Kiss Each Other

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Christian Perfection (I)

How good does a person have to be in order to be saved? Perhaps we can best answer that question by asking, how perfect is God?

Jesus said, “You are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).

The LORD God told the children of Israel, “You shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy” (Leviticus 19:2; cf. Deut. 18:13).

The Hebrew word tam or tamim means to be “without defect” or “without blemish.” The Hebrew sacrifices had to be “without blemish,” spotless and entirely without defect (Exodus 12:5; 29:1; 1 Pet. 1:19; Eph. 5:27). Another word shalem means “whole” or “complete.” That which is without defect or blemish is complete.

God’s righteous standard never changes because He does not change. God is the perfect standard or He would not be God.

Jesus used the word “perfect” (teleioi from telos) meaning end, goal, limit. It is the absolute standard of our heavenly Father. Such a person is perfect or fully developed “in a moral sense.” Therefore, in the moral realm it means “blameless.”

Jesus is the perfect example of that divine standard (1 Peter 2:21-25).

The word “holy” in Leviticus 19:2 gives us the reason for the sacrifices under the Mosaic law. God is holy and man is a sinner. Sin separates man from God. The source of our sanctification is “the LORD who sanctifies you” (20:8). The meaning is to set apart or separate.

God’s standard for man is complete, perfect, moral rectitude. To be acceptable to God every human being must be as blameless and sinless as Jesus Christ.

That standard of righteousness creates a moral and spiritual crisis for all mankind. The Bible tells us we have all sinned and fall short of such moral perfection. “There is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). God’s standard is a clean heart and it is evident from studying the Sermon on the Mount that no one can live up to its demands (cf. Matt. 5:20-25, 27). The center of our personality condemns us. Jesus said, “Out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornicators, thefts, false witnesses, slanders,” etc. (15:18-20). It is the heart that has to be changed (2 Cor. 5:17).

I have a problem. I am a sinner. But my problem is even greater than I ever imagined. “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). Our sinning can be illustrated by an archer shooting his arrows from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Central America, at the North Pole. He will miss it every time. It will always fall short. No one will ever get to heaven by his or her own efforts because we miss God’s perfect standard.

God never lowers His standards to accommodate sinful man. His absolute holiness is the standard. He will not accept half-way or half-hearted obedience. God is infinite in His perfections.  Jesus is saying in Matthew 5:48, “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  We are to be “brought to completion, full-grown, lacking in nothing.”

How can that be since what has been written describes me?  Great!  Because that is why Jesus Christ went to the cross and died as a sacrifice for sin.  “The wages of sin is death,” and Jesus died your death on the cross.  Based on the atoning sacrificial death of Jesus Christ as our substitute, God can now save us by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.  God credits to our account the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ.  God dealt in full with our penalty by sending Christ to the cross to die for us.  When we believed on Christ, God the Father and Judge declared us acquitted based on the saving work of Christ.

Every Christian struggles with holiness in his life, and all of us will until we see Jesus Christ face to face (Phil. 3:12-16).

God makes us holy by changing us from the inside out (2 Cor. 3:18).  It is a progressive sanctification, not a once-for all sinless perfection before we die.

The ultimate goal of the believer is to live in harmony with Matthew 5:48, and “to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect.”

We will be established “unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints” (I Thess. 3:13).

It is to those who strive to attain the goal that the victory is assured.  We will reach the ideal goal of perfection when we see Jesus in glory.  It will be the perfect gift to the believer (Psa. 17:15); Phil. 1:6; 3:12; II Tim. 4:7, 8; Rev. 21:27; 7:14).

May you have a grateful heart towards He who has given so much to you.

indeovi vas ( may you live with Jesus in Latin )

Seleh- stop and think about it.

Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006

Anyone is free to use this material and distribute it, but it may not be sold under any circumstances whatsoever without the author’s written consent.

I Was Pressured Greatly To

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 1 John 2:15 The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation

Being a bit of an old geezer, I have seen oh so many fads come and go.

There was the hippy generation, the disco generation, the punk generation, and I have no idea what the generations from the nine teen nineties are called.

During one of them I was pressured greatly to conform to their lifestyle. I was bullied and laughed at a lot because of my refusal to join in the fun times.

It is interesting to see them now. They realize that lifestyle was meaningless.

Reflecting back on my walk with Christ in that time there are moments of pure ecstasy, there were many moments of suffering which brought me ever closer into Christ’s loving arm and engaged my trust in Him my adoration in Him, my love for Him and my dedication in service unto Him. This was good and pleasing unto my cherished Father in Heaven, King in Heaven and amazing tutor ( The Holy Spirit ) .

Mind you, this transformation will continue even in our Heavenly Home so do not think you are a finished product.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation

“I came to Him because I did not know which way to turn. I remained with Him because there is no other way I wish to turn. I came to Him longing for something I did not have. I remain with Him because I have something I will not trade. I came to Him as a stranger. I remain with Him in the most intimate of friendships. I came to Him unsure about the future. I remain with Him certain about my destiny. “Ravi Zacharias

Prayer: Oh my Beloved Jehovah Bara (The Lord Creator Isaiah 40:28 ) thank you for Your patient transformation of this rough piece of clay into the beautiful creation You intend for me to be. I look forward to experiencing what the finished product will be in Heaven. I extol Thee in the name of He who took twelve rag tag hilly billy boys from Galilee into a fire that set the world aflame two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ. Amen.

May you allow yourself to be transformed into a Heavenly creation. Joseph a son of Jehovah

This article and photo @ 2021 Joseph a son of Jehovah. All rights reserved. Used only by permission of the author.

So Too is it With

Because I am in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], I am a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. 2 Corinthians 5:17 The Holy Bible, The New Living Testament Version

Have you ever seen them graft one tree into another?

I have always found that fascinating. The grafted part becomes a part of the tree. It depends upon it for sustenance. Indeed, if it was a different species it now becomes a new one.

So too is it with our relationship with Christ.

The moment we accept Him as our Saviour, King and best friend He begins grafting us into one of His own. We depend upon Him for our mental, physical and spiritual health.

The things that once fascinated us soon become repugnant and repulsive to us.

Now, we have become more like Him we have the same disposition as Him and the same fancies.

This is strange to those on the outside and so they mock us. That is to be expected because those on the out side mocked Jesus as well.

The Holy Spirit is the best make over artist of all Joseph a son of Jehovah

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Bore (Isaiah 40:28 The LORD Creator ) for blessing me with grafting me into You most beautiful holy family. I thank you in the name of He whose blood made it all possible Jesus Christ. Amen

May the light of Christs love shine brightly in your heart today and every day Joseph a son of Jehovah

Photo and article @ Joseph a son of Jehovah 2020

You are Quick To

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” (Gal. 5:17). The Holy Bible, New International Version

Here is where the most brutal battle is fought.

No it is not some famous place like Dunkirk, Vimy Ridge or Nanjing.

It is the no holds barred fight between Spirit and flesh.

Flesh can be considered lust and self serving.

Spirit is of course the Holy Spirit.

The battle occurs every day. Sometimes it is little battles, sometimes it is horrible battles. Think of an alcoholic recovering from his hellish addiction.

The flesh battles the Spirit. And says: “Come on, you have recovered, one drink won’t hurt.

” Or “remember all the fun we had on those drunken parties?”

The Spirit says “Remember all the hangovers and depression, shame experienced when you sobered up?”

How about gossiping? Yeah let’s gossip about______ (fill in the blank).

Let’s hop in the sack with ___.

The list goes on and on.

Let’s cheat on a test at school (where the laugh is on you because you are only cheating yourself).

The flesh says “Let’s serve ourselves, no matter who we hurt.”

The Spirit says “Live by Gods Laws. Do to other people what you would like them to do to you. Do not do to other people what you do not want them to do to you.

“ The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Romans 13:9 The Holy Bible, New International Version

It is hard and many times we fail.

The wonderful thing is when we sincerely apologize to Jesus for our failures and try not to do them again. When we get the help needed by counseling and taking it to God in prayer we are not only forgiven, we grow stronger in our love and respect for the big three:

God our kind gracious and loving Father, Jesus Christ our Savior King and best friend (just think of that, you have the most powerful king as your best friend if you want Him to be) and the Holy Spirit our mentor, healer and comforter.

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (John 5:4). The Holy Bible, New International Version

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Elohay Selichot (God Of Forgiveness) that when we mess up and fess up You are quick to forgive and forget. Thank you for using these circumstances to mature my loving relationship with You. I exalt You in the name of He whose blood made forgiveness possible Jesus Christ. Amen

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Photo and article @ Joseph a son of Jehovah 2020

Here is the Difference.

“Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” 1 Corinthians 1:22-24 The Holy Bible, New Living Testament

Here is the difference between believers and those that are perishing: We believers have faith. Another word for faith is trust. We trust Jehovah, Jesus and the Holy Spirit even when we do not understand.

The world demands to see signs before it will believe. Even then they will not believe because that would mean they have to give up their independence and depend upon Jehovah.

Many times Jehovah will request we do things that do not make sense to us. We do not need , even though we request, Jehovah explain the hows and whys of what He wants us to do because it does not make sense to us. He stays quiet but again we trust Him and obey even though we do not understand. Most times, but not always, it comes to light at the completion of the assignment the what and why of Jehovahs commands.

“Have you been called to go out on a limb for God? You can bet it won’t be easy. Limb-climbing has never been easy. Ask Joseph. Or, better yet, ask Jesus. He knows better than anyone the cost of hanging on a tree.” Max Lucado

The world demand to know why before they agree to do anything. Even then they will not do it because they do not want to Jehovahs will but rather choose to do their own, which is true foolishness.

To be a Christian means to trust and obey the Holy Spirits guidance even when we do not understand the how and why. It is to surrender our will for His. Joseph a son of Jehovah

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6 The Holy Bible, New Living Testament

Prayer:Thank you Jehovah ELOHIM YAKOL (God, the Most Able) for always being able to guide my life in the best direction to get to Heavens gate. Even though I do not have the guide map I trust in Your leading me there through out all of my life. I praise You in the name of He who trusted You all the way to the cross Jesus Christ. Amen

The gift of love, the gift of joy, the gift of peace, these are the greatest gifts that can be given. They are given in abundance to all those in Christs family by our Heavenly loving  Father. May you be blessed with plentiful opportunities to share these with those around you today.Joseph a son of Jehovah

Joseph a son of Jehovah Photo and article @ Joseph a son of Jehovah 2019

You Do It.

 

 Let integrity and uprightness protect me Psalm 25:21 The Holy Bible Amplified Version

Integrity means to have a firm adherence to a code of moral values. These will protect you from dishonour, jail and from being scammed. In other words you know what is right in Jehovahs eyes and you do it.

Once I was asked by a foreign agent representing many foreign teachers looking for a placement to give a review of a very bad school school I was teaching at. Because the truth was spoken and it was not very favourable the consequences were instant dismissal and threatened with jail if I refused to recant ( being a white round eye teaching in Asia you can bet that prison would not be a pleasant place to spend time in ) . Yes I was scared but stood my ground. The result was that the federal government became involved. Not only did I not do any time but was absolved of any wrong doing any time, however the owner of the school and his family were sentenced to five years in a federal prison. Later I could see the hand of Jehovah move in these events ( it was highly unusual for the federal government to become involved in a municipal affair. And, it was even higher unusual that a foreigner would be exonerated while a local went to prison).

“A godly mind prizes honor above worldly good.” Rembrandt

It also means not doing the wrong things.

Again, when I was in Asia there was ample opportunity that agents would get foreigners to forge documents for big companies that the quality of the product passes when in reality it is complete garbage. So, let us say that a company is selling dog food and its ingredient are toxic and cheap quality, they can kill the animal if it eats it. A foreigner will sign a document representing a company like say that sounds like Calmart. Then it is shipped out. When it arrives Calmart refuses to accept it but the Asian company threatens to sue because their representative signed the release forms ( when in reality it was a foreigner not even working for Calmart. The Asian agent paid the foreigners a lot of money. Even though I needed the money I refused. The others laughed at me for being a goody two shoes. Eventually the federal government in that Asian country became involved and sent undercover agents in to investigate. There was a huge round up with an enormous amount to foreigners sent to a federal prison for a very long time. My integrity saved me.

Now how do we gain this valuable asset?

We spend time reading our Bibles and requesting Jehovah bless us with opening our eyes to what is right and wrong in His divine eyes and the strength to obey Him, no matter what the cost.

I have seen many scammers get scammed in my life. I have seen many crooked ones fall into total destruction and a slow death in shame and humiliation because of their sin but I have seen many more of those who walk in integrity rise from the ashes into glory. Joseph- Anthony: Green

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Tsori ( The Lord is my Strength )for blessing me with the strength to stand firm upon Your firm ground of Holy integrity so as to honour You and prevent certain disaster in my life. I praise You in the name of He who is the most high integrity Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day.

The Question is, Who Listens?

 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you to fear the Lord [with awe-inspired reverence and worship Him with obedience]. Psalm 34:11 Amplified Bible

No, that is not your conscience speaking to you, that is the Holy Spirit.

The devil is an expert at twisting the truth into a lie so if you depend upon your “conscience” you are easy prey for Him.

Then how will you know if it is the Holy Spirit or the devil?

The answer is in developing a deep personal relationship with Jehovah by reading your Bible and obeying what it says.

From my personal experience when I am reading the Bible and a verse jumps out at me, that is the Holy Spirit speaking to me. I stop reading and pray for enlightenment. Then he guide me to understanding the Bible verse in context to what He is saying about my life.

Another way is to listen to good sermon like on sermonaudio and reading good Christian books like can be found on sites like goodread and https://www.gutenberg.org (personally my preference is for the old classics). Of course we should also have godly Christian councilors.

The problem I have sadly witnessed too frequently is that even when others know Jehovah is speaking to them the deliberately chose to ignore Him because he is telling them something they do not want to hear. They want their way, not Jehovahs. That is a sure recipe for disaster. Then when catastrophes occur they go cry babying to Jehovah and ask why He is doing this to them.

God is speaking to all of us, all the time. The question is not, to whom does God talk? The question is, who listens? Neale Donald Walsch

Are you experiencing difficulties in your life right now?

Are you listening to Jehovah as He is speaking to you?

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Rabbi (God our Teacher) for blessing me with patiently teaching me to be wise, gracious, humble and meek like my Beloved King Jesus. Thank you for the tools You have blessed me with to receive an ever deepening of these blessings. I exalt You in the name of the wisest Rabbi of all Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the sunshine of Jesus’ sweet love bless you today and every day.

At Compound Interest.

 One of the advantages of getting old is seeing the hand of Jehovah in others lives during the course of a few decades. ‘

If then, you act with hostility toward Me and are unwilling to obey Me, I will increase the plague on you seven times in accordance with your sins.” Leviticus 26:21 Amplified Bible

I have witnessed many of the proud and arrogant laugh as they foolishly believe they can live their lives as they see fit and are cruel and dishonest with their neighbours. Through the course of time their mental, physical and spiritual health deteriorates until they are living a daily life of living hell all alone. They are angry and bitter. The strange thing is that they know if they repent at least they will have mental and spiritual health but because they are arrogant they refuse, even unto death. At the moment of death they are alone and terrorized knowing that they are doomed to be cast into eternal Hell where they belong. There is a deep sense of doom and gloom in the room and you cannot wait to get out of there. It is a very sad and pitiful site to see no matter how bad they were to you.

“Then it shall come about, because you listen to these judgments and keep and do them, that the Lord your God will keep with you the covenant and the [steadfast] lovingkindness which He swore to your fathers. He will love you and bless you. Deuteronomy 7:12-13 Amplified Bible

I have witnessed those that love Jehovah and are obedient unto Him. They are kind, loving, joyous and generous. They age gracefully and are surrounded with a swarm of others to constantly help them when they need help in their old age. They are enveloped with an aura of peace, love, joy and gentleness. You cannot help but love to be around them and help them. When it is time for them to pass on to the other side they are surrounded by loved ones. There is a peace in the room when they pass on. You cannot help but cry with joy at the honour of being their friend and look forward to being with them in Heaven.

“Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance.” C. S. Lewis

Prayer: Thank you my Beloved Jehovah-‘Ori (the Lord is my Light) for blessing me with Your divine guidance to walk in Your Heavenly light. Thank you that the fruit of this light is love, joy and peace and with the numerous opportunities to share this light with others in a cold, cruel dark world. I praise you in the name of the Prince of Light Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the sunshine of Jesus’ sweet love bless you today and every day.

God is Near.

 

 Do you believe that God is near? He wants you to. He wants you to know that He is in the midst of your world. Wherever you are as you read these words, He is present.–Max Lucado

It is not that Jehovah is far from you but that you are far from Jehovah. Think about that okay?

Why do you cry unto Jehovah and wonder why He is far from you when you do not spend any time with Him?

How much time do you spend talking with Him intimately (prayer), not just whining like a spoiled brat to give you things but thanking Him every day for all the abundant blessings he gives you every day?

When you do pray unto Him for guidance how much do you obey what he is saying to you if you do not like what He is saying unto you?

How much time do you spend reading His word?

How much of your time and your life do you give unto Him?

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 Holy Bible, New King James Version

So if you want to get close with Jehovah why not ask Him to share His thoughts towards you and follow His paths that He has predestined for you to be blessed with peace, hope and a good future?  

Prayer: I praise You my loving Father Jehovah-‘Immeku (The Lord Is With You) for blessing me with always walking with me through trails and triumphs, sorrow and joy, for guiding my with Your wise gentle, firm had and most of all for blessing me with sharing the most awesome loving relationship with You, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I thank you in the name of He who walked amongst us Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the sunshine of Jesus’ sweet love bless you today and every day.