From: "Beverly French" <frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us>
To: "C & P Greene" <greenehouse72@juno.com>
Subject: Sunday Greetings
Date: Sunday, June 04, 2000 8:32 AM

"...But He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness."
Hebrews 12:10b

I have thought about this verse of Scripture from last Sunday's message a
great deal this past week.  God, the God of the Universe, the eternal One,
our Heavenly Father, desires that we share His holiness.  To do this He
child trains us.  Remember, we are a new creation, a babe who must be
trained that is what discipline means here.  He has been child training each
one from that new birth.  Let's look at some Scriptures that proclaim God's
holiness.

Exodus 15:1-18 is the song of Moses and the Istaelites after they crossed
the Red Sea.  Vs. 11 seems to sum up the awe and wonder of God in this
passage.
"Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods?  Who is like You, glorious in
holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders?"

Not only God's people acknowledged God's holiness, but even the enemies of
the people of God, the Philistines, as in 1 Samuel 6:20,
"And the men of Beth-shemesh said, Who is able to stand before the Lord,
this holy God?..."

Psalm 99 is one that gives praise to the Lord for His fidelity, loyality and
faithfulness.  The Psalmist states three times that He is holy,
"...He is exalted above all the peoples.  Let them confess and praise
Your great name, awesome and reverence inspiring!  It is holy, and holy is
He!"  Vs. 3
"Extol the Lord our God and worship at His footstool!  Holy is He."  Vs. 5
"...Worship at His holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy!" Vs. 9

The Seraphim, heavenly beings, also tells of His holiness,
"And one called out to another and said,
 'Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts,
 The whole earth is full of His glory.'"  Isaiah 6:3
Also, in Revelation 4:8, the four living creatures said,
"Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who
is to come."

God Himself states this truth in Ezekiel 39:7,
"And My holy name I shall make known in the midst of My people Israel; and I
shall not let My holy name be profaned anymore.  And the nations will know
that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel."

Then in Revelation 15 is the Song of Moses and the song of the Lamb,
"Great and marvelous are Thy works,
 O Lord God, the almighty;
 Righteous and true are Thy ways,
 Thou King of the nations.
 Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Thy name?
 For Thou alone art holy;
 For all the nations will come and worship before Thee,
 For Thy rightous acts have been revealed."  Vs. 3-4

And we are to share His holiness, set apart unto God.  How very necessary
then is the need for God's discipline -- child training!  The world and it's
ways have no portion in the Kingdom of God!  Therefore, we recognize and
take heed of the Scriptures that tell of God's work in us that we may share
His holiness.
There are many, but these come to mind,
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing
of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good
and acceptable and perfect."  Romans 12:2

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which
God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."  Ephesians 2:10

"For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good
pleasure."  Phiulipians 2:13

Hallelujah!  We are His and He is at work!  So in everything we give thanks.

And I close with the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians l:6
"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you
will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."
Hallelujah and Amen!