Honest God Truth

 “who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend;” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭15‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Friends care for each other and don't lie, treat badly or take revenge.  Friendship starts with God and then spreads out to others.  When our relationship with Jesus is good then we can have good lasting relationships with others based on love, truth and righteousness.  Lord Jesus help us to stay close and trust your love for us so we can have loving friendship with others.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen 

 “Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart,” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭119‬:‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Blessings come from the Lord and he rewards those who keep his commands and seek him with all their heart.  Many try to find blessings in other ways but it will never give them blessings that last forever.  Lord Jesus open the eyes of our heart so we can see you and desire you and keep your words.  Amen

 “So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. And he went out and came in before the people.” ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭18‬:‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬ When Saul couldn't take the righteous David in his presence he sent him out to war. David did the same thing to Uriah when David was doing wrong with Bathsheba.  The righteous can't stay in the presence with evil just like darkness with light. Lord let your light shine through us for your glory.  Amen 

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭127‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The Lord blessed and reveals his love to us in many ways.  Mostly by sending Jesus to die for our sins.  Scripture also tells of the blessings of children.  We must raise up our children to love the Lord and desire to know him and worship him.  Rejoice and be thankful for the great blessing of children from the Lord Jesus.  Amen

 “And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth.” ‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬ God chooses who will be his servants.  If you have a desire to love and worship him then you know that God has given you this desire. Therefore we should be thankful for all our blessings in Jesus sense he died for us and count all joy even in the difficult times for the Lord is making us new creators in his kingdom.  Praise you Jesus. Amen

 “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭107‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭43‬ ‭ESV‬‬ We are blessed who read about the Lord's actions in the history of his chosen people and believe what it says.  God is creator of all things and there is sin and evil in this world.  We honor the Lord by obeying him.  Often we lose our faith in his promise of love and evil arises where God has to punish unrighteousness.  When we repent and cry out to God he rescues us from the calamity and places us in peaceful situations.  Lord help us to trust in your love even when evil seems to be winning.  Let us see if there is any evil in us or attacking us and repent by running to you for help. Then your love will shine again in us.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.” ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬, ‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Two things these verses tell us.  One that heart is different than the Holy Spirit.  Two, God gave both of them to David.  David desired to know God and God gave him eyes of his heart to see the Lord.  When Samuel anointed David he received the Holy Spirit. This began the story of King David, the forerunner of King Jesus.  We should learn to ask the Lord to open the eyes of our heart more everyday and learn to submit to the Holy Spirit  leading in our life.  What a journey awaits us if we trust and obey. ...

 “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭104‬:‭33‬-‭34‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The Lord desires us to worship and praise him.  And when we are not worshiping him we should meditate on him.  Our minds and voices should be thanking and desiring him all the time.  God is so good that our only response is to think, praise and worship him for the Lord is great and greatly to be praised.  Thank you Jesus.  Amen

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants!” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭90‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬ We must live each day as a gift from God.  Don't take living for granted for the Lord has our days numbered.  We must come humbly to the Lord Jesus and repent from our sin so we will be saved.  Our relationship with God is upmost importance.  Amen

 “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 What you feed, plant you will produce and the gospel of Jesus tells us to feed the Holy Spirit of God and he will lead you to eternal life.  If we feed the flesh we will produce death for it is impossible to produce eternal life through the flesh.  Lord give us the desire and power to feed our hearts on your promises and increase our trust in you.  For knowing you and being with you is eternal life.  All praise to you Lord Jesus.  Amen

 “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” ‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Jesus give us peace at all times in every way.  What a wonderful request to have peace and not turmoil.  Many things try to rob us of peace that is why Paul prays this way.  He knows the source of all peace is having the prince of peace be with you.  The Holy Spirit gives us peace when we trust in the promises of God.  We can choose to believe in the Lord each moment of everyday.  Our prayer is Lord help us to choose you and receive your peace and love always.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 “If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.” ‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The joy of having the Holy Spirit live in your heart is that he never gives up leading you to become like Jesus.  This path is usually long and difficult but there is joy knowing that the process is ongoing and secure.  A function of the Holy Spirit works to shame us into repentance when we go off the path and give in to sins temptation.  The realization of our sin and our dishonoring the Lord caused us to be ashamed of our thoughts and actions.  We have the wonderful opportunity to repent and turn back to the Lord's path. This process increases the size of our heart and produces the holy result of righteousness.  Lord help us to count all the trials and failures as joy knowing that our sanctification is sure because you love and forgive us and lead us back to you.  Praise you Jesus...

 “It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.” ‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬ One of the best indicator of a believer who has become closer to Jesus is when they give up their rights.  They can be taken advantage of and do not retaliate when wronged.  The more you trust in Jesus and are receiving his grace your need for other things are less important.  Your love for others increases because Jesus provides you with his love.  Lord help us to know you better each day so we can be free to love others for your glory.  Amen  

 “Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” ‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Paul is looking forward for God working in his and the Thessalonians's life by the word of God.  Paul preached the  gospel to them and they received it and then he prays that they continue in the gospel even during difficult times.  They have become connected to Paul by their faith in Jesus.  Paul's message will continue to grow in them and through them.  This all occurs by the steadfastness of Jesus and love of God.  Satan will attack and will try to make them stumble and fall from faith.  But God will supply all their needs by the riches in Christ Jesus.  Therefore let us move forward by the grace of God to honor and glorify his ...

 “As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.” ‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Paul knew that it is our tendency to stop doing good especially to people who treat us poorly.  You might turn your cheek once but over and over again, well that gets old.  If we act on our own without depending on the Lord we will burn out and quit.  Lord help us to learn to fall on our knees before you so we will have the desire and strength to love others like you want us to.  Praise you Lord Jesus.  Amen

 “And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭39‬-‭40‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Faith is a remarkable gift from God to believe he will fulfill all his promises.  The greatest promise is to receive eternal life and live with him forever.  That can only occur if we are made perfect for God is holy and righteous and those who live with him must be made perfect like him.  Jesus came to make us perfect by dying for all our sins and rising from the dead to make us righteous and holy like him.  Lord God thank you for the saving faith you have given me and all those who believed that you have made a way of salvation.  Praise you Jesus.  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 These two verses emphasize God giving the believer comfort.  Eternal comfort promised by hope and grace in our future home with him.  And comfort in our hearts when our good works and obedience to his word is established.  Comfort comes when we know our future and when we obey the truth of the gospel even in difficult time.  Comfort comes when you know you are on the right path that glorifies God.  Jesus gives us the power and motivation to grow in grace which gives us much comfort.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 “Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭28‬-‭29‬ ‭ESV‬‬ There is one way to be saved and that is believing in Jesus life, death and resurrection.  Those who choose not to believe face a sure, devastating punishment.  God is love yet he is holy and hates and punishes sin.  If you know you are a sinner  repent and run to Jesus to be forgiven.  Our eternal life depends on faith in the Son of God.  Holy Spirit stay with us and guide us to trust in the promises of your Word.  Praise you Lord God.  Amen

 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭ESV‬‬ A believers life in Jesus should consist of love and good works. Jesus lived that way and so must we strive to do like wise. The best way to achieve these goals are to stir other believers on by meeting together.  We must live in a community of faith where we can worship, fellowship and pray for each other.  Lord Jesus help us not to neglect meeting with other believers so we can glorify you.  Amen

 “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The amazing grace we receive when we put the faith, that Jesus gave us, in his acts of living a perfect life, dying on the cross for our sins, and rising from the dead for our justification.  When we believe in the good news of Jesus then we are on the path of sanctification.  We will learn to love God and others and hate sin.  Lord come soon and make all things right which includes us.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬ When we first believed we were forgiven of our sins and made righteous by the blood of Jesus.  God begins the process of sanctification immediately with faith in Jesus.  Then we live our life's being sanctified by the Holy Spirit living in our lives until one day our sanctification will be complete and be glorified in the Lord's presence.  Amazing grace.  Praise you Lord God.  Amen

 “so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭9‬:‭28‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Are eagerly waiting for Jesus return?  Is our hearts desire to be with him and set all wrong right?  Lord help us to seek you and desire you more each day for who you are the Lord of all who corrects all things.  All for your glory.  Amen

 “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,” ‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬ God makes us worthy of our calling to believe in Jesus Christ.  Without God we can do nothing and with him all things are possible.  Therefore we must humbly submit our lives and abide in the love of Jesus through his Holy Spirit to grow in our faith in God's promises. This is a daily submission to trust and obey scripture knowing that Jesus is always with us leading us to his light of love and good works.  Jesus help us live to glorify you today.  Amen

 “In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭8‬:‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Without the Lord we are getting old and obsolete but with Jesus we are getting newer everyday.  Thank you Jesus for renewing my heart with your love and mercy everyday.  Amen

 “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭7‬:‭25‬ ‭ESV‬‬ What an amazing truth that our high priest lives forever and makes intercession for us all the time.  We have eternal help and oh my how I need it.  The things that I want to do I can't do and the things I don't want to do I do!  I need a savior everyday to forgive me and make me new again.  Jesus oh how I need and love you.  Thank you for loving me.  Amen

 “since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you,” ‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬ All injustice will be repaid is a terrible truth for everyone except those who have trusted in Jesus.  All of us have selfishly treated others poorly and when Jesus died on the cross for all injustice for those who believe in him.  We are set free by his grace and without this gift we would receive the just punishment of our sin. Lord help us to hate sin in any form and share God's love to others.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 “Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.” ‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬ We want our faith to grow and we ask God to increase our faith. He often answers our prayers by bringing us difficult situations that give us opportunity for our trust in him to grow.  That helps our faith in him grow.  Therefore we must count it all joy when trials come our way.  For in then we see our faith in Jesus grow.  Lord help us to love and obey you more today.  Amen

 “so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬ It takes faith and patience to inherit the promises of God.  Faith what scripture says about Jesus is true, that he loves us and died for our sins and rose from the dead and lives to make intercession for us with Father God.  And patience that the process of sanctification takes time and God's will for us will occur in his timing not ours. Therefore in all things we rejoice for this is God's will for us in Christ, your glorification.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,” ‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬ God will work in us to fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power.  God has a plan a resolve for good in our life and he works it out through our faith in him.  His power is manifested by our trusting in his promises.  If we are living to glorify Jesus we have to by faith love him and others more than choosing our selfish ways.  Lord Jesus help us to deny ourselves and follow you.  Praise you 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 Jesus is called the morning star, bringing light into this evil dark world.  When we taste and see that the Lord is good we live in his light which is called day.  Paul encouraged us to be sober in preparing for Jesus' return.  He means to mentally and spiritually be clear in our thinking about our faith. To be self disciplined, and vigilant concerning our hope and belief in Jesus' love and presence.  When doubt and danger tempt us we need to stay sober and put on the armor of God and trust in the Lord.   Lord help us to be ready to serve you by loving you and others until you come.  Come soon Lord Jesus come soon.  Amen

 “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭23‬ ‭ESV‬‬ God has many attributes that are all important.  We need all of God to find the joy we were made for and in today's verse Paul highlights God as peace.  We were enemies of God in our sin and God hates sin. Therefore God's peace had to come to us in Jesus to make peace with God and through that peace to other humans.  We now have peace with God by believing in Jesus but God's task is not complete because for us to live forever with Jesus we must be blameless and that takes our sanctification.  The process of becoming holy often takes time to grow and learn and become humble by trusting God more than our own understanding.  We often fail and need forgiveness.  But be of good cheer Jesus has overcome the world and he will complete our sanctification process if ...