Honest God Truth

Colossians 4:5-11 “5Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6On account of these the wrath of God is coming.c 7In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave,e free; but Christ is all, and in all.” Without Jesus we all live in selfish sin that destroys ourself and others.  It desires our out of control and lead to God’s wrath.  As Paul said we are now in Christ and we have to put on Jesus, let him live through us as we learn who we really are in him. We are his ambassadors, reflecting his love...

“O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭30:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬ David cried out to the Lord for help because he knew God could help him.  Do we believe Jesus will help us when we are in need?  Does he hear us when we pray? How about when we praise him does he hear us?  How close is the Lord?  Amen s he closer than a friend or is he to busy to care?  David knew him and desired more of him.  We need to have the same heart that wants Jesus close.  Help us Lord to want you more each day.  For Jesus glory and our joy. Amen

Colossians 3:1-4 “1If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is your  life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” We by faith die with Jesus on the cross and the penalty of sin. Then we are raised with Jesus from the dead to live a new life. Therefore how should we now live?  We need to desire more of Jesus and he is now in heaven.  So we need to think about heaven which is our home now in Jesus and our future home with our glorified bodies.  Every thing here is for our preparations for eternity. Don’t live like this is all we have but instead hold on to the truth of heaven and use this time to show love and kindness to others. The results are it brings glory to Jesus, brings love to others, and gives us more joy in...

Colossians 2:16-19 “16Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions,d puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.” Peter now understands what is important and how so often rituals and traditions and special events can hinder our growing in the Lord Jesus and his body the church.  When we perform acts of any kind we need to determine if this is glorifying Jesus or ourself or someone or something else.  It is so important to put Jesus first in all our hearts, thoughts and actions.  Praying to the Lord for guidance and direction so we don’t w...

Colossians 2:11-15 “11In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15He disarmed the rulers and authoritiesb and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” Paul shares the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The idea of circumcision is dealing with our body.  God cares about our body not just our spirit.  Our body is sinful along with our soul.  Jesus came in the flesh to redeem our bodies. When we realize that as believer...

 Colossians 2:9-10 “9For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.” Peter tells us who Jesus is and who we our by believing in him as Lord and Savior.  Jesus is God in the flesh.  That is an amazing statement that only Christians believe. That is why some people love him and others hate him. If you know the truth about Jesus, that he claimed to be God, then you must make a decision.  Then Peter said you are filled in him.  We are filled when we are in him.  All things are made through Jesus and for Jesus. When we are filled in him we live because he lives.  We love because he loves, we are a part of the family of God because in him we are one.  This truth should overwhelm us when we realize that we represent Jesus because we are filled in him.  Nothing can separate us from Jesus because we live in him. And someday we will see him face to face.  What ...

“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27:8‬ ‭ “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27:13‬ ‭ESV‬‬ David shows how his heart desires God in these verses.  He desires to see him face to face.  All true believers desire for the Lord Jesus to come.  Every knee will bow to Jesus but only believers desire his presence because they know they are forgiven and rejoice in that truth.  Wanting to see the one you love is a natural response and desire.  If you love me you will keep my commandments because you know me.  Come Lord Jesus soon!  Amen

“O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭26:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬ In your presence is treasures evermore and in your right hand is everlasting security.  Lord Jesus I have tasted and seen your loving presence and I desire it more every time I feel it missing.  Lord Jesus let me see and know you are with me always even in the valley of the shadow of the dead.  For your glory and our joy.  Amen

Colossians 2:6-8 “6Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.“ Walk in Jesus is different than walking with him.  Rooted and built up in him means you are a part of Jesus.  You are his creation and like a tree you are planted right where Jesus wants you and will grow as he wants you to grow.  This understanding comes by your faith in Jesus, you trust him and know that he is working in you which produces fruit of righteousness and thanksgiving.  Paul warns us to keep away from false teachings that will put doubt in your faith for your faith is more valuable than fine gold.  Know this that Jesus is Lord of all.  We can trust him always.  For Je...

Colossians 2:1-3 “1For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Paul struggles with the idea that believers who have not seen him would have full assurance about Jesus.  That is every believer’s struggle  who wants to encourage other people to know the truth about who Jesus is and what he has done and is doing for them.  The meaning, purpose and plan for each believer’s life is Jesus. Life is always good when we have the good news about Jesus burned on our hearts and minds . Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. We must struggle to believe this and encourage the one’s we love to believe. For Jesus glory and our joy.  Amen

Colossians 1:28-29 “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. This is Paul’s mission and it should be ours. Tell of the mighty works of Jesus daily.  How he died for us and redeemed us to have life with God. This truth changes everything for everyone. If you believe you are God’s child and will live forever with him.  If you do not believe you live a hopeless life fearing dead and separation from God. Therefore we need to believe everyday that this is true and make every decision based on that fact.  It will be a battle but Jesus promised to be with us and working in us to fulfill all our tasks. We truly are blessed and need to live selfless lives for Jesus glory and our joy.  Amen

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm‬ ‭23:6‬ ‭ Goodness and mercy will follow David.  What does that mean, well goodness comes when we trust the Lord and think of others more than ourselves and mercy comes when we don’t.  We ask God for forgiveness and he is merciful and forgives us by the grace of Jesus work on the cross.  Knowing you are a child of God and will dwell with him in heaven forever is so amazing that we rejoice in all things for our future is sure!  Thank you Jesus.  Amen

Colossians 1:18-20 “18And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” Paul has described many of Jesus’s attributes that make him amazing then he talks about Jesus being the head of the church. It seems that the creator of all things knows that the church is extremely important.  So important that he came into his creation to make peace with his chosen people who make up the church.  His actions to redeem the church causes all of his creation to be changed from corruption to a new heaven and earth. If we ponder this a little we realize how important believers are to the future plans of God.  Therefore our life, plans, and purposes are very meaningful and we must encourage others to be light of the wor...

“The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever!” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭22:26‬ ‭ESV‬‬ This Psalm describes Jesus suffering on the cross and how terrible it was for him.  But it also talks about the result of Jesus act of redemption.  Where the afflicted will be satisfied and the pure in heart will life forever praising the Lord.  Let us strive through our afflictions to the goal of praising Jesus and find satisfaction and joy evermore!  Thank you Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen

Thought of the day Colossians 1:14-16 “14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sin.15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. Jesus is so remarkable that to describe him completely will take an eternity. Paul gives us a few of his attributes that effect us personally and should cause us praise him with tremendous joy and wonder.  He redeemed us by buying us back from the penalty of all our sins. Not just some of them but all our sins. The older I get the more I realize how great a gift that is to me.  Then Paul describes who Jesus is that redeemed you, God himself.  He revealed God to us so we can see the one who all things were made and everything was made for him. We were made for Jesus!  When Jesus rose from the dead he had a spiritual body...

Colossians 1:11-14 “11being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Paul continues to write about what God has done and is doing for you because of Jesus redempted work.  We are strengthened with all power for doing and for waiting.  We learn to obey God by his power to do or not do.  We are living for what God is giving us and will give us in the future his kingdom as saints.  He has and will deliver us from darkness of life where there is evil and hopelessness and transferred us to Jesus kingdom of live, light, joy and grace.  We are so blessed in what God has done for us through the obedience of our Lord Jesus. Let us rejoice and be of...

Colossians 1:9-10 “9And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;” Once Paul heard that they became believers he continues to pray for them that they be filled with knowledge of God’s will for them. The remarkable truth of being a Christian is that God is working in you to do his plan and our role is to learn what he is doing so we will show the Holy Spirit working.  He works by producing good work which bears fruit of righteousness which give God the glory.  When this happens Jesus is glorified for it all happens because of Jesus paying the price of our sins.  The more we live by this grace the more we know how much God loves us and we learn to trust him more each day.  Live a selfless, God fearing w...

Colossians 1:5-6 “5because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,” Two great truths that we must know, understand and rejoice in are found in these two verses.  First “hope laid up in heaven” is one of the great motivators for daily living a selfless Christian life.  When we realize we are giving up personal pleasures for a great reward in heaven, then it really is not giving up, its being wise in obtaining a much greater treasure.  Second “understand the grace of God in truth” let’s us know that these treasures are given to us freely in Jesus.  He paid a great price but we received it from him freely.  That motivates us to praise him and worship him for his wonderful gift.  Let us be motivated to live a lif...

“the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭18:32‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Here again God is our resource for all of life.  He gives us the ability to do his will in a way that is righteous.  We trust the Lord and he carries us through life.  How exciting life can be when we know how much God loves us and provides us with all that we need.  Let us encourage one another to trust in the Lord Jesus. For your glory and our joy.  Amen

Colossians 1:3-4 “3We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,” This statement by Paul is amazing because it affirms that our faith is a gift from God to believe in God. The Father gives the gift to believe in the work that Jesus did for us to have fellowship with him and the Father.  We love him because he first loved us.  How did Paul know that they received this marvelous gift? They had love toward all the saints or other believers in Jesus.  Our love is our evidence of our faith in Jesus.  So when you question your faith in the Lord ask yourself this, do I truly love other Christians that love Jesus?  When you realize you do jump for joy for you have laid up for you treasures in heaven where Jesus is both the treasure and the joy.  All for your glory Jesus. Amen

“Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings,” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭17:7-8‬ ‭ESV‬‬ David knew God was his protection and felt loved by him.  A heart who desires God will know that he loves you.  The confidence and security in knowing the Lord in that way is wonderful.  It changes all your motivation from self affirmation to humble worship of God.  When you do right you praise God and when you do wrong you feel terrible because you offended the one who loves you.  Lord Jesus let us know how much you love us so our hearts will desire you.  For Jesus glory and our joy.  Amen

Matthew‬ ‭22:17-19, 21‬ ‭“Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” ‭‭ This is very appropriate for today as we follow the governors rules on social distancing.  If we can’t gather together to worship goes directly against God and we should not listen to the rule. The problem is that the church is afraid of dying more than afraid of disobeying God! If we can love someone and put ourself at risk we must act in love to them.  Wearing a mask is something that may be stupid at times but we must follow because we follow rules when it doesn’t violate God’s word. Jesus give us wisdom to love you and others more than ourselves.  For your glory Jesus and our joy...

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm‬ ‭16:11‬ ‭ESV‬‬ David was given the gift of faith and with his heart full of God’s love he lived his life with the truth of the presence of the Lord.  The Lord gives him a plan for life then fills it with joy and strength.  Knowing God is sovereign over our plans brings joy when circumstances are difficult knowing that there is a purpose for the struggle.  Joy that God will never leave you and strength to keep trusting him each day.  Let us encourage ourselves and others to rejoice in God’s love for us everyday.  Thank you Jesus.  Amen ‭

1 Peter 5:10-11 “10And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Yes we will suffer but don’t be afraid for there are many reasons to rejoice in our suffering.  We know when we suffer we are suffering for being a child of God. Not bragging rights but confidence in being worthy of genuineness.  It’s part of being a warrior for Christ. If you hide your faith you dishonor Jesus. When your suffering brings you down the Lord himself will restore and strength you.  During your suffering you know it will end in glory for Jesus and your joy. So pray to Jesus for strength, courage, and love for him and others to be willing to suffer.  Thank you Jesus.  Amen

“Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭14:31‬ ‭ESV‬‬ This proverb brings God sovereignty and mans actions together.  Poor people are poor because of many actions but ultimately God is their maker and they are poor because their maker is in control of all things.  How we respond to the poor is to meet their needs. There is always someone who has less than you do so every one can meet the needs of someone who has a need.  If everyone would stop judging others but care for the needy God brings into your life, the poor would receive they need and the giver will receive God’s joy!  Amen

1Peter 5:8-11 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Temptation is a part of our life.  We should resist it by trusting in the truth of the Bible in the power of the Holy Spirit.  When we fall into temptation we need to ask for forgiveness and trust that Jesus will restore us and give us new life in him.  We are secure in him and will praise him for his love and faithfulness to us.  Thank you Jesus.  In your name we pray. Amen

“But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭13:5-6‬ ‭ESV‬‬ David in this psalm begins with why God won’t you answer my prayers and get me out of this terrible situation.  Then he finishes it with the word “but”.  He starts to praise the Lord and sing of his steadfast love to him.  David didn’t wait until his circumstance changed to praise the Lord he praised the Lord during his suffering.  David knew that the Lord loved him and was in control.  The correct response to every situation is praise to God and trust in his grace he gives us each day.  Jesus help us to trust and praise you today.   Amen

1 Peter 5:6-7 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” These two verses are full of great hope that our Lord Jesus the Son of God will take care of you. His mighty hand will exalt you at the proper time that he chooses. He cares about you both physically and emotionally because he knows when you are anguish and afraid. Our role is two fold, first humble ourselves meaning submit to Jesus’s authority even when it doesn’t make sense and two, pray to him when you are nervous and trust he hears you and has you in his hands.  We must have faith like a child and say to God with our hands stretched up, “up mommy, up!”  He will take care of us when we love him like a child in total need. It honors him when we know we are safe in his arms. Thank you Abba! In Jesus name I pray Amen.

“Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts,” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭12:2-3‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Speaking the truth from a righteous heart God desires. Oh how easy it is to speak with deception when our heart is filled with pride. For out of the heart the mouth speaks.  Lord help us have hearts of righteousness so we may glorify your name with our mouth and serve him with thanksgiving.  Amen

1 Peter 5:1-5 “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Reading this section of Peter’s letter you can again hear his humbleness coming out in relationships. Peter learned that Jesus desires love over demands when you are in a leadership role and submission when you are receiving directions. Humility and submission comes more easily when you know that God who is soverei...

Can you say cedar point! 1 Peter 4:9-11 “9Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” Our responsibility in serving others is to have a good attitude. God supplies all the talent and strength. When we serve others God gets the glory, others get the help and we get the joy if we have the right attitude. It is like riding a roller coaster. We don’t do anything but make ourselves available and get in the car.  Then the ride does the rest and we either love the ride and scream with joy or complain the whole way fearing the next hill!  If we trust God the tide of life will be thrilling, if not we worry about each future event. ...

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭9:10‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Wisdom is a precious gift from God and we must desire it greatly.  Since it is a gift then we must seek the gift giver who is God.  To seek God you must know that he exists, a personal God, the one who made us and all creation.  He is awesome, righteous and holy.  Compared to us we see him as mighty and just therefore our first response when truly knowing him is to fear him out of who he is.  This fear is the beginning of wisdom for knowing God truly will help us to make decisions with God in mind and this is very wise.  When our fear has love added to it by knowing Jesus the wisdom increases.  Lord Jesus thank you for opening our eyes and heart to you.  For your glory and our joy.  Amen

1 Peter 4:1-2 “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. How can we have a mindset on expecting suffering and not on human passions?  This is what Peter is telling us to do.  Jesus suffered so we to will suffer sounds troublesome if you are a pleasure seeker like me. God loves us and is in control of all things yet we will suffer during this life.  It is only by the gracious gift of the Holy Spirit that gives us the desire to do God’s will and the power to overcome our sinful desires and obey God’s purpose in life with joy.  We must desire God’s joy more than sins pleasures or we will live our life in disappointment and fear.  If we confess our sins Jesus will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness and give us the desire and pow...

1Peter 3:18 ”For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” Death has always caused great stress in human existence.  We know that we are alive and know that we will die. That truth has great influence in our life and when people are born we celebrate and when they die we weep! Some try to ignore death, some try to delay death but all think about it.  God made us this way to remind us that we are sinners and the penalty of sin is death.  Jesus came to fix the death problem by dying for us.  If he did not live a sinless life his death would be just like everyone else.  But being perfectly righteous he died and paid the penalty of our sin which God the father put on him to free us from death. As Jesus rose from the dead we too will be taken by Jesus to God the father and will never be alone.  The great truth of the gospel of our Lord Jes...

1Peter 3:13-17 “13Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. When people come against you Peter tells us to honor Jesus in our hearts.  What does he mean?  The answer comes in the next part of the verse; to give a reason for your hope. Trusting Jesus is always with you gives you the perspective to see the situation with the eyes of Jesus.  Since he is God and he loves you, you don’t fear the problem but see it as an oppo...

“Turn, O Lord, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭6:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬ David and others in the Old Testament prayed to God to save them for his name sake.  That always seemed presuming to me that God is so connected to them that if they failed then God would look bad!  Maybe that is the correct way to help motivate us to act.  If we are Jesus representatives then when things go bad for us we need to pray to God to help us through the difficulty not only for our sake but for his name.  Even when the trouble is within us we need to understand that we live for him not ourselves and our actions do affect his glory.  That is a humbling and fearful way to live.  He gets the praise and we receive the joy.  So ask God for help for his name sake!  Amen

1Peter 3:8-12 “8Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Acting justly has its rewards namely being blessed by God.  Now some say we shouldn’t obey the Lord for a reward but obey out of love and respect. Love and respect are good but not enough for where your desires are is what is in your heart. Love is desirable when you receive love. You can’t love God if you have not received his love.  Therefore love is the reward or bles...

1Peter 3:1-6 “1Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. Close relationship take more than words to be good. Living out your salvation takes more grace than talking about Jesus love for us. In close relationship the heart that is trusting Jesus loves and obeys him and the actions that come from that is caring for an...

“Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭4:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Be angry and do not sin!  A great truth that many try to obtain but few can do it.  We love to get angry because we have been given the ability to see when injustice occur.  Therefore we have an emotional release and often sin.  Why do we sin, because we immediately judge the injustice without all the facts.  Only God knows all the facts and will judge correctly.  We must give the judgement over to him and allow our anger to help us to grow in trusting that God has a purpose and allow that strong emotion to turn to praise toward God which will be glory to Jesus and joy for us.  God can turn anger into joy if we trust in him.  Thank you Jesus.  Amen

2 Peter 2:24-25 “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. Jesus bore our sins in his body on a tree.  Sins are disobedience to God and requires punishment for the wrong. Jesus paid for our sins so we might die to the power of sin which is a required payment. Death no longer threatens us, or causes us to fear or lose hope. We should not spend our time worrying, being guilty and fearing punishment from God.  We should fight our temptation to sin with the truth that we have died to the consequences of sin and strive to be righteous for Jesus praise and glory because of what he has done and will do for us.  Live to give God the glory because he loves us and paid for our sins.  Strive for joy in Jesus not slaved to sin.  Thank you Jesus. Amen

1 Peter 2:19-23 “For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. These are wonderful verses because if we truly believe that Jesus is the ultimate judge for all of us then we never have to justify ourself, ever!  When we suffer for doing right we have been given a gracious gift because at judgment dayJesus will say you our my child because you suffered like me!  To be like Jesus is a precious gift.  When w...

1 Peter 2:13-17 “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. We as believers we are slaves to Jesus and free from everyone else. We use this freedom to love and honor others so they will see that we trust Jesus as God over all things. When we honor, obey and serve others we are serving Jesus for he is the one who controls everything. It is a blessing to know the truth of Jesus, God of all and Savior to all who believe!  Amazing grace!  Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen

1 Peter 2:9-10 “9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. We all want to be special to someone, it is the desire of all human hearts. When that desire is met you feel loved but when it isn’t loneliness enters into our life and what comes with it is hopelessness.  Therefore we all look to be special and for those who have been chosen by God to know him and love him he fills our heart with his presence and makes us his own. We become a royal priesthood, who are made to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. We are special because the God who made us loves us as his own and we will never be lonely. We need to believe this and praise Jesus for what he has done for us.  Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen