Kathy Howard's Blog: Unshakeable Faith for Life, page 64

Gift of Bread for Christmas Advent

I know, it’s not even Thanksgiving yet and I’m already talking Christmas. However, I want to share a wonderful new Christmas Advent resource with you. The following devotional is an excerpt from “Good Tidings of Great Joy.” All the proceeds from this Advent devotional book benefit the Light of Hope Learning Center in Chittangong, Bangladesh. LOHLC ministers to young girls from the slums who need help in this life and hope for eternity.

I make cinnamon roles for breakfast on Christmas morning every year. I began this tradition when my kids were young. Since I make them from scratch, it requires a lot of time, effort, and planning. In order to have hot rolls on Christmas morning, I have to begin the day before Christmas and coordinate the rising times and assembly around our Christmas Eve schedule.

There’s nothing haphazard about the Christmas cinnamon rolls. This fact makes them special, but it’s also the reason I only make them one time a year! My “kids,” now young adults, appreciate and receive the cinnamon rolls for what they are – a gift of love from their mother.

Jesus is our heavenly Father’s gift of love to us. Nothing about Jesus’ birth was accidental or incidental. God meticulously planned Jesus’ arrival even before He created the earth. God knew the when, where, how, and why of every aspect of our Savior’s incarnation.

Consider Bethlehem, which means “house of bread.” Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth, not the birthplace of King David. But a decree from Caesar required them to travel to Bethlehem for the Roman census. Mary and Joseph had probably arranged everything for Jesus’ birth in Nazareth. Joseph may have even used his carpenter skills to craft a beautiful cradle. But when Jesus was born, the cradle sat empty and Mary laid her newborn son in a feeding trough for animals.

Sad turn of events or God’s sovereign plan? About 700 years before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Micah foretold the birthplace of the Savior. No accidents. No missed details. The Creator is sovereign over all things. Our eternal King would be born in Bethlehem. The everlasting heir to the throne of David would appear in David’s hometown. The Bread of Life (John 6:35) would enter the physical realm in the House of Bread.

The devotion above, written by Kathy,  is one of 25 in “Good Tidings of Great Joy.” The devotions are written by members of the “BFF Ministries” team. BFF Ministries is a group of women in the US who work to raise awareness and support for the Light of Hope Learning Center in Bangladesh (Read more about the ministry here). You can purchase the devotional book here for just $5. Your money will go straight to the center and the girls. (For more information about BFF Ministries and the LOHLC)

 

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I’m Trying to be Grateful, But I’m a Slow Learner

There’s a particular lesson God keeps teaching me over and over again. He wants me to be grateful and act like it. He’s brought it up from multiple directions over the past couple of years. You’d think I’d be an expert by now. But apparently I’m a slow learner.

The lesson is easy to understand. It’s just hard to retain.

God wants me to be a giver, not a taker. He wants me to reach out with full hands, not empty ones. He wants me to store up treasures in heaven, not pack my closet with clothes.

The lessons began a couple of years ago. I had been growing increasingly uncomfortable over not only the excess of our culture, but also the excess in my own life. (See this earlier post.) Then God dropped a life-changing Bible study in my lap called “The 7 Experiment” by Jen Hatmaker. In fact, I publicly worked through the study here on my website and then led it with women at my church.

I know God was teaching me to be more aware and responsive to the needs of others around me. To be far less self-indulgent. To use the vast resources He has given me and my family to help and bless others.

And I did. For awhile. Oh, but old habits are hard to break.

Recently I realized I had taken two steps forward, but then one step back. “Recently,” as in, just this week. And God’s lesson was refreshed in triplicate.

First, on Sunday, our pastor’s sermon was titled “Treasures in Heaven.” Yep, from Matthew 6:19-24. And he challenged us to give to mission work in India our church has partnered with.
Second, the team leader of BFF (an advocacy group I’m part of for a girls’ center in Bangladesh) wrote about the possibility of a big endeavor we might take on.
Third, I got a message from my writer friend Shellie Tomlinson (The Belle of All Things Southern) asking me to participate in a November gratitude drive called “Reach Out 2014.” This is the one I want to share with you today.

Reach Out 2014

In Shellie’s words, the Reach Out campaign asks “writers and readers alike to kick off the holiday season with a commitment not to simply articulate our thankfulness, but to express our gratitude in a tangible way on behalf of those who could never in their wildest dreams conceive of the type of holidays we’ll soon enjoy. We’ll take the 30 days leading up to Thanksgiving to give and to help motivate our own circle of friends to give with us!”

Shellie not only challenges us to show our gratitude in a tangible way, she offers a great opportunity to do it in a way that supports God’s Kingdom. She has partnered with “Hope without Borders” to raise $20,000 to build a Hope Center for children in Nicaragua.

I’ve already donated. You can find out more, join the Reach Out effort, or donate on Shellie’s site.

Of course this is just one way to show your gratitude. God may lead you in another direction.

But, either way, please join me this month of Thanksgiving to show our gratitude to the Giver of all things by giving to others in return.

In what ways have you been blessed? In what ways could you bless someone else?

The post I’m Trying to be Grateful, But I’m a Slow Learner appeared first on Kathy Howard.

The Saddest Thing About Brittany Maynard

When I first heard about Brittany Maynard and her plans to end her own life, I thought I knew how I felt about it. After all, God is the giver of life. Who are we to decide when it’s over, no matter how difficult the circumstances? Right?

Then I read her story and even watched her tell it.

In January of this year, 29 year-old Brittany was diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumor. This kind of cancer is terminal and the end can be agonizing. The treatment itself is arduous and debilitating. Besides, it would only prolong her life by weeks or months.

Here is a description, in Brittany’s own words, of what will happen as the cancer runs it course:

“I could develop potentially morphine-resistant pain and suffer personality changes and verbal, cognitive and motor loss of virtually any kind. Because the rest of my body is young and healthy, I am likely to physically hang on for a long time even though cancer is eating my mind. I probably would have suffered in hospice care for weeks or even months. And my family would have had to watch that.”

“Death with Dignity”

So, Brittany has decided to die on her own terms. She and her husband moved from California to Oregon so she could take advantage of the state’s “Death with Dignity Law.” Based on her residency and her diagnosis, Brittany obtained a prescription for a self-administered medication. If and when she decides to take it, the drug will put her to sleep and then end her life.

Brittany has chosen to spend the time she has remaining with her loved ones, traveling as long as she can, and working as an advocate for “death with dignity.” Brittany, and many other Americans, believes people with a terminal illness should have the right to choose how and when they die, the right to escape terrible suffering or even the fear of terrible suffering.

Brittany has not scheduled a date when she will take the “death pill.” She at least wanted to wait until after her husband’s birthday on October 26. But she plans to take it when the prospect of living becomes harder than the leaving.

Brittany refers to the medication as her “safety net.” If the end of her life gets too difficult to bear, then she knows she will have a way out. Here are a few of her own words:

“I know it’s there when I need it… When my suffering becomes too great, I can say to all those I love, ‘I love you; come be by my side, and come say goodbye as I pass into whatever’s next.’”

If I am completely honest with myself, and you, I would have to admit that given the same set of circumstances I might choose the same path. (Hear me out on this. Read all the way to the end.)

Without God, Without Hope

Yet, even if I were diagnosed tomorrow with glioblastoma, I would never be in Brittany’s exact situation. There’s one big difference. From everything I can tell, Brittany does not include God in her situation. And that makes all the difference for me.

Knowing God, knowing His character, and knowing His power changes everything. God trumps glioblastoma. And for that matter, anything and everything else.

I’m not saying God would miraculously heal me. But He could if He chose to. And I know and trust He would use every moment He allowed me to live. No matter how painful, how terrible, He would have purpose in it. He would use it to bring glory to Himself. And He would be there with me when I needed Him.

I pray I would never dare to take that into my own hands.

The saddest thing about Brittany is not that she has a terminal illness. It’s not that she has no hope left in this life. No, the saddest thing about Brittany Maynard is that apparently she has no hope for eternity.

Without God, there is no hope for this life or the next (Ephesians 2:12). Brittany needs the “eternal encouragement, good hope, and strength” that only Christ can give (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).

My prayer for Brittany is that she will find eternal hope in Christ before she passes into “whatever’s next.” I pray that instead of “death with dignity” Brittany Maynard will find life in Jesus.

Note: For an example of a believer with this same illness and diagnosis, check out Maggie Karner’s story. Maggie compares her choice to depend on God with Brittany’s choice.

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3 Things I’m Praying for Sadie Robertson

I’ve never really watched Dancing with the Stars – until this season. Sadie Robertson made the difference.

I first learned about Sadie when I started watching Duck Dynasty, the reality TV show that rocketed the entire Robertson family into the national limelight. I love Duck Dynasty for several reasons. First, watching the Robertson clan makes me feel like I’m at a family reunion, minus the long hair and beards. Second, they make me laugh out loud. Third, I want to support fellow believers who are very publicly taking a stand for our Savior.

And that’s why I’m keeping up with this season’s Dancing with the Stars. Sadie’s faith is far more than lip service. She not only constantly expresses her faith verbally, she is also purposeful and intentional about how her relationship with Christ should impact her actions and behaviors. Including her role on Dancing with the Stars.

Sadie wants to glorify God in Louisiana and LA and everywhere in between.

But she can’t do it all alone. Her family knows that. I suspect that’s one reason why they’ve maintained a constant presence out in LA. Sadie needs encouragement, support, and guidance to stand firm and continuously represent Christ well.

If you think about it, Sadie in LA is a bit like a gazelle among a pride of lions. (Maybe that’s why her dad, grandfather, and uncles carry the big guns.) Satan would like nothing better than to make her fall. To show the world that her faith in Christ isn’t real. That it’s all talk and no substance.

Last week’s performance was a prime example. Assigned with dancing the notoriously sexy Rumba, Sadie worked with her partner to keep it within the bounds of her convictions. (Check it out below.)

Click here to view the embedded video.

Sadie and the rest of the Robertson family are striving to be good stewards of the platform God gave them. They desperately desire to point as many people as possible to Jesus during their “fifteen minutes” of fame. And the rest of us have a responsibility to provide prayer support while they do. Will you join me?

Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17 gives us some insight into how we can pray:

14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. John 17:14-19, NLT

Since He was sending His disciples into hostile enemy territory (the world), He knew they needed the protective cover of prayer. We can pray these same things for Sadie, the Robertson family, ourselves, and other believers:

Pray that God would protect them from temptation and from Satan’s schemes.
Pray that God will continue to teach them about Himself, His will, and His ways.
Pray that God will continue to grow them spiritually and make them holy.

As Sadie Robertson intentionally lives out her faith before a watching world, Jesus will be glorified. We may not be a contestant on Dancing with the Stars, but we can impact the Kingdom by faithfully praying for Sadie and other believers in the spotlight. God has given us the important task of prayer cover. Let’s not let them down.

What other ways can we support believers God has placed in high profile positions?

 

 

 

 

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The Great Exchange

Kyle McDonald dreamed of owning a house. He didn’t want to spend any money; he wanted to trade for it. So, inspired by the childhood game “Bigger and Better,” the 26-year-old Canadian man put his sales job on hold to focus on the trading game.

Kyle started by offering one red paper clip on Craig’s list. Soon, two young women who thought the game was fun traded a fish-shaped ink pen for Kyle’s paper clip. The pen became a whimsical doorknob, which became a camping stove, which became a generator.

The trading game was off and running so Kyle started a website. The traded items continued to get bigger and better and included things like a snowmobile, a recording contract, and an afternoon with Alice Cooper. One year and 14 trades later, Kyle traded a speaking part in a movie for a key to his very own house with the town of Kipling, Saskatchewan. (For more on Kyle’s trade)

Kyle got a house for no money. All it took was twelve months and one red paper clip. That’s a pretty good trade. But I know of one trade much “bigger and better.” Jesus willingly makes this trade with all who will receive it.

Before this trade, we are in an eternally desperate situation. We are sinners, separated from God. We deserve nothing but death and eternal punishment. We can do nothing about it ourselves. We can’t be good enough to earn heaven. We can’t work hard enough to purchase eternal life. We are without God and without hope (Ephesians 2:12). (How to know Jesus)

But God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16, NIV

Jesus makes this eternal life possible because He takes what we deserve and gives us what only He can give.

Here’s a sample of how we benefit in this glorious exchange:

Jesus took our punishment and gave us His peace (Isaiah 53:5-6).
Jesus took our eternal condemnation and gave us eternal life (John 3:16-18).
Jesus took our death we earned and gave us justification (Romans 4:23-25).
Jesus took our sin and gives us His righteousness (1 Peter 3:18).

Only Jesus’ sacrificial death is sufficient to provide our eternal salvation. His life satisfied our death penalty. His shed blood makes our forgiveness possible. His life given for our life. What an incredible exchange!

Have you experienced this great exchange? If not, why not today? If you have, tell us what amazes you most about what Jesus has done for you!

This story was taken from Kathy’s newest Bible study, “Embraced by Holiness.”

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Pumpkin Cranberry Bread

It’s that time of year again. Time for football, cooler weather, changing leaves, and all things pumpkin! At my house, that means Pumpkin Cranberry Bread. This spicy, tangy, sweet bread is a long-time favorite.

Although I’ve often referred to it as “my Pumpkin Cranberry bread,” I must confess, I did not create it. I found it on the back of a can of Libby’s pumpkin at least 20 years ago. I’ve taken it to ladies’ Bible study, church socials, and neighborhood coffees. I’ve gifted it to friends and served it to visiting family. It freezes well, so I often double the recipe.

Last Friday I made my first batch of the season and shared some photos on Facebook. Several friends asked for the recipe, so today, I’m sharing it with you!

Pumpkin Cranberry Bread

2 slightly beaten eggs
2 cups sugar
¼ cup oil
1 cup Libby’s Solid Pack Pumpkin
2 ¼ cups flour
1 TBL pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 cup chopped cranberries

Combine eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin in one bowl and mix well. Combine flour, pie spice, soda, and salt in a larger bowl; make a well in the center. Pour pumpkin mixture into the well; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in cranberries. Spoon batter into 2 greased and floured 8 x 3 ¾ x 2 ½ inch aluminum loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

 

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Christian Persecution Right Here in Houston

The City of Houston recently subpoenaed five local pastors in an ongoing legal battle over a controversial city ordinance. The subpoenas demand the pastors turn over any sermons, speeches, and church correspondence related to homosexuality, gender identity, the city’s new equal rights ordinance, or Houston’s first openly gay mayor Annise Parker. If they refuse to comply, they could be held in contempt.

This battle began months ago when the city passed HERO (Houston Equal Rights Ordinance.) The stated purpose of the ordinance is to stop discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. But the ramifications of the regulations – such as transgendered individuals using opposite-sex restrooms – started a firestorm in the city.

Here’s a quick rundown of the battle moves to date:

A local pastors’ coalition started a petition to force the ordinance to a public vote. The city attorney threw out the petition saying thousands of the signatures were not valid.
Opponents of the ordinance filed a lawsuit in August challenging the city attorney’s ruling on the petition.
The city issued subpoenas to five pastors who are not even parties in the lawsuit, but simply belong to the coalition who oppose parts of the ordinance.

On the surface, the players in this fight include the Houston city council, Mayor Parker, Houston-area ministers, and a bunch of lawyers. But in reality this battle is a spiritual one. Satan is fighting to squelch God’s Word.

Specifically, it appears the City of Houston wants to silence pastors on the issue of homosexuality. But generally, it seems the city would keep them from declaring any of God’s truth that conflicts with the city agenda. Essentially, they seek to force Christians to accept the world’s standards over God’s standards.

The specific issue is relatively insignificant. The real issue is much deeper, the clash far greater. When government attempts to sensor and silence those who would speak God’s truth religious liberty is at stake.

Christian Persecution in Houston, Texas

So let’s just call this thing what it is. Christian persecution. Right here in the good ‘ole USA. Right here in the Lone Star State.

It’s happening all over the world. We just aren’t used to dealing with it in our own backyards. But the tide has turned. I have no doubt it is only going to get worse.

And maybe that’s a good thing. (See previous post, “My Changing Perspective on Christian Persecution.”)

The American church has become complacent. We are spiritual couch potatoes. Our faith is flabby from the easy life. While our brothers and sisters across the world boldly declare the name of Christ no matter the cost, we are afraid to invite our neighbor to church.

Are you ready for a faith workout?

How will we respond when persecution comes to our neighborhood? Will we keep quiet about Jesus and hope no one knows we are Christians? Or will we boldly declare His name and stand uncompromisingly on His truth?

Today, I pray for those Houston pastors and their congregations who suffer for the name of Jesus. (See previous post “10 Things to Pray for Christians in Iraq.) May God use their persecution to strengthen their faith and bring glory to the name of Jesus. I also pray for myself. May I be counted with those who stood firm to the end no matter the cost.

Feel free to share a prayer for the pastors, their families, and the fight for religious liberty here in Houston.

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You Gotta Hear the Crunch

Last month, my husband and I spent a week on the island of St. John with some dear, long-time friends, Irvin and Kayleen. Our families have vacationed together numerous times over the years, but this trip was the first time it was just the four of us.

One evening, after another great day on the beach, we were relaxing in the living room of our rented house when Kayleen excitedly announced an unwelcome guest. Looking to my right, I saw a good-sized scorpion running alongside the baseboard. Irvin hopped up and lightly (yes, I said “lightly”) stepped on the critter.

The scorpion wasn’t moving anymore and Irvin pronounced it “dead.” As he plopped back in his chair he mumbled something about picking it up in a few minutes. Well, less than a minute later movement caught my eye. The scorpion wasn’t dead after all and he was trying to make an escape!

I hollered, “Irvin! It’s moving again!” Irvin hurried over and once again lightly stepped on the ugly insect, stopping it once again.

“You barely touched it,” I complained.

“I stepped harder this time. He isn’t going anywhere,” Irvin replied.

“Irvin doesn’t like to hear the crunch,” Kayleen chimed in. “He’s squeamish like that.”

Irvin defended himself. “Gross and totally unnecessary. He’s dead. He’s definitely dead this time.”

Irvin had just barely had time to get settled back in his chair when that blasted scorpion began crawling again!

“Irvin!” I shouted. “The thing is still not dead! Kill it this time! You gotta make it crunch!”

For the third time, Irvin hurried over to the scorpion. This time he stepped hard and we all heard the crunch that confirmed the death of our enemy.

Of course, for the rest of the week, the three of us found opportunities to remind Irvin, “Man, you gotta hear the crunch!”

Oh yes, you definitely have to hear the crunch. It’s true with tough, dangerous insects that might crawl into your bed and bite you. And it’s true with the sin that threatens our spiritual condition.

Sometimes, we only step lightly on the sin, knowing it isn’t good for us, but not quite willing to deal it a deathblow. We “cut back” or set it aside for a while. We stop reading or looking but we don’t throw it out. We only put it on a high shelf. It’s harder to get to, but we know where it is if we decide to go back to it.

The Bible gives us a far different command regarding the sin in our lives:

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry… You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Colossians 3:5, 7-8, NIV

The Greek word translated as “put to death” in Colossians 3:5 means “to make dead, to put to death, slay.” Paul wanted to make sure we understood we shouldn’t play around with the sin in our lives. We can’t “step lightly.” We gotta hear the crunch.

I’ve played it both ways over the years. Yes, I’ve crunched. But other times I’ve stepped lightly. And when I didn’t hear the crunch, those things had a tendency to get up and walk around again.

Man, you gotta hear the crunch.

What does “crunching” or “putting to death” a sin look like?

 

 

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No Such Thing as Spiritual Holding

I’m not sure when it happened. I can’t pinpoint the exact moment in time when the big shift occurred. But without a doubt, I’m now on the downhill side.

Physically, I’m “over the hill.” I’m no longer getting stronger or faster or tighter or smoother.

Nope. From now on it’s all weaker and slower and looser and rougher.

There never seems to be a “status quo” with our physical condition. We are either growing up or we’re growing old.

And even though many of us – not me, but some friends of mine – like to claim they are “39 and holding,” I know for a fact that’s not physically possible.

We improve or we decline. We grow up or we grow old.

And we just continue to grow old and decline until we die. No such thing as “holding.”

Spiritual Growth or Decline

The same is true with our spiritual condition. Spiritual “holding” is not possible. We can either grow and mature spiritually or we can decline. God has not given us an option to “maintain.”

We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” Hebrews 2:1, NIV

The author of Hebrews likens our spiritual condition to a ship on the water. If we aren’t diligent, if we don’t actively work to keep our ship on course, we will drift with the current. The Greek verb translated as “drift away” implies a shifting, even only slightly from the intended course. Without “careful attention,” strong currents or wind can cause a ship to miss the harbor.

Likewise, without diligence and purposeful attention to spiritual growth, cultural currents and worldly winds will cause us to drift off course. There’s no such thing as “holding steady” spiritually. We are either sailing along God’s spiritual course or we’re adrift, at the mercy of every current and breeze.

God reminded me of this truth this week through Beth Moore’s Bible study on 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Children of the Day. She asked us to read 1 Thessalonians 4:1:

Finally brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.

The she proceeded to use Scripture after Scripture to hammer home the truth that God calls us to “more and more.” More holiness. More humility. More righteousness. More diligence. More evangelism. More love. More…

Well, I think you get the idea.

If we aren’t moving toward “more,” than we’re drifting toward “less.”

We have a choice.

To live in such a way that pleases God more and more.

Or

To live in such a way that pleases God less and less.

No spiritual “holding.” We’re either growing or declining. Sailing or drifting.

If this a new thought for you? What can we do to purposefully grow?

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3 Steps to Encourage Holiness in Others

Are the women in your church living holy lives? Are your Christian friends and family members striving to be holy? More than half may not even be trying. God can use you to encourage holiness in the lives of those you influence.

A Sad State

According to a survey by The Barna Group, 54% of American Christians either don’t think God wants them to be holy or simply don’t know.

This statistic merged with real life a couple of years ago when the novel “50 Shades of Grey” hit the NY Times bestsellers list. Women – Christian women included – gobbled it up. Women in my church and your church were reading and talking about a book classified as erotica.

In fact, the wild popularity of erotica books and movies with young moms and housewives coined a new term – “mommy porn.” And many Christian women bought into it all.

Many Christians don’t even think it’s a big deal. In fact, you may be wondering if it really matters.

Why Holiness Matters

Over and over in the Bible, our holy God calls His people to holiness. “But, just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do” 1 Peter 1:15. This call is echoed through numerous New Testament writers to God’s people throughout history. We must not only heed the call, we must encourage others to heed it as well.

This call is for our good and God’s glory. A holy life not only sets us free from the bondage and consequences of sin (Romans 6:22), it also paves the way for deep intimacy with God (Psalm 15:1-2). As we live holy lives, reflecting God’s character to the world, we become bright lights pointing a dark world to Christ (Matthew 15:14-16).

Three Steps Toward Holiness

Those of us in leadership should be leading the charge to holiness, urging those we influence to live holy lives. How can we do that? Here are 3 steps in the right direction.

1. Tell Them Why – Tell why they should be holy and why they would want to be holy. Teach about it in Bible study. Use what’s happening in our culture and current events to bring it into everyday conversation. For instance, the movie of version of “50 Shades of Grey” will release in February 2015. This event will provide a great discussion starter.

2. Show Them What – As leaders, let’s model holiness. Show them what it looks like in a believer’s daily life. “Holy” doesn’t mean self-righteous or judgmental. Just set a humble, but holy example.

3. Teach Them How  - Instruction in holy living should be an element of every discipleship, mentoring, and accountability relationship. Teach them to identify sin in their lives and get rid of it. Help them spot areas of weakness and vulnerability so they can protect themselves from temptation.

If you are a church leader, women’s ministry leader, mentor, teacher, or parent the holiness of God’s people under your care is your responsibility. Tell them why, show them what, teach them how. For their good and God’s glory.

Is holy living emphasized in your church? If so, in what ways?

 

Kathy’s newest book, Embraced by Holiness: The Path to God’s Daily Presence, helps readers discover a deeper intimacy with God through a life of holiness. This six-week, interactive Bible study explores why believers should pursue holiness and guides readers through practical steps to pursuing a holy life.

 

 

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