Changed Perspective

 

Changed Perspective

1 John 4: ¹¹ Dear friends, if this is how God loved us, then we should love one another. ¹² No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in union with us, and his love is made perfect in us.

 

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Working hard was not getting me anywhere. My evaluations said I was “good at my job” but when I asked for a promotion, they said I was not “ready.” “What did they mean?” I asked a mentor. He said, “You have to become the company.?” In other words, I had to fully believe in the company.

 

• I had to eat, drink and sleep the company values.
• I had to fully indoctrinate myself in the company, its people and messages.
• I had to be around the people who would pull me up and place me in high positions; and it worked!

 

 

John spent time explaining that GOD is pure love and that HE showed HIS love by giving the world the gift of HIS SON as their Savior. John then implies that because of GOD’s behavior, our perspective on what is important should change. He suggests that if we love one another, then GOD’s love will be made perfect.

 

My Observations:

• GOD loves HIS creation and wants us to love each other.
• GOD loved us so much that HE gave us HIS most valuable gift, namely HIS SON.
• GOD raised JESUS from the dead and wants to do the same for you and me, so HE commands that we love one another through belief in JESUS.

 

Not knowing what true love is can be difficult. I mean, the world has a view that is contrary to GOD’s view. HIS definition of love is that JESUS volunteered to become a human and die for mankind. HE agreed and watched HIS son be lied upon and murdered. HE raised HIM from the dead. The world does not value this viewpoint and defines love in ways that could have people focus on something less perfect.

 

JESUS wanted perfection. HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside you and me so that GOD’s love can be made perfect. HE guides us to seek one another, serve one another and love one another. I am glad GOD loves you and me so much that HE gave us HIS all.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer express the importance of living in union with GOD?
• Have you ever mimicked someone, to the point where you sound like him or her?
• Will you change your perspective on life and view GOD’s love as valuable enough to mimic, so HIS love can be made perfect in you today?

Prepared for Imperfection

Prepared for Imperfection

Hebrews 10: ¹⁵ And the Holy Spirit also gives us his witness. First he says,

¹⁶ “This is the covenant that I will make with them
    in the days to come, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts
    and write them on their minds.”

¹⁷ And then he says, “I will not remember their sins and evil deeds any longer.” ¹⁸ So when these have been forgiven, an offering to take away sins is no longer needed.

 

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Leaving for vacation, I hoped the keys to the car would be left behind. To my excitement, they were. I knew I didn’t have permission to drive it, but how would they know. I jumped in the car and drove every expressway. But then I noticed the car was running hot. I stopped and checked. It needed antifreeze. I bought some and continued. It needed oil. I spent all my money just trying to drive the car.

 

• I knew I wasn’t supposed to drive the car in the first place.
• I chose to drive the car anyway.
• I didn’t tell my parents that I had driven it until I was an adult.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, is revealed words from the HOLY SPIRIT. Laws have been written in the hearts and minds of everyone. This is to help people know right from wrong. But then the HOLY SPIRIT comes back and says “I will not remember their sins”, knowing people would disobey willingly.

 

My Observations:

• GOD knew I would not obey the Law but HE forgives me anyway.
• The HOLY SPIRIT sympathizes with me and does not remember my sins and evil deeds.
• JESUS provides a way for me to be forgiven and wants me to confess my sins to HIM.

 

Imperfection is annoying. I mean, no matter how hard I try, I will not be perfect. I make mistakes constantly and even when I try my best, something out of my control comes along and messes things up. “When will there be true peace?” I cry out. GOD hears it.

 

HE was prepared for me to sin when HE didn’t want me to sin. HE knew I would doubt HIM or depend on my own thinking or fall into another popular hole of sin. HE picked me up and dusted me off and says, I forgive you because you recognize you need to be forgiven.” I am grateful GOD cares enough about me to forgive me in the middle of my sins.

 

Challenge

• What two sides are revealed to the writer?
• Have you ever done something you knew was wrong and tried to justify it?
• Will you ask GOD to protect you from sin that so easily harasses you so HE can provide clarity into HIS forgiveness today?

Rest From Perfection

Rest From Perfection

Galatians 3: ¹⁰ Those who depend on obeying the Law live under a curse. For the scripture says, “Whoever does not always obey everything that is written in the book of the Law is under God's curse!” ¹¹ Now, it is clear that no one is put right with God by means of the Law, because the scripture says, “Only the person who is put right with God through faith shall live.” ¹² But the Law has nothing to do with faith. Instead, as the scripture says, “Whoever does everything the Law requires will live.”

 

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Holding it together was becoming a task. My junk car had seen better days. I had to drive it perfectly for it to work. It wouldn’t always start, so I kept tools in the car, just in case. I also kept jumper cables in case the battery died. I had extra engine coolant because the radiator leaked and cans of oil and transmission fluid for the same reason. If one thing went wrong, the car would not work.

 

• I spent most of my time trying to be perfect when it was a losing battle.
• I felt hopeless because I could not afford to get out of my precarious situation.
• I needed something new that was dependable and reliable.

 

Obeying “The Law” was not the problem rather depending on it for salvation. Paul clarifies this by using “The Law” to prove how impossible it was to be saved. If one law was broken, then all laws were broken. Picking and choosing favorite scriptures was not an option.

 

My Observations

• When I am exhausted I need to examine if I am trying to live perfect instead of believing I am forgiven.
• GOD took care of all my sins, needs and desires, all I have to do is have faith in HIS plan for me.
• Thinking I, or others, can be perfect is the problem GOD wants me to let go of so I can have rest.

 

Sin is a nasty, sticky opponent that is relentless. I mean, when I think I have one area of my life under control, another situation I never would have expected pops up. I find myself in new sins I never would have dreamed of. When I focus on the situation, it seems hopeless. BUT GOD says different.

 

HE has me focus on the true and mighty solution, namely JESUS. When the world spits out new hatred and fights one another, JESUS says to us “Have faith, I have overcome the world.” Placing my faith in JESUS does not mean I am out of touch, it simply means I have hope. I am glad JESUS gave me the COMFORTER so I can rest.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer say about “depending on the Law?”
• Have you ever self-examined what you place your dependence on?
• Will you reduce your control, fears and doubts enough so you can add trust, faith and belief in JESUS today so you can rest from trying to be “perfect?”

Perfection Perplexion

Perfection Perplexion

Galatians 2: ¹⁵ Indeed, we are Jews by birth and not “Gentile sinners,” as they are called. ¹⁶ Yet we know that a person is put right with God only through faith in Jesus Christ, never by doing what the Law requires. We, too, have believed in Christ Jesus in order to be put right with God through our faith in Christ, and not by doing what the Law requires. For no one is put right with God by doing what the Law requires. ¹⁷ If, then, as we try to be put right with God by our union with Christ, we are found to be sinners, as much as the Gentiles are—does this mean that Christ is serving the cause of sin? By no means! ¹⁸ If I start to rebuild the system of Law that I tore down, then I show myself to be someone who breaks the Law.

 

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When I was tempted to do something “wrong” I knew in my heart I shouldn’t do it. I would give in and do it anyway. Later when something would go “wrong” I would look back at the point where I gave into the temptation and blame myself for giving in. This caused me to try to be as “perfect” as I could be.

 

• I tried to be “perfect.”
• I tried to assign problem resolution to the amount of sins that “I” thought I did.
• I did not look at grace as something that covered my sins.

 

Paul tackles one of the biggest conflicts within each believer. “Does the Law save us or is it belief in JESUS?” The Gentiles were not following the Jewish Law. They did not Sabbath, nor sacrifice. They simply believed in JESUS.

 

My Observations

• GOD’s Word is important to HIM so I choose to follow it.
• My belief in JESUS saves me eternally and the HOLY SPIRIT guides me daily.
• Sin no longer causes death for me, but when I sin, I am eternally forgiven.

 

Manipulating GOD cannot be done. I mean, when I think I can be really, really good enough to get more of HIS favor, I am actually trying to control GOD to get my way. On the other hand, when I disregard what JESUS said in HIS Word to humanity, I cold fall prey to tempting actions that drive people away from HIS kingdom rather than draw them near it.

 

Fortunately for all of us, JESUS took care of it all. HIS death, burial and resurrection took care of all my sins and I no longer have to think I need to be perfect. In fact, my messy life helps other people with similar messy lives. It makes it easier for others to understand that GOD loves messed up people like me. I am glad I am no longer bound to the Law, but I can choose to follow HIS word.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer say about the Law in this passage?
• Are you exhausted trying to follow the Law and not getting your way?
• Will you praise JESUS for HIS incredible gift and not be so hard on yourself or others around you so they, and you , can accept HIS grace that is sufficient today? 

Perfect Love

 

Perfect Love

1 Corinthians 13: ⁸ Love is eternal. There are inspired messages, but they are temporary; there are gifts of speaking in strange tongues, but they will cease; there is knowledge, but it will pass. ⁹ For our gifts of knowledge and of inspired messages are only partial; ¹⁰ but when what is perfect comes, then what is partial will disappear.

 

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“You can do it” were the words of inspiration I told someone. When the person accomplished what was set out to do, I wondered if my words had any part in the success. I wonder this because I could not do what the person was attempting.

 

• My inspiration is a partial solution to someone’s circumstance.
• My speech is a partial solution to someone’s situation.
• My sharing of knowledge to help someone is flawed because I only have partial knowledge.

 

Paul says “Love is eternal.” This love he speaks about is JESUS. When HE returns, then there will be no need for humans to use their gifts to point to perfection.

 

My Observation

• JESUS is love and HE gives HIS perfect love to me.
• JESUS died for me and was raised from the dead to wipe away my sins.
• JESUS sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me because sin is part of me.

 

Being born into sin is difficult. I mean, my thoughts are usually not on GOD, rather they are on myself. But every once in a while, I am prompted to use a gift GOD gave me to point people to JESUS. This is temporary. I fall into sin, repent, and seek to be better day by day.

 

JESUS knows I have this issue. HE knows that sin will be present in me until HE returns and I am with HIM eternally. Until then, HE wants me to know humans are not perfect, but HIS love is perfection. I am grateful for HIS love for anyone who can give their heart to HIM.

 

Challenge

• What messages or actions inspire you from a person who is not alive?
• Have you ever been inspired for a short period of time and discouraged during another?
• Will you ease up on your pursuit of temporary solutions and seek the perfect, eternal solution which is JESUS, who will guide you into all truth today?

Imperfect Perfection

Imperfect Perfection

Acts 3: ¹⁷ “Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. ¹⁸ But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. ¹⁹ Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, ²⁰ and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. 

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“Say you are sorry” the angry neighbor said to me and a sibling. The two choices that popped into my mind were to laugh at the statement, or to just say it and get it over with. I decided to do both. “I’m sorry, ha, ha, ha.” I said.. She knew I did not mean it. “I’m telling your parents.”

• There were times when I was forced to say, “I’m sorry” but I did not mean it.
• There were times when I was told to say “I’m sorry” but nothing was at stake for saying it.
• There were times when I was disciplined into saying “I’m sorry” but it only made me resentful.

Peter explains that the crowd was misled by the church leaders for killing JESUS. Now that JESUS is alive they should apologize for what they did. But this apology needs to be permanent, otherwise it will not be heard.

• JESUS wants me to admit I need a savior from being a sinner.
• JESUS wants me to believe HE is the only way to salvation.
• JESUS wants me to confess my sins so HE will be faithful and just to forgive me and cleanse me of all unrighteousness, past, present and future.

Following JESUS does not mean I will never sin. I will do something “out of ignorance” or blatantly out of selfishness. BUT GOD saw all of my sins and “blotted them out” of HIS record. JESUS will be sent once again, but this time HE will come to bring back only those who believe in HIM. I am glad I do not have to be perfect because HE made me perfect in HIS eyes.

• Do you feel like you are making mistakes over and over?
• Does you have a sense of purpose that is not exclusionary or hateful?
• Will you surrender your strong will and believe that JESUS is the only being who can love you just as you are?

Perfection at its Best

Matthew 5: ⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

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“Strong dislike” was the feeling I had towards this guy. I mean he had come along an upended my world simply by being inserted as my boss. He went out of his way to harm me and seemed even more maleficent when I showed any type of resilience.

• There have been times that I didn’t like a person.
• There have been people in my life that I could do without.
• There have been times when I brooded so much over a person that I lost sleep.

Replaying the “criminal” act over and over made me furious. I could not help but conclude that the only answer was to have this person dropped off a mountain while locked in an exploding train met with jagged rocks and a shark pit. Since I couldn’t afford to buy a train, I just sat and fumed.

• GOD said to me “Love your enemies.”
• GOD said to me “Pray for those who persecute you.”
• GOD said to me “Be perfect just as I, your HEAVENLY FATHER, AM perfect.”

Perfection in this example was “Love.” He wanted me to take bitterness and poison out of my heart and replace it with love for those who went out of their way to harm me. It took time to drive out the bitter thinking. I actually found myself praying for this person more and more. Soon I was able to sleep well.

Their onerous acts became child’s play to me. GOD removed the bitterness by showing me how HE handles HIS enemies, namely me. HE forgave me for my sins and allowed me to flourish instead. HE is a great example!

• Are you bitter about someone?
• Do you have a long standing grudge with someone?
• Do you have hatred in your heart over “that” person or “those” people?
• Will you drop your hatred and replace your poison with GOD’s love?

Striving for Perfection Could Mess Up the Plan

Job 9: ⁴ The Spirit of God has made me;
    the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
⁵ Answer me then, if you can;
    stand up and argue your case before me.
⁶ I am the same as you in God’s sight;
    I too am a piece of clay.

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A misplaced semicolon took me hours to find when debugging my code. This one tiny problem kept my program from being perfect. After more and more practice I found that I could be perfect in my coding in fewer tries. This spread to other areas of my life. I found that I could be perfect in job performance, financial management and carpentry.

I expected others to be perfect around me. I mean, I was perfect, right? Wrong!

• My first mistake of many was thinking I could be perfect.
• My second mistake of many was using my own measure of perfection to deem myself perfect.
• My third mistake of many thinking I had arrived in that perfection.

Confidence in myself could lead me to a place that is self-centered. My confidence, if leveraged the wrong way, could lead to arrogance then pride. Where should I put my confidence?

• GOD says to me “Place your trust in ME and you will not fail.”
• GOD says to me “I AM the way the truth and the life.”
• GOD says to me “I have a plan to prosper you.”

Just yesterday, GOD spoke through one of HIS servants in a sermon on a topic similar to this one. The illustration was the process of making pottery which takes a mound of clay and turns it into a work or art. The clay cannot tell the potter what it wants to be, rather it trusts that the potter is skilled enough to mold it into something beautiful.

Imperfections are smoothed out as the clay is “centered” and “turned” on the wheel. Heat is applied at the right time. GOD’s perfection for me is far better than my efforts to become perfect. HE allows me to be messy and continues to mold my life. Clay is moldable, rock is not. GOD also pursues rocky hearts but HE chisels instead of molds. This is more painful. I’d rather be molded.

• Are you resisting GOD?
• Are you allowing HIM to mold you into what HE wants you to be?
• Can you accept what is going on in your life as “Good for GOD’s purpose?”
• Will you allow your heart to be clay or stone?

Committed versus Perfection

1 Kings 15: ¹¹ Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father David had done. ¹² He expelled the male shrine prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the idols his ancestors had made. 

¹³ He even deposed his grandmother Maakah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive image for the worship of Asherah. Asa cut it down and burned it in the Kidron Valley. ¹⁴ Although he did not remove the high places, Asa’s heart was fully committed to the Lord all his life.

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Tired of things going “wrong,” I decided to dedicate my life back to GOD. I mean everything else had failed, why not try this. I actually felt a load fall off of my mind. I could breathe again.  A couple of years into my renewed life things seemed to go extremely well.

But one year I hit a small blip as a family member’s health came into question. Then I got news of a friend who was dying. My car was broken into and other areas of my life were shaken.  “Wait! I thought life would be easy if I were to put my trust in GOD!” I huffed in disappointment. Maybe I’m not trying to live for HIM hard enough! I wonder if I need to give up on GOD.

• GOD understands the times when I feel discouraged.
• GOD understands the times when I feel like giving up.
• GOD understands the times when I feel disappointed.

Many times I thought “Nothing should go wrong because I’m living for GOD.” That statement couldn’t be further from the truth. Because I’m living for GOD, things will go seemingly wrong.

• GOD says there will be many trials in my life but HE wants me to trust HIM anyway.
• GOD says HE wants a simple relationship with me, not one where I expect the wrong things from HIM and get disappointed at the drop of a hat when HE doesn’t yield.
• GOD says love one another as I have loved you.

Sometimes I overcomplicate my relationship with GOD.  When things go wrong, I try to analyze my previous moves so I won’t fall into that type of trouble again. BUT GOD knows that when I live for HIM, the enemy will try to tear me down, accuse me and break my faith. GOD wants me to be committed. This means accepting there will be trials and keeping my trust in HIM.

• Have you lost your trust in GOD?
• Are you wondering where GOD is with you right now?
• Can you put your trust in HIM that HIS plan includes this trial?
• Can you help someone increase their faith in GOD today by telling your story?

HE found me!

Romans 10: ²⁰ And Isaiah boldly says,

 

   “I was found by those who did not seek me;

   I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”

 

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Despondent was the feeling I had coming into work that day. After three sets of interviews I soon found out this large company I really wanted to work at was facing its first layoff in their history. “I guess I will be stuck here” I thought to myself.

 

After a couple of weeks I actually felt better and accepted my destiny of living in the small town and working for the company I was trying to leave. Out of the blue I received a phone call. “We have been looking for you” says the recruiter. You mean they were actually looking for me?

 

• In the middle of my troubles I fail to seek GOD.
• In the center of my sin I turn my back on the one who can help, namely GOD.
• In the inception of my doubts I never look towards GOD.

 

Isaiah spoke about JESUS and stated “HE found me when I didn’t seek HIM.” JESUS is constantly looking for those who are open to HIS love.  HE wants those who are rejected, despondent, lonely and in despair.

 

Only HE can repair the heart HE created because HE knows every aspect of my life.  HE knows every thought, every struggle, and every pain. HE revealed HIMSELF to me but I didn’t fully grasp HIS wealth or power. In fact years later I am still trying to understand HIM.

 

• GOD does not seek my perfection because HE is already perfect.
• GOD does not seek my sinless life because HE died after walking the earth sinless.
• GOD does not seek my righteousness because only HE is righteous.

 

JESUS simply wants me. HE loves me and knows me. There is nothing I can hide from HIM. I owe my eternal life to HIM and that’s what makes me bold.

• Do you think your acts of righteousness will get you into heaven?
• Are you judging someone for what they are doing or not doing?
• Are you feeling rejected, lonely or full of despair?
• Can you allow JESUS to repair your heart and stop seeking the wrong things to fill the void?

I’m right here!

Acts 17: ²⁶ From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. ²⁷ God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ²⁸ ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

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Sliding on ice took on a new meaning when I couldn’t get control of the car. It seemed like everything happened in slow motion as my sister and I approached the light post. Even though we were buckled in her head hit the windshield and my hand was bruised from hitting the steering wheel.

“GOD where were you? Why did this have to happen to us?” I exclaimed.

• When I seek my way I can’t see GOD.
• When I seek my definition of perfection I can’t see GOD.
• When I seek my view on protection I can’t see GOD.

In college I did everything but seek GOD.  I blamed my parents and I blamed my professors and I blamed the cops and landlords and bill collectors for how life was mistreating me. I wondered where GOD was when I had troubles and I never stopped to thank HIM when times were good.

Women and parties and being the big man on campus seemed fun and a lot of people knew me BUT GOD wanted something different.

• GOD created me with free will to choose HIM and HE knew I would turn my back on HIM.
• GOD created me knowing I would choose sin yet HE forgave me anyway.
• GOD created me at to serve in this point in time with this family in this city because HIS purpose is pure and sincere.

Seeking GOD is difficult when my motives for seeking HIM are selfish. HE wants me to admit my sin to HIM and turn away from them as best I can and acknowledge I need HIM.  I got so busy looking for GOD that I couldn’t see HIM protecting me and guiding me every step of the way.

Now after admitting my flaws to HIM, HE continues to take the sin that I clutch onto so tightly away from me. HE does it so gently because HE desires a perfect relationship with me.

• Do you feel distant from GOD?
• Do you think you are not being shown grace?
• Have you considered that maybe GOD is showing you extreme grace?
• Will you consider changing your ways and specifically seek GOD today?