daily prayer

Good morning! How are we faithing? Perfection. Perfectionists. Pain in the neck to be one. What is worse is expecting everyone else to be one. This goes along with what we have been talking about this week in so much as the tongue wreaking havoc by pointing out stuff in others. When we strive for perfection we must be careful that our focus does not move from God to self then to others. How's this you say? Perfectionists sometimes get so wrapped up in everything being correct that they start to miss focusing on God and the effect of that focus that begets perfection. Think for a second, if you get better and then start to pat yourself on the back forgetting whence you came, you then are no longer perfecting but are starting down another path...one that leads to pride and self glorification. Sure we see things take place and wonder how anyone could do those things but if we realize biblical truths about mankind you will remember that we ALL are susceptible to anything if we move our focus off God. An interesting point made in the scriptures is that the effect of keeping ones heart and soul focused on God is we do start to perfect. That is cool so don't think more of yourself because God has improved your ways, thank him that because of his grace and love you are gaining ground.

Psalms 18:30

30 As for God,
His way is blameless;
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
NAS

Psalms 19:12-14
Who can discern his errors?
Acquit me of hidden faults.
Also keep back Thy servant from presumptuous sins;
Let them not rule over me;
Then I shall be blameless,
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Thy sight,
O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.
NAS

Matthew 6:1
"Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
NAS

James 3:7-12
For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father; and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Neither can salt water produce fresh.
NAS

Philippians 3:12-16
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.
NAS

Do you see that? Pay attention to you and your walk. Comment and lift up others and not whip em down. If they ask, speak truth from the Word and do not chastise just because you are appalled. The goal is to present Jesus and others find what we have. Let the consequences take care of themselves.

Remember the Richard Jones family, his Mom passed...remember Madline and Harold Markeys grandson...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace and love that saves a wretch like me. Help me see you in everything and help me shine for you and not for me. Lord we lift those lost up to you and cry out for their souls. Help them see what we have found and help them understand that they can't earn the gift you give. Touch those who are grieving in Jesus name, amen