“God takes us into deep waters, not to drown us but to cleanse us.” — Author Unknown

Deuteronomy 10:17 NLT  “The Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and takes no bribes.

Our Heavenly Father is Holy and Righteous.  He does not change.  His standard, we must meet.  We must live in His Will, not get Him to approve ours. Christ has set the standard in how we are to relate to the Most High God. Although He shows us unconditional love, mercy and grace, this doesn’t mean we can act and live any way we choose and still expect Him to bless us.

We are new creatures in Christ. Our old way of life and living is no longer acceptable. Therefore, we must desire the life that Christ has won for us. To be Holy as He is Holy. To live in and by love, instead of by our selfish desires and wants.  Our lives are to represent Christ in everything we do, say, believe, think and act.  Our attitudes should be ones of peace, love and hope.  We should always be ready to provide encouragement and help to those around us and share with them the truth of the Gospel of Christ.

Christ’s coming to earth to live among man was not Him coming down to our level. No, it was to show us how to be renewed, cleaned, and restored, in order to live in God’s presence.

That should be our goal my brothers and sisters: to live in His presence.

We have to want it.  We have to desire it.  We need to pray for it.

Dear Lord, please hear our hearts this morning to live for you and not for this world.  Help us to see and understand that we were made to reside in your presence. Work on our hearts and minds to realize that everything we truly need resides in you.  We praise you and thank you for your presence in our lives.  For your glory and for your love.  Forgive us for being distracted by the things of this world and help us to seek after you daily.  We love you and thank you for loving us.  In Jesus name we pray, Amen.