If you may struggle with Jesus' words in Matthew 5:48...being perfect even as our heavenly Father is perfect...here's an article with a helpful explanation, on GotQuestions:
God bless you, Jenise, and your family. May the LORD continue to work mighty in your life, filling you with His wisdom and courage to persevere without compromise. Reaching out to others, telling them about JESUS. The only Savior and true hope for all humanity.
JESUS is like no other. He's the LORD, Savior of the world, the one most Worthy.
Psalm 51:7-13 NLT "Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean.
Revelation 4:9-11 NLT: "Whenever the living beings give Glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,
"You are worthy, O Lord our God,
to receive Glory and, honor and power.
For you created all things,
and they exist because you created what you pleased."
Another beautiful, and God-glorifying comment, brother James, thank you!
Psalm 51 is special to me as it was a weekly part of Sunday worship in the liturgical church I grew up in; we'd sing "Create in me a clean heart..." every week.
Then, Keith Green came out with his version, and my friends and I fell in love with it!
I like your honesty, admitting your imperfect walk of discipleship. Same as me. And writing about how the Father still loves us and cheers us on, though I've not always known that. Thanks for a good article, Jenise.
Thank you, Teresa! Yes, Father God does cheer us on. His heart has been broken over and over throughout humanity’s history. And yet, He sent His Son for us!
He knows we are dust; beloved jars of clay containing His treasure: our redeemed souls.
If you may struggle with Jesus' words in Matthew 5:48...being perfect even as our heavenly Father is perfect...here's an article with a helpful explanation, on GotQuestions:
https://www.gotquestions.org/be-perfect-as-your-heavenly-Father-is-perfect.html
God bless you, Jenise, and your family. May the LORD continue to work mighty in your life, filling you with His wisdom and courage to persevere without compromise. Reaching out to others, telling them about JESUS. The only Savior and true hope for all humanity.
JESUS is like no other. He's the LORD, Savior of the world, the one most Worthy.
Psalm 51:7-13 NLT "Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean.
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Oh, give me back my joy again.
you have broken me—
now let me rejoice.
Don't keep looking at my sins.
Remove the stain of my guilt.
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Do not banish me from your presence,
and don't take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.
Then I will teach your ways to rebels,
and they will return to you."
JESUS, You Are My All in All https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ScRmcpRip4
"You are my strength when I am weak,
You are the treasure that I seek,
You are my all in all
Seeking you as a precious jewel
Lord, to give up, I'd be a fool
You are my all in all
Jesus, lamb of God,
Worthy is your name
Jesus, lamb of God,
Worthy is Your name
Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising again, I bless Your name,
Cause you are my all in all
When I fall down, You pick me up
When I am dry, You fill my cup
Cause You are my all in all
Jesus, lamb of God,
Worthy is Your name,
Jesus, the lamb of God,
Worthy is Your name.
Your name, Your name (whoah-oa)
Jesus, lamb of God,
Worthy is Your name!
My Jesus, lamb of God,
Worthy is Your name!
Jesus, lamb of God,
Worthy is Your name!
Jesus, lamb of God,
Worthy is Your name!
Jesus, lamb of God,
Worthy is Your name,
My Jesus, lamb of God,
Worthy is Your name!
And worthy is Your name.
Worthy is Your name!"
Revelation 4:9-11 NLT: "Whenever the living beings give Glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,
"You are worthy, O Lord our God,
to receive Glory and, honor and power.
For you created all things,
and they exist because you created what you pleased."
GOD bless you all!
Another beautiful, and God-glorifying comment, brother James, thank you!
Psalm 51 is special to me as it was a weekly part of Sunday worship in the liturgical church I grew up in; we'd sing "Create in me a clean heart..." every week.
Then, Keith Green came out with his version, and my friends and I fell in love with it!
God bless you and yours, James!
ERROR Corrected - The email and Substack app versions are missing Matthew 5:48 near the top of the post/article. The verse is:
Matthew 5:48 (CSV)
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
I like your honesty, admitting your imperfect walk of discipleship. Same as me. And writing about how the Father still loves us and cheers us on, though I've not always known that. Thanks for a good article, Jenise.
Thank you, Teresa! Yes, Father God does cheer us on. His heart has been broken over and over throughout humanity’s history. And yet, He sent His Son for us!
He knows we are dust; beloved jars of clay containing His treasure: our redeemed souls.