I Peter 1:13-21
So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing.
You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.”
You call out to God for help and He helps – He’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, He’s also a responsible Father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living.
Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ’s sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought.
Even though it has only lately – at the end of the ages – become public knowledge, God always knew He was going to do this for you. It’s because of this sacrificed Messiah, Whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God.
“What today, Father? What do you want me to read and see and hear from You? what does this have to ‘Hallowing Your Name?” Amen.
I used to think that Hallowing God’s Name meant to not speak the Name of God in a profane way. To keep His Name special. To stand up for Him when someone “cusses” with God’s Name. But as we have been learning in this current study of The Lord’s prayer, I see it is so much more. “I didn’t know any better – but I do now.” I claim to be a “Christian” and therefore, I am a walking advertisement about God. The way I as a “Christ Follower” live will either bring honor and glory to God, or will slander Him. When people watch me and my life, do they say, “If that is what being a Christian looks like? – Then thank, you, but no thanks.” I so do not want to smear my Lord and Savior in that way. I want people to look at me as a “Christian” and want to know more about God and how He is a wonderful Father Who loves them and saves them!
I look at the following verses and perhaps I used to think they were full of “rules” or “demands” or “restrictions”. But now, with a different lens, they carry a reminder to remember that how I live reflects on Jesus – and therefore, that is why I should desire to change the way I live, instead of slipping back into old grooves that mar His Holy Name… and if I put my name into the verse, it is a big wake-up call to seriously consider the implications of how I do bring honor or do not bring honor to my Father in Heaven.
"Dawn, don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now.
Dawn, allow yourself to be pulled into a way of life shaped by My life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. I, God said, “I am holy; --- you be holy, too, Dawn.”
You call out to me for help and I help – I am a good Father that way! (so if I call out to my Good Father for help one minute – I dare not slander His Name the next minute by the way I live.)
Dawn, your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of Me. It cost Me plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. I paid with My Son’s sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought.
I always knew I was going to do this for you, Dawn. It’s because of this sacrificed Messiah, Whom I then raised from the dead and glorified, that you can trust Me, and that you know you have a future in Me."
“Father, help me on this journey, to be fully conscious of You, Your Holy Name, and how my life will point people TO You, or AWAY from You. Please forgive me for the many times I have NOT made Your Name Holy and how my life may have caused someone to NOT want anything to do with You. Thank You for giving Your Son, Jesus Christ to save me. And help me, from this day onward, to be aware of how I treat You and Your Name. Amen.”