Holiness – Ponderings of a Sojourner

Happy Hunger

Happiness comes in the Hunger (for God/Righteousness/being in right standing or relationship with Him and others).

a STRONG song

“LORD, I sing a new song: I have a Strong City; Salvation is appointed for walls and bulwarks (Isaiah 26:1).”

FULL of Life

Not “living IT up” but “Living-UP” in THE Lord God Jesus…

Priceless, Efficacious Tears.

“In one of the six ‘Golden Psalms’ (michtam, in Hebrew), David describes how God values tears:

Psalm 56:8-‘You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in Your book?’ God is an avid collector of tears. Tears are the silent, eloquent testimonies to God’s nearness: “He remains close to those who are brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

Did you know what’s physiologically in our tears? A tear is comprised of more than ‘just’ water and includes proteins, enzymes, lipids, metabolites, electrolytes, and even our DNA! If our eyes get irritated, tears are more aqueous (comprised of water). If we are under high stress, our tears are filled with stress-related hormones.

But the chemistry of tears pales in comparison to their (spiritual) value (to God…and us): “There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable (hope and) love.” Unknown.

Contrition. Unspeakable love. Not ordinary, everyday words…nor occurrences, sadly, though tears might be.

Is that why God has a supreme interest in…and pays undying attention to…our tears? He is love personified and, therefore, “near to the brokenhearted.” The Psalmist said that ‘God collects tears, even stores them in his bottles.’ ” The Book on Prayer, pg. 248, by Psr. Ken Gurley (italics and words in parentheses, etc., added by me, dkb).

F.A.I.T.H. is…

F- Father A- Anointing (+) I- Inspired T- Trust (=) H-Healing … F- Faith A- Amazing (&) I- Inside T- Treasure (of) H- Holiness … F- Focus A- Above (fosters true) I- Intelligence T- Training (=) H- Health … F- Fearing A- Adonai I- In T- Truth (&) H- Heart

Compassionless = Hard-hearted?

“Compassion is the divine in mankind (just as cruelty is the diabolical in us). It’s God’s promptings to us to help the helpless, parent the orphan, feed the hungry, clothe the cold, and raise the fallen. A compassionless Believer is an oxymoron. As Jesus cares, so should we.” Pastor/Author/Keynote Speaker, Ken Gurley, The Book on Prayer, pg. 251 (words in parenthesis added by me, dkb): Matthew 9:36… and, sadly, Matthew 24:12.

Pithy Insights in Jude

“Jude makes intriguing comments on how to reach those who need God:

First, be filled with faith by praying in the spirit (v.20);

Second, keep yourself in the love of God (v.21);

Third, have compassion on those doubting (v. 22);

Fourth, rescue others from the flames (v. 23);

Fifth, show mercy tempered with fear (v.23).” Pastor/Author Ken Gurley, The Book on Prayer, pg. 251.

Category: Holiness