BE YE PERFECT

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Matthew 5:48 What I am saying is that you must be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

In Matthew chapters 5 and 6 Jesus really said a mouthful. In the middle of them he says; "be ye perfect." Those three words have provoked many explanations, I say explanations because it is multi faceted as to possibilities of meaning.

Right off we need to know, “By what standard are we to be measured by?”

Is it to be our own personal standard? Or could it be the world’s standard?

Then there is GOD'S standard which is often excluded and rejected by the masses.

One thing for sure is the subject matter under consideration is the conduct of individuals and their relationship with other people. Then there are goals we set for which like athletes who run we strive to prevail in.

The scripture addressing the end times found in Revelation 13:8 "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" - - tells us that GOD made provision for man's failings prior to the creation of man.

The realization that my name is enrolled in the "Book OF Life" is awesome and is more than I can fully comprehend at the present time.

All the rights and privileges here and the future are mine as an enrollee in the "Book". I have been ennobled and belong to the "Class of Majesty!"

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The Apostle Paul admonishes us to walk uprightly; Ephesians 4:1,2, I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love,

Ephesians 5:1,2 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

And Peter joins in and says; 2 Peter 1:10 My brothers and sisters, God called you and chose you to be his. Do your best to live in a way that shows you really are God's called and chosen people. If you do all this, you will never fall.

Having said all this I come to an embarrassing question; am I really working on this being perfect or just letting some things slid? Can I do better if I really wanted to? The answer to that brings me to a point where I realize the value of GOD'S grace and am thankful for HIS provision for my lack of perfection!

Tomorrow is another day, another day in which I have an opportunity to fulfill the admonition to "Be Ye Perfect".

I believe you will enjoy Ron Tranmer's Poem on this subject!

"Be Ye Therefore"

by Ron Tranmer

Matthew five, verse forty eight.

is a challenge for the soul.

"Be ye therefore perfect".

What a worthy goal.

With love for God, my father

I'll go about each day,

working toward perfection

as I worship and I pray.

I'll read my Holy Scriptures

and do everything I can.

I'll follow Christ's example,

and I'll help my fellow man.

Then if I don't reach my goal

after giving it my best,

perhaps my Savior's sacrifice

and love will do the rest.

This post has been linked to Michelle’s Thought Provoking Thursday

THE ONLY WHO DIDN’T SPEAK

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I attended a funeral of a friend and as it ended I notice that many had spoken. The minister, children, friends and neighbors.

As I sat there I thought the only one who hasn't spoken was the deceased. Of course I realized if he had spoken the place would probably emptied out quickly, for even in this enlighten age, people aren't ready for such a phenomena.

This thought developed a little further and I wondered if this Christian could speak what would he say. Later I wrote a song with some of things I imagine a deceased Christian might be apt to say. The lyrics are below.

A New Beginning by Robert Moon

Though I have entered through an open door

Don’t think you won't see me any more

It’s in your hearts I will remain

Until we're together once again

It’s not the ending just the beginning

All is so new to me at last I’m truly free

My soul is filled with joy that I’ve not known before

And just to think I will live forevermore

It’s not time to feel remorse

Thinking I should have done so much more

Nothing can be done to change the past

Though we're apart our love will always last

Beyond the veil of tears not counting time in years

My race is run at last forget the past I’m free

Until you join me here you're memory is dear

\And just to think we will live forever more

It’s not the ending just the beginning

All is so new to me at last my soul is set free

My soul is filled with joy that I've not known before

And just to think I will live forevermore

It’s not the ending just the beginning

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Perhaps this song will be played when my time comes for it will express some of my feelings to those left behind.

This post has been linked with Joan Davis  Sharing His Beauty
At The Well Spring with Laura at:  Play Dates With God

WHERE HE LEADS ME I WILL FOLLOW

Being saved back in 1948 in a “Missions oriented church,” we were always challenged with being consecrated to His service.

There wasn't any other lifestyle ever considered it was always stressed to follow the Holy Spirit's leading.

Scriptures like Romans 8:14-16 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God, The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God,

These were imprinted in our minds. We knew God by our relationship, our experience and by standing on the promises of GOD.

This attitude was promoted both by preaching and the songs we sang.

One song that stood out at the end of the services was; "Where He leads me I will follow". The impact of this early training still is with me and is an unchanging mind set.

Over the last couple of decades the church has been blessed with many songs of worship and people are blessed as they in turn praise the Lord. There isn't cause for comparing the songs of worship with the challenging hymns of consecration but both should have a place in our lives.

The songs  and choruses of worship create an atmosphere where the Spirit of GOD can move upon his people and the hymns of consecration are songs that reflect our resolve in our daily life as we are forced to mingle with the world.

The words to the song tell their own story:

"Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated Lord to Thee”

Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to Thee.

Take my moments and my days; Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my will and make it Thine, It shall be no longer mine,

Take my heart, it is Thine own, It shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love my Lord I pour, At Thy feet it’s treasure store,

Take myself and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.

As Jesus said to the Pharisees; "You should have done the latter and done the former also."

Therefore we also sing our songs of worship and the songs of consecration.

Thankfully some songs incorporate both worship and consecration. I love these songs;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkPgph8-yHY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ptwKQD1Ux8&feature=related


This post is Linked with Charlotte’s Spiritual Sundays

WHAT "ME" STUDY?

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I observe my grand children in school some are ready to graduate from high school and already preparing to start college for four years plus graduate school for a few more. Why do they do this?

For the most part it is to prepare themselves to enter the work force and make a living. Due to the technical age we now live in there is much more required of job seekers today.

Some will ignore the opportunities to excel and are satisfied to barely get along. Sad to say some Christians have the same attitude toward preparing to live the Christian life.

2 timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

This is not just a suggestion but is something we are commanded to do.

First off it is so we can understand what a Christian really is and what his responsibilities are before GOD.

The second thing is to be able to communicate the Christ life to others in a concise and accurate way.

A partial understanding of the word of GOD will result in a slip shod lifestyle which isn't acceptable to GOD and strangely enough the World looks down upon it also.

The methodology used starts with daily reading the Bible; second a programmed study of the Bible until it is second nature to you.

Paul addressed one phase of learning in 1 Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren; I would not have you ignorant. Then he goes on and explained about the gifts and their usage.

Lets take Solomon's advice in Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

One of the commandments is to "Study to show yourself approved unto GOD"


This post is shared at: Stacy’s Heartprints Hallelujah
And also is Linked with Laura’s Faith Filled Friday

RIDING THE RANGE FOR JESUS OR FENCE RIDING

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It is a toss up between whether the Church needs the most encouragement or correction.

I lean toward the correction side for some reason, possibly because I took a page out of David's book.

1 Samuel 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people space of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters; but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

I like this verse for it has to do with every day life and the problems therein. David knew what to do in that situation and he looked to GOD for strength for the moment.

The church at Laodicea was characterized by lukewarm ness, something GOD hates and will not tolerate.

Revelation 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Revelation 3:16 So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

This is akin to coughing up luggies it’s so icky.

There are many words that describe the Laodicen church but neutral, a state of insincerity and hypocrisy having made peace with the world's system and still claiming to be totally faithful to GOD.

One thing to keep aware of is GOD doesn't buy it and it is (in GOD'S sight) a despicable state to be in.

Surface wise everything looks great but underneath things are rotten.

Such a man never applies the truth to himself.

Strange that it is put in stark contrast either being saved or unsaved is better than to be in this ambivalent condition. It is like being a drug induced state where you feel as if everything is great and you are doing just fine.

Ephesians 5:18 Stop getting drunk with wine, which leads to wild living, but keep on being filled with the Spirit.

Something I used to hear as a kid was, "Either come in or go out but shut the door." This is what GOD is saying either get in (hot) or get out (cold).

A kind of being self satisfied instead of Spirit edified. The language of Revelation is quite severe because it is dealing with harsh realities.

GOD doesn't accept compromise and even though HE is a GOD of grace in the end each must measure up to HIS standard.

The church age was ushered in by tongues of fire, and people were filled with the HOLY SPIRIT. As one man described his Spirit filled condition; I guess it must have leaked out, hence the need for a continual coming back to the fountain for a spiritual refreshing.

There is no such thing as an ambivalent relationship with GOD nor will there be. It must be "All in," and nothing else!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqJQv5gH5Gg

This post has been linked to Michelle’s Thought Provoking Thursday

FOUR LITTLE WORDS

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Some three months before his passing Nat "King" Cole recorded the song "Three Little Words"

"Three little words, oh what I'd give for that wonderful phrase,

To hear those three little words, that's all I'd live for the rest of my days.

And what I feel in my heart, they tell sincerely.

No other words can tell it half so clearly.

Three little words, eight little letters which simply mean I love you."

The Bible says it a little differently, it uses four little words in - -

Ephesians 5:25a "Husbands love your wives".

Perhaps it is a little more personal to say "Husband love your wife" specifically. On the surface this seems like a simple task but in reality it may be a little harder than first thought.

1Peter 3:7 In the same way, you husbands should live with your wives in an understanding way, since they are weaker than you. You should show them respect, because God gives them the same blessing he gives you--the grace of true life. Do this so that nothing will stop your prayers from being heard.

Right off this eliminates physical and mental abuse, cheating, a violation of trust and selfishness. I thought this was an interesting statement by Dr. Dar "Being in love is not long lasting. Loving someone is long lasting. If you have LOVE, keep it because LOVE is the staying power, LOVE is what lasts, LOVE is what has you make choices for the benefit of the relationship.

I am not saying that the 'in love' fluttering feeling goes away, I am saying that it is not a sustainable feeling, it comes and goes throughout the relationship." Marriage should be a partnership and understood as such with contributing and receiving what they need from it. It also requires commitment, a rare kind of commitment which includes first total commitment to GOD and then to each other.

Having been to several weddings including my own, loving your wife seems to be off to a great start at the end of the ceremony. 

All the kissing and hugging and the honey moon, and everything, but the fact is that sometimes, some how things change and the husband stops loving his wife or vice versa and the outcome is separation. Husbands love your wife isn't a suggestion it is a commandment so men; choose ye carefully because;

1Corinthians 7:3 The husband should give his wife what she deserves as his wife. And the wife should give her husband what he deserves as her husband.

This writer has some interesting insight on the cause of separation at;
http://theadventurouswriter.com/quipstipsrelationships/reasons-relationships-fail-couples-split-up/

And listen to Nat sing Three Little Words. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3tvkhy8qqM

Linked up with Jennifer at God Bumps and Incidents
http://gettingdownwithjesus.com/

MEEK AND MILD

Jesus is Angry at the Money Changers !!
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Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Philippians 2:5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Luke 6:29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also.

Matthew 5:39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

These and many more scriptures like them when followed to the letter reduces the church to a state of impotence where any and every anti- Christ can run rough shod over it.

This emaciated state allows entities like Hollywood to have no more respect for GOD'S name than they would a rat.

They wouldn't dare to use the name "Allah" in such a way for fear of their lives and with good reason.

While we sit around being "meek and mild" the world system disrespects our Creator in the most dastardly way possible.

Should some believers rise up and challenge these heathen the first ones to criticize them would be the so called church trying to their to keep their skirts clean of this defilement by zealots.

When we look around us at the filth around us isn't it time for this powerful organism called the church to act like the church of Christ, that Jesus died for and begin to speak out without fear of censure ?????

Ask those who were defiling the temple if Jesus was a "Sit backer" that ignored the present conditions so he could be meek and mild.

This post is Linked with Jen’s Soli Deo Gloria