Honest God Truth

 April 29, 2023 “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬ ‭ASV‬‬ The Lord Jesus will come to rule this earth some day soon and what a glorious day that will be.  It is like something that you hope for all your life and never received but still desire. Or like hoping for something terrible that happened never did.  These realities shape our life and often make us hopeless. If we know and believer Jesus is the final actor and his performance will occur it will create in us a joyful peace that surpasses all our circumstances.  Our hope is in nothing less than Jesus Christ and his righteousness.  Come Lord Jesus come! Amen 

 April 23, 2023 “join with their brothers, their nobles, and enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord and his rules and his statutes.” ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭10‬:‭29‬ ‭ESV‬‬ What motives you to keep your vows or commitments?  Is it fear of losing what you possess or is it your love for it?  Our society has a big difficulty with commitments.  They stay away, if they can, from them.  Do we fear and love so little that we give up so much.  Are we content to watch and not play in the game?  We were made to glorify God and that involves our complete self, our thoughts, feelings, and actions.  We must trust the Lord by fearing evil and loving righteousness with all our heart.  Make vows that show you are alive and want to honor your maker and keep your commitments.  Jesus keep us from just watching!   Amen 

 April 22, 2023 “For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Why are we surprised when difficulties occur?  Scripture tells us that we will have hard times in this world because their is a war going on between good and evil.  Jesus has overcome the world by dying and rising from the dead.  Yet we still live in the struggle and knowing the battle is ongoing gives us understanding and hope.  Trust in the Lord Jesus for victory over trials but don't think they won't come our way.  The final result is eternal life with the Lord so let us encourage one another in that truth when difficulties seem so bad.  Amen

 April 21, 2023 ““You are the LORD you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.” ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬ God's people worship the LORD.  Whenever God opens our heart and eyes to see and savor his wonder the response is praise.  The Lord is creator of the universe, his awesomeness is incomprehensible and eternal.  Even in the smile of a baby the Lord brings joy.  Oh worship the Lord today, make a joyful noice all his people and be glad for our Lord Jesus reigns! Amen

 April 20, 2023 Joy and glory “For you are our glory and joy.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Sharing the gospel is the ultimate glory and joy for believers.  Because when we see it changing people from death until live we see the power of God.  God has chosen to work through us to bring life, the joy and glory is indescribable.  Lord let us be bold and loving to share your gospel to those you bring our way.  Amen  

 April 17, 2023 “So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬ When we are used by God true love appears in and through us.  Our motives and actions come by an affection that truly cares for the person.  The person is not an object of our selfish desires, pride, power, dominance, superiority, pleasure.  Love speaks and  acts the truth for the good of the other person even at the expense of ourself.  God showed us that example by sending Jesus, his only Son to earth to save us from our sin.  May we love others that way.  Amen. 

 April 15, 2023 “remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Faith, love and hope often describe the thoughts and feelings of someone.  But in this verse Paul is using all three as verbs showing action.  Faith producing work or work showing faith, love leading to labor or labor making love and hope being steadfast or patience showing the evidence of hope.  Living and trusting God is not a passive intellectual assent into truth but an active demonstration of confidence in the promises that God is with you and will guide and direct your movements in righteousness.  Lord help us to walk in your ways for your glory and our joy.  Amen 

 April 11, 2023 “We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.” ‭‭John‬ ‭9‬:‭31‬ ‭ESV‬‬ We all want attention, being ignored is hard to take.  We go through life trying different tactics to receive approval, acceptance, being liked.  We were made to receive love.  This love that truly satisfies our longing of acceptance and attention must come from God.  The problem is we are sinners and God hates sin.  Therefore we need to be fixed in order for God to hear us and give us his acceptance and love.  Our faith in Jesus dying for our sins is the only way God will listen to and have fellowship with him.  Our sins are forgiven and we are counted as righteous when we believe in the gospel.  Praise you Jesus you allowed us to receive God's love.  Amen

  Paul writing by the power of the Holy Spirit wanted to instruct the church how to live life’s of submission and humbleness. Men, in a marriage represent God and women represent the church. The awesome privilege and responsible to represent God is so humbling sense it is impossible and it takes total dependency on the Lord. God, who is all loving, all caring, all powerful and all knowing can never be represented by mortal man so how you treat your wife the church is to die daily for her and with all your effort help her do the correct thing which is to humble herself to God. If the women want to cover there head as an action of humility then that is proper if her other actions display a humble heart to her husband. And the task should be easy of her husband is dying to his desires and looking to honor his wife a a child of God in his church. Appearance is only good if it reflects the heart. That’s my thoughts that I received from reading all of scripture.

 April 6 “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬ There is no fear in doing right for when we suffer for it we will be blessed.  It's always a win win when we obey the Lord and so love to others.  They may respond negatively but know that our blessings from God will always be better and lasting forevermore.  Lord help me to trust in you.  Amen 

 April 5, 2023 “When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?”” ‭‭John‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬ This question we all must answer for sin has its comfort.  The longer you live doing unrighteousness the more comfortable we get in its negative consequences.  And soon it's such a part of your life you can't imagine living without it.  But Jesus said I am the bread of life, I am the living water, I am the way to God the Father.  Don't settle for anything less than eternal life with the Lord Jesus who loves you and died for your salvation.  Amen

 April 3 “In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”” ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭4‬:‭20‬ ‭ESV‬‬ When we follow God's commandments we can know that the Lord is blessing our actions.  An example would be to love your neighbors better than yourself.  But if we are sinning and acting selfishly we could find ourselves going against our desires for God will not bless sinfulness.  All things work together for good for those who love God but the good may be to stop our sinful desires and actions.  Lord help us to trust your word even if it tells us to stop!  Amen

  “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬ April 1, 2023 It is difficult to rejoice, pray, and give thanks when terrible things happen.  So how can we do this in all circumstances?  The answer is in Christ Jesus or because of Christ Jesus.  The worse event in all of history was the death of Jesus, the only perfect human. Yet because it truly happened the judgement of sin by God is taken away and put on the Lord for us of faith.  If we know that God so loved the world that he gave us Jesus, then we can be certain that he will work out all things for our good when we trust and belief in him.  Rejoice, pray and give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen

 Amen Larry, faith produces work, it might even be its fruit.   When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work.” ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭4‬:‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬ How did God frustrate their enemies plan?  How does God sometimes work?  The Bible is all about God working and it is for us to learn and believe in God.  Many times God does miracles that are amazing and many times he works in hearts, minds, dreams, other unseen activities.  How does he work in our life? If our faith is to grow we must know that he is working in and for us.  Lord reveal yourself to me today so I may trust you with all my heart.  Amen