"P.H.", Balanced.

Yesterday was the first Sunday in the new year, and our senior pastor spoke on Bronx Bethany's theme for 2013: Pursuing Holiness...Promoting Healing.

I found myself thinking, This theme carries a high price tag. But what a joy to pay the cost of personal sanctity! What a privilege to be a witness and participant in the healing power of God!

Our theme is deeply rooted in Scripture and it will take some time for us to really get into the heart of the theme. Yesterday's message (which was also shared in the Saturday night service) was a starting point. Pastor Sam shared three key Scripture verses which I would like to leave with you. My prayer is that as we reflect on these verses, we will gain a deeper understanding of the roles of holiness and healing in the Christian life.

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14, New Living Translation)

God’s readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone! We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness. (Titus 2:11-14, The Message)

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (First Peter 2:9, New American Standard Bible)


Lord God, our Father, You have shown us love and taught us how to live according to Your will. Help us to not just read Your word, but to do what You say, so that we might have the privilege of seeing You at work in our lives on earth. We love You and we thank You for teaching us. Help us, every day, to look more and more like You. We ask this in the name of Jesus our King. Amen.