the sword; 8 five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall before you by the sword. (Lev 26:7-8) There seems to be a multiplying affect that takes place when God's people move together in agreement. There is power in agreement. Look at the words of Jesus in Matthew ... “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” (Mat 18:20) We know that we have the Holy Spirit and that God is always with us, so why would Jesus say this? I believe there is something that happens when the church gathers together that does not happen in our own private prayer closets. Consider this thought from the book of Psalms ... Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel. (Psa 22:3) Some Bible translations say that God “inhabits the praises” of his people. When we are gathered together God comes in a different, and perhaps greater capacity, than when we are alone. Paul, speaking to the church in Corinth about the reality of the many members Body of Christ, makes the following observation ... What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation … (1 Cor 14:26) Every member is significant in the eyes of God and has something to contribute. The church needs each and every member to be present, spiritually healthy, and aware that they are a part of the many membered body of Christ, and that they have something necessary to offer that only they can provide. Again, there is something released when we gather together as the church and allow God to move in and through us as a member of His spiritual body here on earth. Each person is an important contributor to the whole. Each person is a necessary part of the whole. One final thought from King David … I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” (Psa 122:1)  This past Sunday my family celebrated five birthdays at one time. Truly, a birthday extravaganza!
As I was thinking about birthdays, it occurred to me that a birthday marks a significant point in the divine purposes of God. You are His special creation for His special purpose that only you can fulfill. A birthday is a day to celebrate who God created you to be and to look ahead to His wonderful plan for your life. Never discredit the glory of God's creation by belittling the person that he made. Celebrate who God made you and rejoice in His wonderful purposes and plans for your life. Do not stumble over who you are not, but celebrate who you are.
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