Embraced by Holiness: The Path to God’s Daily Presence – Excerpt

Embraced by Holiness book cover image

By Kathy Howard

WEEK ONE: Arms Open Wide

Our neighbors are building a fence. They moved in several months ago, but until recently the property line between our driveway and their backyard was wide open. With no barrier between our properties, I noticed when Dad played Catch with his three sons, and I enjoyed the beautiful landscaping around their patio.

fall scents for your home

All that began to change when I left town last week. The first thing I noticed when I got home were the sturdy wooden posts firmly planted in the ground every few feet between our yards. Within days, cedar fencing replaced my unobstructed view of my neighbors’ yard.

I’m not against suburban fences. But watching that physical fence go up reminded me of other kind of fences we tend to build, particularly between ourselves and God. Our heavenly Father longs for intimate fellowship with us. He invites us to know Him fully and deeply. Yet the lack of holiness in our lives builds a barrier.

To experience deep intimacy with our holy God, we must share in His holiness. God longs to draw us close, so He calls us to live holy lives. Sin builds barriers and creates distance. Holiness breaks down walls and fosters fellowship.

In our first week of study, we’ll explore God’s holiness and discover why holiness matters in our lives. We’ll also hear God’s call to holiness, His invitation to fellowship with Him. With arms wide open, He beckons you to draw near, to close the distance between you and Him. Can you hear Him call your name?

Day One: Just Like Our Father

To mark the occasion of my parents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary, my brother put together a slide show. The evening before the big party, our family looked through the images. A photo taken of my mom and dad in the late 1970’s popped up on the screen. I had to look twice to confirm it was Mom and not myself staring back.

Physically, I highly resemble my mother. I inherited her green eyes and angular facial features. Our voices sound like stereo. When people look at me, they immediately know I’m related to Margaret. Similarly, I should resemble my heavenly Father enough that people will know I’m His child. When people spend time with me, I should remind them of God. When Christians live holy lives, we reflect God’s character to the world.

Would you use the word holy to describe yourself? If you said “no,” you have a lot of company. According to a poll by the Barna Group, only 29% of Americans who claim to have a personal, saving relationship with Jesus Christ consider themselves to be holy.[i]

Do you think God wants you to be holy? Only 46% of American Christians say “yes.”[ii] That means the majority—about 54%—either don’t think God wants them to be holy or  just don’t know. Let’s see what the Bible says.

Read the following Scripture passages, and record what they teach about holiness. Include God’s expectations for our holiness and why we should be holy.

Leviticus 20:7–8

Romans 12:1

Ephesians 1:3–4

This article is an excerpt from “Embraced by Holiness: The Path to God’s Daily Presence.” This 6-week Bible study by Kathy Howard helps readers discover a deeper intimacy with God through a life of holiness. Explore why believers should pursue holiness and walk through practical steps to pursuing a holy life. You can read the entire first week of here: http://issuu.com/newhopedigital/docs/embraced_by_holiness_excerpt?e=6362996/7859229

“Embraced by Holiness” is in stock now at CBD for just $6.99!

http://www.christianbook.com/embraced-holiness-path-gods-daily-presence/kathy-howard/9781596694095/pd/694095?product_redirect=1&Ntt=694095&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP



[i]The Barna Update, “The Concept of Holiness Baffles Most Americans,” February 20, 2006, https://www.barna.org/barna-update/5-barna-update/162-the-concept-of-holiness-baffles-most-americans#.UgDr5FM1Z-U, accessed August 6, 2013, 7:30am

[ii] Ibid.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Embraced by Holiness: The Path to God’s Daily Presence – Excerpt
Scroll to Top