Honest God Truth

 “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬ And what is your account?  All your good and bad thoughts and actions. If that is it then we all will be sent to hell.  God is perfect and we have to be perfect to be in his kingdom.  We are not even close to being perfect but Jesus was and is perfect.  When we believe in the good news of the gospel we become perfect in God's eyes.  The process of becoming perfect is instantaneous and yet takes forever.  When we believe in Jesus for the first time we become members of his team or his body.  Then we begin the process of becoming holy.  We are justified the moment we were saved and the process of sanctification begins.  Lord thank you for making me a part of your team.  Please help me to grow in your grace so I may serve you, play in your team, for your glory and the joy of pleasing you...

 “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Some people are destined to the wrath of God.  They are the ones who don't have their sins forgiven by Jesus Christ.  That statement has changed the world for 2000 years.   God hates sin and we are sinners that need our sins paid.  Jesus paid for our sins on the cross making us free from God's wrath.  This is good news that we must share to all who believe.  Lord give us the desire to love people and share the gospel with them.  All praise to you Lord Jesus.  Amen

 “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬ We our the children of God, day, light, righteousness, holiness and truth.  We battle against Satan, evil, night, lies, deception and death.   Therefore, we must put on battle armor which protects our heart and our mind.  Our mind must remember that Jesus died for our sins and nothing can separate us from his love since while we were still sinners Jesus died for us.  So how much more will he protect and keep us safe from the enemy.  Then we must protect our heart with faith in future grace that God will provide a way for us to love others.  The world might lie and cheat us  but if you remember Jesus' love for you, and have faith in his grace then you can love those who treat you wrong.  Love overcomes evil and with the help of the Holy Spirit we can win the war against d...

 “While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬  All of our life's are living with the wonder of what happens next.  It might bring great joy for the anticipated future in positive.  But if the future is full of worry and uncertainty fear and grief fill our minds.  We want to know the future if it is for our good and fear if it is bad.  Lord Jesus came and told us not to fear the future for he has control of it.  Trust him and know that he loves you.  Perfect love casts out all fear.  Jesus thank you for loving us so much that you died for our sins that separate us from your love.  Fear not for Jesus is with us until the end. Amen

 “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬ This verse is the goal of our salvation, justification, sanctification and glorification.  It is we in life and death will live with Jesus.  Now by the Holy Spirit living in us and when we sleep or our bodies die we will see Jesus in heaven.  What a great hope we have in Jesus.  Praise you Lord God.  Amen

 “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬ A person who is righteous does no wrong.  Let that sink in, always doing the right thing all the time.  Whenever there is a decision the person always chooses the perfect way, perfect word, perfect emotion.  That person is glad all the time in their behavior.  They never worry about doing the wrong thing.  When it is time to rejoice they rejoice perfectly not excessive, when it is time to remorse they share concern ideally.  Gladness comes when we live rightly.  Jesus is that perfect, righteous man that in his gladness went to the cross to die for our sins.  It was the most righteous, loving, act that ever occurred.  Lord help us to be glad and choose righteousness like you.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬ This verse is a most glorious statement about the Lord Jesus.  He is the very radiance of God that comes to us.  When you see Jesus you see God.  God created all things by his word  and we know that Jesus is the Word of God.  Therefore Jesus made all things and holds all things together.  The universe would explode if Jesus didn't keep it together by saying to it "stay together".  And the greatest act that Jesus did is purify us from sin by coming as a human child into his creation to die for our sins.  He accomplished this amazing task and now sits in complete control of the universe as Lord, God, Savior and our Friend if we believe and love him.  Praise you forever Jesus Christ.  Amen ...

 “and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Lord help me to love others and help them not criticize them.  If they don't know you help me to show them your love and share your gospel with them.  Lord let me live a life glorifying you instead of seeking the approval of others.  For your glory Lord Jesus.  Amen  

 “And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭14‬:‭62‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Jesus is seated at the right hand of power and someday will come to judge the world.  If you don't know Jesus personally that day will be terrifying.  But if you know him and humbly worship and praise him then you want him to come today.  Come Lord Jesus and make all things right.  Amen

 “But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”” ‭‭Daniel‬ ‭12‬:‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Wise people like Daniel know that there will be a judgment and those that lead people to the light of the gospel of Jesus will stand in there allotted place. We must share the love of Jesus which is he loved us so much that he died for our sins.  All need to know and the chosen will follow.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 “that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬ What a terrible sales pitch, follow me and you will suffer! If that was all that Jesus offered his followers would have ended 2000 years ago.  But Jesus said taste and see the me, the Lord is good.  The good news is that Jesus is the most satisfying person in the universe. When you know and truly experienced him there is a deep longing in your soul that needs, wants, and will suffer all things to be with him.  Yes sin can detract us but never permanently keep us from him.  Lord help us to taste you today and do desire to glorify you in everything we do.  Praise you Jesus. Amen 

 “And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my Lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”” ‭‭Daniel‬ ‭10‬:‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Once again the angel of God or a message from God tells him he is greatly loved. What wonderful words to hear. Daniel was disciplined, God fearing man and we would think that was why he was loved but it may have been because he had a heart to seek and know God.  God puts in our heart a love for him.  That only happens when he shows his love to us by sending his Son to us.  We love Jesus because he first love us.  Lord help us to love you more everyday.  Praise you Jesus. Amen

 “but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬ God tests our heart for our good. He knows our heart before we do and he gives us opportunity to know our own heart.  When our heart refuses Jesus' love for us by not trusting him we can repent from our idol and cling to his mercy and grace. Lord Jesus keep us close to you today and always.  Amen

 “I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. I cling to your testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame! I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭119‬:‭30‬-‭32‬ ‭ESV‬‬ These verses tell how God uses his word and our desires to sanctify us.  I have chosen your ways , I have set your rules before me so that I may not be put to shame.  This is what I am doing but only if God enlarges my heart to desire more of him.  Oh Lord give me a large, clean, loving heart so I may not be put to shame.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 “For you are our glory and joy.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬ ‭ESV‬‬ What do you feel good about that you accomplished in life?  The money you saved, graduating from college, an art project that was given a reward.  Paul said the people he shared Jesus with and became believers.  There is no greater accomplishment to have the Lord use you to change a persons eternity. We must make it our upmost desire to be ready to share the gospel to all that come our way. Let it start with the people closest to you and then ask God to bring people to you.  Are we ready to be used by God today?  Lord help us share your good news today.  Amen

 “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The word of God works in the lives of believers.  How does it work?  By stirring up our hearts to love God and others and to serve those in need.  It makes you fall in love with Jesus and desire more of him and his words.  Father thank you for sending the Holy Spirit into our hearts that we will glorify you in all that we do.  Praise you Jesus.    Amen

 “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 Sharing the gospel to others is not work alone but by truly loving those who God brings into your life.  The duty becomes your joy, your desire, your upmost.  If you have a task to perform and do it with out love then the Lord is not glorified for his gospel is one of love for his children.  Lord let us love those who you bring in our life.  Amen

“For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬ How do we know if we have been chosen by God?  Just think personally chosen by the God of the universe to be saved and to proclaim the love of Jesus.  How do we know?  Well because when we heard the gospel ourselves it came by the power of the Holy Spirit into our hearts and we fell in love with Jesus.  It made us want to know him and tell others about his love for us.  We may not continually feel the overwhelming power but often when Jesus' love once again touches our hearts we just know we are God's child.  Lord thank you for choosing us and giving us the joy of the Holy Spirit.  Please stir up in us the desire to share your love with everyone we meet. Praise you Lord Jesu...

 “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 Work, labor and steadfastness are three words that are used in creating a project which must be preformed to reach the goal.  The people working on the project must have faith in the supervisor, love what the project will produce and hope that it will be completed.  The church of Jesus is built by Jesus and we must have faith in him, love him and hope in his return.  Jesus will build his church and the gates of Hell will not hold him back.  Amen

 “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” ‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Our own desires often lead us to be tempted with things that are evil.  We need the Holy Spirit to turn our hearts from that temptation to see the evil of that desire and see the glory of the Lord.  Without faith which is a gift from God it is impossible to please him.  Lord help us to turn to you today.  Amen

 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Peter's life testified to theses verses where he had to learn humility and then trust in Jesus.  Often this is the road to sanctification we must be humbled before the Lord.  To admit that we were wrong or not good enough goes against our self confidence and self reliance.  When we experience lose of control is when we turn to Jesus and truly live.  May we turn everyday and find our joy in him.  Amen

 “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.” ‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬ God's love and comfort should motivate you to love and good works.  In times of plenty and need our trust in the grace of our Lord Jesus causes us to act like children of God and love others and not worry about ourselves.  Lord may your love fill our hearts with your love today.  Amen.  

 “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching,” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬ We are to receive instruction which we have from our parents, teachers, and mostly from the Bible.  Wisdom is putting them into practice and then see God work in our life.  Simple yet so often we don't follow.  Lord Jesus help us to do what glorifies you today.  Amen

“Thus Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, on the same day together.” ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭31‬:‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Just as Samuel said being a prophet who never lies, Saul and his sons died the next day. It was a terrible end to Saul Israel's first king.  We can take hope in the power and glory of the Lord Jesus who overcame death for all who believe in him.  Did Saul believe in the Lord?  If believe means obey then no but if knowing that he messed up big time and ask for forgiveness then yes.  Lord Jesus let us learn from Saul to trust and obey you unlike he and live a life that glorifies your name.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen 

 “Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike.” And he made it a statute and a rule for Israel from that day forward to this day.” ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭30‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The Lord gives and takes away blessed be the Lord God.  David knew that the Lord graciously gives the enemy into David's hand and David shares the spoil to all his people and his friends and neighbors.  When we realize how wonderful the Lord is to us, we as children of king Jesus share his love to others.  Jesus gets the glory for it is he that saves us and leads us into paradise.  God lives to be generous to us when we learn to ask and trust in him.  Praise you Lord Jesus.  Amen

 “Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.”” ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭28‬:‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬ This brings to mind a much nicer conclusion but shows God is in control of all things.  When Jesus was on the cross he told the man next to him today you will be with me in paradise.  Samuel said to Saul tomorrow he and his sons will be with him.  The Lord is never surprised by events in your life.  He is working all things out for his glory and if we trust him and believe his word we will receive his joy.  Saul was a tragic person yet God in his amazing love used Saul for his glory.  Lord help us learn and choose to obey our loving savior Jesus.  Amen

 “Then David said in his heart, “Now I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will despair of seeking me any longer within the borders of Israel, and I shall escape out of his hand.”” ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭27‬:‭1‬ ‭ESV‬‬ This is like Elijah after God used him to show his glory against the priests of Baal.  He gets afraid of Jezebel and runs away. Sin doesn't make sense but it causes our hearts to wander from the Lord. When our choices cause us to sin we know that this is not God's best for us.  Yes God sovereign will always come to pass but with our choices we will experience joy in trusting God instead of experiencing his discipline and wrath. Lord Jesus keep our heart trusting in your love so we don't experience your judgment.  All praise to you Lord Jesus.  Amen 

 ““O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭55‬-‭57‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Jesus gives us the victory over sin and death and we will honor and glorify his name as we live our life looking to the future with him.  Praise you Jesus. Amen

 “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭ESV‬‬ We have two representatives that determine our life they are our parents that gave us birth and Adam and Jesus that give us death and rebirth.  We have no choice in any of our representatives but God in his amazing plan gives us the privilege to choose the love of Jesus and receive freedom from Adam's death unto eternal life in Jesus Christ.  We all will die but do we believe that Jesus overcame death for us?  Do we have the gift of faith?  It makes all the difference.  Praise you Lord Jesus.  Amen

 “He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.” ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭24‬:‭17‬, ‭20‬ ‭ESV‬‬ God works is mysterious and wonderful ways.  It's like God allows Satan to torment people and yet the final result God's love, righteousness and mercy win.  When David showed kindness to Saul because he knew the Lord anointed Saul, God is glorified and Saul gets humbled.  When the Lord is honored truth is seen and joy is experienced.  The story of David and Saul is not finished but this event shows how peace one day will reign through Jesus Christ the Lord.  Amen

 “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬ We are saved by grace and not by our works or efforts.  Jesus did it all by living a perfect life, dying on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead for proof of our glorification.  He did it all and we who believe in him also have eternal life.  This is the promise of the gospel that motivated believers throughout history to deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Jesus because they know that the final result is eternal life with the Lord.  Lord I pray that this truth will motive us to live completely for you Jesus through the Holy Spirit that gives us the strength.  Praise you Lord God.  Amen