The PERFECT CHILD

 

Ephesians 6:1 

King James Version

6 Children, 

obey your parents in the Lord: 

for this is right.

How is it in your home?

Are your children perfect?

By what standards do you measure that?

Who could be a perfect child?

There is one.

JESUS.

Scripture testifies to that:

Philippians 2:8 (KJV)

8 And being found in fashion as a man, 

he humbled himself, 

and became obedient unto death, 

even the death of the cross.

What could be greater?

Sacrificing one's life for all of us.

In consonance with the will of the Father.

That all may be saved.

Defeating the power of death.

JESUS became a bridge.

For His Father to be glorified.

And for man to be sanctified.

Romans 5:19 (KJV)

19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, 

so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Jesus obeyed His Father, for He loved Him.

John 14:31 (KJV)

31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; 

and as the Father gave me commandment, 

even so I do.

 Arise, let us go hence.

He only obeyed what His Father taught Him.

John 8:28 (KJV)

28 Then said Jesus unto them, 

When ye have lifted up the Son of man, 

then shall ye know that I am he, 

and that I do nothing of myself; 

but as my Father hath taught me, 

I speak these things.

He only did things that pleased His Father.

John 8:29 (KJV)

29 And he that sent me is with me: 

the Father hath not left me alone; 

for I do always those things that please him.

He only did the will of the Father.

John 6:38 (KJV)

38 For I came down from heaven, 

not to do mine own will, 

but the will of him that sent me.

And this was what God asked of Jesus:

John 6:39-40 (KJV)

39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, 

that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, 

but should raise it up again at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, 

that every one which seeth the Son, 

and believeth on him, 

may have everlasting life: 

and I will raise him up at the last day.

Perfect love calls for perfect obedience.

Children don't follow blindly.

We've all been kids once.

Deep in our hearts, we know what feels right, and what doesn't.

Thus, we looked up to models of perfection.

Sometimes, kids would prefer their friends' parents, who seem kinder, more loving, more generous.

I only look to God, as the perfect parent.

And to Jesus, as the perfect child.

Those are my models for perfection.

How about you?

Who do you follow?

Updated 25 January 2022

On PARENTING

 

Romans 8:14 

King James Version

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, 

they are the sons of God.

What does God expect parents to be?

What does He command older people to do?

How can we be of value to younger people?

Scripture commands we love God above all:

Deuteronomy 11:1 (KJV)

11 Therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy God, 

and keep his charge, 

and his statutes, 

and his judgments, 

and his commandments, 

alway.

Even as we have not witnessed the wrath of God from the past.

Deuteronomy 11:2 (KJV)

2 And know ye this day: 

for I speak not with your children which have not known, 

and which have not seen 

the chastisement of the Lord your God, 

his greatness, 

his mighty hand, 

and his stretched out arm,

Nor seen His miracles.

Deuteronomy 11:3-6 (KJV)

3 And his miracles, 

and his acts, 

which he did in the midst of Egypt 

unto Pharaoh the king of Egypt, 

and unto all his land;

4 And what he did unto the army of Egypt, 

unto their horses, 

and to their chariots; 

how he made the water of the Red sea to overflow them 

as they pursued after you, 

and how the Lord hath destroyed them unto this day;

5 And what he did unto you in the wilderness, 

until ye came into this place;

6 And what he did unto Dathan and Abiram, 

the sons of Eliab, 

the son of Reuben: 

how the earth opened her mouth, 

and swallowed them up, 

and their households, 

and their tents, 

and all the substance that was in their possession, 

in the midst of all Israel:

We ought to know ALL grace, prosperity, and punishment come from God.

All worldly power yield to God.

Deuteronomy 11:13-18 (KJV)

13 And it shall come to pass, 

if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments 

which I command you this day, 

to love the Lord your God, 

and to serve him with all your heart 

and with all your soul,

14 That I will give you the rain of your land 

in his due season, 

the first rain and the latter rain, 

that thou mayest gather in thy corn, 

and thy wine, 

and thine oil.

15 And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, 

that thou mayest eat and be full.

16 Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, 

and ye turn aside, 

and serve other gods, 

and worship them;

17 And then the Lord's wrath be kindled against you, 

and he shut up the heaven, 

that there be no rain, 

and that the land yield not her fruit; 

and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land 

which the Lord giveth you.

18 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words 

in your heart and in your soul, 

and bind them for a sign upon your hand, 

that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.

We are to teach our children about God.

Deuteronomy 11:19-21 (KJV)

19 And ye shall teach them your children, 

speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, 

and when thou walkest by the way, 

when thou liest down, 

and when thou risest up.

20 And thou shalt write them 

upon the door posts of thine house, 

and upon thy gates:

21 That your days may be multiplied, 

and the days of your children, 

in the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers to give them, 

as the days of heaven upon the earth.

Older women play a great role, in fact.

Titus 2:3-5 (KJV)

3 The aged women likewise, 

that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, 

not false accusers, 

not given to much wine, 

teachers of good things;

4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, 

to love their husbands, 

to love their children,

5 To be discreet, 

chaste, 

keepers at home, 

good, 

obedient to their own husbands, 

that the word of God be not blasphemed.

But how can we do all these, unless we're born again?

How can we, unless we know God?

Or believe in Jesus?

Become born again.

The Holy Spirit will instruct us on things that matter.

Jesus assured us of that:

John 14:26 (KJV)

26 But the Comforter, 

which is the Holy Ghost, 

whom the Father will send in my name, 

he shall teach you all things, 

and bring all things to your remembrance, 

whatsoever I have said unto you.

That's how it is to become an effective parent.

Get to know God first.

Change starts with self.

We must be true to God, and our children.

They will be the next generation.

We are responsible for them.

Let them not be snared by the devil.

2 Timothy 2:26 (KJV)

26 And that they may recover themselves 

out of the snare of the devil, 

who are taken captive by him at his will.

But first, let us free ourselves from the stranglehold of the devil.

We must become born again.

Updated 25 January 2022

INSTRUCTIONS for the YOUNG and OLD

 

Titus 2:1 

King James Version

2 But speak thou the things 

which become sound doctrine:

Instructions from Scripture -- the WORD of GOD -- are very clear.

To the older generation:

Titus 2:2-5 

King James Version

2 That the aged men be sober, 

grave, 

temperate, 

sound in faith, 

in charity, 

in patience.

3 The aged women likewise, 

that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, 

not false accusers, 

not given to much wine, 

teachers of good things;

4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, 

to love their husbands, 

to love their children,

5 To be discreet, 

chaste, 

keepers at home, 

good, 

obedient to their own husbands, 

that the word of God be not blasphemed.

To the younger generation:

Titus 2:6-10 

King James Version

6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: 

in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, 

gravity, 

sincerity,

8 Sound speech, 

that cannot be condemned; 

that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, 

having no evil thing to say of you.

9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, 

and to please them well in all things; 

not answering again;

10 Not purloining, 

but shewing all good fidelity; 

that they may adorn 

the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

We were all babies once.

We will all grow old.

Some may go ahead of others.

Let us all learn to love.

And respect each other.

As JESUS taught us.

Updated 16 March 2022

On jealousy

 

Proverbs 27:4 

King James Version

4 Wrath is cruel, 

and anger is outrageous; 

but who is able to stand before envy?

Holy Spirit and I started a post on "God's Mercy".

Jesus gave a parable on the Prodigal Son.

Of how a son was forgiven by his father, despite wasting his inheritance, and falling into "riotous living".

Thing is, he had a brother, who greatly resented the father's mercy.

Luke 15:25-30 (KJV)

25 Now his elder son was in the field: 

and as he came and drew nigh to the house, 

he heard musick and dancing.

26 And he called one of the servants, 

and asked what these things meant.

27 And he said unto him, 

Thy brother is come; 

and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, 

because he hath received him safe and sound.

28 And he was angry, 

and would not go in: 

therefore came his father out, 

and intreated him.

29 And he answering said to his father, 

Lo, these many years do I serve thee, 

neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: 

and yet thou never gavest me a kid,

 that I might make merry with my friends:

30 But as soon as this thy son was come, 

which hath devoured thy living with harlots, 

thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

To which, the father replied:

Luke 15:31-32 (KJV)

31 And he said unto him, 

Son, thou art ever with me, 

and all that I have is thine.

32 It was meet that we should make merry, 

and be glad: 

for this thy brother was dead, 

and is alive again; 

and was lost, 

and is found.

Scripture is replete with sibling rivalry, of one brother jealous of another, because the father's love is highly-favored.

We also read of concubines jealous of their mistresses, or vice-versa.

On, and on, the stories go.

Causing wars, division, plotting, and murder.

Reflecting the passions of the flesh.

1 Corinthians 3:3 (KJV)

3 For ye are yet carnal: 

for whereas there is among you envying, 

and strife, 

and divisions, 

are ye not carnal, 

and walk as men?

Jealousy is pure poison.

Job 5:2 (KJV)

2 For wrath killeth the foolish man, 

and envy slayeth the silly one.

The contents of our hearts defile us.

Jesus knew our hearts:

Mark 7:21-23 (KJV)

21 For from within, 

out of the heart of men, 

proceed evil thoughts, 

adulteries, 

fornications, 

murders,

22 Thefts, 

covetousness, 

wickedness, 

deceit, 

lasciviousness, 

an evil eye, 

blasphemy, 

pride, 

foolishness:

23 All these evil things come from within, 

and defile the man.

But God's commandment of old stands:

Exodus 20:17 (KJV)

17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, 

thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, 

nor his manservant, 

nor his maidservant, 

nor his ox, 

nor his ass, 

nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Where love is, there can be no strife.

Jesus calls us to love.

Matthew 22:37-40 (KJV)

37 Jesus said unto him, 

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, 

and with all thy soul, 

and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, 

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Only through Jesus can we be healed.

Psalm 107:20 (KJV)

20 He sent his word, 

and healed them, 

and delivered them from their destructions.

Updated 25 January 2022

The TRUE CHURCH of the LIVING CHRIST

 

John 20:19 

King James Version

19 Then the same day at evening, 

being the first day of the week, 

when the doors were shut 

where the disciples were assembled 

for fear of the Jews, 

came Jesus and stood in the midst, 

and saith unto them, 

Peace be unto you.

The world will offer you many churches.

But here's what make up a church of the Living Christ.

JESUS is in our midst.

Matthew 18:20 

King James Version

20 For where two or three 

are gathered together in my name, 

there am I in the midst of them.

We receive the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD from JESUS.

John 20:21-22 

King James Version

21 Then said Jesus to them again, 

Peace be unto you: 

as my Father hath sent me, 

even so send I you.

22 And when he had said this, 

he breathed on them, 

and saith unto them, 

Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

We believe JESUS is the SON of GOD.

John 20:29-31 

King James Version

29 Jesus saith unto him, 

Thomas, because thou hast seen me, 

thou hast believed: 

blessed are they that have not seen, 

and yet have believed.

30 And many other signs truly did Jesus 

in the presence of his disciples, 

which are not written in this book:

31 But these are written, 

that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, 

the Son of God; 

and that believing ye might have life 

through his name.

JESUS is the HEAD of our church.

Ephesians 5:23 

King James Version

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, 

even as Christ is the head of the church: 

and he is the saviour of the body.

We are all baptized by ONE SPIRIT.

1 Corinthians 12:13 

King James Version

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized 

into one body, 

whether we be Jews or Gentiles, 

whether we be bond or free; 

and have been all made to drink 

into one Spirit.

ALL members genuinely care for each other.

1 Corinthians 12:25-26 

King James Version

25 That there should be no schism in the body; 

but that the members 

should have the same care one for another.

26 And whether one member suffer, 

all the members suffer with it; 

or one member be honoured, 

all the members rejoice with it.

Self is sanctified for the MASTER's use.

2 Timothy 2:20-21

King Jamses Version

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels 

of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; 

and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, 

he shall be a vessel unto honour, 

sanctified, and meet for the master's use, 

and prepared unto every good work.

ALL efforts are for GOD alone.

Revelation 22:8-9 

King James Version

8 And I John saw these things, 

and heard them. 

And when I had heard and seen, 

I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel 

which shewed me these things.

9 Then saith he unto me, 

See thou do it not: 

for I am thy fellowservant, 

and of thy brethren the prophets, 

and of them which keep the sayings of this book: 

worship God.

ALL is for the GLORY of GOD.

Romans 11:36 

King James Version

36 For of him, 

and through him, 

and to him, 

are all things: 

to whom be glory for ever. 

Amen.

True born agains have no need for grandiose structures.

We don't need the latest architectural styles.

Or to be entertained at church.

We only focus on Jesus -- the WORD of GOD.

That He is in our midst.

That we honor His sacrifice.

That we are true to His teachings.

That we are guided by SPIRIT each day.

That He rules ALL aspects of our life, and work.

That we have love for God, and others.

Mark 12:29-30 

King James Version

29 And Jesus answered him, 

The first of all the commandments is, 

Hear, O Israel; 

The Lord our God is one Lord:

30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God 

with all thy heart, 

and with all thy soul, 

and with all thy mind, 

and with all thy strength: 

this is the first commandment.

Matthew 22:39-40 

King James Version

39 And the second is like unto it, 

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments 

hang all the law and the prophets.

That we emulate the simplicity of CHRUS, and His gospel.

2 Corinthians 11:3 

King James version

3 But I fear, 

lest by any means, 

as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, 

so your minds should be corrupted 

from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Believers are headed for a new Jerusalem.

Revelation 21:22-27 

King James Version

22 And I saw no temple therein: 

for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb 

are the temple of it.

23 And the city had no need of the sun, 

neither of the moon, to shine in it: 

for the glory of God did lighten it, 

and the Lamb is the light thereof.

24 And the nations of them which are saved 

shall walk in the light of it: 

and the kings of the earth do bring their glory 

and honour into it.

25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: 

for there shall be no night there.

26 And they shall bring the glory 

and honour of the nations into it.

27 And there shall in no wise enter into it 

any thing that defileth, 

neither whatsoever worketh abomination, 

or maketh a lie: 

but they which are written 

in the Lamb's book of life.

All we are doing now, is preparation.

It's ALL preparation NOW

Sanctification

Justification

Reconciliation

Updated 26 November 2023

LIFE, LIBERTY, and JOY

 

Psalm 16:11 

King James Version

11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: 

in thy presence is fulness of joy; 

at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

I am a student of the Holy Spirit of God.

It's how I come to know who the Lord Jesus is, what His commandments were, how He wanted us to be, how His life had been, what He came here for.

It's how I am able to write, sharing Scripture with you each day.

And today, Spirit led me to His very own qualities.

Some of which were:

SPIRIT is life.

John 6:63 

King James Version

63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; 

the flesh profiteth nothing: 

the words that I speak unto you, 

they are spirit, 

and they are life.

SPIRIT is liberty.

2 Corinthians 3:17 (KJV)

17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: 

and where the Spirit of the Lord is, 

there is liberty.

SPIRIT is joy. 

And many other things.

Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, 

joy, 

peace, 

longsuffering, 

gentleness, 

goodness, 

faith,

23 Meekness, 

temperance: 

against such there is no law.

Those qualities I was led to, sounded familiar, so I looked deeper.

And found it to be on America's Declaration of Independence of 1776.

Tthat very declaration had the Creator in it:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, 

that all men are created equal, 

that they are endowed by their Creator 

with certain unalienable Rights, 

that among these are Life, 

Liberty 

and the pursuit of Happiness."

   -- Source: Bill of Rights Institute

Surely, the Spirit of God was in the hearts of those who drafted that declaration, for God attests to His influence on the hearts of men who acknowledge Him:

1 Corinthians 2:14 

King James Version 

14 But the natural man 

receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: 

for they are foolishness unto him: 

neither can he know them, 

because they are spiritually discerned.

And now?

Well, my only wish, as a student of the Spirit, is that I grow into perfection, according to the will of God.

And that the world find sufficiency in God, for only God can love us so!

2 Corinthians 3:5-6 

King James Version

5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves 

to think any thing as of ourselves; 

but our sufficiency is of God;

6 Who also hath made us able ministers 

of the new testament; 

not of the letter, 

but of the spirit: 

for the letter killeth, 

but the spirit giveth life.

Be RECONCILED to GOD

 

Your tiny hand in His.

How can you not want His LOVE?

Have you strayed too long?

Would you like a different kind of life?

Do you choose peace?

Do you wish for clarity?

Do you long for a perfect love, which the world cannot offer you?

Then it's time to put your hand in CHRIST's hand.

And be reconciled with Him.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 

King James Version

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, 

he is a new creature: 

old things are passed away; 

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God, 

who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, 

and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, 

that God was in Christ, 

reconciling the world unto himself, 

not imputing their trespasses unto them; 

and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, 

as though God did beseech you by us: 

we pray you in Christ's stead, 

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, 

who knew no sin; 

that we might be made 

the righteousness of God in him.

All you need to know about GOD, His light, His power, His grace, His love, His faithfulness, is in CHRIST.

2 Corinthians 4:6 

King James version

6 For God, 

who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, 

hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge 

of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Never again will we stumble, if we have the light of Christ in us.

Become born again, of water and of the Spirit, and you will understand all things Jesus.

For the Holy Spirit of God will instruct you.

The invitation to reconcile is always there.

The door is always open for you.

In fact, Christ even knocks at your door.

Revelation 3:20 

King James Version

20 Behold, 

I stand at the door, 

and knock: 

if any man hear my voice, 

and open the door, 

I will come in to him, 

and will sup with him, 

and he with me.

Will you come to the door?

Will you let the Lord in?

So He can sup with you?

Do you have a welcome mat at the door?

Will you put your tiny hand in His?

And ask for His forgiveness?

The angels will surely rejoice!

Jesus said so Himself.

Luke 15:10 

King James Version

10 Likewise, I say unto you, 

there is joy in the presence of the angels of God 

over one sinner that repenteth.

Take that first step, back to GOD.

Leave the door of your heart open.

Let the LORD in.

And yes, please pray this saving prayer.

Updated 7 January 2024