Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: Phil. 3:12

The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Prov. 4:18

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:12

Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD. Hos. 6:3

Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Matt. 13:43

We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. II Cor. 3:18

When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. I Cor. 13:10

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. I Cor. 13:12

Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. I John 3:2, 3

Walk in newness of life. Rom. 6:4

As ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. Rom. 6:19

iniquity unto iniquity...this is our track record, and an affront to the strict moralist in our society, who has little idea what an offense to God he has been!

I beseech you.... brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. Rom. 12:1, 2

I beseech you...yes, sometimes we beseech, we BEG, Christians to do right! we also admonish them that doing right with their bodies is their reasonable service. The key: renewing their mind. That's a daily task for me!

If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. II Cor. 5:17

new creature...all things become new: this in contrast to Romans 12, where the appeal is made to renew the mind in dedicating one's self to physical consecration

In Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy. Gal. 6:15, 16

I need to walk and adopt the attitude that I am a new creature.

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind. Eph. 4:17
vanity of their mind...vanity is a sinful mindset that affects a person's walk. O how we need humble people void of vanity! Humble servants who, against the offense of their unsaved contacts, in turn demonstrate Christian love and forgiveness, in order that they might be saved and Christ seen!

Ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus. Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Eph. 4:20, 21, 24

Put on...this is a deliberate effort made by one to walk in newness of life...it doesn't just 'happen', it must be volitional and deliberate on my part.

...the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain...Romans 8:22

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. (Romans 8:22)

I thought of this verse when I read this article this AM: http://www.space.com/php/video/player.php?video_id=080627-earth-sounds
it's scary but the real deal...oh how sin troubles! how it not only troubles the soul, but the whole creation!
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (Matthew 24:35)

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (Mark 13:31)

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (Luke 21:33)

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10)

how I yearn for my Redeemer to come and reign this earth before its reformation...the end of the millennium will result in a new earth AND a new heaven.

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (Revelation 21:1)

Psalm 86:17...because thou, Lord, hast holpen me, comforted me.

Psalm 86:17
Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, Lord, hast holpen me, comforted me.

token: mark, evidence
holpen me: to surround, that is, protect or aid: - help, succour
succour = succor: noun: 1. Assistance in time of distress; relief. 2. One that affords assistance or relief
comforted me: to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to avenge (oneself): - comfort (self), ease

I sometimes plead for some tangible evidence of God's working, care and Providence in my life. That evidence often comes by his relief in times of distress and comfort/pity/ease.
John the Baptist: Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? (Luke 7:20)
Disciples: Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? (John 14:8-9)

Thank God for His comfort, pity, relief, help!
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, (Philippians 2:1)

Back online...

(Job 1:21) And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

After the laptop was stolen while in HI in May, I was delayed and somewhat delinquent in getting back to this routine online.
The picture to the right is moments after recognizing I was broke into through the driver's side window, through the use of lock-out tools.
You can see the dimple in the window molding just above the steering wheel, which dimple is where the tool went in just above the door lock, an easy open given the design of the door lock on this Chrysler Town and Country Van. The new laptop came in the first part of June and I have needed to get back to this blessed activity.

(Psa 113:2) Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.

I hope to be more consistent and thank you all for your patience.

May God grant me the grace, that energizing power and supernatural desire, to accomplish this task.

TAS

Vanity of vanities; all is vanity. Ecc. 1:2

We spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Psa. 90:9, 10
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. I Cor. 15:19
Here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. Heb. 13:14
I am the LORD, I change not. Mal. 3:6
Our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Phil. 3:20, 21
The creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope. Rom. 8:20
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Heb. 13:8
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. Rev. 4:8

It is I; be not afraid. John 6:20

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Rev. 1:17, 18
I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Isa. 43:25
Woe is me! for I am undone; ... mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: and he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Isa. 6:5, 7
I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. Isa. 42:22
If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. I John 2:1