Honest God Truth

 “And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬ This verse often is understood that to hope in the Lord we must purify our heart.  Could it be telling us that a pure heart comes from hoping in the Lord.  We want to be like Jesus who has a pure heart so how do we obtain it?  It is by learning to hope or believe or wait on him.  A pure heart has faith in the Lord and all his promises to us.  It is trusting that He is God and he loves us.  Therefore Lord help us to have pure hearts by hoping, waiting, loving, trusting, and obeying you.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬ ‭ESV‬‬ This proclamation is the sinners greatest truth that I am not condemned by God for my sins.  Even if you don't understand how God did it legally you must know Jesus paid for your guilt.  He took it away and God the Father is satisfied.  Our response is to love and praise Jesus.  The miracle of God's grace to us should never be taken lightly.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 “and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Hunger and thirst for righteousness is to hunger and thirst for faith in Jesus.  Jesus is righteous in all things, what he thinks, speaks, and does is always perfectly right.  He is God and we who believe in him and act on that belief are righteous.  Therefore we are blessed if we desire to know the Lord and to obey with cheerful hearts.  Lord Jesus help us to choose to die to our selfishness and be filled with the Holy Spirit so we may glorify you in all things.  Amen

 “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The joy of knowing that Jesus died for my sins is so amazing.  Boasting in what the Lord has done gives him glory and it fills our hearts with love.  How can we not share his love with others.  There is nothing more important in life then knowing that Jesus is God and he died for our sins so we can live with him forever!  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭14‬:‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Strength comes from waiting on the Lord.  It often looks like weakness because you are not defending yourself but hoping in the righteousness of God.  The wisdom of waiting on the Lord is the source of all meekness.  Lord help us to trust your love and power for us so we may honor and glorify your name.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭7‬:‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Repentance is what we all need but don't want to occur because we love our sin.  The more we realize our utter need for forgiveness the grief we experience does not produce what God designed it to do.  Repentance leads to forgiveness which brings joy in having a right relationship with the Lord.  Jesus help us to learn to hate our sin, repent and come to you for your love and forgiveness.  Praise you Jesus.  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 We must plant faith in the promises of Jesus Christ if we are to reap righteousness.  If we don't plant the truths of God's word in our hearts then we grieve the Holy Spirit and walk in darkness.  Lord help us to trust in your love and produce fruit that will last forever.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen ‭‭

 “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 We can be helpful to others when we realize how sinful we are and how desperate we need Jesus to help and forgive us.  If we don't see our need we can't see why others need help. Lord open our eyes to our own need and be sensitive to the needs of others.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen 

 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬ ‭ESV‬‬ We who believe are members of Christ's body and need to care for each other.  When parts of the body is sick the entire body is hurting and tries to help the sick part. We much treat parts of the church body the same way and love and encourage the sinful part to live righteously and to come close to one another to be healed.  We should always remember that we can become tempted with sin also and protect our hearts not to be infected with the same sin.  Lord help us to stay close to you and protect us from sins temptation.  Praise you Jesus. Amen

 “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭42‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Hope in God while you wait on him.  God is faithful and just and loving to his children.  If you receive the good news that Jesus loves you and died for your sin then trust in the faithfulness of God forever.  Praise you Jesus. Amen

 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬, ‭24‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The fruit of the Holy Spirit comes out when the passions and desires of the flesh are killed.  The killing is our effort to battle the sin in our life.  The more killing of sin the more fruit of the Holy Spirit.  Lord give us the strength and desire to kill our sinful flesh so we may walk in the fruit of the Holy Spirit.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 ““Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭129‬:‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬ A believer in Jesus Christ will experience affliction and when we understand this we will not be surprised or upset.  It is the time to grow our faith in the Lord for he will never leave us or forsake us even if we feel like he has done it.  We have to trust and obey him for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.  Lord help us to trust in you today.  Amen

 “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 believers have been set free from the bondage of sin. We can now choose to live loving others instead of only loving ourselves.  This occurs when the Holy Spirit convicts your heart of the evil of sin and you turn to Jesus who died for your sin and sets you free.  Lord Jesus help us to rejoice in your salvation and glorify your name by loving our neighbor.  Amen

 “You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭71‬:‭20‬ ‭ESV‬‬ God is in control of all things that includes the troubles and calamities in our life.  We are being sanctified into the glory of the Lord's bride.  It often takes trials to learn to trust God in all things.  When we walk through the valley of the shadow of death we will fear no evil and we will learn to trust in the Lord Jesus to protect us for he is faithful even unto death.  Lord Jesus help us trust in you.  Amen

 “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 These verses are full of wonderful verbs that define our position in Christ through the Holy Spirit.   Faith, hope, working and love which lead to righteousness.  All of these words are essential for a blessed relationship with God. They all come from the Holy Spirit initiative.  The good news of the gospel is that God is working out his plan for our glorification with and in him.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 “I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭7‬:‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The righteousness of God is overwhelming when we compare the righteousness of anyone else.  Not a wrong thought has God ever had let along any act.  Perfection is something we strive for but never obtain.  Yet the Lord said be perfect like your Father in heaven is perfect.  Our only hope in having the righteousness needed to have a relationship with a perfect God is through the blood of Jesus our savior.  Let us praise and glorify him today.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 “For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭5‬:‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Our desire is to be righteous which can only occur when we trust in Jesus.  God gives us the ability to be righteous and protects us when we believe.  Open our eyes to the truth of your righteous living that we may live in your protective always.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭11‬:‭36‬ ‭ESV‬‬ God is the source of all things as from, through and to all things exist.  To him be the glory forever.   When we know of the being of the Lord Jesus we will praise him for all things at all times for he is glorious and worthy of our praise.  Praise you Lord Jesus.  Amen

 “my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4‬:‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬ We believers are called to be like Christ in our thought, word and actions.  This is the process of becoming holy called sanctification.  We desire that it doesn't take a lot of time but because of selfishness and sin the Holy Spirit often is hindered and we don't follow his lead. Lord help us to cling to your word and trust in your promises so we can become like you.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 “Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to his name, for it is pleasant!” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭135‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Praise the Lord for he is good.  Is he safe?  If you sing to his name or his nature.  Praising God requires knowing him and when we honor him as God of all we praise him and enjoy his mercy and joy.  If we do not know him we do not receive his joy and our praise is not accepted. It is right to praise the name of the Lord and receive the pleasant love of his acceptance in love.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 “to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Jesus redeemed us, bought us back from the slaves of Satan and sin.  What a wonderful act of love that while we were sinners Christ died and paid the price for our sins.  Now we are children of God, slaves to Jesus and live in his love until the day he returns.  Praise you Jesus. Amen

 “Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭67‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Everyone is going to praise the Lord Jesus either by great joy of his coming or terrifying fear if you are his enemy.  Come to Jesus now for forgiveness instead of ignorance of unbelief and run away.  Lord open the eyes of your people so they can praise you.  Amen

 ““Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah” ‭‭ Psalm ‬ ‭46‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭ Be still and know that I am God. What a marvelous statement that puts all of life right.  God will be worshiped some day for all will see and bow down. We who know him now can worship him now with great joy and praise. When we realize that the Lord God is with us now we rejoice and are full of blessing for our Lord Jesus reigns.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 “Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭139‬:‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬ God knows our thoughts and words even before we know them.  And yet he still loves me is an amazing thing.  So often my thoughts, words, and actions do not honor him that I am so glad of God's mercy and forgiveness.  Jesus thank you for your salvation and Holy Spirit thank you for leading me when I try to resist your guidance.  All glory to God for his love endures forever.  Amen

 “But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3‬:‭22‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The wages of sin is death.  We have all sinned and fallen short of the righteousness of God.  This truth is not comfortable to those who do not have a savior.  But to us who have been touched by the Holy Spirit we know our sin and know our savior from our sin Jesus Christ.  What a wonderful truth that Jesus died for our sins. Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 “Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise of God to bring peace by faith to all people that believe in God's promise of salvation.  God had a plan from the beginning to save those who are lost in sin.  Praise you Jesus for your life that saved us.  Amen

 “so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Sin separates us from God. The God of the universe who is perfect, holy, and just destroys all sin. Therefore when we realize how sinful we truly are we repent and desire to run to God. Unfortunately we can't because the penalty of sin is death.  Therefore we must turn to the cross and see Jesus dying for our sins.  When we believe God sends the Holy Spirit to live in us and we are now a child of God.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 “O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭84‬:‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬ True blessings comes from trusting in the Lord God.  Trusting in his person, God Almighty. Trusting in his power, creating the world and holding it together.  Trusting in his salvation to all those who call upon the gospel of Jesus.  Trusting in his mercy and love for Jesus died for our sins.  The joy of trusting in the Lord Jesus is truly a blessing that never ends.  Praise you Lord.  Amen  

 “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬ When we grow in holiness it is a process of learning to trust Jesus more and more with our life.  Often the best way to trust is during difficult times.  We must count it all joy when we go through difficulties because we can choose to trust Jesus will never leave or forsake us.  Lord help us to become holy like you. Amen

 “Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭61‬:‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The goal of all believers in Jesus is to be with him forever. If you have experienced the love, the safety, the glory of the Lord Jesus then you want him.  Our hearts were made for God and Jesus came to fill that longing and bring us more joy than we can possible conceive.  Lord I want to dwell in your house forever.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

 “You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬ When you experience the joy of the Lord you are satisfied and rest in peace for you know the Lord loves you.  Throughout scripture God is calling to his creation to come to him and find joy for his yoke is easy and his burden is light.  Jesus said come to me and you will find rest, peace, joy and eternal life.  Jesus help us to keep our eyes, heart and mind on you today and forever.  Amen