Tag: christianity

When those Storms of Life are still Crashing, Raging: How well are we grounded, standing firm in the Lord? 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 Amplified Bible

6 But now that Timothy has come back to us from [his visit with] you, and has brought us good news of your [steadfast] faith and [the warmth of your] love, and [reported] that you always think kindly of us and treasure your memories of us, longing to see us just as we long to see you, 7 for this reason, brothers and sisters, during all our distress and suffering we have been comforted and  greatly encouraged about you because of your faith [your unwavering trust in God—placing yourselves completely in His loving hands]; 8 because now we  really live [in spite of everything], if you stand firm in the Lord. 9 For what [adequate] thanks can we offer to God for you in return for all the joy and  delight we have before our God on your account? 10 We continue to pray night and day most earnestly that we may see you face to face, and may complete whatever may be imperfect and lacking in your faith.

11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and Jesus our Lord guide our steps to you [by removing the obstacles that stand in our way]. 12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and excel and overflow in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; 13 so that He may strengthen and establish your hearts without blame in holiness in the sight of our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His [a]saints (God’s people).

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

When reading this chapter, the firmness of the joy Paul had stood out to me.

During his entire Apostleship, Paul faced challenge after challenge, obstacle after obstacle as he walked worked to spread the gospel, yet he’s still full of joy.

Paul starts the chapter by talking about how he feared that the Thessalonians would be led astray by the temptations and afflictions they would face. 

He says that for this reason, he asked someone to report on their faith, hoping that all his ministry and mission work there wouldn’t have been done in vain. 

But when Timothy returned with a report about the Thessalonians, it became clear they had stood firm in their faith through all the persecution they faced.

In verse 7, Paul writes that he and his companions were comforted by the news that Timothy brought. 

The good news about the Thessalonians was so great that it provided comfort in the midst of their bodily and spiritual afflictions! 

Paul states they now really live if the Thessalonians stand firm in their faith. 

The Thessalonians provided so much magnitude of joy to the lives of Paul and his companions that it feels like they had just started to really live in Christ! 

In verse 9, Paul asks what expressions of thanks they can extend to God for all the joy he has about the steadfast faith and perseverance of the Thessalonians. 

There is so much joy running through his heart and through their spirits that he a man of many words, doesn’t even know how to put it to words to thank God. 

This magnitude of joy is so overwhelming that he can’t even start to understand or comprehend completely just exactly how much thanks he needs to give God.

Are we filling others with as much joy as Paul is full of from the Thessalonians?

Are those who taught us the Bible filled with that self same magnitude of joy from the way it has changed their lives and id now firmly working your life?

Paul’s joy came from his spirit seeing that he was able to make this impact on the Thessalonian followers and that they were able to continue standing firm. 

We each need to be firm in God’s immutable truths like the Thessalonians, providing encouraging joy to our teachers, our neighbors, others like the non believing souls as we are encouraged continue to walk in the way of the Lord.

Are you filled with joy like Paul? 

God has provided each of us with much more than we ever deserved. 

None of us deserve salvation, but God offered it to each one of us. 

Our lives should be full of joy because of this great gift. 

I can’t even begin to thank God enough for everything that He has given me!

I have to stand up and firmly echo Paul’s response to this joy shown in verse 10. 

He says that he and his companions are earnestly praying that they may see the Thessalonians again and that they may yet continue to strengthen their faith.

He doesn’t claim that his job is now done, as the Thessalonians were able to stand up to opposition.  Instead, he says that he wants to visit to teach them even more, to make them even firmer, stronger, lacking nothing in their faith.

Paul thanked God for his Thessalonian friends, who, despite knowing they would suffer imprisonment, persecution and even a very painful death in the arena’s for their faith in Jesus, were sure of the security they would find in him.

What a witness they were to the Savior!

The Thessalonians were persecuted, they were arrested, tortured and killed but they remained steadfast in their faith to the end—and that is not always easy.

It can be difficult to remain faithful, especially when life presents unexpected challenges. When Paul sent Timothy to check on the Thessalonians, he was encouraged and filled with joy that their faith had remained strong. He said, “For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.”

Remaining firm in Christ is not always easy when you know you will be hurt—both physically and spiritually but God tells us about the peace, comfort, and redemption he provides when we stay near to him despite our challenges.

No matter what year it is, no matter the culture or society, life can bring grief, instant worry, fear, and a host of other difficult and uncomfortable emotions.

It can be hard to accept circumstances that are unpredictable and far outside of our own control, especially when our hearts, souls, yearn to make things better.

But when we draw near to God as He draws near to us, he promises to give us his peace that surpasses all understanding.

Psalm 73:28 Amplified Bible

28 
But as for me, it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have made the Lord God my refuge and placed my trust in Him,
That I may tell of all Your works.

Ecclesiastes 5:1 Amplified Bible

Your Attitude Toward God

5 Guard your steps and focus on what you are doing as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the [careless or irreverent] sacrifice of fools; for they are too ignorant to know they are doing evil.

Hebrews 7:18-20 Amplified Bible

18 For, on the one hand, a former commandment is cancelled because of its weakness and uselessness [because of its inability to justify the sinner before God] 19 (for the Law never made anything perfect); while on the other hand a better hope is introduced through which we now continually draw near to God. 20 And indeed it was not without the taking of an oath [that Christ was made priest]

James 4:1-10 Amplified Bible

Things to Avoid

4 What leads to [the unending] [a]quarrels and conflicts among you? Do they not come from your [hedonistic] desires that wage war in your [bodily] members [fighting for control over you]? 2 You are jealous and covet [what others have] and  [b] your lust goes unfulfilled; so you [c]murder. You are envious and cannot obtain [the object of your envy]; so you fight and battle. You do not have because you do not ask [it of God]. 3 You ask [God for something] and do not receive it, because you ask  [d]with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] desires. 4 You adulteresses [disloyal sinners—flirting with the world and breaking your vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend [that is, loving the things of the world] is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says to no purpose [e] that the [human] spirit which He has made to dwell in us lusts with envy? 6 But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but  [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness].” 7 So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people]. 9 Be miserable and grieve and weep [over your sin]. Let your [foolish] laughter be turned to mourning and your [reckless] joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose].

Drawing nearer, and nearer still to God’s presence strengthens our weary storm battered hearts through our firmest perseverance through hardcore challenges, persecution, and unforeseen circumstances—and for that we must praise him!

What is our response to being filled with joy, with above beyond exuberant joy? 

We need to be constantly giving thanks for all that we have been given, night and day praising God. 

Are you asking God that we can continue to do the hard work of ministry and the hard work of mission which He has prepared for us or are you saying that we have reached or exceeded our definition of our limits, that our job is done? 

This Spirit ignited joy should cause us to want to do even more, spreading the good news to all those around you so that they too might experience this joy.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

Spend an extra ten minutes in prayer today thanking God.

What is the biggest challenge you face in standing firm in the Lord?

How can you ask for help from your brothers and sisters in Christ? (If you don’t have a church family yet – make it your first priority to find one!)

Are there brothers and sisters or children in the faith that give you great joy when you see how they are standing firm in the faith even in the midst of trials?

Let them know.

Look to make friends with them as Christ made friends with you. John 15:15-16

John 14:11-14 Amplified Bible

11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe  [Me] because of the [very] works themselves [which you have witnessed]. 12 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in My name [[a]as My representative], this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified  and celebrated in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name [as My representative], I will do it.

Do you wishy washy, firmly, believe in Jesus Christ as you One and Only Savior?

Do you wishy washy, firmly, believe in Jesus’ words to His disciples of their firm ability of accomplishing “greater things?” What are those “greater things?”

There is much to pray about – how firm is our foundation in Savior Jesus Christ?

In the name of God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 19 Amplified Bible

The Works and the Word of God.

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

19 The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And the expanse [of heaven] is declaring the work of His hands.
2 
Day after day pours forth speech,
And night after night reveals knowledge.
3 
There is no speech, nor are there [spoken] words [from the stars];
Their voice is not heard.
4 
Yet their voice [in quiet evidence] has gone out through all the earth,
Their words to the end of the world.
In them and in the heavens He has made a tent for the sun,
5 
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;
It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
6 
The sun’s rising is from one end of the heavens,
And its circuit to the other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

7 
The law of the Lord is perfect (flawless), restoring and refreshing the soul;
The statutes of the Lord are reliable and trustworthy, making wise the simple.
8 
The precepts of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true, they are righteous altogether.
10 
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11 
Moreover, by them Your servant is warned [reminded, illuminated, and instructed];
In keeping them there is great reward.
12 
Who can understand his errors or omissions? Acquit me of hidden (unconscious, unintended) faults.
13 
Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous (deliberate, willful) sins;
Let them not rule and have control over me.
Then I will be blameless (complete),
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
14 
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight,
O Lord, my [firm, immovable] rock and my Redeemer.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Minimizing Christianity’s Impact: Do not love the world, lust for the things in the world. Anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15-17

1 John 2:15-17 The Message

15-17 Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

What the World Says

Some people belittle the Christian faith by dumbing it down to a list of dos and don’ts. They find religion to be too rule based, restrictive and punitive. Funny how the world launches such a criticism of the faith when the world itself has a significantly longer, significantly more comprehensive list of dos and don’ts. 

Do be diverse, equitable, body-positive, and sex-positive. Don’t be against abortion, homosexuality, and transgenderism. Be Politically not Biblically correct. The Bible was never meant to make an impact beyond its own times.

If you aren’t steadfast, strong in your convictions, then being name-called or challenged by the world in any way will more than likely be too intimidating. You’ll be left with a fear of cancellation, being ostracized, or something worse

The truth is, much like our flesh is at war with the spirit, the Word of GOD, our faith is constantly being scorned and mocked, ridiculed, at war with the world.

That’s why in the length and breadth of Scripture, we see time and time again how there is a contrast between God’s people and the surrounding cultures.

God has called us to live in a certain way, and the world feels enmity toward that ideal. That’s always been true. And as always, the temptation we face as staunch believers is neglecting what God wants, instead opting to fit in with the world.

That’s normal.

We’re sinful by nature and likewise, we each desire to be a part of a community.

Sometimes, fellowship with the world just looks more appealing, prosperous, significantly less stressful, much simpler to manipulate and shape in our image.

However, we can’t call ourselves Christian and still live like those around us.

We can’t choose to follow God only when convenient, in those moments when the world isn’t watching because God is continually watching, investigating us.

Not if we’re a believer, because being a Christian means something specific.

But how exactly do we ensure that we ascribe to God and not unto the world?

Psalm 29 Complete Jewish Bible

29 (0) A psalm of David:

(1) Give Adonai his due, you who are godly;
give Adonai his due of glory and strength;
2 give Adonai the glory due his name;
worship Adonai in holy splendor.

3 The voice of Adonai is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
Adonai over rushing waters,
4 the voice of Adonai in power,
the voice of Adonai in splendor.

5 The voice of Adonai cracks the cedars;
Adonai splinters the cedars of the L’vanon
6 and makes the L’vanon skip like a calf,
Siryon like a young wild ox.

7 The voice of Adonai flashes fiery flames;
8 the voice of Adonai rocks the desert,
Adonai convulses the Kadesh Desert.
9 The voice of Adonai causes deer to give birth
and strips the forests bare —
while in his temple, all cry, “Glory!”
10 Adonai sits enthroned above the flood!
Adonai sits enthroned as king forever!
11 May Adonai give strength to his people!
May Adonai bless his people with shalom!

How can we be in the world, but not of the world?

To answer that, we turn to Scripture.

Intersecting Faith and Life:

Within Scripture, we find a multitude of ways to separate ourselves from the surrounding culture, but here are three we can implement in our lives today.

Find the Right People

The Bible talks about being unequally yoked, a principle which we often apply to marriage, but one that relates to all of our relationships.

When we decide to follow Christ, we are explicitly agreeing to become like Him.

That applies to the way we talk, dress, act, and think. Certain people will not appreciate this growth and will want us to be more like them, less like Christ.

This isn’t the right kind of company to keep.

Ultimately, believers should not try to fit in with the culture, not if it calls for us to forfeit our values. Instead, choose to find a godly community that will not ask you to give up what’s good, but rather the things holding you back from God.

Focus on Heaven

With all the chaos, division, bills, relationships, and commitments here on Earth, we can naturally find ourselves distracted from what matters most.

When that happens, we may find ourselves preoccupied with the world and forgetful of God.

The solution is not to fill our heads with worldly things but instead, focus on the things above.

Know Your Worth

Another reason we find ourselves gravitating towards the world’s approval is that we falsely believe our worth comes from people.

We tell ourselves that if we get married, then we’re worthy; if we have a ton of friends and money, then we’re worthy, and on and on.

Biblically, None of that is true.

Our worth comes from God, and our worth has existed since He first created us.

All of the relationships we have on this Earth will one day end, whether through conflict, separation or death. The things we do for people and what they do for us will one day cease. What never ends is God’s authentic love for His children.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 Amplified Bible

57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory [as conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than is needed], being continually aware that your labor [even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [it is never without purpose].

Recall that the next time you believe the world has your best interest at heart.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray.

Psalm 15 Complete Jewish Bible

15 (0) A psalm of David:

(1) Adonai, who can rest in your tent?
Who can live on your holy mountain?

2 Those who live a blameless life,
who behave uprightly,
who speak truth from their hearts
3 and keep their tongues from slander;
who never do harm to others
or seek to discredit neighbors;
4 who look with scorn on the vile,
but honor those who fear Adonai;
who hold to an oath, no matter the cost;
5 who refuse usury when they lend money
and refuse a bribe to damage the innocent.

Those who do these things
never will be moved.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Whom is it, Father, Is it I Lord? Is it my Neighbor? Is it my worst enemy? Just Who is it who can Dwell in God’s own Sanctuary, In His Tabernacle? Psalm 15

Psalm 15 Complete Jewish Bible

15 (0) A psalm of David:

(1) Adonai, who can rest in your tent?
Who can live on your holy mountain?

2 Those who live a blameless life,
who behave uprightly,
who speak truth from their hearts
3 and keep their tongues from slander;
who never do harm to others
or seek to discredit neighbors;
4 who look with scorn on the vile,
but honor those who fear Adonai;
who hold to an oath, no matter the cost;
5 who refuse usury when they lend money
and refuse a bribe to damage the innocent.

Those who do these things
never will be moved.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

“Who shall dwell on your holy hill?”

Though these questions were inspired by God, running deep through the very heart and soul of David, asked, spoken and recorded 3000 years ago, were not edited out of the canon centuries later by scholars and scribes, the questions which David poses in the first verse of this psalm are of utmost importance.

They may strike us as questions that are tied only to times of worship in ancient Israel, but as they have survived and inspired for thousands of years, in His own truth they take us to the very doorstep of heaven asking, Who will enter these gates? Who will enter the Tabernacle of the Lord, Who will rest upon His mountain?

While the answer is explained in the rest of Psalm 15, the general point is one we find throughout New Testament Scripture.

Matthew 5:1-12 Complete Jewish Bible

5 Seeing the crowds, Yeshua walked up the hill. After he sat down, his talmidim came to him, 2 and he began to speak. This is what he taught them:

3 “How blessed are the poor in spirit!
    for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

4 “How blessed are those who mourn!
    for they will be comforted.

5 “How blessed are the meek!
    for they will inherit the Land![a]

6 “How blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness!
    for they will be filled.
7 “How blessed are those who show mercy!
    for they will be shown mercy.

8 “How blessed are the pure in heart!
    for they will see God.

9 “How blessed are those who make peace!
    for they will be called sons of God.

10 “How blessed are those who are persecuted
because they pursue righteousness!
    for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

11 “How blessed you are when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of vicious lies about you because you follow me! 12 Rejoice, be glad, because your reward in heaven is great — they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.

Matthew 11:27-30 Complete Jewish Bible

27 “My Father has handed over everything to me. Indeed, no one fully knows the Son except the Father, and no one fully knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.

28 “Come to me, all of you who are struggling and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.[a] 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Mark 2:13-17 English Standard Version

Jesus Calls Levi

13 He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. 14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

15 And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16  And the scribes of[a] the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat[b] with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

John 17:22-26 Complete Jewish Bible

22 The glory which you have given to me, I have given to them; so that they may be one, just as we are one — 23 I united with them and you with me, so that they may be completely one, and the world thus realize that you sent me, and that you have loved them just as you have loved me.

24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am; so that they may see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25 Righteous Father, the world has not known you, but I have known you, and these people have known that you sent me. 26 I made your name known to them, and I will continue to make it known; so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I myself may be united with them.”

In addition, The anonymous writer of Hebrews advised his readers to “strive for … the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).

The Lord Jesus similarly instructed that “the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:14).

Those who stand on the holy hill of the Lord, enjoy His presence for eternity, then, are those who arrive there by the narrow way, striving after holiness.

Philippians 3:12-21 New American Standard Bible

12 Not that I have already [a]grasped it all or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that [b]for which I was even taken hold of by  Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies  ahead, 14 I  press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  15  Therefore, all who are [c]mature, let’s have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that to you as well; 16 however, let’s keep [d]living by that same standard to which we have attained.

17 Brothers and sisters, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even as I weep, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, 19  whose end is destruction, whose god is their [e]appetite, and whose  glory is in their shame, who have their minds on earthly things. 20 For our  [f]citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will  transform the body of our lowly condition into  conformity with [g]His glorious body,  by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

The sad truth is that too many assume they will dwell on God’s holy hill because they once said a prayer, tithed, walked down an aisle, are a member of a church.

It is a grave mistake to think that those acts on their own will merit eternal life if they are accompanied with living a way of life which gives no evidence of our knowing Christ as Lord.

Matthew 6:1-4 Amplified Bible

Giving to the Poor and Prayer

6 “Be [very] careful not to do your [a]good deeds publicly, to be seen by men; otherwise you will have no reward [prepared and awaiting you] with your Father who is in heaven.

2 “So whenever you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not blow a trumpet before you [to advertise it], as the hypocrites do [like actors acting out a role] in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored  and recognized  and praised by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing [give in complete secrecy], 4  so that your charitable acts will be done in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.

Reverend Charles Haddon Spurgeon once preached,

“If the man does not live differently from what he did before … his repentance needs to be repented of, and his conversion is a fiction.”[1]

1 “What Is It to Win a Soul?,” The Sword and the Trowel (December 1879), p 561.

So, who will ascend the hill of the Lord?

It is the one who “walks blamelessly,” in a way which cannot be confused with that of an unbeliever, whose life manifests the reality God has saved him or her.

It is the one whose talk is not marked by slander but who “speaks truth in his heart.”

This is someone who doesn’t merely say what is correct but says what is true, with no gap between what is said and what is lived.

The combination of reading Psalm 15 and looking honestly at ourselves will very likely be discouraging.

Only the Lord Jesus embodies the psalm’s portrayal of holiness to perfection; only He deserves to dwell on His Father’s holy hill, and only because He chose to die for His people’s sins and clothe them with His perfection are we invited, here and now, in this precise moment, in these seasons to live with Him there.

But it is good and right to let the light of God’s Word shine on our hearts and expose what is there, for it’ll move us to repentance, to gratitude to our Savior.

And those who know they will stand there because of Him will seek to be like Him. Consider your walk and your words, and pray that you would be ever more conformed to the image of Christ until you dwell with Him on God’s Holy Hill.

Dwelling in God’s Sanctuary

What is God’s sanctuary?

Probably too many of us think of it only as a church building.

In its widest, richest sense, God’s sanctuary is wherever we experience God.

It is the place where our heart is.

On Sunday, on whatever day meets to read, study, pray over God’s Word, a church building becomes a sanctuary as God’s people gather and make up the building blocks of God’s spiritual temple (2 Corinthians 6:16; 1 Peter 2:5).

There we are inspired, empowered, refreshed, strengthened for another week of work, another week of serving God—out in the sanctuary of God’s vast world.

Psalm 15 reminds us that what pleases God is not rituals but a life that seeks to live God’s way.

When we walk with God on a daily basis, we will do what is right, speak the truth, refuse to slander others, and not harm our neighbors in any way.

What’s more, we won’t be impressed by people who delight in doing wrong or act immorally, mocking God, and we will honor those who faithfully serve God.

We will keep our promises, even when it hurts. And we will help the poor and protect the innocent, taking no part in bribery, fraud, or other corruption.

When we live as the psalmist describes, we experience God’s presence.

This happens not only in church gatherings but also in our everyday activities.

Those who live God’s way are building a life that cannot be shaken—regardless of the way uninvited trials can try to shake up, shift the ground under our feet!

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 16 Complete Jewish Bible

16 (0) Mikhtam. By David:

(1) Protect me, God,
for you are my refuge.
2 I said to Adonai, “You are my Lord;
I have nothing good outside of you.”
3 The holy people in the land are the ones
who are worthy of honor; all my pleasure is in them.

4 Those who run after another god
multiply their sorrows;
To such gods I will not offer
drink offerings of blood
or take their names on my lips.

5 Adonai, my assigned portion, my cup:
you safeguard my share.
6 Pleasant places were measured out for me;
I am content with my heritage.

7 I bless Adonai, my counselor;
at night my inmost being instructs me.
8 I always set Adonai before me;
with him at my right hand, I can never be moved;
9 so my heart is glad, my glory rejoices,
and my body too rests in safety;
10 for you will not abandon me to Sh’ol,
you will not let your faithful one see the Abyss.
11 You make me know the path of life;
in your presence is unbounded joy,
in your right hand eternal delight.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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The Enemies Of Faith – Doubt And Unbelief. Hard, Harder, Hardcore, Hardened, Hardest Hearts of Stone. Hebrews 3:12-19

Hebrews 3:12-19 Complete Jewish Bible

12 Watch out, brothers, so that there will not be in any one of you an evil heart lacking trust, which could lead you to apostatize from the living God! 13 Instead, keep exhorting each other every day, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you will become hardened by the deceit of sin. 14 For we have become sharers in the Messiah, provided, however, that we hold firmly to the conviction we began with, right through until the goal is reached.

15 Now where it says,

“Today, if you hear God’s voice,
don’t harden your hearts, as you did in the Bitter Quarrel,” [a]

16 who were the people who, after they heard, quarreled so bitterly? All those whom Moshe brought out of Egypt. 17 And with whom was God disgusted for forty years? Those who sinned — yes, they fell dead in the Wilderness! 18 And to whom was it that he swore that they would not enter his rest? Those who were disobedient. 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of lack of trust.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Faith and belief unlocks the storehouse of God but doubt, unbelief locks it tight.

Are we hardcore stuck in doubt and unbelief – not walking in the land of Canaan and promise, where the Spirit of God, in all His blessing, falls and ignites?

We have a great number of churches in a great many wildernesses. We have a great many wilderness Christians in our churches – walking and stumbling and arguing and bickering and back biting and back stabbing humanities pettiness.

The wilderness is a place of death; a place of unrest; a place of aimlessness; and a place of dissatisfaction. They have never entered into Gods promises because they must enter by faith not by the sights and sounds of hardcore bitter debate.

Are we aimlessly wandering unbelieving churches, pews filled with aimlessly wandering, “don’t you dare think or pray over helping my unbelief” believers?

This devotion addresses the enemy of faith – doubt and unbelief, Hard, Harder, Hardcore, Hardened, Hardest Hearts of Stone immune to the best relief efforts.

Faith and Belief Comes by Hearing God’s Voice …

Romans 10:16-21 Disciples’ Literal New Testament

16 But[a] they did not all obey the good-news, for Isaiah says [in Isa 53:1], “Lord, who put-faith-in our report?” 17 So[b] the faith[c] comes from a report-hearing[d], and the report-hearing through a word[e] about[f] Christ.

But It Is Not As Though Israel Did Not Hear

18 But I say[g]— it is not that they did not hear[h], is it ? On the contrary: “Their voice went-out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world” [Ps 19:4].

And It Is Not As Though Israel Did Not Know

19 But I say— it is not that Israel did not know[i], is it ? First, Moses says [in Deut. 32:21] “I will provoke you to jealousy over what is not a nation. I will provoke you to anger over a nation without-understanding[j]”. 20 And Isaiah is very-bold and says [in Isa 65:1] “I was found by the ones not seeking Me. I became visible[k] to the ones not asking-for Me”. 21 But with-regard-to Israel He says [in Isa 65:2], “I held-out[l] My hands the whole day toward a disobeying[m] and contradicting[n] people”.

The Book of Hebrews was written to believers who were in a faith crisis – it was written to sternly warn them of the coming dangers of unbelief and doubt and to encourage them in their faith.

In our passage from Hebrews 3, we see God speaking – faith comes by hearing – but not just hearing – BUT 1hearing what God has to say and according to the scripture God is speaking!

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit Speaks

As the Holy Spirit says –– this passage draws attention to its Author the Holy Spirit – it links up with – 

Hebrews 1:1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, and Hebrews 2:3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord – In the former it is God, the Father, who “spoke.”

In Hebrews 2:3, it is the Son – here in Hebrews 3:7 the Speaker is the Spirit; thus, by linking together these three passages we hear all the Persons of the Godhead.

How does God speak? – through various means – reading the word – hearing the word – the inner voice – the prophetic word – the word of circumstances and situations – but all is based on the inspired written word of God the Bible.

As the Holy Spirit says – the tense of the verb used here; it is not “the Holy Spirit said,” but “says:” it is an ever-present, continuing living message to God’s people in each succeeding generation.

“Whatever was given by inspiration from the Holy Ghost, and is recorded in the Scripture is for the use of the Church today” “he that has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches” Revelation chapters 2 and 3

When does God speak?

Today – “Today” signifies the present time, and it includes a continuance of it.

It is not to be limited to twenty-four hours; instead, this term covers a present interval which consists of many days or years. 

Hebrews 3:13 says exhort one another daily, while it is called Today.

In Hebrews 13:8 it says Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.

What does God speak?

His voice – The “voice” of God is the declaration of His will, which demands our obedience.

His will is made known in His Word, which is a living Word, by which the voice of God is now uttered. Psalm 19 and Psalm 29 and Psalm 119 and Psalm 139.

The Response to His Voice

Psalm 95:6-11 Complete Jewish Bible

6 Come, let’s bow down and worship;
let’s kneel before Adonai who made us.
7 For he is our God, and we are the people
in his pasture, the sheep in his care.

If only today you would listen to his voice:
8 “Don’t harden your hearts, as you did at M’rivah,
as you did on that day at Massah in the desert,
9 when your fathers put me to the test;
they challenged me, even though they saw my work.
10 For forty years I loathed that generation;
I said, ‘This is a people whose hearts go astray,
they don’t understand how I do things.’
11 Therefore I swore in my anger
that they would not enter my rest.”

If you will hear, will listen To “hear” God’s voice signifies,

to diligently ponder, to readily receive, and to heed or obey it. Hearing then implies an action that follows the hearing.

Notice where they strayed – In their minds?

No, in their hearts – God’s Word is addressed to the heart the center of our being out of which are the issues of life.

23 Above everything else, guard your heart;
for it is the source of life’s consequences.

There may be conviction of the conscience, the assent of the intellect, the deep admiration of understanding, the realization of wisdom greater than our own is informing us, teaching us, but unless the heart is moved there is no response.

Here hardcore hardening of the heart is attributed to the person it is due to – neglect in not taking notice of the ways and means where God calls us to faith and obedience – forgetfulness and rejection of Gods Word and God’s works – a harder hardcore holding onto worldly pleasures preferring them to obedience

An unbelieving heart is an untrusting heart –

Proverbs 4:23

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life –

Deuteronomy 8:1-3

8 “All the mitzvot I am giving you today you are to take care to obey, so that you will live, increase your numbers, enter and take possession of the land Adonai swore about to your ancestors. 2 You are to remember everything of the way in which  Adonai led you these forty years in the desert, humbling and testing you in order to know what was in your heart — whether you would obey his mitzvot or not. 3 He humbled you, allowing you to become hungry, and then fed you with man, which neither you nor your ancestors had ever known, to make you understand that a person does not live on food alone but on everything that comes from the mouth of Adonai.

Ten times Israel tested God as a result of unbelief –

When the Egyptians were marching after them – Exodus 14:11

At the bitter waters of Marah – Exodus 15:24

In wilderness of Sin when they complained about their lack of good food – Exodus 16:2

At Rephidim (Meribah, Massah) when they were thirsty- Exodus 17:2, 3

When they made a calf – Exodus 32:1

When they became like those who complain of adversity – Numbers 11:1

When they had “greedy desires” at Taberah – Numbers 11:4

When they complained about Moses after he married the Cushite woman – Numbers 12:1

After the spies brought back their report – Numbers 14:2

When they were thirsty and Moses failed to regard the Lord as holy – Numbers 20:1-13

Ten in biblical numerology refers to testing and tribulation

– notice that in these contexts it was man testing God not God testing man –

this is a sin of rebellion

“Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness, where your fathers tested Me, tried Me,” – the reference here is to what is recorded in the early verses of Exodus 17 – the congregation of Israel journeyed to Rephidim, where there was “no water for the people to drink.”

Instead of them counting on Jehovah to supply their need, as He had at Marah (Exodus 15:25) and in the wilderness of Sin – they murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?”

Though Moses cried unto the Lord, and the Lord graciously responded by bringing water out of the rock for them, yet God was greatly displeased.

In verse 7 we are told, “And he called the name of the place Massah (Temptation) and Meribah (Strife), because of the children of Israel and because they tempted the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us, or not”.

Difficulties and trials of the way test us, this testing reveals the state of our hearts a crisis neither makes nor mars a person but it does manifest their real selves – while all is smooth sailing we appear to be getting along nicely – When the storm breaks, it is not so much that we fail under it, as that our habitual lack of leaning upon God, of daily walking in dependency upon Him, is made evident. Circumstances do not change us, but they do expose us as vulnerable.

The reason Israel murmured at Meribah was because there was no water; they were occupied with their circumstances, they were walking by sight. The crisis they then faced only served to make manifest the state of their hearts, namely, an “evil heart of unbelief.”

Had their trust been in Jehovah, they would at once have turned to Him, spread their need before Him, counted on Him to supply it. “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works?” (James 2:14).

“When your fathers tempted Me, proved Me and saw My works forty years”

God showed them wonder signs: did they trust and follow in faith?

And if Israel was not faithful to Moses, and their unbelief brought ruin upon them, how much more guilty shall we be, and how much greater our danger?

If we are not faithful to the Lord Jesus –

Israel’s sins in the wilderness are here pictured under two terms: they are “tempted” and “proved” God – to tempt one is to try or prove whether he be such as he is declared to be, or whether he can or will do such and such a thing.

By tempting God Israel found out by experience that He was indeed the God He had made Himself known to be.

In this passage the tempting of God is set down as a sin which provoked Him, and so is to be taken in its worst sense scenario.

Instead of believing His declaration Israel acted in unbelief.

“And saw My works forty years”

This is the inexcusableness of Israel’s sin.

It was not that God was a Stranger to them; again and again He had shown Himself strong on their behalf.

“Works” of God mentioned here are the many and great wonders which He did from the time that He first took them up in Egypt until the end of the wilderness journey.

Some of them were works of mercy – in delivering them from enemies and dangers, and in providing for them – others were works of judgment – the plagues upon the Egyptians, their destruction at the Red Sea – others were manifestations of Himself, by the Cloud which led them by day and by night, the awesome proofs of His presence on Sinai, and the Shekinah glory which filled the tabernacle.

These were not “works” done in bygone ages, or in far-distant places, of which they had only heard of; but were actually performed before them, upon them, which they “saw.”

What clearer evidence could they have of God’s providence and power?

Yet they tempted Him!

The clearest evidences God grants to us have no effect upon unbelieving and obdurate hearts.

The generation that came out of Egypt doubted God, and because of their doubt they never entered the land of Canaan – they sang the song of Moses

Exodus 15:1 “I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea!”-“God has delivered us how great He is!”

They believed Him to come out of Egypt but they didn’t believe Him enough to enter into Canaan – after Sinai, an eleven-day journey could have brought them into the Promised Land. But they had to send spies in to search out the land. God had said He would take care of them, but they didn’t believe God.

God yielded to their wishes and let them send in spies. Although the spies did see the wonderful land, they were most impressed by the giants, and they saw themselves as grasshoppers.

They didn’t see God. Except Caleb and Joshua who insisted that God could handle the giants if they trusted Him.

They spent forty years on a journey that should have taken a few days.

What was the reason?

Unbelief!

In Numbers 13 we learn lessons that are applicable to us today – representatives from each of the twelve tribes of Israel were selected to spy out the land of the twelve who went out…10 came back with a majority report – 2 came back with a minority report – there is a lesson here it is that the majority is not always right.

– from this incident we find out –

Doubt looks through mans eyes – Doubt always sees the obstacles – Doubt speaks a bad report – Faith sees with the eyes of God – Faith always sees the victory – Faith speaks a good report – Doubt leads to discontentment, rebellion and fear – Faith produces a positive attitude and peace – Faith glimpses the future – Why did the spies fall prey to the “grasshopper complex? – Negative thinking – exaggerating the situation – ergo, their desire to return to Egypt

Rest in Scripture “They shall not enter into my rest”

The rest of salvation – Matthew 11:28 when He said in effect, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” –

that is, I’ll lift the burden of sin from you.”

you don’t have to do anything so that God will forgive you; Christ has already done it when He died for you. All you have to do is believe and receive Christ.

The rest of redemption – no longer slaves in Egypt – they came out by blood – they came out by power God delivered them.

The rest of obedience – Matt. 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls”

We are now joined to a living Christ, and that is the only way we will enjoy Canaan – Canaan is not heaven it is the rest that believers are to have as they live on earth the only way to enter is to study and believe the Word of God. 

Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

The Result of Unbelief and Doubt

The generation of Israel who came out of Egypt were cited to the Hebrew believers as a warning not to repeat their sin.

They could not enter in because of unbelief – we do not recognize and I am sure they did not recognize that doubting God’s Word is a serious sin – because it leads to other sins.

For these Israelites in the wilderness it led to calf worship; it led to fornication, and it led to an absolute denial and rejection of God, as they turned their backs upon Him and even wanted to go back to Egypt

Matthew 13:58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

The Antidote for Unbelief and Doubt

Exhort one another daily, while it is called – Today –

Exhort means to call near, i.e. invite, invoke by imploration, beseech, call for, pray – we have a responsibility to spur one another on in the faith – just as Caleb and Joshua attempted to do with the Israelites –we must obey Today because we will find that:

Immediate obedience is easier – Another opportunity may never come –

The desire to obey may fade – Time spent in sin is a waste

– Problems may arise to make obedience difficult if not impossible.

Procrastination will settle into the tillable earth …

Enough time passes, Procrastination will become the mighty Oak Tree …

Too many great and mighty Oak Trees eventually becomes a greater forest …

Then we spend too much time admiring the Greater Procrastination Forest.

Completely losing heart sight of the original call to obedience, belief and faith.

Then God, the Father and Son and Holy Spirit become hidden beneath the great canopy of Oak from the 11th world wonder Great Procrastination National Park.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 Complete Jewish Bible

3 For everything there is a season,
a right time for every intention under heaven —
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to discard,
7 a time to tear and a time to sew,
a time to keep silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

9 What does the worker gain from his efforts? 10 I have seen the task God has given humanity to keep us occupied. 11 He has made everything suited to its time; also, he has given human beings an awareness of eternity; but in such a way that they can’t fully comprehend, from beginning to end, the things God does. 12 I know that there is nothing better for them to do than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live. 13 Still, the fact that everyone can eat and drink and enjoy the good that results from all his work, is a gift of God. 14 I know that

whatever God does will last forever;
there is nothing to add or subtract from it;
and God has done it so that people will fear him.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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How well DO we recall how from our childhood we have known the Holy Scriptures, which give us the wisdom that leads to our deliverance through our trusting in Yeshua the Messiah? 2 Timothy 3:14-17

2 Timothy 3:14-17 Amplified Bible

14 But as for you, continue in the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced [holding tightly to the truths], knowing from whom you learned them, 15 and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings (Hebrew Scriptures) which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus [surrendering your entire self to Him and having absolute confidence in His wisdom, power and goodness]. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; 17 so that the [a]man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

The authority, sufficiency, infallibility, and inerrancy of Scripture are doctrines that are absolutely foundational to the ongoing work of God and His church.

We well can we authentically engage a slowly disintegrating, lost and hurting world with the gospel truth unless we are 100% convinced of its divine origin.

As Bishop J.C. Ryle (1816-1900) wrote, without the Bible as a “divine book to turn to as the basis of their doctrine and practice,” Christians “have no solid ground for present peace or hope, and has no right to claim the attention of mankind.”[1]

1 Bible Inspiration: Its Reality and Nature(William Hunt, 1877), p 6.

Apostle Paul towards the end of his life, addressed this very issue when he sternly reminded Timothy that “all Scripture is breathed out by God.”

In other words, the Bible is not a human product infused with divinity; it’s a divine gift produced through human instrumentality. Its every book, chapter, sentence, word and syllable was originally given by God’s inspiration.

The doctrine of Scripture, like many other Christian doctrines, can be hugely challenging to grapple with.

But the fact that something is difficult to understand does not undermine its depths of authentic hardcore truthfulness.

Furthermore, when it comes to the doctrine of Scripture, there are matters that we can consider objectively.

For example, it’s easy to see that the Bible is a completely harmonious work.

While it was written by more than thirty authors over a period of about fifteen hundred years, all the writers tell the same story, giving the same account of this world, the character of its Creator, and the problem of the human heart, and broken spirit all pointing to the same wonderful way of salvation through the sacrifice of the Lamb of God—all the way from Genesis through Revelation!

The Bible also transcends time, culture, gender, wealth, power and intellect.

Some books may fit a certain person, a certain era, or a certain place, but there is no other book that perfectly stands up to the challenges of every day and of every age and to the myriad and myriad of questions that confronts life itself.

The brightest minds, the greatest thinkers, charismatic of speakers, cannot exhaust the riches of God’s word, and yet, at the same time, even young girls and boys can read their Bibles and discover its truth transforming their lives.

Try to plumb for yourselves the utter depths of Genesis 1:1 Amplified Bible

The Creation

1 In the beginning God ([a]Elohim) [b]created [by forming from nothing] the heavens and the earth.

Your efforts may be so vast, so comprehensive, so mind boggling, so fully enriching, so empowering, overwhelming, you may never get to verse 2.

2 The earth was [a]formless and void or a waste and emptiness, and darkness was upon the face of the deep [primeval ocean that covered the unformed earth]. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters.

Once you look up at a clear star filled night sky or through a telescope, at the pictures from the Hubble and James Webb Space telescopes, try to calculate what it means to go from one end of the universe to the other or trying to find the exact center of an ever expanding universe then hearing that it would take you tens of trillions of light years (look that up) if not more to accomplish it.

Who else but God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit can ever hope to speak of it in such a way that the finite intellect and wisdom of mankind can grasp even .01% what our own finite eyes can observe and thoughts grasp?

Psalm 19 Amplified Bible

The Works and the Word of God.

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

19 The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And the expanse [of heaven] is declaring the work of His hands.
2 
Day after day pours forth speech,
And night after night reveals knowledge.
3 
There is no speech, nor are there [spoken] words [from the stars];
Their voice is not heard.
4 
Yet their voice [in quiet evidence] has gone out through all the earth,
Their words to the end of the world.
In them and in the heavens He has made a tent for the sun,
5 
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;
It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
6 
The sun’s rising is from one end of the heavens,
And its circuit to the other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

7 
The law of the Lord is perfect (flawless), restoring and refreshing the soul;
The statutes of the Lord are reliable and trustworthy, making wise the simple.
8 
The precepts of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true, they are righteous altogether.
10 
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11 
Moreover, by them Your servant is warned [reminded, illuminated, and instructed];
In keeping them there is great reward.
12 
Who can understand his errors or omissions? Acquit me of hidden (unconscious, unintended) faults.
13 
Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous (deliberate, willful) sins;
Let them not rule and have control over me.
Then I will be blameless (complete),
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
14 
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight,
O Lord, my [firm, immovable] rock and my Redeemer.

The authority, sufficiency, infallibility, and inerrancy of Scripture are the grounds on which we must stand; and we have divine help in order to do so.

The same Spirit that inspired the word of God illumines the word of God and illuminates our sin darkened wisdom, convinces us that it is 100% the word of God, given to us so that we may believe in Him who is the Word made flesh.

It is as the Spirit does this work in you that your belief in the divine authorship of Scripture is undergirded and moves from only being an intellectual assent to becoming a doctrine raising to becoming an active starvation level hunger for more of the word—and more of the one who is both its author and its subject.

The Power of the Word of God, the Word of Truth

Acts 6:5-8 Amplified Bible

5 The suggestion pleased the whole congregation; and they selected [a]Stephen, a man full of faith [in Christ Jesus], and [filled with and led by] the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas (Nikolaos), a proselyte (Gentile convert) from Antioch. 6 They brought these men before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them [to dedicate and commission them for this service].

7 And the message of God kept on growing and spreading, and the number of disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem; and a large number of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith [accepting Jesus as Messiah and acknowledging Him as the Source of eternal salvation].

8 Now Stephen, full of grace (divine blessing, favor) and power, was doing great wonders and signs (attesting miracles) among the people.

It is tucked away almost like a fleeting footnote within the biblical story of the rapid growth of the church of Christ in the first months after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven.

And yet, recalling the rejection and betrayal Jesus experienced from his very own people, these so few words in today’s verse come as a surprise: “a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.”

Perhaps for a while these priests had gone along with the efforts of their leaders, thinking that if they could force people to stop talking about Jesus, the whole matter would just go away.

Perhaps for a while they had tried to go along with covering up the evidence of Jesus’ resurrection.

It was probably very difficult for some of these priests to change; after all, they had spent their whole lives serving in the temple worship, bringing sacrifices and doing many other rituals on behalf of the people. But now they were called to fulfill new previously unknown roles as believers in Jesus, whom they had opposed but who was also acknowledged the Messiah they had been waiting for.

This little footnote note reminds us how the penetrating virus of self-deception can be overwhelmed and healed by the medicine of simply admitting the truth.

As Jesus himself promised, “The truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

Are you ready acknowledge Jesus as God’s Messiah? 

Are we ready to acknowledge the Word of God as being 100% authentic?

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 29

A psalm by David.

1 Give to Yahweh, you heavenly beings.
    Give to Yahweh glory and power.
2 Give to Yahweh the glory his name deserves.
    Worship Yahweh in his holy splendor.

3 The voice of Yahweh rolls over the water.
    The El of glory thunders.
        Yahweh shouts over raging water.
4 The voice of Yahweh is powerful.
    The voice of Yahweh is majestic.
5 The voice of Yahweh breaks the cedars.
    Yahweh splinters the cedars of Lebanon.
6         He makes Lebanon skip along like a calf
            and Mount Sirion like a wild ox.
7 The voice of Yahweh strikes with flashes of lightning.
8 The voice of Yahweh makes the wilderness tremble.
    Yahweh makes the wilderness of Kadesh tremble.
9 The voice of Yahweh splits the oaks[a]
    and strips the trees of the forests bare.
        Everyone in his temple is saying, “Glory!”

10 Yahweh sat enthroned over the flood.
    Yahweh sits enthroned as Melek forever.
11 Yahweh will give power to his people.
    Yahweh will bless his people with peace.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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The Bible says…“IF we will devote Ourselves to Prayer AND unto the high Ministry of the Word of God.” Proverbs 2:1-5 

Proverbs 2:1-5 Complete Jewish Bible

2 My son, if you will receive my words
and store my commands inside you,
2 paying attention to wisdom
inclining your mind toward understanding —
3 yes, if you will call for insight
and raise your voice for discernment,
4 if you seek it as you would silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure —
5 then you will understand the fear of Adonai
and find knowledge of God.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

There is a Whole Lot of “If’s” Going on Here …

If you will call out for insight …

If you will cry aloud for understanding …

If you will look for it as for silver …

and if you will search for it as for hidden treasure …

and if then you will understand the fear of the Lord …  

and if then you authentically desire to find the knowledge of God …

“if We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word…”

if We can never discover the depths of Scripture’s insights into life without first accepting it as true and authoritative, why then did God speak it to us?

If we do not, will not, accept the Word of God as true and as authoritative …

And if several hundred years later the Lord God continues to admonish us with these words of Apostle Paul to his protégé’ Timothy …

1 Timothy 4:11-14 The Message

11-14 Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, and teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use.

Ask yourself, pray to the Holy Spirit … Is my soul being strangely ignited? Can my Soul be strangely ignited? Will my soul be ever become strangely ignited?

So, Let the Truth be Told … So, Let God be Revealed

We can never discover the depths of Scripture’s insights into life without first accepting it as true and authoritative.

We must first believe Scripture before we can understand it.

As long as we keep asking, Should this passage be here? Is it genuine? Is it a legend? Is it nothing but a fairy tale? If this is our constant approach, then we can never get around to asking, What does this say to me? What does it mean to me? Where is the wisdom hidden in this that I need so desperately in my life? 

Those students and pseudo-scholars who feel they are a final authority on what ought to be here and what ought not to be here, never seem to be able to get around to understanding what is written. They never seem able to say anything or teach anything about the wondrous depths of the Scriptures, for they exclude themselves from minimal understanding by their attitude of judgment over it.

You cannot understand nuclear physics unless you first believe the underlying axioms that have to do with this realm of human knowledge. You cannot hope to understand chemistry unless you are willing to accept certain of the chemical formulas that have been proposed. You cannot believe anything until you accept it as genuine and put it to the test of experience, and this is true of God’s Word.

I remember Reverend Dr. Billy Graham saying that as a young man there came into his life a time and a season of doubt as to the authority of the Scriptures.

There came questions as to whether the text as we have it could be trusted, whether this was the Word of God or merely the ideas of men about Jesus.

He was troubled by the questions that occur all too frequently in these days.

He went away by himself up into the mountains, taking his Bible with him, and there began to read it, and read it, and read it.

He eventually came at last to the place where he said to God, I have seen enough of the transforming ability of this Word to know that you alone are behind it. I know, Lord, there are too many questions, many areas that I do not understand about this book, and I will take it by faith that it is your Word and believe it and preach it as your Word and trust that you will make clear to me what it means. 

It was from this time that Billy Graham’s worldwide ministry of evangelism began. You well know that his favorite expression is, The Bible says. He does not debate it with anyone; he does not question it; he simply, diligently, declares it.

Devoted Ourselves to Prayer and the Word of God

Acts 6:1-6 The Message

The Word of God Prospered

6 1-4 During this time, as the disciples were increasing in numbers by leaps and bounds, hard feelings developed among the Greek-speaking believers—“Hellenists”—toward the Hebrew-speaking believers because their widows were being discriminated against in the daily food lines. So the Twelve called a meeting of the disciples. They said, “It wouldn’t be right for us to abandon our responsibilities for preaching and teaching the Word of God to help with the care of the poor. So, friends, choose seven men from among you whom everyone trusts, men full of the Holy Spirit and good sense, and we’ll assign them this task. Meanwhile, we’ll stick to our assigned tasks of prayer and speaking God’s Word.”

5-6 The congregation thought this was a great idea. They went ahead and chose—

Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit,

Philip,

Procorus,

Nicanor,

Timon,

Parmenas,

Nicolas, a convert from Antioch.

Then they presented them to the apostles. Praying, the apostles laid on hands and commissioned them for their task.

While the Spirit-filled events of Pentecost and the resulting ministry were extraordinary, the apostles, their followers did not begin saying afterward,  Well, now the Spirit of God teaches me; therefore, I don’t need to listen to anybody else. 

Instead, when filled with the Holy Spirit, they were all ears for the authoritative preaching and teaching of God’s word.

This teaches us an important lesson: the Spirit of God always leads the people of God to devote themselves to the word of God.

This is why the book of Acts is full of the centrality of preaching.

The apostles ultimately recognized that God’s supreme instrument for the renewing His people in the image of His Son was and is through His word and their diligent reading and diligent study of it, as His Spirit works through it.

Here in Acts 6 we see an example of the priority and protection the apostles gave to those called and equipped to teach.

The apostles recognized the sobering importance of being entrusted as devoted servants of God as Ezra, bring before the people the very Words of God Himself.

Nehemiah 8:1-12 New King James Version

Ezra Reads and Explains the Law

8 Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that  was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel. 2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. 3 Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate [a]from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.

4 So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they had made for the purpose; and beside him, at his right hand, stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and at his left hand Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God.

Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place. 8 So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.

9 And Nehemiah, who was the [b]governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the  Lord  your God;  do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.

10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

11 So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.

The Old Testament books refer to the “oracles” of the prophets; this word can also be translated as “burden” (see, for instance, Isaiah 13:1-3, NKJV).

13 The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.

2 Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain,
exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand,
that they may go into the gates of the nobles.
3 I have commanded my sanctified ones,
I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger,
even them that rejoice in my highness.

It describes a millstone weight upon the heart and mind that comes about because of the awesome responsibility of speaking God’s truth to people.

Back in the nineteenth century Reverend Charles H. Spurgeon acknowledged the magnitude of this burden by declaring his pulpit to be more influential than the very throne of the king of England, for Spurgeon brought a message from the throne of God to that pulpit and delivered the truth of Christian doctrine.

We must pray for and protect those called to teach the truths of Scripture, whether to a congregation, or to little children, or in any other context.

It is no small thing to stand up regularly between a holy God and His people, declaring His word. It is a high heavy burden as well as a wonderful privilege.

In addition to praying for our teachers and preachers, we must also be humble and eager to sit and learn under the authoritative teaching of God’s word.

Such an example of devotion was set by the early church in their dedication to the apostles’ teaching (Acts 2:42).

Contemporary devotion ought to look the same; we must each be committed to teaching that is based on the New Testament truths revealed to the apostles and built upon the foundations of Old Testament doctrine.

We must not be spending all our time snacking on the fast food of box sets that soak up our time, TV networks that confirm what we already think, and books or video games, vastness of social media that offer escape from the real world.

John 4:31-38 Disciples’ Literal New Testament

Jesus Explains: I Came To Do God’s Will. The Harvest Is Ripe

31 In the meantime the disciples were asking Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat”. 32 But the One said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about”. 33 So the disciples were saying to one another, “Someone did not bring Him something to eat, did he?” 34 Jesus says to them, “My food is that I may do the will of the One having sent Me, and accomplish His work. 35 Do you not say that ‘There are still[a]  four months, and the harvest comes’? Behold, I say to you— lift-up your eyes and look-at the fields, that[b] they are white for harvest[c]. Already 36 the one reaping is receiving wages, and is gathering fruit for life eternal, so that the one sowing and the one reaping may rejoice together. 37 For in this case the saying is true, that ‘One is the one sowing and another[d] is the one reaping. 38  I sent you out to be reaping what you have not[e] labored-for. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor”.

Instead, we need ask God to set our meal tables to feast on the word of God.

Like Jesus taught his disciples; Let that be your spiritual food and you will find each day that the Spirit of God leads you deeper into the truths, the joys within.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 119:1-16 Complete Jewish Bible

א (Alef)

119 How happy are those whose way of life is blameless,
who live by the Torah of Adonai!
2 How happy are those who observe his instruction,
who seek him wholeheartedly!
3 They do nothing wrong
but live by his ways.
4 You laid down your precepts
for us to observe with care.
5 May my ways be steady
in observing your laws.
6 Then I will not be put to shame,
since I will have fixed my sight on all your mitzvot.
7 I thank you with a sincere heart
as I learn your righteous rulings.
8 I will observe your laws;
don’t completely abandon me!

ב (Bet)

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
don’t let me stray from your mitzvot.
11 I treasure your word in my heart,
so that I won’t sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, Adonai!
Teach me your laws.
13 I proclaim with my mouth
all the rulings you have spoken.
14 I rejoice in the way of your instruction
more than in any kind of wealth.
15 I will meditate on your precepts
and keep my eyes on your ways.
16 I will find my delight in your regulations.
I will not forget your word.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Has anyone given any serious talk about turning their Mistakes into something called Spiritual Maturity? Proverbs 24:15-16  

Proverbs 24:15-16 The Message

27

15-16 Don’t interfere with good people’s lives;
    don’t try to get the best of them.
No matter how many times you trip them up,
    God-loyal people don’t stay down long;
Soon they’re up on their feet,
    while the wicked end up flat on their faces.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Good men have resilient souls!

Will Lucy of the Peanuts comic strips ever stop enjoying pulling the football away from Charlie Brown when he tries to kick it? Will Charlie Brown ever learn to just stop the insanity and the hurt and the humiliation of falling on his back and instead, just walk away, go somewhere else, far away from Lucy’s antics?

As a young entertainer, Will Rogers’ stage specialty used to be rope tricks. One day, on stage, in the middle of his act, he became tangled in his lariat. But instead of becoming frustrated, Rogers laughed and spoke up in his Oklahoma drawl, “A rope ain’t so bad to get tangled up in if ain’t around your neck!”

The audience just roared at his impromptu response. Encouraged by his warm reception, Rogers began adding commentary and satire to all his performances.

It was his commentary, not his rope tricks, that eventually made him famous.

Had Will Rogers not become tangled in his rope that day, he might never have discovered his ability to wow crowds with his charm, wit and witticisms. That’s because, very often, our mistakes open doors to new possibilities that we never would have ever imagined had things gone the way we had originally intended.

Understanding this can give us a new perspective on our mistakes. When we begin to see our mishaps as opportunities to learn new things and gain new experiences, it completely transforms our outlook on our lives and ourselves.

Don’t let your mistakes discourage you. Instead, look for what God is teaching you through them and swiftly go in new directions. Be willing to turn around, learn blessings from your shortcomings and your mistakes will mature you!

Prayer Challenge

Pray that God would help you to learn blessings instead of curses, positive life lessons from your mistakes that would timely spur you on to spiritual maturity.

Questions for Thought

2 Timothy 3:14-17 The Message

14-17 But don’t let it faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers—why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother’s milk! There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

Think of a mistake you’ve made in the past that has actually helped you. What would have happened if things had gone the way you had originally planned?

How can we re-interpret our worldview, seeing our mistakes as true growth opportunities change the way you respond when things don’t go your way?

Did you remember to turn your attention to the Word of God for His Wisdom?

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 15 The Message

15 God, who gets invited
    to dinner at your place?
How do we get on your guest list?

2 “Walk straight,
    act right,
        tell the truth.

3-4 “Don’t hurt your friend,
    don’t blame your neighbor;
        despise the despicable.

5 “Keep your word even when it costs you,
    make an honest living,
        never take a bribe.

“You’ll never get
blacklisted
if you live like this.”

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Yahweh, if you kept a record of sins, who, Adonai, could remain standing, who’ll escape their condemnation? Psalm 130

Psalm 130 Names of God Bible

Psalm 130

A song for going up to worship.

1 O Yahweh, out of the depths I call to you.
2 O Adonay, hear my voice.
    Let your ears be open to my pleas for mercy.
3 O Yahweh, who would be able to stand
    if you kept a record of sins?
4 But with you there is forgiveness
    so that you can be feared.
5 I wait for Yahweh, my soul waits,
    and with hope I wait for his word.
6 My soul waits for Adonay
    more than those who watch for the morning,
    more than those who watch for the morning.
7 O Israel, put your hope in Yahweh,
    because with Yahweh there is mercy
        and with him there is unlimited forgiveness.
8             He will rescue Israel from all its sins.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Many of the Psalms in the Psalter are penitential hymns, where the people of God cry out to Him for confession and forgiveness or plead for His mercy and blessing. Like us, ancient writers knew that the Lord God is faithful to hear our needy prayer and by God’s standard, quick to answer our pitiful cries for help.

From the moment that Adam and Eve fell, the individual sins we all commit and the inherited sin nature we received from our forefathers, inevitably renders us all as 100% guilty sinners before the Lord.

Our transgressions condemn us and separate us from a holy God.

Without any exceptions, We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and if God were to mark our iniquities not one of us could remain standing. On that hard truth alone, everyman who has been fathered by man is lost in their trespasses and sins and, without any exceptions, be found guilty before God.

The ancient words of the Psalmist are, still today, indeed a chilling reality of what we justly deserve as a member of a rebellious, sinful race of men, for if the Lord should mark our iniquities as we justly deserve, which of us could stand?

But God in His boundless, ceaseless, unlimited mercy, grace, justice, and love sent His Son to us to pay the penalty of every last sin committed by everyman.

Romans 6:23 Names of God Bible

23 The payment for sin is death, but the gift that God freely gives is everlasting life found in Christ Yeshua our Lord.

Romans 6:23 The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, for as we read: “If the Lord should mark our iniquities, who could stand?”

But there is true forgiveness; eternal forgiveness with our Father, through Jesus Christ the Son, that the Lord may be worshipped and glorified for ever and ever.

Coming to Faith: Trust His Love Has Redeemed Us 

The eternal redemption afforded to us by the powerful sacrifice of Jesus is a wonderful, life-giving demonstration of God’s unconditional, unchanging love.

I’ve gone through much of my life being bullied, scorned. feeling condemned.

My mindset was to look at my thoughts, actions, reactions, and failures and apply my condemning perspective to my perception of my heavenly Father.

But, in reality, over time, he has so faithfully demonstrated his overwhelming love to me through the securing of my redemption. In reality, he truly loves me just as I am even with all my countless failures, failings, mistakes and faults.

Colossians 1:19-22 Names of God Bible

19 God was pleased to have all of himself live in Christ. 20 God was also pleased to bring everything on earth and in heaven back to himself through Christ. He did this by making peace through Christ’s blood sacrificed on the cross.

21 Once you were separated from God. The evil things you did showed your hostile attitude. 22 But now Christ has brought you back to God by dying in his physical body. He did this so that you could come into God’s presence without sin, fault, or blame.

God sees you and me as “holy and blameless.” 

Through his love we have been totally redeemed: set right before the God whose perspectives and beliefs are true above all else. When he says we are redeemed, that truth is now meant to be at the foundation of all we think, believe, and do.

Psalm 130:7 says, “O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.” 

You and I are redeemed apart from anything we do. We are made holy apart from any inherent ability or worthiness we possess. God’s passionate desire for restored relationship with us caused him to secure what you and I could never attain on our own: the eternal redemption of all who believe in Jesus Christ.

So what does it mean for you to be redeemed?

What effect does redemption have on your day today? 

1 Peter 1:14-15 “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” 

Live your life today in greater light of the redemption secured for you by Jesus.

Allow the Holy Spirit to do a mighty work and help you live differently today than you did yesterday. Your past failures and weaknesses do not define you.

Your present misconceptions and sins can be forgiven, healed, and transformed this instant.

Jesus made a clear path for you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received (Ephesians 4:1-6).

Ephesians 4:1-6 Names of God Bible

Christ’s Gifts to the Church

4 I, a prisoner in the Lord, encourage you to live the kind of life which proves that God has called you. 2 Be humble and gentle in every way. Be patient with each other and lovingly accept each other. 3 Through the peace that ties you together, do your best to maintain the unity that the Spirit gives. 4 There is one body and one Spirit. In the same way you were called to share one hope. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over everything, through everything, and in everything.

All that is required of you, me, we, is to confess with all our heart, believe, trust, open your heart to God, and live today in the constant communion God desires with you. May your day today be filled with all of the life-giving transformation and freedom that comes from living in the light of your present redemption.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the redemption secured for you by the powerful sacrifice of Jesus.

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” Ephesians 1:7

“O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.” Psalm 130:7

“He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” Hebrews 9:12

2. Where have sins, lies, past failures, or wounds been causing you to live apart from your redemption? 

Where has your life looked more like the world and less like heaven? Confess those sins and your need of God’s forgiveness, transformation, and presence.

“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19-20

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

3. Receive God’s forgiveness. Spend time opening, surrendering, bit by bit, piece by piece, and chunk by chunk, your heart and receiving his presence.

“If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.” Psalm 130:3-4

“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

Our heavenly Father is wholly patient with us as we learn to live out this incredible gift of redemption.

He is perfectly kind and forgiving when we come to him and confess our sin.

And God has a perfect plan every day for our transformation, healing, and freedom if we will but simply make .0001% more space in our lives to spend time with Him, His Son and the Holy Spirit and will receive all he has to give.

Through the diligent study of His Living Word, May we as the body of Christ truly learn what it is to live in light of the glorious inheritance of redemption, and freedom, and abundant life secured for us by the precious blood of Jesus.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 15 Names of God Bible

Psalm 15

A psalm by David.

1 O Yahweh, who may stay in your tent?
    Who may live on your holy mountain?

2 The one who walks with integrity,
    does what is righteous,
        and speaks the truth within his heart.

3 The one who does not slander with his tongue,
    do evil to a friend,
        or bring disgrace on his neighbor.

4 The one who despises those rejected by Yahweh
    but honors those who fear Yahweh.

    The one who makes a promise and does not break it,
        even though he is hurt by it.

5 The one who does not collect interest on a loan
    or take a bribe against an innocent person.

Whoever does these things will never be shaken.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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From Generation to Generation, One Great Cloud of Witnesses to Another; Praise God to the Heights of Heaven! Psalm 145

Psalm 145 Names of God Bible

Psalm 145[a]

A song of praise by David.

1 I will highly praise you, my Elohim, the Melek.
    I will bless your name forever and ever.
2 I will bless you every day.
    I will praise your name forever and ever.

3 Yahweh is great, and he should be highly praised.
    His greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation will praise your deeds to the next.
    Each generation will talk about your mighty acts.
5 I will think about the glorious honor of your majesty
    and the miraculous things you have done.
6 People will talk about the power of your terrifying deeds,
    and I will tell about your greatness.
7 They will announce what they remember of your great goodness,
    and they will joyfully sing about your righteousness.
8 Yahweh is merciful, compassionate, patient,
    and always ready to forgive.
9 Yahweh is good to everyone
    and has compassion for everything that he has made.
10 Everything that you have made will give thanks to you, O Yahweh,
    and your faithful ones will praise you.
11 Everyone will talk about the glory of your kingdom
    and will tell the descendants of Adam about your might
12 in order to make known your mighty deeds
    and the glorious honor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
    Your empire endures throughout every generation.

14 Yahweh supports everyone who falls.
    He straightens the backs of those who are bent over.
15 The eyes of all creatures look to you,
    and you give them their food at the proper time.
16 You open your hand,
    and you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 Yahweh is fair in all his ways
    and faithful in everything he does.
18 Yahweh is near to everyone who prays to him,
    to every faithful person who prays to him.
19 He fills the needs of those who fear him.
    He hears their cries for help and saves them.
20 Yahweh protects everyone who loves him,
    but he will destroy all wicked people.

21 My mouth will speak the praise of Yahweh,
    and all living creatures will praise his holy name
        forever and ever.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

David’s Generational Psalm of Praise

A. The Psalmist David, speaking on our behalf, on behalf of all generations to come, makes a vow to bless the name of the LORD “forever and ever” (Psalm 145:1); “Every day” to bless Him; to praise His name “for ever and ever” (Psalm 145:2). This is the only Psalm in the book with the words “of praise” in its title.

A lone voice opens the Psalm:

“I” will extol thee; “I” will bless (Psalm 145:1); “I” will bless; “I” will praise (Psalm 145:2).

“I” will speak and declare (Psalm 145:5-6).

The singer refers to the LORD as “my God, O king” (Psalm 145:1), and speaks “of the glorious honour of thy majesty” (Psalm 145:5).

This song of repeated praise is addressed to no earthly king, but to One King whose kingdom ‘is an everlasting kingdom’ (Psalm 145:13).

It is wonderful when, in our alone times with God, in our study and our prayer times, in our worship times, in our fellowship times, meal times, husband and wife times, family times, camping under the stars, we become thus enamored with singing His praises: but what we’ll discover about God, what we discover God to be, is not only for our alone times, but is also to be shared with others.

This is the role of ours and heavens testimony. “Generations” shall praise and declare, one to another (Psalm 145:4). We must not only pray for our children, and children’s children, etc.; but must teach them the great works of God, and obediently pass on to them the mantle of praise down through the generations.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Names of God Bible

4 Listen, Israel: Yahweh is our Elohim. Yahweh is the only God. 5 Love Yahweh your  Elohim with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 Take to heart these words that I give you today. 7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you’re at home or away, when you lie down or get up. 8 Write them down, and tie them around your wrist, and wear them as headbands as a reminder. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

The word ‘men’ is not in the Hebrew of Psalm 145:6a, but by the next verse there is a reference to a plurality of persons – “they” – who shall utter and sing (Psalm 145:7).

https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/psa/145/6/t_conc_623006

Let the congregation of the Lord’s people, join in the praises of our great God!

https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/psa/145/7/t_conc_623007

The reasons for praise are based in the Person, the virtues, and the works of the LORD. He is my God and King (Psalm 145:1; cf. Revelation 19:16).

When we “bless” the LORD (Psalm 145:2) we add nothing to Him, but He shelters us with His Presence (Psalm 145:18; Revelation 7:15).

The “great” LORD, whose “greatness is unsearchable” is still “greatly to be praised” (Psalm 145:3; cf. Job 5:9; Romans 11:33).

We must adopt the attitude: I will praise Him, no matter what (Philippians 4:4)!

His “works” of Creation and Providence are matched by His “mighty acts” (Psalm 145:4; cf. Exodus 12:26-27 and the miracles of Jesus).

https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/psa/145/4/t_conc_623004

The “glorious honor” of His majesty is shown forth in His “wondrous works” (Psalm 145:5; cf. Creation story (Genesis 1,2) the Incarnation, the Cross, the Resurrection of Jesus, His Ascension, His intercession at the right hand of God, His Coming in Glory; also, the day of Pentecost the shedding abroad of the Holy Spirit).

“The LORD is gracious, full of compassion, slow to anger, and of great mercy” (Psalm 145:8).

https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/psa/145/9/t_conc_623008

This is similar to the self-revelation of the LORD unto Moses (cf. Exodus 34:6).

It is an integral part of Israel’s understanding of their God (cf. Numbers 14:18;  Nehemiah 9:17; Jonah 4:2).

The last Hebrew word in Psalm 145:8, ‘hesed,’ speaks of covenant love, God not dealing with us as we deserve, but dealing with us as we are in Christ Jesus.

The long-suffering of God is the last thread of hope for a perishing generation (cf. 2 Peter 3:9).

We encounter a word which is translated “all” or “every” seventeen times throughout this Psalm.

There is a sense of inclusiveness here, but also the particularity of “each” (Psalm 145:9).

https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/psa/145/9/t_conc_623009

To say that the LORD is good to “all” could be quite general: to say that His tender mercies, or compassion, are over “all” His works, or “all” that He has made, is more specific, much, much deeper in its “heart-soul” implications.

We read in the New Testament about the whole Creation groaning (cf. Romans 8:22), eagerly awaiting the revelation of the children of God (cf. Romans 8:19).

Not only so, but those who have the firstfruits of the Spirit (Christians) are also groaning within ourselves as we await the redemption of the body (cf. Romans 8:23). Even the sufferings of the present time become more endurable when we consider the glory of our Savior God yet to be revealed in us (cf. Romans 8:18).

This psalm shows us the other side of that coin.

All of Creation shall praise the LORD, all His faithful shall bless Him (Psalm 145:10). This “all” is comprehensive, it is extensive, but it also comes down to the level of the ‘each’ as well as the ‘every’ on the uniquely individual level.

As David says in Psalm 103:1, ‘Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy Name!’

Psalm 103:1-5 Names of God Bible

Psalm 103

By David.

1 Praise Yahweh, my soul!
    Praise his holy name, all that is within me.
2 Praise Yahweh, my soul,
    and never forget all the good he has done:
3         He is the one who forgives all your sins,
            the one who heals all your diseases,
4             the one who rescues your life from the pit,
            the one who crowns you with mercy and compassion,
5             the one who fills your life with blessings
                so that you become young again like an eagle.

As well as praise, there is conversation (Psalm 145:11).

https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/psa/145/11/t_conc_623011

The Creation speaks forth God’s glory (Psalm 19:1).

https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/psa/19/1/t_conc_497001

It is also the case that those who are His saints, His faithful, do speak to one another the Word of God (cf. Malachi 3:16; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).

Sharing our testimony is part and parcel of the Christian life.

Sharing heaven’s testimony is part and parcel of the Christian witness.

Psalm 29 Names of God Bible

Psalm 29

A psalm by David.

1 Give to Yahweh, you heavenly beings.
    Give to Yahweh glory and power.
2 Give to Yahweh the glory his name deserves.
    Worship Yahweh in his holy splendor.

3 The voice of Yahweh rolls over the water.
    The El of glory thunders.
        Yahweh shouts over raging water.
4 The voice of Yahweh is powerful.
    The voice of Yahweh is majestic.
5 The voice of Yahweh breaks the cedars.
    Yahweh splinters the cedars of Lebanon.
6         He makes Lebanon skip along like a calf
            and Mount Sirion like a wild ox.
7 The voice of Yahweh strikes with flashes of lightning.
8 The voice of Yahweh makes the wilderness tremble.
    Yahweh makes the wilderness of Kadesh tremble.
9 The voice of Yahweh splits the oaks[a]
    and strips the trees of the forests bare.
        Everyone in his temple is saying, “Glory!”

10 Yahweh sat enthroned over the flood.
    Yahweh sits enthroned as Melek forever.
11 Yahweh will give power to his people.
    Yahweh will bless his people with peace.

This conversation is not only for the mutual encouragement, edification of those within the church (1 Thessalonians 5:11), but also for those who are outside the church.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/1th/5/11/t_conc_1116011

“The sons of men” (Psalm 145:12) is also a comprehensive expression, meaning (as some translations have it) “all people”!

https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/psa/145/12/t_conc_623012

Those who study Creation may well conclude that there is, after all, a God (and praise His Name, many have); but those who are exposed to genuine Christian conversation have an even better opportunity of discovering just Who He is!

There is also a comprehensiveness of God’s kingdom (Psalm 145:13).

https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/psa/145/13/t_conc_623013

It is both eternal and extensive (cf. Psalm 72:17).

Psalm 72:17-19 Names of God Bible

17 May his name endure forever.
    May his name continue as long as the sun shines.
    May all nations be blessed through him and call him blessed.

18 Thank Yahweh Elohim, the Elohim of Israel,
    who alone does miracles.
19 Thanks be to his glorious name forever.
    May the whole earth be filled with his glory.
    Amen and amen!

This is the same ‘kingdom of God’, or ‘kingdom of heaven’ about which Jesus speaks; and it belongs to Him, and all who are found in Him (cf. 2 Peter 1:11).

The LORD cares for the weak and vulnerable (Psalm 145:14).

He heard the cry of the children of Israel in their captivity and set His mind to deliver them (cf. Exodus 3:7-8).

Thereafter He taught His people to care for strangers, widows, and orphans – and the poor (cf. Exodus 22:21-23; Exodus 22:25).

This care is continued in the church (cf. Hebrews 13:2; James 1:27; Galatians 2:9-10).

The LORD cares for those of His own who may otherwise fall (cf. Psalm 73:1-2).

He works ‘all’ things together for good (cf. Romans 8:28), for the good of His ‘peculiar’ people (cf. 1 Peter 2:9).

Whether they know it or not, all flesh is dependent upon the LORD for their daily provision (Psalm 145:15).

Whether they will acknowledge it or not, no man can find sufficient sustenance without the LORD.

It is better therefore to seek Him first, knowing that He will add to us ‘all these things’ (Matthew 6:33).

If God provides for the birds of the air, how much more for you (Matthew 6:25-27). It is good, therefore, to acknowledge God’s hand in all these things, and to gratefully receive His bountiful provision (Psalm 145:16).

Our trust in the LORD is not based in our individual ability to believe, but in His perfections. He is righteous in all His ways: He is just. He is kind in all He does:

He is holy (Psalm 145:17).

It is good that we can view the LORD as a God who is not only transcendent, but also immanent.

He is present within His Creation.

He is “near” to all who call upon Him (Psalm 145:18).

We should, therefore, ‘Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near’ (Isaiah 55:6).

The one true God, God of all integrity (Deuteronomy 32:4; John 14:6; 1 John 5:20; Revelation 19:11) draws “nigh” unto all who call upon Him “in truth” with a matching integrity of heart (Psalm 145:18).

It is of the LORD’s mercy that He also hears our petitions (Psalm 145:19).

This is particularly addressed to “those who fear Him” – those who revere His Name.

We may not all presumptuously or blasphemously call out His Name at every approach of trouble: but when we nurture a relationship with him, He is there for us, always.

He grants our desires because our desires are consistent with His. He hears our cry because we are His people. He ‘saves to the uttermost’ all that come to God via Jesus Christ, who forever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25).

The LORD preserves all who love Him (Psalm 145:20). This is the other side of our own perseverance: ‘he who endures to the end shall be saved’ (Matthew 24:13). Yet we may not presume upon His grace: the God who is slow to anger (Psalm 145:8), is also the God who will punish the unrepentant (2 Peter 2:9).

The “each” and “every” of God’s 100x% comprehensive care find their final expression as the Psalmist speaks the praise of the LORD, and “all flesh” replies by “blessing” (speaking well of) His holy Name (Psalm 145:21). The groaning Creation (Romans 8:22) at last finds relief in the “for ever and ever.” Amen.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 19 Names of God Bible

Psalm 19

For the choir director; a psalm by David.

1 The heavens declare the glory of El,
    and the sky displays what his hands have made.
2 One day tells a story to the next.
    One night shares knowledge with the next
3 without talking,
    without words,
    without their voices being heard.
4 Yet, their sound has gone out into the entire world,
    their message to the ends of the earth.
    He has set up a tent in the heavens for the sun,
5 which comes out of its chamber like a bridegroom.
    Like a champion, it is eager to run its course.
6         It rises from one end of the heavens.
            It circles around to the other.
                Nothing is hidden from its heat.

7 The teachings of Yahweh are perfect.
    They renew the soul.
    The testimony of Yahweh is dependable.
    It makes gullible people wise.
8 The instructions of Yahweh are correct.
    They make the heart rejoice.
    The command of Yahweh is radiant.
    It makes the eyes shine.
9 The fear of Yahweh is pure.
    It endures forever.
    The decisions of Yahweh are true.
    They are completely fair.
10 They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold.
    They are sweeter than honey, even the drippings from a honeycomb.
11 As your servant I am warned by them.
    There is a great reward in following them.

12 Who can notice every mistake?
    Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep me from sinning.
    Do not let anyone gain control over me.
        Then I will be blameless,
            and I will be free from any great offense.

14 May the words from my mouth and the thoughts from my heart
    be acceptable to you, O Yahweh, my rock and my Go’el.

What is a go el in Hebrew?

: redeemer, reclaimant. especially : a next of kin upon whom according to ancient Hebrew custom devolved certain family rights and duties including the avenging of a murdered kin’s blood and the redemption of the person or the property of a relative in debt or helpless circumstances.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

https://translate.google.com/

We Are Created in the Image of God: It’s The Beginning of the Good News. Anyone Ready For it? Genesis 1:26-31

Genesis 1:26-31 Complete Jewish Bible

26 Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, in the likeness of ourselves; and let them rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the animals, and over all the earth, and over every crawling creature that crawls on the earth.”

27 So God created humankind in his own image;
in the image of God he created him:
male and female he created them.

28 God blessed them: God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the air and every living creature that crawls on the earth.” 29 Then God said, “Here! Throughout the whole earth I am giving you as food every seed-bearing plant and every tree with seed-bearing fruit. 30 And to every wild animal, bird in the air and creature crawling on the earth, in which there is a living soul, I am giving as food every kind of green plant.” And that is how it was. 31 God saw everything that he had made, and indeed it was very good. So there was evening, and there was morning, a sixth day.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Good news begins right at the beginning. The good news found at the beginning of things in Genesis 1 is there is a God who makes and upholds all that there is, and that we humans, male, female, are made in the image of this amazing God.

We don’t look like God, of course, for God is Spirit—but this means, among other things, that we are God’s representatives. We are called to take care of all that God has made—and not just the creatures mentioned in these ­verses, but also the unfolding of all human history that follows, in all its deep complexity.

Amazing! Mere mortals are endowed by their Creator with the dignity and the honor of representing the infinite God, acting on God’s behalf to care for his creation with all its diverse infinite potential. We are God’s agents with a most prestigious, singularly unique job description – Stewards of Creation. And this leads us, with high joy, gratitude, to a profound sense of identity and calling.

This is good news for everyone, of course—but perhaps especially for people whose sense of identity and purpose are diminished, are uncertain, whose own ability to live creatively, joyfully and fully, completely and purposefully are held back because of poverty or anything else that hinders their participation in life.

Good news for the poor begins with a reminder that they all bear God’s image.

God has been reaching out since the beginning of time—desiring to live in a close relationship with all of humankind But because of our sin…because we have turned our backs on God and (in essence) told Him to butt out of our lives…we are separated from Him.

From the start, God has created a way for us to reconnect to Him by offering us salvation: an incredible gift of grace that comes through the life, death, and resurrection of His son, Jesus.  And we receive this gift of grace the moment we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior—turning our lives over to Him completely.

Each and everyone of us comes to this decision differently because each and every one of us has a uniquely different experience…or path, journey to Jesus.

Even though each of our journeys is singularly unique, the Bible shows us that there are some key (and consistent) components every true follower of Jesus experiences.

Let’s look at those five key components…

STEP 1 – Hear the Gospel

As you may already know, the “gospel” literally means “good news.” The good news of the gospel begins with God, the Creator of everything. And He is holy…which means He is set apart from anything that is un-holy. And God is perfect (or whole), without any defect. And He is righteous…which means God always does what is right. And He is just. His justice is always fair.

So, because God is the Creator; Holy, Righteous, Perfect and Just, we have a problem. We who are human are none of those things. We are created by God (in his image), but — here’s the bad news — we are everyone of us, without any exceptions, fallen and broken and un-very holy…imperfect, unrighteous and unjust, learned PhD’s in sinning. Just as the Apostle Paul writes in Romans…

“What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. And just in case you thought you could try to be good enough to earn good standing with God.” – Romans chapter 3, verses 9-12

Exactly how many broken links (or sins) does it take to break the chain of our connection to God)? The answer: One. All it takes is one broken link or one sin to break our connection God. And all of us have sinned—at least once.

All of us, without exception have broken our connection to God. Another thing we might tell ourselves is, “If I really clean up my act…it will automatically be enough to connect me back to God.”

Once again, as Paul writes…

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23

So there it is. The Bad News.

But here’s the Good News. Here’s the gospel…

“But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished — he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” – Romans 3:21-26

Sin separates us from God. And what is sin? The biblical definition of sin is actually an archery term meaning: missing the mark. We have all sinned or missed the mark of God’s perfection. And the punishment for this is death. Someone has to pay for these mistakes. We all know, deep in our hearts, what justice is. When a wrong has been committed, someone has to pay for it.

The Good News is that Jesus — the Incarnation or God in the Flesh — the one who never sinned or missed the mark, took our place and paid for our mistakes.

Jesus took on ALL our sin when he died on the cross.

The Apostle Paul put it this way…

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” – Romans 5:1-11

So, while we were still sinners…still living in our sinful way of life, God showed his love for us in Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. 

That’s GRACE.

Grace is unmerited favor or getting something wonderful that you didn’t earn or deserve. And you can’t pay for it or earn it.

All you can do is accept this wonderful, eternal gift.

One of the best ways to remember the meaning of grace is this acronym:

Grace = God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.

STEP 2 – Believe

At some point, after hearing the Gospel, you believe in your heart that all this stuff is true.

That God is holy.

That you, me, we are separated from Him and that you can only be reconciled or reconnected back to God through Jesus.

And that belief is so strong that you are “cut to the heart”.

You have that utter realization that the only way back to God is through Jesus.

This is the way some of the first people to hear the Good News felt…

“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’” – Acts 2:37

This “cutting to the heart” can only come from God.

Just as Jesus says here…

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.” – John 6:44

Looking back over this, we Hear the Gospel, then Believe what we’ve heard and then we repent.

STEP 3 – Repent

“To “repent” literally means to “turn away”.

We must turn away from sin or turn our backs to sin…putting our backs to our old way of life. And when we turn from sin, we naturally turn towards God—doing a complete about face. As Jesus was spreading the Good News He said…

“The time has come,” (Jesus said). “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” – Mark 1:15

The next logical step to repenting from our old way of life, from our old life of sinning is to share this change in our hearts or to confess to some other people what’s happened.

STEP 4 – Confess

Confession or to confess simply means to say it out loud—to say what is true out loud and publicly recognize that: God is holy and perfect and you are not.

Confessing to other people means our speaking to our true belief that God has reconnected you back to Him through Jesus…because Jesus has taken your sin to the cross, and that you want to repent and so turn away from our sins and from our sinful past.

Paul says it best here…

“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” – Romans 10:9-10

But from the beginning it needs to be clearly understood the journey isn’t over.

It continues and will continue on and on and on because this is all about becoming more like Jesus.

As we begin this new life as a follower of Jesus, we have this gift of the Holy Spirit…which is God’s Spirit literally living inside us…guiding us and prompting us to grow and become more and more like Him. More and more like Jesus. And we do this by following Jesus’ words found in the Bible—through Bible study.

And we do this by reminding ourselves we are living and acting as Jesus did.

Doing the things Jesus did, like loving others, caring for the “least of these.” 

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 8 New American Standard Bible 1995

The Lord’s Glory and Man’s Dignity.

For the choir director; on the Gittith. A Psalm of David.

8 O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth,
Who have [a]displayed Your splendor above the heavens!
2 From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established [b]strength
Because of Your adversaries,
To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.

3 When I [c]consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have [d]ordained;
4 What is man that You [e]take thought of him,
And the son of man that You care for him?
5 Yet You have made him a little lower than [f]God,
And You crown him with glory and majesty!
6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
7 All sheep and oxen,
And also the [g]beasts of the field,
8 The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea,
Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.

9 O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth!

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

https://translate.google.com/