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Time of Perfection

Rita Poynor

February 18, 2022

Are you a perfectionist or know someone who is? This recovering perfectionist can testify to what it’s like to live in Perfectionism Hell.

I had to be the best at everything. Which as anyone knows is impossible.

The result?

Low self-esteem and the need to continually prove my worthiness haunted my every waking moment. It defined my identity— how I perceived myself.

Thankfully, that day when I internalized my identity as a child of the most high God because of who I was in Christ changed everything.

Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done. So none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:9-10

God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts. Prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are His child, God has made you His heir. Galatians 4:6-7

For I am convinced and continue to be convinced beyond any doubt that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the unlimited love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

For now in this time of imperfection we see in a mirror dimly— a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma. But then when the time of perfection comes we will see reality face to face. Now I know in part, just in fragments, but then I will know fully just as I have been fully known by God. 1 Corinthians 13:12

What can disciples of Christ expect in Eden 2.0 after Christ returns?

All physical, emotional and spiritual needs will be abundantly— perfectly satisfied. No more scarcity, poverty of soul or unfulfilled dreams. Blaming others, circumstances and even Papa Himself will be no more. Resurrected, eternal bodies will be impervious to sickness, sin, the consequences of the curse.

Physical and spiritual death will cease to exist. Christ will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will no longer be death. There will no longer be sorrow and anguish, or crying, or pain. For the former order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4

The earth will be ecologically and esthetically perfect. An environmentalist dream come true. Mankind will be perfect stewards. Caring for Creation, not destroying it. Creation will once again be good in Papa’s sight.

Perfect peace and tranquility will permeate man’s existence. There’ll be no more wars, offense or confusion. That peace which reassures the heart. That peace which transcends all understanding, That peace which stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus is yours. Philippians 4:7

Glorious relationships with others and Christ will be the norm because of holy heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Above all, perfect love— the perfect bond of unity and the peace of the Messiah will control your heart.

Work will no longer be laborious or boring. It will be satisfying and fulfilling because it will be perfectly matched to whom Papa envisioned when He created you.

Christ’s perfect, unbiased justice will rule— eternal, absolute righteousness integrity, virtue, uprightness in purpose

A disciple of Christ, like the apostle John, will witness a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband Revelation 21:1-2.

Arrayed with God’s glory, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. Revelation 21:11

Nothing evil^[ will be allowed to enter. Nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonestynly, But only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Revelation 21:27

God will make His presence among His people in Jesus Christ.

No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it. His servants will worship Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.

Night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun. For the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:3-5

That Glorious Day

Rita Poynor

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January 31, 2022

As the darkness of evil intensifies throughout the earth, the longing for the other side of eternity increases exponentially.This longing for your heavenly home can leave you in a continual state of discontent.

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If you’re not careful, your inability to satisfy this longing will lead you astray and into sin.

What can you do to make sure this doesn’t happen?

Your faith in Christ Jesus— how you lean on Him with absolute confidence in His power, wisdom, goodness.

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The unselfish love which you have for all the saints, God’s people.

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The confident hope of experiencing that which is reserved and waiting for you in heaven. Colossians 1:4-5

What awaits you on the other side of eternity?

An inheritance which is imperishable, beyond the reach of change and undefiled and unfading. 1 Peter 1:4

What can you do to insure your perspective of the future is focused on the other side of eternity, not this temporal world.

Don’t fall in love with this corrupt world or worship the things it can offer. Those who love its corrupt ways don’t have the Father’s love living within them. All the things the world can offer to you— the allure of pleasure, the passion to have things and the pompous sense of superiority do not come from the Father. These are the rotten fruits of this world. 1 John 2:15-16

Don’t meditate on or consume this rotten fruit because you’re not a resident of this earthly, temporal world but merely a sojourner— a visitor. Here on this earth for a minuscule period of time.

Because we are citizens of heaven where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. We are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like His own. Using the same power with which He will bring everything under His control. Philippians 3:20-21

The tabernacle of God is among men, and He will live among them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God, He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will no longer be death. There will no longer be sorrow and anguish, or crying or pain. For the former order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:3-4

We know that if our earthly house, a mere tent that can easily be taken down is destroyed We will then live in an eternal home in the heavens, a building crafted by divine, not human hands.

Currently, in this tent of a house, we continue to groan and ache with a deep desire to be sheltered in our permanent home because then we will be truly clothed and comfortable. Protected by a covering for our current nakedness.

The fact is that in this tent we anxiously moan, fearing the naked truth of our reality. What we crave above all is to be clothed so that what is temporary and mortal can be wrapped completely in life. The One who has worked and tailored us for this is God Himself. Who has gifted His Spirit to us as a pledge toward our permanent home. 2 Corinthians 5:1-5

The apostle John witnessed a preview of this promised reality.

My heavenly guide brought me to the river of pure living waters, shimmering as brilliantly as crystal. It flowed out from the throne of God and of the Lamb, flowing down the middle and dividing the street of the holy city.

On each bank of the river stood the tree of life. Firmly planted. Bearing twelve kinds of fruit and producing its sweet crop every month throughout the year. The soothing leaves that grew on the tree of life provided precious healing for the nations. No one or nothing will labor under any curse any longer.

The throne of God and of the Lamb will sit prominently in the city. God’s servants will continually serve and worship Him. They will be able to look upon His face, and His name will be written on their foreheads.

Darkness will never again fall on this city. They will not require the light of a lamp or of the sun because the Lord God will be their illumination. By His light they will reign throughout the ages. Revelation 22:1-5

What a glorious day that will be! For no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Corinthians 2:9

Beacon of Hope

Rita Poynor

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January 14, 2022

Each new year brings renewed hope. The promise of…

Overcoming vices, weaknesses, failures.

Bringing to fruition long anticipated dreams.

Maintaining healthy relationships.

But then the circumstances of life decide to erect roadblocks. Slamming the door of hope and opening the door of…

Disappointment.

Discouragement.

Delay.

You’re left wondering.

Why did this happen?

Who’s to blame?

When will it end?

What do I do now?

Who you run to for answers and help will ultimately determine whether you get behind the wheel again and continue your journey or remain lost and disillusioned.

Seeking rescue from the world is futile. It’s offer of temporal help is fleeting and weak because it never instills resilience or steadfastness.

Only the Gospel of Christ has that power because of its eternal wisdom.

Christ alone is worthy to be obeyed and worshiped.

Remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of Him during your time here as “temporary residents.”

For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. It was not paid with mere gold or silver which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose Him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days He has been revealed for your sake.

Through Christ you have come to trust in God. You have placed your faith and hope in God because He raised Christ from the dead and gave Him great glory. 1 Peter 1:17-21

An eternal, not temporal mindset must be your compass as you navigate the nuances of life.

Do not store up for yourselves material treasures on earth. Where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart, your wishes, your desires, that on which your life centers will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

Papa will grace you to overcome and persevere if you trust Him and His ways.

Do you not know? Have you not heard?The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become tired or grow weary.There is no searching of His understanding. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who has no might He increases power.

Even youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, But those who wait for the Lord. Who expect, look for, and hope in Him will gain new strength and renew their power. They will lift up their wings and rise up close to God like eagles rising toward the sun. They will run and not become weary. They will walk and not grow tired. Isaiah 40:28-31

Renew your mind— think like Papa, not the world.

Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice— the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

Jesus and the early Church lived amidst turmoil and unpredictability. Violent revolts, uprisings, crime and Roman oppression characterized the time period. Yet, hope reigned because of the Gospel. The promise of a regenerated heart and an immortal body sustained people during this turbulent time period.

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It has the power to do so today!