Honest God Truth

 May 31, 2024 “and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬ We are to put on our new self which is Jesus Christ.  The old self is no longer in charge of our thinking so we need to be transformed by the renewing of our mind.  That means praying, reading, and worshipping the Lord Jesus.  What a wonderful program for renewal called sanctification.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 May 29, 2024 “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬ How do we seek the things that are above?  By setting your mind on things above namely on Jesus.  Who Is Jesus, what has he done for you, and what has he promised for you if you obey him?  These question should be constantly on our mind if we want victory over the trials and temptations of this world.  We have everything we need for a victorious life, if we set our minds on Jesus.  Lord we need your constant help!  Amen

 May 29, 2024 “And now, O Lord, you are God, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭17‬:‭26‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The promise of the gospel is God's promise to all who believe it.  What a blessing we have in Jesus all our sins have been washed away.  What a blessing to know that we like David will be forever in God's presence not because of what we've done but because of who Jesus is our savior.  All praise to you Lord Jesus.  Amen

 May 27, 2024 “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.” Jesus is God and we are filled in him by the Holy Spirit.  Stop and meditate on this truth that Jesus came to save us and give us God.  Nothing is more important and amazing.  If we can trust the Bible and all its truths about the Lord then nothing can separate us from the love of God.  The only weapon Satan has is to tempt us with doubt.  Jesus help us to trust in you.  Amen ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

 May 26, 2024 “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬ So how do we walk in Jesus?  Do we follow his examples, try to do miracles, clean out the temples? Probably not but Paul tells us to be rooted and built up in him which I take to mean we should learn to trust him more, believe that he is God, that he knows us personally, and has paid for all our sins so we can humbly come to him all the time for comfort, strength, direction and peace.  Lord help us to walk in you today for your glory and our joy.  Amen

 May 26, 2024 “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭34‬ ‭ESV‬‬ With all the praise David gave to the Lord this statement might summarize all of it.  Thanking God for his goodness to those who love and worship him is a correct response to all that the Lord is and has done for his people.  And with assurance that God never changes we can have comfort to know God will continue to show goodness toward us forever.  Praise you in the highest Lord Jesus.  Amen

 May 25, 2024 “then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Knowing what it means to fear the Lord is vital for understanding and knowledge.  It would seem that as you grow in knowledge you would fear less and understand more so you are not fearful of God.  That is the trick of Satan.  He always thinks he knows more than God that is why he does not fear him to his destruction!  Lord the more we know you the more we should fear not to be your enemy!  Thank you Jesus.  Amen

 May 25, 2024 “And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the Lord.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭15‬:‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬ God made us to celebrate in his presence and what joy we experience when we follow his commands.  We think his rules are burdensome and we ignore or overlook them.  We rush into the excitement without asking and following the Lord.  We must learn that following and obeying the commands brings joy unending.  We must slowdown and prepare for our God knows exactly what to do and if we trust him we will experience life in its fullness.  Praise you Lord Jesus.  Amen

 May 24, 2024 “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭28‬ ‭ESV‬‬ This is the purpose of all believers in Jesus that we present ourselves and others mature in Christ.  Another name for mature is sanctified, glorified, become like Jesus.  This process is ongoing until Jesus returns or we die and go meet him.  Jesus said be perfect like your Heavenly Father is perfect.  Jesus is perfect and we need to be perfect to be with him as his church.  This will not happen in this life but that is our goal.  We need help from the Holy Spirit and each other.  Lord help us to see our goal and pursue it with all our heart knowing you are working in us.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 May 23, 2024 “And David was afraid of God that day, and he said, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?”” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭13‬:‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬ David should have been afraid of God for the Lord is king over even David.  When we do not follow God's commands we should in fear and trembling ask for mercy and not justice.  God is perfectly righteous and when we disobey there is perfect justice.  We must learn that God is holy and just, if we don't have the blood of Jesus to protect us we have no hope.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 May 23, 2024 “if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭23‬ ‭ESV‬‬ How can you keep in the faith stable and steadfast?  We must put on Christ Jesus, carry our cross, be a living sacrifice.  Faith is active not passive and it involves thought, words and action.  Jesus must be your top priority in life not a bystander.  This seems to hard but with God, through the Holy Spirit all things are possible.  Therefore fight the good fight of faith and make no provisions for our selfish flesh so we can be stable and steadfast in our faith.  Amen

 May 22, 2024 “And also their relatives, from as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, came bringing food on donkeys and on camels and on mules and on oxen, abundant provisions of flour, cakes of figs, clusters of raisins, and wine and oil, oxen and sheep, for there was joy in Israel.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭12‬:‭40‬ ‭ESV‬‬ There was joy in Israel!  What a great statement that was not said often for God's  people.  With David as king the people rejoiced and celebrated having a righteous king who had a heart for God.  I look forward to the day when king Jesus returns and all believers will rejoice for the King of king and Lord of lords will reign forever! Come soon Lord Jesus, come soon.  Amen

 May 21, 2024 “and said, “Far be it from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the lifeblood of these men? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭11‬:‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬ David shows us two desires we all have as believers, one the desires of the flesh to want to drink water that is special and costly.  He also had a desire to honor and please God.  Often these two desires are in conflict with each other.  When David saw what his desire might have done he did not drink the water but immediately turned to the Lord and made him more import than the fleshy desire.  Lord let us be like David this time!  Amen

 May 21, 2024 “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭ESV‬‬ In Jesus and through Jesus God is there.  If you are looking for God you must find Jesus.  When you see me Jesus said you see the Father.  Our salvation is possible when you realize that Jesus had to be fully man and fully God to make peace for human sinners.  He did that by living a perfect life fulfilling the law completely and dying a sacrificial death that paid the penalty for our sins.   There is no other way to have a righteous relationship with a holy, righteous, perfect God.  Amazing grace, thank you Jesus.  Amen

 May 20, 2024 “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬ This verse is so wonderful that its truth can change your life.  We are born sinners, slaves to evil, selfish, sinful desires that Satan controls.  The day our eyes and heart were open to Jesus sacrificial death for us we are transferred from the bondage of selfishness unto the kingdom of God where love dominates all behavior.  We are free to choose other people's good over ours for we know we are a child of God.  Lord let this truth penetrate our heart that we are free to love and die, for Jesus did just that for us!  Praise you Lord God.  Amen

 May 19, 2024 “so 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;” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬ So bearing fruit and increasing our knowledge of God go together. The more we know God the more fruit we will bear.  God is everywhere because he made all things and is working out his plan.  We can't get away from his handy work and yet we do a real good job of ignoring him.  When our eyes and heart are open to him we begin to understand that he is all powerful and righteous and merciful.  Our response to this knowledge is love and obedience which produces fruit of righteousness.  The more we know him the more we love him and praise him for all he is and has done.  Thank you Lord Jesus for being God.  Amen

 May 18, 2024 “Some of them had charge of the utensils of service, for they were required to count them when they were brought in and taken out.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭9‬:‭28‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The privilege and honor to serve in the temple of the living God is a supreme gift.  As believers we often take for granted the honor to have God live in our heart by the Holy Spirit.  It should cause us to live holy, righteous lives.  What ever task we do we do it for the Lord.  We are valuable in God's sight for when our hearts are open to the gospel we receive an eternal gift of God with us.  Let's never think we are not loved! Amen

 May 17, 2024 “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭ESV‬‬ What is God's will for us?  Do we believe God is so  involved in our life that he has a plan for us?  If we believe that he does how then do we live?  With purpose and hope that all things will work together for good.  This takes faith that God is powerful and full of love.  This truth can change a raining day to a gift of water for thirsty people and plants.  Let us live with the hope that changes sorrow into the joy of being in the will of God.  Thank you Jesus.  Amen

 May 15, 2024 “For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Symbols point to something, have a story to share but are not the real thing.  Circumcision pointed to God as a symbol of a group of people but not necessarily true believers.  The cross of Jesus changed the person's heart, a new person, the old person is dead and the new creation is now living inside the person.  We believers in Jesus are born again and are growing by grace into holy, righteous children of God.  So putting on a symbol can't change the heart and is not needed because the new creation has come into our heart in the Holy Spirit.  Praise you Lord God.  Amen

 May 13, 2024 “For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Why did God give us his laws?  So we would know what he thinks are important and must be followed to please him.  Jesus summarized the law by saying love God fully and love your neighbor as yourself.  God's law is impossible to fulfill and yet we must for that is what we are made to do.  So we try to change the law so we can reach the requirements.  It never works because there is emptiness in our heart without pleasing God.  Jesus came to help us fulfill the law by loving God and his neighbor perfectly. Faith in him along, his life, death and resurrection fulfills the law for us.  Then we live by God's grace to us through the Holy Spirit and begin the process of becoming holy.  It looks like loving God more each day and loving others as we love ourselves bec...

 May 13, 2024 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Jesus is reaching out to everyone who is trying to save their soul on their own.  Those who are trying to create a good life for themselves without of anyone helping because they don't want to be told what to do.  We all have that sinful nature of independence that keeps us away from God's love for us.  Jesus knows our struggles and is the answer to all are questions and the source of all our desires.  When we allow him to put his yoke on us we have everything we need, power and direction.  When you are yoked to the creator of the universe your burden is light.  Lord let us learn to trust in you and obey your promises.  Amen

 May 12, 2024 “For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬ How do we sow to the Holy Spirit?  Sowing is planting seed into the ground because you want a certain crop to eat.  It's putting effort to obtain a goal.  If our goal is a happy life  we do everything the world says to obtain it.  Obtain money, possessions, positions, health, and security to keep what we worked (sowed) hard to get.  It can occupy all our efforts and at the end we lose it all.  If we sow to the Holy Spirit we give up our life as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, knowing that Jesus loves us and died for our sins.  We love our enemies and trust that God will provide us our daily bread.  This sowing will reap the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self control, which lea...

 May 11, 2024 Don't compare “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬ When we love others by bearing one another's burdens we can be tempted to think we are better than them.  We would never sin like that!  Paul is warning that we all sin and are tempted not to trust and obey the Lord.  It might be in different ways but don't think yourself better than the one you are helping.  True love does not compare, it thinks of the person more than themself.  Lord help us to love like you.  Amen

 May 10, 2024 “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬ To bear one another's burdens is to love them.  It comes along side them with their difficulties.  It is more than sympathy it is involvement that will cost you.  Love always gives up a part of the person who possesses it.  God the Father gave up his Son and Jesus gave up his life for us.  Lord Jesus give us the love that cost much but receives eternal joy.  Amen

 May 9, 2024 “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭25‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The Holy Spirit that lives in all believers interacts with us in a most loving, gentle way.  This still soft voice is always available but does not very often over power us.  We have access to him anytime but we must pray, read scripture, and listen to his direction.  It is easy to go on our own without his help which often causes ourself and others difficulties.  Lord God please give us wisdom and love to keep our relationship with you, through the Holy Spirit, strong and close, so we will glorify you in all that we do.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 May 8, 2024 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬ We as believers are free from the bondage of sin through our faith in Jesus.  We are free to live by the Holy Spirit to love and obey Jesus.  But we also still have sinful temptation in our heart.  We can choose to live by love to please God our choose selfish sin and please ourself.  Lord help us to die to our selfish sin and choose to love and obey you.  Amen

 May 8, 2024 “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” ‭‭Judges‬ ‭17‬:‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬ When we do what is right in our own eyes we often stumble and fall because our hearts contain selfish sin that does not want to obey the Lord.  We were made to joyfully obey our Creator  and interact with the God who loves us.  Sin destroyed that relationship and now through Jesus we are learning how to trust and obey God again.  Unfortunately until Jesus comes again we will be tempted to do what is right in our own sight!  Lord help us grow in obeying you more each day.  Amen

 May 7, 2024 “You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬ We are saved by grace the free gift of Jesus dying for our sins.  When our eyes our open to this amazing truth we gladly believe in Jesus and praise and worship him.  Often we take the next step of paying him back by trying to win his approval by doing what we think is right.  When we try to pay God back we fall from righteousness to sinfulness.  Our hearts should be desiring God to bless us because of Jesus not because we do good things for God.  We must trust him by faith in his love for us not in what we have done for him.  Lord help us to trust in your love and not in what we can do for you.  Praise you Jesus, Amen

 May 6, 2024 “For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The Holy Spirit  gives us faith in Jesus and hope in his righteousness that he gives us which we demonstrate through our love for God.  The gospel works this way, the Father's plan, the Son's action, the Holy Spirit work in our heart.  Praise you Lord God.  Amen

 May 4, 2024 ”His father and mother did not know that it was from the Lord, for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines ruled over Israel.“ ‭‭Judges‬ ‭14‬:‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The book of Judges shows us how God works in the lives of many different people.  The people do great things and stupid things yet we see God's plans always happen just the way he planned.  We must learn that the Lord is in control of his creation yet we are not puppets. Let us realize God has never lost control.  When our eyes our open to his love for us and his power over all things, we should believe this truth, "all things work together for good for those that love God." Do you love him?  Lord open our minds and heart to love you more each day so we will have everlasting joy.  Amen

 May 3, 2024 ”Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,“ ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Truth is the building blocks of growing in grace.  The more we learn about Jesus the more we realize how much he loves us.  This understanding is vital in our relationship with him for if we are to love him more we must know him better.  Jesus said you shall know the truth and it will set you free.  Free to love him and others more deeply.  Lord help us to receive your truth in love.  Amen

 May 1, 2024 ”Thus God returned the evil of Abimelech, which he committed against his father in killing his seventy brothers.“ ‭‭Judges‬ ‭9‬:‭56‬ ‭ESV‬‬ God is involved in the lives of his people.  When his people listen and obey him they receive victory.  But when they ignore him and do evil God punishes them.  It is a good lesson for us that we are saved because we believe that Jesus died for our sins and we live righteous lives because we love him and obey his commands for we want to please our Lord.  When we do we have peace with God and when we disobey we lose our peace and joy.  Lord give us the joy of obedience.  Amen