Proven

Ezekiel 20:41 As a soothing aroma I will accept you when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you from the lands where you are scattered; and I will prove Myself holy among you in the sight of the nations.

Do you enjoy the fragrance of burning candles?  I do…but only if the scent is pleasing to me.  Otherwise, I want to exit the room.

God loves the aroma that we bring to him when we enter his presence and allow him to mix his “essential oil” if you will, so that we burn and bring a pleasing aroma to the room.

He accepts us, because of Jesus. But then he doesn’t leave us in our broken state.  He takes us and heals us and makes us whole again.  He “proves” himself holy among us – in the sight of the nations.

America is anything but holy in the sight of others, at the moment. But we who love God can be that soothing aroma to our families, our neighbors, our cities, our states…and yes, our nations...

if we allow his mixing and burning to go on, so that those who sense the fragrance want to stay and linger a while…to enjoy the presence.

4 Things

That they may see and recognize, And consider and gain insight as well, That the hand of the Lord has done this, And the Holy One of Israel has created it.

See.

Recognize.

Consider.

Gain insight.

It’s a process, isn’t it, this journey of realizing and experiencing his holiness?

First, we see it and we fear it, we tremble, or we run.

Second, we recognize that his holiness is beautiful, it’s loving, it’s kind…and we get it…we want it.

Thirdly, we consider the possibility that maybe, just maybe, that holiness is attainable if we sit still and let him…

Lastly, we realize the potential and the value of allowing God’s holy work to complete itself in our lives.

The hand of the Lord is upon us all – those who trust in him.  And it’s a good hand, not a mean hand, but one that picks us up and shapes us, heals us, and set us…apart…for Him….forever.

Increased Gladness

Isaiah 29:19 The afflicted also will increase their gladness in the Lord, And the needy of mankind will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

Do you know, or are you among the afflicted…and the needy?

Of course, we all know and see and read about horrible tragedies that leave people destitute and in need.  Or we experience a time of affliction ourselves.  It’s not fun, nor desirable to do so.

However, there is hope. 

Always, there is hope.

We can increase our gladness in the Lord. How? By reading his Word and saying it.

We can rejoice in the Holy One, even in our time of need.  How?  Because he’s worthy.

God is always about restoration and healing, but sometimes we are completely entrenched in loss and illness.  It’s not a fun place to be.

However, it’s a place to cry out, give thank, be glad, and rejoice – because the Holy One is at work to rescue and save us.

It’s who he is…remember?

Calling Out

Isaiah 6:3

And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.”

Have you ever called out to another the word holy three times? I haven’t.

But maybe this year, in 2017, we should look forward to calling out the holy aspects of God in ourselves and in others.

We too often fear and run from his holiness, afraid of being a disappointment to Him.

When, in fact, the opposite is true.  

The Holy One desires our presence and to share with us his holiness, so that we can experience ALL of who he is.

Holiness – sitting in the presence of God unashamed and in right standing with him – drinking up his goodness and bearing his image – is something to be desired.

It’s something to cry out…to one another…in a loud voice…as one.

3 Ingredient Dip

My sister made a delicious dip for us, for Christmas snacks, and it just requires three ingredients, all from Trader Joe's!

1 container bruschetta sauce
1 pkg feta crumbles
1 pkg steamed and fully cooked lentils

Just mix it all together and serve with tortilla chips - it makes a lot and tastes great!

Know Him

Proverbs 9:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Want to start 2017 on a good foot?

Fear the Lord.  Stand in reverence and awe of who he is, and determine to understand his great love and purposes in your life.

This is the beginning of all wisdom, to know the Holy One, to be acquainted with his ways, and to love them.

I don’t know what the end of 2016 looks like in your life.  Even if it’s crumbled and in shambles, stand and adore Him, give thanks, and worship Him, and expect to see restoration in the new year.

If you had an awesome year, do the same.

Fear Him – not in the kind of fear that makes you run away – but the kind of fear that makes you fall in worship.

Christmas Praise

Psalm 71:22 I will also praise You with a harp, Even Your truth, O my God; To You I will sing praises with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.

Merry Christmas Eve!

What are you singing today and tomorrow?  Christmas carols and melodies?  Great!

It’s a day to praise Him by proclaiming the truth of who God is, our Savior, our King, the one to be adored, the Lord, the Prince of Peace…

And the Holy One.

If you don’t feel like singing, then say the words. 

If you don’t feel like saying, then read the words.

Do something to experience the truth of who God is this holy day…the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus…and the giving and loving God who made us.