No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.

Romans 4

No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Romans 4:20-21

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how believers honor and glorify God by remaining humble, battling unbelief, and trusting in God's future grace for our lives. John Piper uses Paul's words from Romans 4 where Paul describes Abraham's faith in God's promises for Abraham's heir to be his own son and for his descendants to be many - to be a great nation (see also Genesis 15). God of course makes many promises - that He provides, that He is faithful, that prayer is effective and He hears our prayers, etc.  For me, my unbelief can often be tied to my worry and anxiety about my children on various topics. I seek to battle unbelief in the same way that Abraham did.  I am greatly encouraged today, not just by the example of Abraham, but also by this post from DesiringGod.com on anxiety and unbelief where many examples of scripture are provided to aid me in my battle.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good...You provide, You never leave or forsake me, and Your promises can be trusted as You are faithful.  Thank You Jesus for these blessings - I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[T]he life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Colossians 1

[T]he life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20b

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how grace through faith produce both justification ("imputation of righteousness") and sanctification ("impartation of righteousness") and Piper unpacks how both are "not two different kinds of faith.  He explains by sharing that "faith is the act of the soul that connects with grace, and receives it, and channels it as the power of obedience, and guards grace from being nullified through human boasting." He further explains the connection between faith and sanctification by sharing that "[s]anctification is by the Spirit and by faith. Which is another way of saying that it is by grace and by faith. The Spirit is “the Spirit of grace” (Hebrews 10:29). God’s way of making us holy is by the Spirit; but the Spirit works through faith in the gospel."  Piper wants us to see that justification and sanctification are both works of grace which flows from faith - see also John 1:16 where John writes about "grace upon grace." Piper, most importantly, wants us to see the "all-sufficiency of grace" and as a result the "glorious trustworthiness of God." Amen!  Embrace the all-sufficiency of God's grace and the glorious trustworthiness of God!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are all-sufficient and gloriously trustworthy!  Thank You for Your grace.  I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.   

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

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

I continue my study of Daniel in conjunction with a disciple/small group study with my church's men's wake up call. This morning my focus is Daniel 12:5-13 as I lean on my commentary for this text.  The commentary starts by sharing how in v5, Daniel's vision pivots to describe how "two other angels join Gabriel on the bank of the Tigris" (see also Daniel 10:4). It then shares how Jesus is described starting in v6 as the "man in linen" (see also Daniel 10:5-6).  "Someone," presumably one of the angels who joined Gabriel, asks of Jesus in v6 "how long shall it be till the end of these wonders?"  Jesus responds but in a way that is incomplete; in v7 Jesus responds that the end of these wonders would be "for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished."  The commentary refers to this period as "[w]hen evil has done its worst and the hopes of the people of God seem shattered, then God will act." Daniel is still confused - as should be all believers - in v8.  In v9, Jesus continues to respond to Daniel by sharing that the fullness of Daniel's vision and a more complete understanding of what will occur at the end will remain a mystery and be "sealed." The commentary shares: "[t]he word is protected, and it will be preserved. Everything will happen as God intends at the right time. Be faithful. Trust him. Be patient...there are things we know and things we don’t know and can’t know because God has chosen not to reveal them to us. However, one thing we can know with certainty is how we are to live in light of the Son of Man’s coming at the time of the end." In v10-13 there is a call for believers to endure and persevere the suffering and persecution that will occur as we will be refined as the commentary shares "our Lord promises to bless those who endure and persevere through these difficult and troubling times of opposition and persecution...God says, but I still have work for you to do. When it is time for you to retire from my work, then I will bring you home. Then “you will rest” because you will be with me. Then, as promised in verse 2, you will “stand to receive your allotted inheritance” (v. 13; ESV, “allotted place”), your destiny, your reward. This will happen “at the end of the days.” So do your duty, make disciples, proclaim my Word, and endure. Something wonderful is on the horizon at the end." Persevere and endure!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are great and I am grateful for how You reveal Yourself through Your Word and the Holy Spirit - thank You Jesus for providing great words of comfort and assurance so that I can endure and persevere.  I am not deserving of how You reveal Yourself to me nor for my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed: “I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name.

Isaiah 44-46

Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed: “I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name. Isaiah 45:1-3

I resumed my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, I continue with Lesson 17, which examines Isaiah chapters 44-46.  My focus for today is Day 2(a), which looks at Isaiah 44:24-45 and the role of King Cyrus of Persia.  My study looked at the following scriptures to provide a more complete view of Cyrus:

• 2 Chronicles 36:11-23: "Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus"
  
• Jeremiah 25:12, 29:10-11: Prophecy that after 25 years, the Lord will punish the king of Babylon; God promising freedom of Jewish exiles in Babylon and return to Jerusalem
  
• Ezra 1:1-11, 5:11-6:15: Description of Cyrus' decree to free exiles for them to rebuild Jerusalem; leadership by tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Levites, freewill offerings and return of temple treasures taken by Nebuchadnezzar; Darius reinforcing Cyrus' words to rebuild Jerusalem
  
• Daniel 1:21, 6:28: Daniel prospers during both reigns of Cyrus and Darius

The study also encouraged use of extra-Biblical sources to better understand Cyrus and this source describes Cyrus as conciliatory towards conquered peoples, allowing local customs, including worship.

Upon review of all sources, of course primarily from other OT sources, we see a fulfillment of Isaiah's (Isaiah 45) prophecy of Cyrus' conquest of Babylon and a return of the exiles to rebuild the sacked city of Jerusalem and the temple. God is faithful - we can trust in His promises. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are great and You are faithful - I can trust in You and You keep Your promises.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of the blessings that You pour out from Your faithfulness.  My sin is great and it continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?

Pages: 277-283

So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? Galatians 3:5

This morning, I continued with John Piper's Reading the Bible Supernaturally: Seeing and Savoring the Glory of God in Scripture, continuing with Part 3 The Natural Act of Reading the Bible Supernaturally, chapter eighteen - Reading the Bible by Faith in the Promises of God.  Here, Piper seeks to unpack the 3rd letter of our "practical and biblical guide" - APTAT - and this 3rd letter "t" represents trust. Piper points to Hebrews 11 for scriptural evidence of how God wants us to walk and live - to do everything - by faith.  Piper writes that "the necessity of doing everything by faith - including reading the Bible - is that this is the only way God will receive the glory he should have from us in every action."  He goes on to say that "[t]rusting God for his help in what we do draws attention to his power and trustworthiness...[it] turns every act into a God-exalting virtue." Piper goes further and provides Galatians 3:5 to show us that "law keeping is not the channel through which the Spirit flows as he does he powerful work.  Rather the channel through which the Spirit flows is faith.  When we trust the promises of God, the Spirit moves to do his powerful work."

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are trustworthy and faithful as all of Your promises come true - I can and do believe in the promises You make.  I have seen the work of Your hand in my life and have faith - thank You Jesus!  Yet I am undeserving of Your faithfulness as my own faith and trust in You sometimes falters - please forgive for this and for my many sins which continue...daily...including worry, etc.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sins towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For no word from God will ever fail.

Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2

 For no word from God will ever fail. Luke 1:37

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This morning, I continue with the story of "Joseph: Shaky Limbs and Unanswered Questions*".

*Title of lesson six from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day five starts with Max Lucado describing the story of Simeon to whom the Holy Spirit revealed that "he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah" (Luke 2:26). Prompted to go to the temple, Simeon found the baby Jesus and he rejoiced.  Lucado describes how scripture does not indicate how long Simeon waited for this day and he "reminds us to 'wait forwardly'. Patiently vigilant. But not so patient that we lose our vigilance.  Nor so vigilant that we lose our patience." We are encouraged to both be patient and vigilant in our prayer.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. Isaiah 40:30-31

Lucado then moves to discuss what details scripture provides us about Jesus' upbringing.  He tells of Jesus' separation from his parents in Luke 2:41-52 and how Jesus was sinless so his teaching where His parents found Him in the temple was perfect as people were amazed at His words. Jesus sought the temple and we are urged to pursue God and the Word in the same way.  

Lucado wants us to understand how God can transform and renew our minds (Romans 12:2) and, just as He did with Joseph, use even common and regular people for supernatural purposes (for God's glory!).  Joseph had many questions but his faith enabled him to "lean not on [his] own understanding" but on God.  We all have doubts and questions but what IS known about God and how He loves us is clear and that His Word is flawless.

Discuss and comment on this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, believers can count on You - when You make a promise like You did to Simeon and to Joseph, we may still have questions but we can count on You.  You tell us that You will never leave or forsake us...and You have so many other great promises!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of the many promises You make to me and how You bless me.  I worry and I have other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

‘But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be given into the hands of those you fear. I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the Lord.’

2 Kings 25, 2 Chronicles 36, and Jeremiah 52, 39-40

‘But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be given into the hands of those you fear. I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the Lord.’ Jeremiah 39:17-18

Day 238 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as we actually see the details of actual fall of Jerusalem.  My commentary* describes the details: "the wall is breached in the fourth month of 586 B.C.; when Zedekiah and his troops flee the city by night, they are quickly captured; a month later the glorious temple of Solomon and the royal palace are razed; the remaining noblemen are killed and temple treasures are taken as booty; and, over a period of four years, hundreds of people are taken captive and deported to Babylon."

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Just as God promised (as God is faithful), Jeremiah survives the fall and God attributes it to Jeremiah's faithfulness. Time and time again, we see how

“Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses."

1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5-7

“Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses." 1 Kings 8:56

Day 132 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with Solomon's dedication of the temple in Jerusalem - including praise, burnt offerings, and prayer.  Solomon prays for God to forgive Israel and to hear their cries of forgiveness through defeat, drought, famine and plague, for strangers to know God reigns, in battle, and in captivity. 

Solomon recognizes that we all sin and his prayer for God to maintain a soft heart for a repentant Israel is a particularly poignant prayer.

"When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them and give them over to their enemies, who take them captive to their own lands, far away or near; and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captors and say, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly’; and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to you toward the land you gave their ancestors, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name; then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. And forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all the offenses they have committed against you, and cause their captors to show them mercy; for they are your people and your inheritance, whom you brought out of Egypt, out of that iron-smelting furnace."

“May your eyes be open to your servant’s plea and to the plea of your people Israel, and may you listen to them whenever they cry out to you. For you singled them out from all the nations of the world to be your own inheritance, just as you declared through your servant Moses when you, Sovereign Lord, brought our ancestors out of Egypt.” 1 Kings 8:46-53

Not only does Solomon praise God for what He has done, but he exhorts all of Israel to walk in obedience. His words are consistent with those of Paul who wants us to be a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1).

As we dedicate our lives to Jesus, let us remember what God has done for us and to remember that God is faithful, can be trusted above all, and God keeps all of His promises.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are my God, You are faithful, can be trusted above all, and I can rest in the certainty that all of Your promises come true.  I am not deserving of such a God.  I sin...daily...please forgive me Jesus. You know my sin.  It often weighs on me.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.   Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance. Jacob will be a fire and Joseph a flame; Esau will be stubble, and they will set him on fire and destroy him. There will be no survivors from Esau.” The Lord has spoken.

Obadiah 1

But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance.  Jacob will be a fire and Joseph a flame; Esau will be stubble, and they will set him on fire and destroy him.
There will be no survivors from Esau.” The Lord has spoken. v17-18

God not only restores but He is also faithful.  He had long ago (Genesis 25:23) promised that Esau would serve Jacob, and Obadiah's prophecy regarding Edom demonstrates how God always keeps His promises.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God whose promises always come true - You are faithful!  Thank You Jesus for Your many, many promises!  I am blessed because of Your faithfulness.  Thank You.  Yet I am not worthy of such love.  I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Save us, Lord our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.

Psalm 106

Save us, Lord our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. v47

This morning's reading is a splash of cold water on face - an awakening to who I have been. I've been like the Israelites who grumbled and complained as described in this Psalm and who could not wait on the Lord.

God IS at work in our lives every single day and every moment of our lives - He is in control and He love us.

That is why yesterday's post is so important as I must daily be thankful and remember what God has done...for me.

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You created the Heavens and Earth and everything that inhabit them, and You created me, knowing everything about me even before I was born...and yet You still came to rescue me, dying on the cross.  You have transformed Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I worry far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In great fear and distress Jacob divided the people who were with him into two groups, and the flocks and herds and camels as well. He thought, “If Esau comes and attacks one group, the group that is left may escape.” Then Jacob prayed...

Genesis 32

In great fear and distress Jacob divided the people who were with him into two groups, and the flocks and herds and camels as well. He thought, “If Esau comes and attacks one group, the group that is left may escape.”  Then Jacob prayed...v7-9

Jacob and his mother Rebekah tricked Issac into giving Jacob the eldest son's blessing - even though Jacob is the younger son  and Esau is the older. It would not be surprising for Esau to be angry should Jacob return home after fleeing.  Of course, Jacob is worried.  Yet he hedges his bets by devising his own plan to protect himself, while also praying.

God wants us to love and trust Him (Exodus 20, Matthew 22) and for us to come to Him with all of our concerns.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:29-30

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14

See also Matthew 6:25:34.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God as You are faithful, even when I am not.  Thank You Jesus for Your unending faithfulness.  You are my God and I love You.  Yet I know I am undeserving of such a God.  I am lazy.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.

Proverbs 30

Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. v7-9

These are great requests of God:
1. Protection from Satan
2. Physical, emotional, and spiritual provision


Similar to the story of Gideon, God wants it to be clear that He alone provides.

The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ Judges 7:2

Jesus makes this clear also:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

I should not worry as God provides - for all things at all times (See also Colossians 1:16-17)

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who DOES provide for all things all of the time.  I know this because I have never been in want.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such blessings because I worry - please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me trust in You and You alone.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects of chemo.  Help me point Zach and Dustin to You Jesus so that they choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, the church and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.

Psalm 119

Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. v90

In this world, the earthly realm, people and things come and go - we should not place our faith and trust in them.  Yet we do, we idolize people, ourselves, things, etc. However, God has no equal in terms of His power, his knowledge, and His love.  He loves us and He is faithful and trustworthy like no other.  

Lord, you are my God;

I will exalt you and praise your name,

for in perfect faithfulness

you have done wonderful things,

things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 1:18-19

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:1-2

 My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God - incomparable in power, knowledge, and love...and my words are insufficient for how great You are. I need You desperately Jesus.  Thank You for the many blessings You pour out for me - I am not worthy.  Please forgive me for my worry and my laziness.  Help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin..and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Psalm 117

For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. v2

Of God's many attributes, He is faithful.  Faithful is defined as "deserving trust : keeping your promises or doing what you are supposed to do".  Indeed God is worthy of our trust.  He is all knowing, all seeing, and all powerful - He keeps His promises because He can - He is able.  He also is trustworthy because He has a track record - I am not aware of any promise He has made that He failed to keep.

For no word from God will ever fail. Luke 1:37

My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God full of love and compassion.  You also keep Your promises.  What a great God You are.  Thank You for Your love and faithfulness to me - I am not worthy of such love.  Please forgive me for my lack of love, trust and faith in You...I worry too much.  Help me overcome and turn from such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo. Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.