file:  /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db940820.txt
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OUR DAILY BREAD                  Saturday, August 20, 1994
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READ:  1 Peter 1:13-19

                 "THE DRIVE FOR PERFECTION"

             "As He who called you is holy, you
              also be holy in all your conduct."

                     1 Peter 1:15

Along the country road that our family takes to a favorite
recreational spot is a house that we always notice.  Every
time we pass it, someone calls out, "Perfect house!"

We call this ranch-style home by this name because from
our vantage point, as we whiz by, it looks flawless.  The
lawn looks like carpet.  The shrubs are perfectly clipped.
The windows shine.  Nothing looks shabby or out of place.

As we drive past, we usually get a clear indication why
the house looks so neat.  The owners are almost always
outside working to keep things looking nice.  With bucket
or rake in hand, they seem determined to fight off dirt
and decay and unwanted growth to keep their home looking
good.

As a homeowner who understands how tough it is to keep
everything just right, I can appreciate the efforts of
this couple.  But for me they also symbolize something
else.  In Scripture, God says, "Be holy, for I am holy"
(1 Pet. 1:16).  That means we are to strive for perfection.
Like those homeowners, we can never reach perfection.  Yet
we must keep at it -- cleaning out bad habits here,
clipping troublesome thoughts there.  It takes constant
effort, but with the Spirit's help we are to continue
in our drive for perfection.

    -- J. David Branon

 More purity give me, more strength to o'ercome,
    More freedom from earth-stains, more longings for home,
 More fit for the kingdom, more used would I be,
 More blessed and holy, more, Savior, like Thee.

    -- Bliss

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
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Every child of God should bear a growing likeness to the
Son of God.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Jeremiah 50-52


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Our Daily Bread, Copyright 1994, used by permission of
Radio Bible Class, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49555, USA.
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