Because we live in a sinful world, we must be prepared for assaults on our minds and hearts. Unless we are prepared we will have a difficult time in our pursuit of holiness. We need to expect ridicule and abuse as we strive to resist the influence of the world. But “we must be concerned not only for our own purity of mind and heart, but also for the eternal destiny of those who would pollute us.” We need to take to heart the need of the world for Jesus Christ as Savior and relate this good news to those we come in contact with. We must also realize that when we can no longer tolerate corrupt surroundings we should prayerfully consider leaving the situation.
The Christian must realize that holiness should not be associated with a dour disposition, but rather with joy. “Jesus links obedience and joy in a cause and effect manner; that is, joy results from obedience. Those who are obedient – who are pursuing holiness as a way of life – will know the joy that comes from God.” We must choose to forego sin and accept our responsibility to live obedient lives.
“Experience the fullness of joy which Christ has promised to those who walk in obedience to Him.”
We'll accept comments for Chapters 16 and 17 through September 8. We look forward to reading about your thoughts and insights.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
The Pursuit of Holiness - Chapter 15
As Christians we are called to live holy lives and this requires obedience. Because obedience may be costly in terms of personal sacrifice and even exposure to danger, we must realize that we obedience requires faith. “Faith enables us to obey when obedience is costly or seems unreasonable to the natural mind.” Through faith we are able to rest in the knowledge that God upholds and blesses obedience and trust.
Conviction and confidence are often required for success in a specific act of obedience. “If we do not have conviction in the necessity of obeying the revealed will of God as well as confidence in the promises of God, we will never persevere in that difficult pursuit.”
We'll accept comments for Chapter 15 through August 25. We will cover Chapters 16 and 17 during the week of August 26 – September 1. We look forward to reading about your thoughts and insights.
Conviction and confidence are often required for success in a specific act of obedience. “If we do not have conviction in the necessity of obeying the revealed will of God as well as confidence in the promises of God, we will never persevere in that difficult pursuit.”
We'll accept comments for Chapter 15 through August 25. We will cover Chapters 16 and 17 during the week of August 26 – September 1. We look forward to reading about your thoughts and insights.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
The Pursuit of Holiness -- Chapters 13 & 14
As we continue in our pursuit of holiness, we must not overlook the fact that the activity of our wills determines whether or not we are holy in character and conduct. After the fall of man, the harmony of our mind, emotions, conscience, and will was interrupted. Upon salvation this harmony is gradually restored as we grow closer to God. If we are stubborn, rebellious, or allow our emotions to sway us, this process will be interrupted. Applying the Word of God to our thoughts and desires is essential to controlling our will and aligning it with the will of God. “There is absolutely no shortcut to holiness that bypasses or gives little priority to a consistent intake of the Bible.”
Chapter 14 deals with how our habits influence our wills. “Breaking sinful habits must be done in cooperation with the Holy Spirit and in dependence upon Him.”
We'll accept comments for Chapters 13 and 14 through August 18. We will cover Chapter 15 during the week of August 19 - 25. We look forward to reading about your thoughts and insights.
Chapter 14 deals with how our habits influence our wills. “Breaking sinful habits must be done in cooperation with the Holy Spirit and in dependence upon Him.”
We'll accept comments for Chapters 13 and 14 through August 18. We will cover Chapter 15 during the week of August 19 - 25. We look forward to reading about your thoughts and insights.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
The Pursuit of Holiness - Chapter 12
Our pursuit of holiness cannot stop at what we do, but must include what we think. Psalm 139:1-4 and 1 Samuel 16:7 make it clear that our thoughts and actions are equally important to God and that He sees our thoughts as clearly as He sees our actions. We learn that “holiness begins in our minds and works out to our actions.” Mr. Bridges encourages us to protect our thought lives by carefully guarding what we listen to and what we view with our eyes. He also warns us to purify ourselves from the more “acceptable” sins of the spirit, including envy, jealousy, bitterness, an unforgiving spirit, the spirit of revenge, and a critical spirit.
How do you guard your thought life? What sinful attitude troubles you most and what steps can you take to guard yourself from falling into its trap? Are you ready to pray for humility and replace unholy thoughts and attitudes with thoughts that are pleasing to God?
We'll accept comments for Chapter 12 through August 11. We will cover Chapters 13 and 14 during the week of August 12 - 18. We look forward to reading about your thoughts and insights.
How do you guard your thought life? What sinful attitude troubles you most and what steps can you take to guard yourself from falling into its trap? Are you ready to pray for humility and replace unholy thoughts and attitudes with thoughts that are pleasing to God?
We'll accept comments for Chapter 12 through August 11. We will cover Chapters 13 and 14 during the week of August 12 - 18. We look forward to reading about your thoughts and insights.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The Pursuit of Holiness - Chapter 11
This week’s lesson points out the fact that we are called to pursue holiness not only in mind and spirit, but also in body. All that we do, including eating and drinking, should be to the glory of God. If we pursue an indulgent or lazy attitude toward our body it will become difficult to put to death the other sinful deeds of the body.
We are also reminded that materialism is a key ingredient in this struggle. Materialism leads to discontentment and envy and may result in pampering and indulgence so that we become soft and lazy. We are cautioned that “there is no place for laziness and indulgence of the body in a disciplined pursuit of holiness.”
Limiting our exposure to those things that temp us and learning what triggers our sinful desires are key steps in disciplining our bodies. How will you apply these tools in your own life? Comments on Chapter 11 will be accepted through August 4, 2008. We will cover Chapter 12 during the week of August 5 - 11. We look forward to hearing from you.
We are also reminded that materialism is a key ingredient in this struggle. Materialism leads to discontentment and envy and may result in pampering and indulgence so that we become soft and lazy. We are cautioned that “there is no place for laziness and indulgence of the body in a disciplined pursuit of holiness.”
Limiting our exposure to those things that temp us and learning what triggers our sinful desires are key steps in disciplining our bodies. How will you apply these tools in your own life? Comments on Chapter 11 will be accepted through August 4, 2008. We will cover Chapter 12 during the week of August 5 - 11. We look forward to hearing from you.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The Pursuit of Holiness - Chapter Ten
As we continue pursuing holiness, we learn the value of personal discipline. Bridges reminds us that as believers we must train minds, bodies, and spirits to be holy just as athletes train or discipline their bodies to be in good physical shape. We know that Paul used this analogy in much of his writing.
This chapter reminds us that discipline begins with studying God's Word. He writes, "We must all arrange our schedules to provide for this daily intake of the Word of God." There are 4 categories of Bible intake: 1) hearing the Word; 2) reading the Bible; 3) studying the Scriptures; and 4) memoring key passages.
How have you found time in your busy schedule for God's Word? How has it helped in your pursuit of holiness? What encouragement can you offer other women who struggle to make a daily appointment with God?
We'll accept comments for Chapter 10 through July 28. We will cover Chapter 11 during the week of July 29 - August 4. We look forward to reading about your thoughts and insights.
This chapter reminds us that discipline begins with studying God's Word. He writes, "We must all arrange our schedules to provide for this daily intake of the Word of God." There are 4 categories of Bible intake: 1) hearing the Word; 2) reading the Bible; 3) studying the Scriptures; and 4) memoring key passages.
How have you found time in your busy schedule for God's Word? How has it helped in your pursuit of holiness? What encouragement can you offer other women who struggle to make a daily appointment with God?
We'll accept comments for Chapter 10 through July 28. We will cover Chapter 11 during the week of July 29 - August 4. We look forward to reading about your thoughts and insights.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The Pursuit of Holiness -- Chapter 9
Chapter 9, Putting Sin to Death, points out that it is our responsibility to “destroy the strength and vitality of sin as it tries to reign in our bodies.” We are reminded that this can only be accomplished through the strengthening and direction of the Holy Spirit.
There are two key requirements that must be met as we work at the task of destroying the strength and vitality of sin in our lives. We must first have conviction in specific areas of our lives as well as to live a holy life. Spending time in God’s Word is a key element in this process. We must also be committed to holiness. We must “make it our aim not to sin.”
How has this chapter challenged you in your daily walk? How will you apply what you have learned? We'll accept comments for Chapter 9 through July 21. We will cover Chapter 10 during the week of July 22 - 28. We look forward to reading about your thoughts and insights.
There are two key requirements that must be met as we work at the task of destroying the strength and vitality of sin in our lives. We must first have conviction in specific areas of our lives as well as to live a holy life. Spending time in God’s Word is a key element in this process. We must also be committed to holiness. We must “make it our aim not to sin.”
How has this chapter challenged you in your daily walk? How will you apply what you have learned? We'll accept comments for Chapter 9 through July 21. We will cover Chapter 10 during the week of July 22 - 28. We look forward to reading about your thoughts and insights.
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