NCarolinian

There is only one who is perfect and I am not Him. Yet, those that witness my Christian life somehow expect me to immediately be perfect. H ow people can deduce just from mere association with Christ that I am automatically and instantly perfect, I will never know. Just because I might be associated with Michael Jordan does not mean I have all his characteristics as well as his championships. In my relationship with Jesus, I still must work-out my salvation ( Philippians 2:12 ). This is not a bed of roses. I am imperfect. I still struggle, fall and hurt others in the process. But there are lessons to be learned if I will learn them and forgiveness to be had and a future to grasp.  With Christ, my association is different from everybody else. Christ dwells within me and every believer by the power of His Holy Spirit. Because of this difference, His Perfection can be displayed as an out-right instant miracle or His Perfection can be a development of our bodies, minds and souls...

Greetings to my brothers and sisters in Christ. I encourage you today to remain in good favor with The Lord. Do everything in your power to hear His voice and obey His words. We are His children, but when we are in that position, we are His favored ones - seated together with Him in heavenly places ( Eph. 2:6 ). Why would I warn you to stay in the righteousness of Christ or right standing with Christ? Peter helps us out here. "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8) Several points need to magnified here. Peter says,  Be spiritually on your guard and aware at all times. You have an enemy. His name is The Devil. He prowls or stalks his targets He is relatively easy to spot, because he prowls, declares or tempts in a loud voice - "like a roaring lion" - as he looks for someone to devour. He is the counterfeit lion.  He is looking to annihilate us, hince the word ...