Holiness and Calling

Focus verses: Ezekiel 16:1-22

This picture of the unfaithful wife is a picture of Jerusalem in Ezekiel's day. But it is also a picture of the modern church.

We have built up our own holiness in our own minds until we forget that we have no holiness. We have only the Lord's grace and mercy.

We build buildings and outreach programs. All of them are doomed to failure unless they are breathed of God. We put our words on the airwaves and our books on store shelves, and we pat ourselves on the back saying "what a good person am I."

What we ought to be doing is hiding our heads in shame at our puny fame and fortune. These things are all for the kingdom of this world. They have little to do with the kingdom of God.

Oh, there are people who are writing God's words and being absolutely faithful to the calling of God on their lives. They are, however, a minority as far as I can see.

People are preaching what the public wants to hear, not the word of God as written in His holy book. The public is being confused by the diverse voices and the conflicting suggestions and directions.

One can only know what God wants of him when he, himself, takes the time to sit in the presence of God and listen without all the interruptions and noise of this world. Closet time with God is essential to being faithful to one's calling. And everyone has a calling from the Lord.

You may be called as a housewife or an executive. You may be called as a mechanic or a financier. You may be called to hospitality or to the gift of teaching. Whatever your gift, God has given it to you for the benefit of His church. Your faithfulness to that call is your key to a "well done, thou good and faithful servant."

Father, God,

Help us to set aside time for You in our lives. Keep us faithful to that which You have given each of us as our personal task. Let us hear you clearly amidst the noise of life.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.

Temperance

Focus verse: Proverbs 29:11

A fool give full vent to his anger,
but a wise man keeps himself under control.

We all know people who have short fuses on their tempers. It takes very little for them to fly into a rage. Generally that rage is blind. They cannot see the source of their discontent and have no idea how to correct the problem. They simply vent their bile.

Anger, especially explosive anger, is desperately counter-productive. The body reacts to anger with an increased heart rate, an inability to hear correctly, and a release of hormones for the "fight or flight" response.

A self-controlled person, on the other hand, keeps a cool head. He is not blinded by rage, so he can look at options to correct the issue. His blood is not roaring in his ears, so he can hear carefully and correctly. His hormones are note channeling him into an "either/or" situation, so he can look a t a group of alternatives to find the best course of action among several choices. Most of all, if he is calm and quiet, he can hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit directing him.

In this day, we need people who can stay calm and analytical in looking at circumstances. We need people who can read and research to find the most effective course of action in any situation. We need people who can listen for the leading of the Lord.

Father, God,

Help me to control my emotions. Let me not be tempted to rash action and unprofitable speech. Keep me under the control of Your Holy Spirit at all times, so that I may hear Your leading.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.