Day 7: Holiness
Good to Know:
What do you do every morning before you head out the door? Living for Jesus every day is a discipline. It’s not about what other people are doing. It’s about what God wants to do through you.
1 Peter 1:13-25 NLT
A Call to Holy Living
So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”
And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.” For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.
Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.
You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.
For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. As the Scriptures say,
“People are like grass;
their beauty is like a flower in the field.
The grass withers and the flower fades.
But the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.
1 Peter 2:21-25 NLT
He never sinned,
nor ever deceived anyone.
He did not retaliate when he was insulted,
nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
He left his case in the hands of God,
who always judges fairly.
He personally carried our sins
in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin
and live for what is right.
By his wounds
you are healed.
Once you were like sheep
who wandered away.
But now you have turned to your Shepherd,
the Guardian of your souls.
Good to Do:
Today, how can I thank Jesus for pursuing me?
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I spend my time when I get up with Jesus and a cup of coffee. I wrote a book called Jesus Time and Coffee. It’s the best way to start the day. On days when I don’t spend time with Jesus before everything, it’s awful. I want to be led through my day and feel like I’m ready for anything.
Totally agree!
You have said ‘EXACTLY’ what’s in my heart and mind after listening this morning. I’m starting to get in the habit of inviting Jesus to ‘join me for coffee, and speak to me through your word.’ Your words ‘NAILED IT !’ Thanks.
That is definitely my goal. I feel the same way, when I skip bible time in the morning my day does not go well. I feel like I have more patience with people in general when I take time to pray and read, even if it’s only a few verses.
My day doesn’t feel right until I’ve at least started my day in prayer and thanked God for the blessing of the life that I have been given!
My best days are also when I spend time with God first thing. Many days I wake up in the morning thinking of everything I have to do and get distracted . One thing leads to another and it’s time to head out the door. I hate that I do that! Then I feel guilty all day. Any thoughts or suggestions?
I like to read my Bible later in the day. In the mornings when I wake up I pray as I get ready for the day. Sometimes I’m thanking Him and bring my requests later, other times I thank God and then ask for His help and guidance through the day. I ask Him to remind me of His ever presence and to help me take that time later in the day to go to His word. As for thanking God for pursuing me, I pray that He will help me daily to live my life for Him and be… Read more »
Yes! Same. My heart purposely turned toward Him. He is worthy!
Agreed
I agree totally
1 Peter 2:21-25, Is something else I need to hear because I feel like sometimes I feel like when I dont Pray and read my Bible like a should that I disappoint God. I really need pray for this.
This is such a trap of the enemy for many including me sometimes. Father God, draw Daniel near May he be so aware of Your presence in His life that the performance mentality is destroyed and Your unconditional love rescues him to believe Your truth, receive Your love, and rest in Your peace in Jesus name!
This was hard because it’s easy to feel the anger when things don’t seem fair
That Precious Blood! A gift I could never be earn or be worthy of! Thank You Jesus
Amen
Self control and being mindful of how I react when someone does something I don’t like or appreciate is a huge challenge. With prayer and scripture they have been kept more at bay. I take that moment to pray The Our Father, The Hail Mary, and remember the last line of the Serenity Prayer. “Wisdom to know the difference “.
It truly is easier said then done, but anything is possible if we give it to God.
I hear you Jonathan. I struggle with the same thing. I find myself talking about that person behind their back. God has been working with me to find the good in that person and pray and love on them instead of bashing them. I want to be a light in their life. It is still a work in progress however, I know through prayer and listening to God’s still voice I will become that person He molding me to be.
I absolutely love this Promise! God is always just and I can always lean on His promises!
“People are like grass;
their beauty is like a flower in the field.
The grass withers and the flower fades.
But the word of the Lord remains forever.”
It is very hard to forgive and turn the other cheek. Jesus never retaliated. I strive to be like him every day.
Be different than others… we are meant to be set apart from the others of this world.
I have been working on my bitterness. “He did not retaliate when he was insulted nor threaten revenge when he suffered.” I needed to read that today. I know my bitterness is not of God. I try to leave it at his feet but it still keeps coming back. I will just have to try harder. It is only hurting me and my relationship with God.
Gayle, try to forgive yourself for being bitter and ask God for his help. And thank God for at least one person or thing each day. God loves you. He doesn’t want you to beat yourself up after He’s forgiven you.
Thank you so much and I know what you say is true. Forgiving myself has been the hardest thing I have ever had to do.
Try keeping a Gratitude Journal. Every day write down at least one thing you’re thankful for. It could be as simple as being thankful for having a washing machine or running indoor water! After awhile you realize how blessed you are and the stuff that used to bug you settles into the background.
Me too Gayle. This one is very hard.
I read my Bible every morning & have devotions but I pray about some things I know I don’t do right & I feel like I pray the same things everyday & I just feel like I’m not doing good enough! It’s very hard to put into words!
Hi Margie!! Me too but you know what? We are imperfect humans!! The only thing we can do is repent quickly and say God I blew it again, could you please help me?
God has made us new. We should live in that newness and not return to our sin. Every day I commit my life to God. It is a continuous thing. Not one and done. Every day I must make the decision to follow Jesus.
Today, how can I thank Jesus for pursuing me?
I try to say many thank yous to Him through out the day. To make lists of what I am grateful for. To keep a grateful attitude. Also learning that a grateful heart will serve others. Jesus had a servants heart and we need to become more like Him.
Spending time with the Lord is very valuable. I don’t think it means that it has to be specifically in the morning. I think that as long as we make time to spend with him throughout our day, that is what matters. Some people have very different schedules, but God should be a priority. Quiet time with the Father is extremely important as is reading his word. It is really a discipline, I am working on it. God is so good to forgive us of our sins, no matter what they are. Once again, a great example of His great… Read more »
I love this Bible reading plan. It has definitely helped me to get into the scriptures every day. I pray that I will continue this habit after the Bible reading plan is over. Thanks for doing this.
It was a good reminder that we need to not slip back into our old ways! It’s so easy to slip back but God wants us to keep working to be closer to him …. so that is what I shall do!
I don’t remember grass and flower scripture. I know Matthew chapter twenty-four verse thirty-five. Everything else is good.
Hi Olivia! It is from Isaiah 40:8. Beautiful passage.
He left his case in the hands of God,
who always judges fairly. WOW….I need to live like this!!!
This biblekickstart is absolutely amazing! It makes it so easy to read the word of God & understand!!
It feeds my Soul…thank you!
Thank you
As Christians living for God, holiness is a must. We must conduct ourselves in a Christ like manner and that can be a huge challenge especially when it involves people doing evil, mistreating you. Our society is not a kind place when it involves dealing with others. However, it is our behavior not the other person causing the harm that God will hold accountable. So, think before you react
Thank you God for always providing. Life is scary and your Light guides my way. Amen!
Read the Bible and pray everyday.
When I was younger I used to pray that someone would love me and seek to be with me. When I got married I knew that I had found that someone. Now, though, we are divorced after 32 years. I had put my heart in someone else’s hands and I got hurt, badly. But God has pursued me since I was a glimmer in my Mother’s eye. He knew me before I was formed. He knows me in ways that I would be embarrassed for others to know me – He sees my past and loves me still. I am… Read more »
I love to sit and read my Bible with a cup of coffee. Starting the day with God puts me on the right track for my day.
Lord I thank you that as a child you pursued me and continue to pursue me today!
Oh if I could be more like Jesus…….I fail every hour.
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Thankyou Jesus for answering my prayers! Thankyou for your unconditional love and grace on me.
It’s so good to read the verses in another translation than the ones I am used to. It feels like it’s creating new neuropathways, and every word goes very deep.
What sweet comfort to know we have been ransomed.