Hello Friends,

Sitting here reading God’s Word gives me such comfort.  In a world where perfection is expected, rewarded, and the lack thereof is judged, and frowned upon, it is marvelous to know that God doesn’t expect us to be perfect but forgiven.  He is perfection and Jesus in us makes us perfectly forgiven.  There is a difference between perfect and perfectly forgiven.

Perfectly forgiven demonstrates our humanness covered by His righteousness.  Perfectly forgiven reminds us of His promise to forgive those who repent (turn away from) of their sins and ask God for forgiveness. Perfectly forgiven encourages us to move forward in God’s grace, mercy, and love.  Perfectly forgiven gives us hope, motivation, and inspiration.  On the other hand, perfection screams failure.

Despite my best efforts, my sinful nature is going to make a mistake but because of God’s great love and His amazing failure that doesn’t mean game over.  It doesn’t doom me to a life of failure, and it certainly doesn’t define who I am.  Jesus defines who I am. It simply reminds me of my need to trust in Jesus.  It affirms the necessity for me to lean solely and completely on Jesus. It invokes an attitude of gratitude for His complete forgiveness.  Because I am His child my heart’s desire is to please Him.  But, when things don’t work out the way I planned and my fleshly attitude, actions, and thoughts take over, I can live in the peace of knowing that as I confess, He is forgiving.  God’s grace isn’t a license to sin, but it is a covering of mercy that allows us to live in His peace.  God isn’t like the world.  He doesn’t require us to be perfect.  He makes us perfect in Him.

Our lives are not about us.  They are about us being who God intends us to be.  Just as Jesus enables and empowers us to be what He has called us to be, He also enables us to stand before God perfectly forgiven washed in the perfect, sinless blood of Jesus.  Our lives are to be lived for the purpose of spreading the Gospel and shining our light on a dark and sinful world.  Our lives are to be lived for Him by Him.  It is only through the grace of Jesus that we can live for God. So today, don’t fret the how, the when, or the why.  Simply trust fully and completely in Jesus.  Purpose in your heart to follow Jesus, to be obedient to His Word, and to keep His commandments, then let Him do the rest.  He who never sleeps or slumbers will save you and keep you.  You are perfect in Christ Jesus.  Remember you are loved.  Jesus loves you.

In His Service,
Kimmy