The Undoing of Perfection

To preface this writing, the following, profound, Bible scriptures will open anyone’s eyes to the urgency of the hour when the message contained herein is focused upon.

(2 Timothy 3:1-5), “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come;” vs.2 “For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,” vs.3 “unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,” vs.4 “traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,” vs.5 “having a form of godliness, but denying its power.  And from such people turn away!” 

People that take the time to center their attention on the happenings around them, while looking beyond the four walls of self-indulgent living, will have a shocking realization regarding the stench of sin that is filling the air, of which is becoming commonplace in many homes of today’s America and around the world.

The United Stated of America was once “Under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” and founded upon the affirmation of “In God we trust,” which is now reeking from the disgusting odor of filth; the smell of ungodliness in a land that is quickly being overtaken by sin.  What happened?

God’s Word reveals the future to whoever reads it.  It warns of the impending judgment of God that is quickly approaching the inhabitants of earth that are not serving God.  The signs are everywhere. 

When a person takes their head out of the sand and looks at the corruptness and mayhem around them, these signs tell us that we are in the season of the Lord’s return and God’s final judgment.  The end of time is upon us whether a person believes it or not.

When God created the heavens and earth and all living creatures, He saw and declared that this wonderful creation was good.  It was beauty at is finest; absent of sin, which corrupts and destroys everything in its path.  But when sin entered God’s perfect utopia, the beginning to an end began its haughty stand against good, while pursuing those that God created in His image.  It is the evilness of Satan marching forward; devoid of trepidation—having no concern for God’s commandments.

Sin is sin at any level of activity when people sin, if there are actually degrees or levels of sin.  If anything at all is contrary to the statutes and holiness of God, it is sin in its debased form, according to the Bible.  Anything that is anti-pure is sin. 

On an infinite scale between good and evil, sin is at the opposite end of holiness.  God is at one end of the gamut and Satan is at the other end and everything in-between.  A person either serves God or the devil. There is no ‘safe zone’ anywhere in the middle where sin is concerned.   

Sin began in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, which was the beginning of the undoing of God’s perfect creation.  Rebellion took a stand against God, which set into motion His timetable with regard to the decline and demise of mankind.  

It began with Eve when she was beguiled by the serpent, Satan, to ignore God’s command to not eat fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that stood in the midst of the garden.  She then gave the forbidden fruit to Adam, and he too ate, which caused the beginning of sorrow for them and the fall of all future generations.

The foolishness of their self-seeking revolt against God in picking the fruit was unwise.  This act created the birthing place for sin, which matures in filth and leads to lower stages of corrupt behavior in people. 

The lowest and final stage of sinning is the ultimate betrayal of God’s mercy, which causes God to separate Himself from any unprincipled, depraved person that is totally bad.  The word given to this depravity is called, reprobation.

Any person that God turns over to a reprobate mind has no conscience.  They lack the sense of right and wrong and are absent of scruples and principles.  They do things that are against God’s standards and have pleasure in doing them.  Reprobates believe there is no wrong in what they do, because ethics and morals are gone. 

(Romans 1:28-32), And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;” vs.29 “being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,” vs.30 “backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,” vs.31 “undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;” vs.32 “who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”

Is this sounding more and more familiar to you as you read?  Look around and see what the leaders and judges of our nation are sanctioning as proper and appropriate living.  Reread vs.32 above.  Many of their decisions directly oppose God’s Word.  How far we have fallen!

God extends His love, grace, and mercy to prevent this from happening to whoever accepts Jesus as their Savior, the only means for sins forgiven.  Every individual on earth has freewill to choose or reject the Lord.  God provided the only way that mankind could be saved from the punishment of hell.  Salvation comes through His Son, Jesus Christ, but each of us has the freedom of choice.  God leaves this decision to us.

God does not send evildoers to hell, they do that on their own by turning their back on Jesus.  Every person makes the choice themselves; life in heaven with the Lord or death in hell with Satan.

After the first sin in the Garden of Eden, it spread outward like a fast growing cancer, which to this day is destroying everything it touches.  Adam and Eve’s sin-nature, which was passed through their lineage, initiated the hand of God when He destroyed the inhabitants of earth the first time with water.  Noah and his family were the only ones spared, because Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

The final undoing of God’s creation will be when He destroys it with fire, because of sin.  As I have said, sin corrupts and causes God to react.  Those that are safe in the arms of the Lord will escape His final judgment.

Time will be no more and God’s timetable complete.  All creation will be purged of sin in like manner as Sodom and Gomorrah when these two cities and the residents therein were destroyed by fire.  So shall it be in the concluding judgment of God.  

As Noah had a safe haven within the ark he built, Jesus Christ is our ark of safety that will save Christians, His bride, from annihilation and damnation.  Those that have accepted Him as Lord and Savior will ever be with Him in heaven.

The content of this writing is certainly mind-bending and perhaps difficult to ingest, but God’s grace extends beyond personal persuasions, beliefs and ensuing questions of any kind.

If you are not 100% sure where you stand with God, a prayer of repentance will give you the peace you need.  Why not give God the opportunity to prove His love, and ask Him to forgive you of your sins?  In doing so, you safeguard your future in heaven, while becoming a child of God at the same time.  Joining the family of God makes you ready to meet Jesus when He returns, prior to the old order of things passing away.

The following scripture is the hope of Christians—Jesus is speaking.

(John 14:1-3), “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.”  vs.2 “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.”  vs.3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Let Go and Let God

It is amazing to me, in such a short amount of time, how people in our nation are swinging to the other end of the pendulum where kindness and being courteous are non-existent.  It seems like fewer and fewer people care about the needs of others like they once did.  They don’t want to get involved, because of their busy lifestyle at home. 

People are in their own little world of happenings.  As long as they have a cell phone or computer to play games and send text messages they are just fine.  They wouldn’t think of asking for help, because that would obligate them to return the favor.  The fewer the obligations the better they feel regarding helping someone. 

A particular, common practice in the 18^th and 19^th century in rural North America was 'barn-raising'.  This term describes a collective action by the members of a community to help build or rebuild a barn for a member of that community.  Neighbors and friends addressed the need by enlisting other members of their community, unpaid, to assist in building the barn.  The favor would eventually return to each participant.

People were not embarrassed or afraid to let go of their arrogant pride and ask for help; allowing others to see their vulnerability.  As I see it, this giving and receiving character in people is changing from what America was built upon—the statutes of God and close-bond camaraderie with neighbors.

Past generations were more God conscious and involved Him in sensitive areas of life more so than people of today.  “Who needs God?” is the general consensus and intellect of communities throughout the nation. Some Christians are timid to speak up for what they believe is right, because of the backlash received from non-Believers around them. 

It is easier to shut up than to let go of fear and let God work in and through their efforts to create change.  This way of thinking must cease if Christians truly desire a godly nation to continue; maintaining Christian values in America.

Christians must guard against the temptation of getting caught up in self-sufficiency, while rubbing shoulders with a society that is hell-bent on doing their own thing without regard for God or the 10 Commandments.

To let go and let God involve Himself in one’s life is easier said than done for those that consider themselves independent and self-sufficient.  They do not feel the need to solicit anyone’s help, especially God, in order to make ends meet or help them with the rearing of offspring; teaching them the value of godly principles and becoming dependable, honorable people of society.

Do you remember the ill-advised saying?  “Do as I say not as I do.”  Children learn by example.  What they see and hear they emulate.  This practice is everywhere you look.  A let go and let God standard of living is taught with the help of God Almighty; it is not learned in this world of changing values and self-centered thinking.

Independence, without God, quickly evolves into a prideful individual; a self-imposed, self-doer that refuses God’s interference.  They don’t want it, because the thought of letting God do anything and being obligated to Him goes against the grain of their “I can do it myself!” mentality.  This is a very bad way to live, and unwise to say the least.

Consider for a moment the title of this writing.  I believe it to be self-explanatory and understandable without a lot of words following.  But to put it into prospective, the first two words, “Let God” imply a giving up or opening the hand to release one’s grip on something.  By doing so, this gesture can be interpreted, by some, as being vulnerable.

To permit access to areas that have perhaps been protected up to that point is a fearful thing.  It is misconstrued as surrendering and giving up.  It is scarier to let go of something that has been carried for so long than to allow God to move as He sees fit in certain situations. 

The close proximity of children or parents that are not serving God are two examples of wanting to hold on and not let go for fear that God might knock the props out from under them, because God is seen as a disciplinarian rather than the loving, compassionate, and merciful God that He is.  These people are frequently called enablers.

Enablers are often faced with difficult challenges, because of their great concern for certain individuals.  These ordeals can become paramount to those that lack proper training on how to deal with matters of personality traits, including a host of other disorders. 

Enablers feel that no one else can do or react to the circumstances that surround them like they themselves can, and are most reluctant to hand over to another party their self-appointed responsibility of trying to work out all situations.  To let go and let God is not in their vocabulary, because they fear what God might do.

In actuality, an enabler sometimes keeps those that they care for in a dependent state of reliability—unable to do for themselves, because they are so accustom to things being done for them that self-dignity and self-respect slowly erode away.  Certainly, there are extenuating circumstances that enter into this scenario; like disabilities and birth defects, of which the above thoughts may not apply.

To let go and lay a problem at the feet of Jesus and trust Him with what they could not do can be intimidating; leaving the enabler with feelings of unsuccessful intervention, while being bombarded with the question, “Why do things have to be the way they are?”  But God’s grace is sufficient in all things if we let go and let God help us.

Unlike enablers, self-doers are generally puffed up in themselves, because of their prideful nature, but enablers and self-doers have a common denominator—ongoing frustration.  They are on common ground; void of lasting peace, hope, and in some cases, lacking stability. 

Personal obsessions, coupled with pride, limit a person to the height they can achieve regarding accomplishments.  I call this ascent, ‘the ladder of self-reliance’.  It does not reach to the level of success that they desire, because there is a lack; void of God’s help and strength.  It is only tall enough to reach as high as the glass ceiling of ‘want’ and no higher.

Self-sufficiency without God is like running in place and going nowhere.  It is taking one step forward and two steps back.  It is like a car's transmission that is stuck in reverse; having no forward motion. 

To not let go and not let God work, amounts to a complete standstill when lasting peace and complete satisfaction are at stake, which are common denominators that are missing.  Letting God do the impossible is the only way to realize success in all areas of life.

No one within their own strength or ingenuity can accomplish any visionary scheme for an ideally perfect endeavor no matter how hard they try.  At times it may seem that it is going to happen, because of an inner-drive-methodology at work; thinking they can achieve it, but reality soon reveals the unwanted truth that it just won’t take place without supernatural intervention.

To let go and let God have His way instead of insisting on having our own way requires faith, which is the ability of a person to trust the honesty of God.  Jesus declares in the Bible that He is the only way to success; the truth we can count on in times of need; and the life, which is abundant living—experiencing lasting satisfaction.

(John 14:6), “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ ”

Satan tries to blind our eyes from truth and makes it difficult for a self-sufficient person to let go and let God, especially if they have an abundance of money to buy any material thing they want.  It is sad when they love money so much that it becomes their god, which is the route of all evil.

(1 Timothy 6:10), “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

Self-sufficient people that ignore God are self-destructive in many ways when they attempt to blaze their own trail without God.  Their philosophy is, “If I can’t do it, it can’t be done.”  This was my attitude before I met the Lord.

After trying with all that was in me to achieve lasting happiness, I came to the bitter conclusion that no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t do it.  I finally let go and let God accomplish what I could not.  He did the impossible for me.

God loved humanity so much that He gave His only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins.  He wants to do similar miracles for each person like He did for me.  All it takes is to let go and let God.  He forgives sin and provides hope of eternal life in heaven, while giving peace that passes all understanding, because Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

Written by,

Papa Boyd 

The Unseen Enemy (Part 1 of 2)

My aim in this writing is to turn the negative connotation of the above title into a positive, factual declaration of God’s omnipotent power regarding situation solving and intervention.

Try as I may to stay clear of antagonistic people and uncomfortable situations, inevitably they have a way of finding me, because Satan is the unseen enemy; the responsible foe that is seeking whom he may devour in any way he can. 

This nemesis of humanity wants to steal from us the joy, peace, and lasting contentment that are found only in Jesus Christ.  One of Satan’s major obsessions is to bring Christians to the same level of ungodliness as those without Christ in the world. 

Satan also wants to hide the fact from nonbelievers that God forgives sin and His love is everlasting and free to whoever calls on the Lord for forgiveness.  The devil deceives people, because he knows that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

I am striving each day to maintain the vertical relationship in right prospective with God so that the horizontal dealings with people remain calm, while sustaining a Christ-like attitude.  When I am successful in doing this, life is less stressful and my comings and goings are blessed of God.

At times it is difficult to turn the other cheek, figuratively speaking, especially when people exude an unkind attitude, impatience, and rudeness.  The old ‘type A’ personality that I so foolishly displayed when I was younger; not serving God, wants to resurface and thunder to the forefront, thus, striking out with greater intensity than the other person may be showing, especially if they are trying to mistreat or speak cruelly to my wife in a vindictive manner.

I have been around the block a few times when dealing with contemptuous people, but I try to keep that old nature under subjection, because God set me free from this behavioral shortcoming when He forgave my sins.  But on occasion, the gruff personality and quick temper from my yesterday’s antics want to rise to the surface and step in front of better judgment to show his ugliness.

At these times I find myself at the level that I was prior to the hour when God released me from this unwanted personality.  At the moment of confrontation I am eye to eye at the same level as the person I’m leering at, which is the level and path that I once traveled before God delivered me from similar displays of anger.

The Holy Spirit is quick to remind me, just before the adrenaline rush begins to surge, that were it not for God’s grace I would still be a miserable person; cantankerous like the world around me or even worse.  I realize that others’ misfortune could be mine if the blessings and kindness that God imparted to me had not happened.  I am just a sinner saved by grace in a world of sinful people.  “There but for the grace of God go I.”

The words printed on my truck’s license plate holder make a profound declaration.  “Christians aren’t perfect just FORGIVEN” 

The unseen enemy is hard at work trying to steal Christian’s peace of mind and show them that they are no better than those that give them a bad time.  But greater is God within us than the unseen enemy in the world that wants to destroy our soul. 

When I listen to the Holy Spirit and restrain myself from my old way of dealing with impudence and the vulgarity of people, God gives me the strength to overcome and endure; without incident.  Notice that I said, “When I listen…”

I believe that when I sincerely try to maintain control of my emotions, God is quick to work in my behalf to fill my mouth with words that are not my own; calming situations that Satan orchestrated.  A kind word controls things from getting out of hand, because God is sovereign and His Word declares it so.

(Proverbs 25:11), “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”

By giving God the opportunity to work out a problem, and us submitting our will to His, the end result speaks for itself—godly intervention.  The key to suppressing the unseen enemy is to walk in the Spirit each day so that we are emotionally equipped to yield ourselves to God’s way of handling things.

We need not lower ourselves to the level of the world’s standard of reasoning by displaying a belligerent attitude.  With the help of the Holy Spirit we can rise above the temptation to react negatively.  Giving the other person a piece of our mind or doing something worse is not the answer.

This philosophy for living is certainly easier said than done, but when we do it God’s way, we learn that His way is best, because the results are always positive in nature.  I am weak within myself, but I am an over-comer through Christ who strengthens me.

(1 John 4:4), “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd

The Unseen Enemy (Part 2 of 2)

Is the enemy truly unseen?  No not at all.  If we take a moment to focus and evaluate the unpleasant traits that others radiate, we will see Satan’s influence through the actions and words they use, because they live by their own standards and set of rules; not God’s.  With the Holy Spirit aiding our efforts to overcome Satan’s advances, problematic situations can be dealt with sensibly rather than reacting without thinking.

Eyes will be opened to see clearly how to handle any state of affairs by remembering past events when God made good out of something bad.  Humanity would be amazed and set-a-back at the omnipotent power of God if they would only allow Him to become involved in all areas of life, especially those times when Satan is revealed as the deceiver that he is and the promoter of disorder and disarray.

When we allow God to be in control of our emotions, the unseen enemy cannot hide.  He is readily revealed for what and who he is.  God has the ability to shine through our weakness in those uncomfortable moments when Satan wants us to believe that we are standing alone and no different than those without Christ.

When we refrain from giving someone a piece of our mind, we retain the God-mind that we so desperately need—the mind of Christ, which helps us maintain our dignity and well-being in Him.

(Psalm 39:1), “…I will guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, while the wicked are before me.”

I believe in preparedness.  Locking doors and windows at night, for example, is using good sense; not tempting fate.  Being attentive and not burying our head in the sand is prudent. Anyone thinking that all's-well in their society of misguided, self-seeking individuals, are lacking wisdom.

Everything is not hunky-dory, because these Godless people are allowing the unseen enemy to manipulate them into doing horrific things.

God gives us a mind and He expects us to use it to scrutinize and know the workings of Satan. Besides five senses,  I have a sixth sense—my God sense; being able to see things before they happen and then make adjustments accordingly.  I am sure that I have warded off many unhappy endings by doing so.

When growing up, my dad taught me how to fight and stand up for what was right and defend myself in urgent situations.  I can still hear him say, “Never pick a fight, because there is always someone tougher than you.” 

Dad wanted me to know that even though a person may be physically fit and mentally astute to deal with trouble by using certain offensive and defensive moves, situations can still end negatively and that it is much better to avoid trouble if at all possible.

At one end of the spectrum are those that believe preparedness conquers all, while others at the other end are totally oblivious and unaware of the dangers in their immediate surroundings, while potential threats lurk in the shadows.  I believe, unequivocally, that we must stay vigilant at all times, especially in the day in which we live. 

It is not that we walk in fear, but we walk in readiness, while listening and watching for warning signs when conditions just don’t look or feel right.  We must pay attention to our sixth sense.  God gives this insight when Christians walk in the Spirit.  Awareness gives favor, whereas, unpreparedness breeds trouble.

Though a person may feel comfortable with the training they’ve received; having confidence in their ability to aggressively take down any threat that presents itself, the sure way to a successful encounter is to read the signs before things escalate out of control, while remaining pro-defensive in mind, body, and spirit.  Not allowing one’s testosterone or adrenaline rush to overpower good judgment is using wisdom.

When our spiritual eyes are open, the unseen enemy can be recognized for the troublemaker that he is before things reach the point of no return.  Pleading the blood of Jesus and then watching the hand of God take control by whatever means He chooses is much safer and rewarding.

We need not walk with the anticipation of finding trouble and doing something about it, but rather, stay alert and not put ourselves in harms way.  We should also allow God to put a watchman at our mouth to help tame the tongue.  

I believe that this type of readiness is what God desires for Christians that want a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Him.

(Proverbs 15:1-2),  “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  vs.2 “The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd 

Do I Stand Alone

In a world that has been corrupted by selfish desires and changing values, the populace will either stand in the power of God or within their own limitations; there is no middle ground.  God would have us hot or cold regarding our relationship with Him; not lukewarm.

The righteousness of God and the filthy rags of one’s own righteousness are the only two choices possible to humanity.  Because of self-will and greed, some people are insistent on promoting themselves within the power they conger up from their narcissistic personality.

These people are not only self-centered and self-absorbed in themselves, they think they have all the answers; trusting in their own intellect and decision-making.  Their inward quest for gratification causes them to become puffed up in self-sufficiency.

When people like this think they stand, the Bible says in (1 Corinthians 10:12), “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”  When anyone exalts themselves above God and takes a stand against Him, autonomy remains, which is a lonely place to be and inflexible way to live.

When they fall, great is the fall—mind, body, and spirit.  When this happens, and it will, chances are that no one will be around to help restore the broken pieces, because they have successfully, by choice, alienated themselves from others and God do to their negative personality and independent character traits.  Self-reliance is the remnant left over when God is missing from the equation of life.

If a person does not stand for God they will fall for anything, thus, the altered form of the way that God had intended humans to live.  It is sad when people choose to stand alone rather than in the strength of God and the power of His might.  Even though they may be surrounded by a crowd of people, they are standing alone, because of the emptiness within them that only God can fill.

And then there are those that go with the flow, and drift like a ship without a rudder; or they are like a leaf in the breeze that is blown to and fro.  Without the Lord standing by their side they are unstable in all their ways.  Whether amidst crowds of people or in their own world of seclusion, they are prisoners of loneliness. 

The void within them is God-shaped that only He can fill, yet mankind insists on substituting things that cannot bring peace or satisfaction.  Neither material gain nor success in life can calm the longing of one’s heart when they are looking to such entities to bring happiness; loneliness prevails.  Only God can satisfy.

Christians can stand on the promise in God’s Word when it says that He will never forsake them.  God’s faithfulness can be counted on.  It is not dependent upon circumstances, our status in life, or the color of our skin.  God never fails, whereas, people and self-sufficiency always fail.  They are fallible, but God is infallible—incapable of failure or error.

When we ask God to forgive us of our sins and become born-again Believers, Jesus Christ becomes Lord and Savior of our life.  We are saved from sin through His death and resurrection.  Confidence is ours, at the moment of new beginnings, that we have God standing by our side.  We are no longer standing alone without hope.

(Deuteronomy 31:6), “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you.  He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

We need not fear death, because the moment our soul vacates the body we will stand before a holy God, not standing in our own righteous, but the righteousness of Jesus Christ our Savior.  We stand in His perfection.  It is as if Jesus is standing in front of each Believer with God seeing Him, because of the cleansing blood that Jesus shed for all sinners.

(John 14:27), “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

On March 4, 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt said these words:  “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”  But Christians need not fear at all, because “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).  There is no fear in God’s love.

All filth was washed away in the flow of Jesus’ blood.  We can be changed; made into a new creation that is no longer bound by sin.  Perfection is ours, because Jesus died on the cross for the sins of mankind.  This act of love made it possible for all to come unto repentance and be made pure as the driven snow.

Not only will Jesus stand with Christians in heaven, He stands next to them each and every day on earth, while leading the way into truth.

Do I stand alone—most definitely not!  God is always with me, because of His grace and forgiveness through Christ.  I now stand in peace.  My hope is in Him.

(Jeremiah 29:11), “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

(Philippians 4:7), “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

(Romans 12:2), “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd