perfection

Psalm 70 is very important in my life. I pray it over and for others…  I ask people to pray it for themselves and others. ”I’m weak and poor; come to me quickly, O God. You are my savior and my Lord. Hurry to my aid.” (Psalm 70:5 GNB) Today this Psalm was in my daily lectionary reading (a guide) and in my prayer. Thank you, God! I write down prayer requests and often date these prayers in my bible. I write them both when I ask and when God answers.

Today, God, Almighty God showed me His goodness through His actions on the Ark’s behalf. He amazed us once again. Thank you!  Thank You, Father!  We received a surprise gift. We must be like the one person in ten that Jesus helped who returned to thank Him for healing. Lord, You are marvelous, wonderful indeed, and a faithful doer of Your word.

It is my belief that Psalm 70 is being used to perfect me. It is part of my continuing journey into His perfection. Too often in early years, I’d say, “I can’t,” when asked to do something I hadn’t tried before. An example is teaching deaf sign language class.  I thought, “I can’t! I’m not fluent!” However, the thought in my head that I couldn’t do what God asked, was only Satan, lying to me.  Today, because God kept calling on me to use my gift for teaching, I can teach deaf signing.

I learned more “deaf talk” (sign) quickly. At first, I did not understand all the conversations. Deaf people also read lips better than me. I had to choose to be mature enough to ask them to help me understand.  As I became more comfortable with that, I could ask for their help with other things. Admitting that “I forgot the sign for _____…” [I would finger spell the word, while they patiently waited; but usually, they already knew my need from reading my lips.] What Father God showed me was that allowing people to help me built their self-esteem! “Show and Tell” is a teacher’s tool.  That tool works both ways for the good of all.

My growth as a sign language teacher happened only after I admitted that I didn’t know or understand it all – to be humble rather than stubborn. Confession helps heal in many ways.

Admitting our own lack of understanding of a situation or circumstance does not mean we are stupid. People who are deaf are not stupid. They simply don’t hear. You and I are not stupid about other people or God or various topics. We are all ignorant of understanding and insight in  many ways. Admitting that allows others to educate us. We want God’s education above all, so, ask the Holy Spirit’s help first!

Now, read Psalm 70, verses 2 and 3. Satan (with his despotism and principalities) wants to stop us from doing God’s work.  He and his minions put evildoers in our paths daily to ”turn us back” (vs. 2) and tempt us to give up (vs. 3). But continue reading in verse 4: “May all who come to you be glad and joyful. May all who are thankful for your salvation always say verse 5: “How great is God! I am weak and poor; come to me quickly,

O God. You are my Savior and my Lord—hurry to my aid!” (Speaking of teaching people who are deaf, our special deaf bibles arrived for the new bible study!)

Jesus tells us to be in a church under a pastor’s leadership. This takes being willing to pray, serve and forgive daily.

Today my lectionary (scripture reading schedule) sent me to Matthew 18:21-27 (GNB), the Parable of The Unforgiving Servant: “…Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, if my brother keeps on sinning against me, how many times do I have to forgive him? Seven times?’”

Recall that. Re-read Jesus’ reply of ‘seventy times seven’. Jesus used the example of a king forgiving his servants for “…millions of dollars” [ of debt to the king]. (v24) The servant asked the king to, “Be patient with me.” (v26) The king was convinced by the servant’s urgent plea and manner requesting forgiveness from all the debt!

But…Did the servant fulfill his promise?  I had to read on, intrigued, because I often see and hear similar pleas and promises from mercy seekers.

Like in Jesus’ day, one in ten may be truly sincere and appreciative, returning to thank Him. The same message is for a church or ministry; don’t quit!  Don’t leave the church. Return to church and give thanks. You or I may have to spend time alone with Father God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit before returning to give thanks — first to God, then to the pastor and then to church members.

We are each gifted and unique. We are family with the same Heavenly Father, Older Brother Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. No one is preferred by God—male or female, ethnic group, social status, native or foreigner, etc. Each person is important and valuable to God. Each of us is given a purpose (Romans 8:28) by God who uses good and bad together to complete that individual purpose, in His love.

It was not easy for Jesus to finish His God-given purpose on the cross. He hurt! He prayed so hard he bled great drops of blood. Still, it was only an instant from when he prayed, “Let this cup pass from me” to Him saying “Not my Will but yours be done.” (Matthew 26:42-43) That Christly example is the unity God wants in our homes, churches, cities, counties, and nations.  

We have two ears, two eyes, and one mouth.  We must watch and listen more than we talk. We must go apart as Jesus did, to allow Father God and the Holy Spirit to answer prayers and give guidance. We have to be willing to receive the help of the Holy Spirit and examine different perspectives.  

Not one of us has all the pieces. Unity involves giving and receiving from everyone’s pieces. Admitting selfishness, narrow-mindedness, or unwillingness to change to a better or newer way must come by the Holy Spirit’s encouragement. We must choose that.

To be servants of God, Psalm 119:23 reminds us, “… Your servant meditates on your statutes.”  We must overcome our sinful ways to receive victory. Daily events may require a response. Our response, our choice leads to the outcome, good or bad. We must “become like trees firmly planted by streams of water…” (Psalm 1:3, NASB) Jesus is the Living Water. We must want and allow our minds to be renewed to the mind of Christ. (Romans 12:2)

Can each of us get alone with God and ask for the Holy Spirit to give us a Spiritual scrubbing to be cleansed inside and out by the blood of Jesus? Running away from God won’t fix your servanthood or friendships.  Staying away won’t fix them either. Continue to ask to be cleansed and redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb.

Whatever God has called and is calling us to do, we must continue practicing to become perfect so “what is partial would disappear” (1 Corinthians 13:10) Practice–whether piano, voice, football, typing, public speaking, or anything else—is like developing the character that Christ would have for each of us. This is a daily commitment. We must learn to “…let every temptation add to our perfection. Jesus Himself, learned obedience and grew in wisdom and favor with God.” (Hebrews 5:8-9)

In 1977, God gave me a book to write: Alone with God at Christmas. He told me to watch and pray and then give the book (free) to those to whom He led me.  God said I should tell these people the book was to be used as their personal prayer diary.  Each morning they were to pray the morning prayer and note their prayer experience. That same night before bed, they were to pray the meditation prayer, checking to see if they procrastinated on any “to do” items from the morning prayer.

For years, I’ve stated that we must spend time alone with God, daily—once a year at Christmas will not mature us. We must take part in maturing and putting away childish talk, ways and behavior. (1 Corinthians 13:11, GNB)

Practice requires action! We get better and improve our engineering, violin playing, Bible study, etc. with daily practice.  I used to say, “I can’t pray in public.” Have you ever said such a thing? Sometimes past failure, rejection or abandonment can cause us to stop short of the call or purpose on our lives. (Romans 8:28) Now I pray where He tells me to.

Recently, I started using this book in our Ark PTSD classes. The PTSD group prayed the morning’s prayer from Alone with God at Christmas. We shared our thoughts and experiences, each having read one part of the prayer. This PTSD group is personal and private, with a commitment not to gossip or talk about our group discussion away from the group.

Each person was given a book and was told, “Tonight, when you pray the meditation prayer, write down your thoughts.  Look back at your morning notes. Did you procrastinate about anything? What can you do better? Until we meet again, keep praying and determining what you can do better or to improve your life situation.” I could not have seen this in 1977, when God began preparing me.

Isolating ourselves from God and others is not sound wisdom. Proverbs 18:1 (NKJV) says: “A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgement.” We are not to isolate ourselves but instead, make time to practice the presence of God… sharing our love and being loved.  There is no shortcut. “We win victory over the world by means of our faith.” (1 John 5:4)

With balance, order and quietness together with Christ and the Holy Spirit, we will learn that true “love never fails.” (Romans 8:39) “God lives in union with us, and his love is made perfect in us.” (1 John 4:12) We must practice and share God’s love with others. It takes both courage and practice to love. Some people have been so brutalized in their lives that they are afraid to trust. “There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear.” (1 John 4:18)

You’ve heard, “What goes around comes around.” Well, as I’m entering this new approach to PTSD group, I look back and clearly see how God has led me since 1977 in His perfection process!

“I pray that your love will keep on growing more and more, together with true knowledge and perfect judgement, so that you will be able to choose what is best.” (Philippians 1:9) To accomplish more, we must never quit! Jesus was our “perfect sacrifice to God.” (Hebrews 9:14) He paid for our sins in full “…so we may serve the living God.” (Hebrews 9:12)

 

We must be at full attention and listen to His instructions to go forth in immediate obedience. We need to prove ourselves in all things. (1 Thessalonians 5:21) Whatever He tells us to do; do it! As the Holy Spirit is perfecting us — whether for carpentry, parenting, typing, painting, signing, or public speaking — we are being developed to do our best.

Recall that even Jesus learned obedience and grew in wisdom and favor with God. (Hebrews 55:8-9, GNB) Remember, each of us is gifted and called by Father God to use our gifts for the church’s benefit (the Church is the body of Christ).

I love and enjoy being the Titus 2:3-5 ‘older woman’! Teaching is my gift. God needs teachers, missionaries and evangelists to go wherever He calls. Other examples include people to “go” to programs like: Habitat for Humanity that needs carpenters; Hands and Hearts that needs people with a strong conviction to repair devastated areas, bringing the love of Christ and restoring hope, and more.

We need to set boundaries and finish what we start by following God’s daily instructions. This may require us to unblock or re-establish communications with friends and loved ones. Sometimes we get angry, feel pressure and hear verbal abuse all around us. We may even be attacked. Do we respond with negative reactions? Do we make the choice to respond in love. Only WITH the Holy Spirit’s comfort, help, guidance, and understanding can we overcome worldliness. This is part of our journey to perfection.  Wait before the Lord; follow His leading… for timing is crucial.

If we go prematurely, to satisfy our egos, thinking we need to re-establish a broken relationship, the result could be very disappointing. We need to wait before and with the Lord until He tells us to go.

This, too, is part of our journey into perfection. Continue praying, even fasting, if He leads you. Remember certain things only occur with fasting and prayer.  (Matthew 17:21, AMP) God is faithful!

I’m still learning about setting boundaries and completely following God’s instructions. A few months ago, I added a class to Ark programs. It’s called “Boundaries,” based on the best seller by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend.  This is a follow-up course to our Anger Management Resolution and Domestic Violence Intervention classes. We need to resolve anger, not just face it.

The setting of boundaries about Spiritual teaching (the word of God) is part of our total healing. Please read and pray Psalm 51 over yourself and others who are hurting, who need to reconcile with family and friends. Thank God that, if we practice to become perfect, we can do it through the power of the Holy Spirit.