Honest God Truth

 June 29, 2024 “And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭18‬:‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The joy of seeing the Lord on his throng with all the host of heaven standing on his command.  Oh what a glorious vision that will be and yet until that time we should know that it is true and live trusting and obeying the Lord in all we do and say.  For the Lord God reigns.  Praise you Lord Jesus.  Amen

 June 28, 2024 “And they taught in Judah, having the Book of the Law of the Lord with them. They went about through all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭17‬:‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬ It is so important to teach your children about the Lord and his ways. The Lord desires to be know and worshipped.  It is our duty and joy to share the good news of Jesus our Lord.  Amen

 June 26, 2024 “All Judah rejoiced concerning the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought Him earnestly, and He let them find Him. So the Lord gave them rest on every side.” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭15‬:‭15‬ ‭ We can't know God unless he lets us find him.  We must seek him with all our heart but left on our own we are blind and could never have a relationship with him.  If you desire God even a little be thankful for that is a gift from the Lord.  But don't stop with a little, desire more of him everyday and you will be blessed and glorify God.  Thank you Jesus.  Amen

 June 25,2024 “And they attacked all the cities around Gerar, for the fear of the Lord was upon them. They plundered all the cities, for there was much plunder in them.” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭14‬:‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬ God works for his people when the fear of the Lord is upon them.  When we fear God first God is honored and we become fearless to other things.  This truth conquers obstacles in our life.  Fear often hinders our actions but when we fear the Lord it empowers us to overcome the fear of failure and trusts in the promises of God.  Praise your name Lord Jesus. Amen 

 June 24, 2024 No peace without God “And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil.” ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Solomon found pleasure in all his toil.  This is all the world can offer us without God.  We were made to serve God and others.  When we toil there is a reward that drives us to more toil.  Never at peace because there is no pleasure away from toil.  Work alcoholics are in that category and have no joy or rest.  Peace comes from knowing God and serving him with love and joy.  Success without God is chasing after the wind for there is no stopping to smell the roses.   Lord we need you every hour.  Amen

 June 23, 2024 “When the rule of Rehoboam was established and he was strong, he abandoned the law of the Lord, and all Israel with him.” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Oh the danger of false security away from the Lord.  Our sinful nature easily trusts in our own accumulated possessions.  Money, security, health all can be lost in a moment.  Our faith and fear of the Lord God is our only safe place to exist.  Lord Jesus thank you for coming and showing us how much you love us and want us to trust in your goodness and power.  May we glorify you by believing you will always love us.  Amen

 June 22, 2024 “What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be counted.” ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭1‬:‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬ This statement is true for humans and it states our condition because of sin. The good news of the gospel of Jesus is that we can be made new by faith in the works and person of Jesus.  He is the perfect God/man that was straight and full of righteousness.  When he died on the cross to forgive us our sins and we believe in him we are made new, born again and live now to glorify his name.  We  have hope in God's love and eternity because of the Lord.  Amazing grace!  Amen

 June 22, 2024 “So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of affairs brought about by God that the Lord might fulfill his word, which he spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭10‬:‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The Bible is full of successes and failures and yet it is always about God.  The Lord in his infinite glory lifts up and takes down, blessed and curses, brings joy and sadness. God's plans are perfect and his intentions are to glorify his name in all things.  If you seek joy then look to Jesus the author and finisher of all life.  Amen. 

 June 20, 2024 We all live for happiness, happy memories, happy feelings, happy promises.  Everything else we do are instruments to obtain our happiness.  We always choose to obtain happiness, it might be for future happiness or hidden happiness, but that is all we can ever positively desire to experience.  Therefore since life is short, with all its problems, without the eternal God, the source of all happiness, life is only vanity.  Open our eyes Lord so we can see Jesus, the source of all happiness.  Amen

 June 19, 2024 “Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on his throne as king for the Lord your God! Because your God loved Israel and would establish them forever, he has made you king over them, that you may execute justice and righteousness.”” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭9‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/59/2ch.9.8.ESV

 June 18, 2024 “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭30‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Charm and beauty are definitely wonderful qualities that everyone would like to possess.  If they do they have been blessed by the Lord.  But in comparison someone who fears the Lord is to be praised.  When you fear the Lord you realize that God is in control and you are willing to trust and obey him at any cost.  That kind of living is praiseworthy and glorifies God.  Lord, may all of us  fear not pleasing you and trust your love for us.  Amen 

 June 17, 2024 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭7‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬ We serve a sovereign God.  He brings blessings and wrath on the world starting with his chosen people.  As believers, chosen by God, we have a great privilege and responsibility to trust and obey the Lord's word.  If we choose to obey we will receive God's blessing of his presence.  We have the Holy Spirit living in us but our choice to obey or disobey will determine if we experience his joy and guidance.  If we choose to disobey we will experience his wrath mainly from not hearing or experiencing his love and guidance in our life.  If we confess our sins he is merciful, through t...

 June 17, 2024 “Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭23‬ ‭ESV‬‬ When you can love and cherish someone in a way that brings them honor then you are living a Christ centered life.  Jesus lived to glorify his Father and that ultimately means to make his Father known to the world.  God is love and he is righteous, therefore his love is seen and experienced through obeying him.  Jesus did that perfectly and died to open the way for us to experience God's love to us.  We must live righteous lives so we too can experience God's love.  Lord help us to love others the same way that Jesus loved you.  Amen

 June 16, 2024 “And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord’s house.” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭7‬:‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬ We must be in amazing awe that the God of the universe fills us with the Holy Spirit.  Realizing that gracious gift from the Father because of the sacrifice of Jesus, we have the presence of the Lord with us always.  Amazing, remarkable, unfathomable blessings.  If God is with us we have nothing to fear!  All praise to you Lord God.  Amen 

 June 16, 2024 “She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Strong women and men get their strength from trusting in the power of the Lord.  When you dress yourself you put on cloths.  When you dress yourself with strength you put on God's promises to you.  He loves you, he will fight your battles, he will never leave you, and he will lead you in the direction of eternal life.  Lord help us to dress ourself with your strength today.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 June 14, 2024 “And he said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who with his hand has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to David my father, saying,” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭6‬:‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬ God's promises to us are a sure guarantee.  We can hope for tomorrow because we know God's love for us will be there.  In all circumstances we can trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding.  If our thoughts lead us away from God his love draws us close.  Let us worship and praise you today and everyday!  Amen

 June 12,2024 “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth,” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬ A fountain is made to overflow with joy of living water.  God's love for us overflows in the presence of Jesus his Son.  When our love for our wife is like a fountain it overflows to her with blessings from God.  Oh the joy of God's love overflowing in and through us.  Amen

 Oct 13, 2021 “And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.” ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭8:15‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The simple pleasures of life gives us joy if we know that God loves us, provides for us, and will do his will in and for us.  Joy comes when we are satisfied in what God gives us for today.  We must seek his love everyday and serve him with joyful gladness.  We reflect his glory the most when we are satisfied in him.  Thank you Jesus.  Amen 

 June 11, 2024 “I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Since we live in a fallen, sinful world we will at times in our life say we should have listened!  Our sinful hearts fall to easy into temptation, especially to "do it my way" and not listen to instructions.  That is why we must continue to renew our minds and humble ourselves to allow God to mold and make us into the vessels of righteousness and not vessels of his wrath.  Lord help us to stay close to you and your love.  Amen

 June 10, 2024 “For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil,” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Sin has temptation built into its character because it competes with God for our attention.  It is a boundary that if used correctly keeps us on the righteous path.  The consequences of temptation that leads to sin is drawing us away from God.  Lord help us to keep on the path of righteousness for your glory and our joy.  Amen

 June 9, 2024 “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Struggling in prayer for help is a characteristic of a true believer in God's love.  Any child does not take no for an answer, they learned that if they continue to ask they might get what they want from their loving parent.  We must pray diligently to the Lord when we desire righteousness until we hear God's answer and not give up because we may think he doesn't care.  Praise you Jesus! Amen

 June 8, 2024 “I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts,” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬ One task we should have in loving others is to encourage their hearts.  Our hearts need to be filled with joy and often that occurs by renewing our minds. Sharing good news often makes our hearts rejoice.  Jesus loves you this I know for the Bible tells me so.  Amen

 June 7, 2024 “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Gracious seasoned with salt are great words on how to speak.  Being kind even when not deserved and seasoned with attractive, complementing words.  If people are evil and mean toward us we should give them lovely words that show Jesus to them.  Very hard to do but what God asks of us.  Lord help us live in a loving way.  Amen

 June 6, 2024 “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Prayer is more than asking God for help.  It is looking for his answer.  Prayer is not a monologue but communication with the God of the universe.  We should expect the Lord to answer our prayer in many different ways.  It may be a still small voice in our heart that gives insight.  Or it could be changing the circumstance that shows us the correct directions. Often we don't even bother to look for an answer because we question if he really is listening.  Lord help us to believe you hear and care about us enough to give us your love and direction to our prayers.  But we must be steadfast in our efforts to know and understand what you are saying to us. Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 June 5, 2024 “he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Wisdom is knowing what is righteous and obeying it.  It takes knowledge, discipline, and desire.  Then when these three characteristics come together over and over wisdom is achieved.  On our own it is impossible but with God in your heart all things are possible. Thank you Lord Jesus.  AmenP

 June 4, 2024 “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬-‭21‬ ‭ESV‬‬ We are sinful and we struggle to  obey the Lord's commands.  That being said, it would be so beneficial if we believe these truths about family behavior are best for us, and attempt to obey them instead of trying to argue them away!  Lord help us to first believe that these commands are for our good and second to follow them as the path to great riches that honor you.  Amen

 June 3, 2024 "For the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights." — Proverbs 3:12 (ESV) What does reproof from God look like? Since God is sovereign and knows every hair on our heads (an easy task for Him with us!), when bad things happen, they serve as lessons from God. Even if we walk righteously and encounter difficulties, we should view these challenges as God's love redirecting us. It might be that our actions were selfish rather than humble, or perhaps there was someone in need whom we overlooked. Alternatively, we might need to learn that we live in a fallen world and should not become too comfortable, but instead long for Jesus to return and make things right. When we sin and God reproves us, we learn that He hates sin, and we can rejoice in knowing that His reproof is a sign of His love for us. Understanding that God's reproof is an expression of His love is a priceless truth. Amen.

 June 3, 2024 “Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭29‬:‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The joy of giving is a part of our nature that sin destroys.  Selfishness causes us to fear losing what we have and not gaining the joy of giving what we can't keep.  The Lord loves a cheerful giver because it shows a loving heart that trusts in God and not its possessions for happiness.  Therefore let us give with cheerful hearts for we know Jesus loves us.  Amen

 June 2, 2024 “Be careful now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.” (1 Chronicles 28:10 ESV) God chose David and then Solomon to be kings, bestowing upon them great strength and power to fulfill their divine tasks. However, with this empowerment came a crucial warning: to be careful to keep all of His commandments. God's selection and empowerment come with the expectation of obedience. As chosen children of God, we must diligently follow the Lord's commandments, recognizing the great privilege and responsibility we have to serve Him. Trust and obedience are essential, for there is no other way to live happily as a child of God. Amen.

 June 1, 2024 Uniquely special “Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.” ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Christ is all in all is a thought that makes us realize how big and personal Jesus really is.  We are never alone or never different.  We believers will one day be like each other and like Jesus, not different but uniquely special!  Praise you Jesus.   Amen