The Holiness of God

Isaiah 6 records a vision of God in the temple.  Isaiah tells what he saw.  ‘I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.  Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:  “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”  At the sound of their voices, the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 

Revelation 4 records a vision of heaven.  This is what John saw.  ‘Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.  From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.  Around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”  The twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

One of the best songs we sing in worship is the song entitled ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’.  It contains these words of adoration to God.  ‘Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, perfect in power, in love and purity.  The consistent response from humanity in Scripture to God’s holiness is a response of fear and trembling, with a recognition of one’s weakness and neediness.

A word that has become vogue or stylish in our society today is the word ‘awesome’.  We use the word to describe almost anything.  A pair of shoes, a hamburger, a movie, a football game, a car.  You name it—we think it is awesome!!!  A milkshake, a haircut, a speech.  We need to rethink the word ‘awesome’.  The God who created heaven and earth and everything in it—the God who willingly sacrificed His own Son for humanity is AWESOME!!!!  He is our holy God.  He deserves the recognition that He deserves.

Prayer:  Father, please let me worship You as the AWESOME GOD that you are.

Terry Brown, Abilene, Texas

Plowing New Ground

Jesus said, “Anyone who begins to plow a field but keeps looking back is of no use in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62

Looking back at what we left behind for Christ limits our ability to enter His kingdom.  Holding on to pieces of our old life clouds our spiritual vision resulting in an earthbound destination rather than a spiritual journey.  To have a true longing for and realization of heaven and to have an intimate relationship with Christ will not happen unless we give up everything for Him.     

It is impossible to live Jesus' teachings of turning the other cheek, going another mile, not storing up earthly possessions, and loving our enemies, just to name a few, (Matthew 5-7) unless our lives are lived seeking and knowing the Spirit filled life is real. Earthly thinking justifies retaliation, causes us to pass by on the other side of those in need, empowers us to rely on our own wealth, and results in loving only ourselves.  True life is discovered only when looking beyond this world while still living in it.  We each must take this step to unlock this wonder.  Only then do the things Jesus says make any sense.  

The freedom, peace, and joy of the gospel are experienced when we stop playing it safe.  We must give in, buy in, step off, step out, and dive head first into the wonder and reality of God's miraculous gift that has nothing to do with here.  His kingdom is not of this world.  Following Jesus is a choice of all or none. It is plowing the new ground of trusting only in Christ’s Way to a blessed, abundant life regardless of our circumstances.  If I look back attempting to keep a foot in both worlds I will never experience this richness.   To the extent I seek is the extent I will find. 

 “No one can serve two masters. The person will hate one master and love the other, or will follow one master and refuse to follow the other. You cannot serve both God and worldly riches.” 

Matthew 6:24

“Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well.” Matthew 6:33

 “Ask, and God will give to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will open for you. Yes, everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And everyone who knocks will have the door opened.”

Matthew 7:7-8

“But the gate is small and the road is narrow that leads to true life. Only a few people find that road.”  Matthew 7:14

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. Only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the better thing, and it will never be taken away from her.” 

 Luke 10:41-42

Father, increase our faith.  Give us a longing for You not held back by any attachment to this physical life.  Lead us to the open door of Your incredible storehouse of spiritual blessings.  In Jesus name.

Scotty Elston

Shallowater, Texas