For as long as I can remember I have always struggled with wanting to be perfect. Not in a prideful way, but just in a, to be perfect is to be 100% and doesn’t perfection mean no problems, or issues, or failings, guilt or shame and everything would be all good, all the time?

My perfection idealism, I have been shown, is a longing for Heaven. It isn’t just me who I want to be perfect, I want everything and everyone to be perfect as well.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Revelation 21:4 (NIV)

While we cannot be perfect (completely sinless) in this life, we can work every day at being refined by the Creator. There was a perfect one, Jesus and His life had issues and problems, though he had no failings, He was sinless. And by His sinlessness, sacrifice, and resurrection, God looks at us (those who have accepted Him as savior) as perfect too.

This is the good news, the gospel, the message of salvation.

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:22-24 (NIV)

Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
Isaiah 1:18 (ESV)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 (NIV)

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)

And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.
1 John 3:5 (NKJV)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 (ESV)

Please do not be discouraged either when I write we cannot be completely sinless. I know there is some debate on this topic. However, let's be real with one another, the world we live in is pretty vile, and God’s ways/nature is on point, pure and above that which we can comprehend at times. Do we in 2020 even know every time we do fall anymore, as sin is stitched through the fabric of our society? Not that we are under the law but look at it for comparison in this instance, the rules, and regs that were set forth, or look at the 10 commandments and compare that with some of the shows we all watch. Though we are not “doing it ourselves” does focusing our mind on such things have the potential to distort us and cause us to fall (even if in other ways), I do think so.

Whew. 

Ok this has taken a bit of an unexpected turn as writing has continued, and I will conclude with this.

As always, I do not write things from a lofty, above everyone else, perspective. I do not think I am better than any of you and, if anything (from time to time), I feel like the worst human that ever has existed. It is only by Jesus Christ, do I have hope. There are many wrong choices I have made in life, even knowing the truth of Salvation and having a relationship with the Trinity, because of free will. Yet, we always have the chance to pick up, start again, and be a better person through the Trinity. Memories of my past try to eat away at my future, but I know and trust that what is in God’s word is true.

The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”
Hebrews 10:15-17 (NIV)

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:11-12 (NIV)

Peace and blessings to you through Jesus Christ. ❤

Let me introduce to you Rodney, a co-worker, father, husband, coach and (most importantly) man of God, who I will always remember as saying "I know what I am and I know whose I am" with 100% confidence in his countenance. While having group breakfast at work a few weeks ago the topic came up about right vs wrong and children being taught vs predisposition of certain behaviors. He shared with me what he wrote the below, and I asked if he would be kind enough to let me post it on the blog, he was and welcomes any comments and feedback!

THE NEED FOR CHRIST

BY RODNEY L. SMOKES

If you have ever had the privilege of raising a child, or being close by while one was being raised, then the question of our nature has been answered for you. You don’t have to teach a child to do wrong; you have to train them to do right. We come in the world selfish and desiring to please only ourselves. Try this: instruct a small child not to eat any of the cookies left on the kitchen counter, and then walk out of the room. When you return to see the little child’s teeth marks left in one of the cookies, ask him if he was the one who ate of the cookie. Any parent knows the answer that is going to come forth out of the child’s mouth; “no” (if not this situation, you have one like it).

Why is this? Why do we have to train our children to be honest and to obey instruction? The reason is simple; we are born in sin and shapen in iniquity. After the flood Noah offered burnt offerings unto the Lord. And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in His heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done (Genesis 8 ).

 We have witnessed the truth in this saying, yet we deceive ourselves into thinking we are born innocent, and then made corrupt. We are corrupt from our beginning. What man has entered into the world without sin (save Jesus Christ)? For if our fathers, since Adam, are sinners, how then can their seeds be without sin (which is in their sinful bodies)? Why do we have traits of our fathers? A man can have a child and then desert him, and that child will still be like his father. Why is this? A man’s seed is from him, and of him. A misconception has been passed along among the peoples. God only created two people. All other souls are born of man (save Jesus Christ). This is the predicament of man: God hates sin. How then can man fellowship with God? How can we know Him? For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3).

This is the need for Christ: that we may be forgiven for that which we are guilty of. The question then becomes, how. How might we be saved through this man called Jesus? By what means is Jesus able to cleanse us of our sins? If man is born in sin and Jesus was born a man, where is his saving power? Jesus was born of a virgin for this very reason; that he may be the perfect sacrifice. Before Jesus, the people would give sacrifices to atone for their sins. These sacrifices were not unto salvation but for atonement and a sign of what was to come. Because of sin there was no perfect sacrifice in the earth. This is the need for Christ and him crucified. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many (Romans 5).

So, who is this Jesus? Jesus is the only begotten Son of the Father. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man commeth unto the Father, but by me. There is no salvation apart from Jesus. If we are to be forgiven of our sins, we must believe in Him. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: But he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God (John 3).

So, for those who believe in Jesus Christ, they are forgiven their sins; for Christ stood in our place and died for us. Does this mean that we, believers, are no longer guilty of our sins? How could that be? We committed the sins. Forgiveness is the covering of sins. You do not cover that which is not there in the first place. Yes, the penalty is paid and our record will be made clean. But the difference between the saved and the damned is belief in Christ, not sin. When Jesus comes back, we shall be made like him, but let us not forget the sacrifice he made on our behalf. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, Holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (Romans 12). Because Christ died for our sins, it is a reasonable service indeed.

No serious scholar, of any sort, says that Jesus didn’t exist. Christians believe he is the Son of God; he was born of a virgin, died on the cross, rose from the dead in three days and now sits on the right hand of God in heaven. Muslims believe that Jesus was born of a virgin, but that he was not the Son of God, but a prophet. Jews believe he was blasphemous, and are still waiting on Christ to show up for the first time. So, the separation between the world’s three largest religions centers on who Jesus is.

What do you believe?

It seems as if a day doesn’t go by in which a sentence doesn’t escape my lips which begins with “I can’t believe this generation”, “the generation we are in is so”, “for sure Sodom and Gomorrah had to be just like this because”, etc .. etc .. etc. There is no escaping the fact that the world we live in is getting ever more openly sinful by the second and sometimes it just makes me want to scream. Of course, as I was reminded ever so gently by my mother (while driving back from Labor day vacation), “no one is perfect, we all have flaws, we must leave the personal conviction up to God”. Understood, noted and accepted – I retorted back, but alas my repetitive vocalizations as of late would not allow the quick response to go unresolved within my mental faculties yet again. So as with a wonderful and simplistic, but caring sign I was offered a logical “next step” of my merry-go-round view of society presented by the next song that played on the radio …

Losing by Tenth Avenue North

I can't believe what she said

I can't believe what he did

Oh, don't they know it's wrong

Don't they know it's wrong

Well maybe there's something I missed

But how could they treat me like this

It's wearing out my heart

The way they disregard

This is love or this is hate.

We all have a choice to make

Oh, Father won't You forgive them

They don't know what they've been doin' (oh no)

Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them

Cause I feel like the one losin'

Well it's only the dead that can live

But still I wrestle with this

To lose the pain that's mine

Seventy times seven times

Cause Lord it doesn't feel right

For me to turn a blind eye

Though I guess it's not that much

When I think of what You've done.

This is love or this is hate.

We gotta a choice to make

Oh Father won't You forgive them

They don't know what they've been doin' (oh no)

Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them

Cause I feel like the one losin'

Why do we think that our hate's gonna break a hard heart

We're rippin' arms over wars that don't need to be fought

Cause pride wont let us lay our weapons on the ground

We build our bridges up but it's just to burn them down

We think our pain is own apologies and get them to stop

Well truth be told it doesn't matter if they're sorry or not

Cause freedom comes when we surrender to the sound

Of Your mercy and Your grace, Father, send Your angels down

[X2]

Oh Father won't you forgive them

They don't know what they've been doin'

Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them

Cause I feel like the one losin'

I feel like I've been losing

Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them

Cause I feel like the one losin'

God is good, great and wondrous, correct? AMEN HE IS (rhetorical question).

Dear Heavenly Father – We thank You for all that You have given your children – from merely being born, to sustaining us with Your Spirit, to offering salvation through Your Son. May we keep our eyes focused on You Father God, not allowing ourselves to be consumed with the world around us, but alas being consumed BY YOU and YOUR WILL for our lives. Thank you for being patient with us Father, as though we may have read the Bible a thousand time, simple concepts elude us. We are grateful for Your earnest understanding and our humility and humbleness. In the name by the One without which there is no hope, Jesus Christ, we pray, amen.

SiC ❤

This is probably the first of many to come, but a combination of the “WaxNotNeeded” devotional and the *LoveIs* ministry updates. As it is written below, is in general how it was spoke for the people who attended today.

In Ezekiel 3:17-21 God spoke to Ezekiel and charged Him to carry out His will by letting the people (house of Israel) know they were in the wrong. We all have one thing in common, well we have many things, but this is something we all could do without. What is it? Biased opinions and judgments based on our own past and that which has been taught to us. Everyone has them, but yet we are called to not judge others, as it states in Matthew 7:1-2.

Who alone knows what is right and wrong for every person? God, so let Him be the one to determine in a person’s life what they should change, not you. Of course, as Christians we do get the general basis of good and evil, but does that discernment not more so come from the Holy Spirit then from ourselves? What used to be right, now is wrong and what used to be wrong, is now right. Prime example? Speaking about God. Who ever thought that we would see the day when prayer was taken out of school. When people were asked to keep quiet about their faith and trust in Jesus, rather than boldly proclaim it and have group discussions that Honor the Creators name.

So do not go upon one another, based off of your own thoughts and feelings, but allow God to work – allow God to be the judge of your fellow man and PRAY FOR THEM. For if someone is doing something you find wrong (let’s say drinking, example only as it is one that is debated among the denominations), but yet it is written that we are ALL sinners – and if all sin is on the same level to God, well … we are pretty much all in the same boat eh? Can I get an AMEN for GRACE? Judgment divides people. Judgment created (to some degree) the many, many denominations and various “sects” all under the title of Christianity. Judgment as it is written, is better to be left in the hands of the perfect One, for He has no blame – nor basis of self-righteousness, He is put pure good. 

Does this mean to say that if God has placed on your heart to speak to a person about something that is “unclean” in their life you ignore Him? By no means, as it is what Ezekiel was called to do, but GOD told him to do it, He did not go about it on his own accord.

////

Recollection, shared words and show-n-tell from Little 5 Points today ->

Don't allow ANYONE to get in your way for what you are called to do for God. Sometimes in can be the same people who are called to stand by your side that won't understand 100% what you have been called to do.

Don't sweat the petty stuff! 

Hand Made Palm Frond Cross w/ Rose, a
gift from a nice young lady (aka SISTER IN CHRIST)
who attends the Sunday gatherings. 

Dear Heavenly Father, 

We come to You today to thank you for another day. Thank You for each breath You allow us to breathe. May we use that breathe to carry out Your will and be a leading example to others. May we cling to You during all times and thank You continuously for all which You have done. In the name of Jesus ><>

SiC <3

[Disclaimer on above post :: Please note I am in NO WAY saying to negate Biblical doctrine, this is more so about personal viewpoints learned over the years in which "may not be" Biblical doctrine. I mean in years past there were movements against how "all rock music" was satanic .. sorry but there is nothing satanic about Project 86 or Demon Hunter, they ROCK OUT with their CROSS OUT for the Almighty with EPIC drum beats, angelic vocals and superb guitar riffs] 

“Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; And where there is sadness, joy.”

The above mentioned prayer is one of six located on a prayer dice given to me by a long time friend before they moved away onto a new adventure. It is one of my favorite prayers on the dice, because it is a call not to benefit oneself, but to benefit mankind. Admittedly, my view on the world is less than optimistic. I think mainstream radio is too sexual, that the fashion of today beckons us all to be running around fully naked in the next decade and that the world we now live in far surpasses what went on in the former cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Does this mean I am hopeless? No, it means I am a realist. The Bible forecasted the destruction of mankind even before the son of God was born, but we are now witnessing the pages come alive in the foretold script (ever more so rapidly). This generation has grasped upon the slogan of “don’t hate” in terms of one judging another and has become ever more clickish in the hope of general acceptance, but yet all the while searching for a deeper meaning and purpose. Why? Because people just don’t know God (in true form). Am I claiming that once someone comes to knowledge of truth that everything becomes sunshine and roses? Well in a matter of speaking, yes (though of course as we are told in the Bible the path of a believer isn't EASY, but WORTH IT - so I am not trying to sell you on anything).

A life with purpose is a life worth living, a life with purpose (although it has its ups and downs, its smiles and tears), still outweighs a vacant life drifting about with no real design. Sure, we live in a world where some may dispute this and say “it feels good, so I do it” and want to negate my writing, but trust in what I say, because I have lived it. I have gone through periods of the “it feels good, do it” lifestyle all while knowing in the back of my mind what is at stake. In fact, let’s be honest, we as Christians all struggle with it (sin is appealing), but when things get extra tough and my head won’t seem to shut down, I am reminded of the following verse->

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Matthew 6:24

So basically, as the Demon Hunter track This Is The Line (awesome song aka my “battle theme song”) ends, “What side are you on?”

Dear Heavenly Father, We come to You today with open hearts and minds, thanking You for calling us Your children, seeing us worthy through Your son Jesus Christ, to redeem us back to You through the shedding of His innocent blood. May we not get downcast by the world we live in, but ever remembering YOU ARE IN CONTROL and that you put this all into motion before the ground we now walk upon was even formed. May we realize that we do not have the promise of tomorrow and that we are called to be a shining light, a leading example today … each and every day … to those that are unaware of the truth and to those who live in the light, but just need encouragement. Show us our purpose in You God and strengthen all of Your creation so we might bring about a worldy revival, where as countless of numbers are added into Your court. Thank You, likewise, for many – many years ago sending Your Spirit upon the Earth, so that we might never be alone. In the name of the Perfect one, Jesus Christ, ><>

SiC <3