OCTOBER 27 Butterfly
Reading: Leviticus 20:1-8, 22-27
“He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it” (1 Thess 5:24)
The Book of Leviticus mentions the word “holiness” or its
equivalent more than 80 times. It is from this book that apostle Peter
quoted the curt commandment: “Be holy” (1 Pet 1:16; Lev 19:2). If
God had stopped with this commandment, we would perish in guilt
and condemnation. How can I, in a sinful earth, with a sinful nature,
be holy like God who indwells in a sinless Heaven and who has not
known sin? His expectation is lofty but not logical! That’s why He
sent His Son in flesh and blood to give us a followable pattern for
holiness.
Growth in holiness is comparable to the construction of a building.
“It is neither by (our) might nor (our) power, but by God’s Spirit!”
(Zech 4:6). Progress in holiness is comparable to a race. “It is not of
him who desires, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy”
(Rom 9:16). Ripening in holiness is comparable to cultivation. “He
who plants is not anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives
the harvest” (1 Cor 3:6). God is more interested in making us holy
than we are in becoming holy! All the three Persons of the Trinitarian
Godhead are working together to change us into the image of Jesus
the central Person in Godhead. The miracle of miracles happens, which
is this: God takes an unholy man from an unholy world, makes him
holy, puts him back in the unholy world, and keeps him holy! Glory!
The promises of God are as bright as God Himself ! His “exceedingly
great and precious promises” are just to make us “partakers of the
divine nature” (2 Pet 1:4). After listening to me preach on the theme,
Like Jesus, a bank official with eyes full came running and asked
me, “Brother, Do you really think a person like me can ever become
like Jesus?” I instantly replied, “If an unseemly caterpillar can
transform into an attractive butterfly, you surely can become like
Jesus!” He is now a glowing Christian because of this faith.
Do not allow man or Satan to condemn you whether you stand or
fall (Rom 8:31-34; 14:4). Keep on keeping on! God Himself will
sanctify you completely; and your whole spirit and soul and body
will be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thess
5:23,24).
Resting on the faithfulness of Christ our Lord,
Resting on the fulness of His own sure Word;
Resting on His wisdom, on His love and power,
Resting on His Covenant from hour to hour!
(Frances R. Havergal, 1836-1879)
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OCTOBER 27 PRAYER Subject: Doctrines
Reading: Lev 20:1-8, 22-27 Memorising: 1 Thess 5:24
Almighty God, we worship You because You are all-holy. “Holiness unto
the Lord” is written all around You. Your Heaven is holy. Your arm is holy.
Your hill is holy. Your promises are holy. Your works are holy. Your Covenant
is holy. Your angels are holy. Your prophets are holy. Your Name is holy. Your
Scriptures are holy. Your Son is holy. Your Spirit is holy. You are holy, holy, holy!
We rejoice that the holy God is our Father. We are unclean and sinful. Cleanse
us by the blood of Your Son. Sanctify us by the power of Your Spirit. Clothe us
with the beauty of holiness. We cannot build holy character without Your Spirit.
We cannot run against odds without Your strength. We cannot cultivate fruits
of righteousness without Your mercy. Sorry, Lord, we struggled too long
with our own strength. Teach us restfulness in You. Lead us to total confidence
on You. Help us look at Your promises instead of depending on our decisions.
Remind us at the hour of temptation Your Word against the whisper of the
wicked one. Turn our eyes to look Above instead of looking around. Our help
comes from You who made heaven and earth. You are our Keeper. You would
preserve us from all evil. You would preserve our going out and coming in. We
are safe in Your hands as You carry us on Your shoulders.
Father God, we thank You because no one understands the struggles of us
Your children like You. There’s no one like Jesus who sympathises with our
weaknesses because He Himself was tempted like us. There’s no one like the
indwelling Holy Spirit to comfort us when we fail. We pray for Your enablement
to regulate our thoughts. We pray for Your help to control our tongue. We pray
for Your protection to safeguard our wandering eyes. We pray for Your strength
to stop our hands from touching the forbidden. We pray that You lead our feet
in the paths of righteousness. We pray that You give us a heart of understanding
to discern the tricks and schemes of Satan.
Dear Lord, oftentimes we forget Your promises to carry us through floods
and flames. We forget Your abiding presence and feel miserable. We easily
succumb to guilt as the enemy accuses us. We become more conscious of our
adversary than our Advocate, Jesus. Forgive us for underestimating the power
of fellowship of Your children in the hour of darkness. Let our love for
righteousness and hatred for wickedness keep increasing all the time. We
thank You that You would complete the work of sanctification in us as it is You
who called us to holiness. In the Name of Your holy Child, Jesus, Amen!
(Isa 6:3; Rev 4:8; Zech 14:20,21; Psa 11:4;23:3; 47:8; 87:1; 98:1; 105:42; 121:1,2,5,8; Jonah 2:7; Hab 2:20;
Lk 1:35,49,70; Mt 25:31; Jn 10:28,29; 17:11,17; 2 Tim 3:15; Phil 1:6,10,11; Heb 1:9; 2:18; 12:1,2)
304 DOCTRINES: NEXT NOV 4
