Finding Focus Ministries

REPETITION OF THE GOODNESS OF GOD!

Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant in the trial and the change
One thing remains…
Your love never fails, never gives up
never runs out on me…

I have often heard the more senior participants in the church complain when a chorus is vigorously repeated for the congregation to sing in worship. Most want a “one and done” song with a chorus to sing so they can sit back down and be comfy. They wonder, and question out loud, why do we sing the words over and over again? I know, I know! (Picture me raising my hand to answer! LOL)

Psalm 136 is a great example of why with a response chorus the congregation in on repeat! It didn’t begin with the popular writings of choruses in our Maranatha days—It began centuries ago by those who led in worship in the Temple as a way to declare all that God has done and created for us! What more can we say? God’s love is the only response a human can give in return—"God’s love never quits”, or in the more familiar translation, “God’s love endures forever!” sums up the character of God!

Because GOD’s love never quits, never gives up on us and because God never sleeps and is always Present to help us in our time of need, the only response to a God who is repetitive in His goodness is to repetitively declare His goodness in worship to Him—over and over again! It is the only response that fits the greatness and power of God’s Love!

If we truly stood and sang of His love every time He rescued, healed, provided a way out, overcame harsh circumstances with the beauty of His goodness there would not be enough time on earth to gratefully declare all He has done!
“God, Your love indeed endures forever—your love never quits!” This is way I stand in awe of you and forever will sing of the wonders of your love. Your love was supremely demonstrated when while I was a mess, laying in my puddles of sin and shame; Christ died for me. He died for you. Oh, Lord God, I’ve seen it, heard it over and over; your love never quits!

Then, because of God’s love, He raised Jesus Christ from death in victory over evil, defeating the one who seeks to destroy all relationships to God. Jesus, God’s Son is our Overcomer of all things evil! God responded with the bonus gift of eternal life to all who believe in Jesus! His love endures forever indeed!

If that wasn’t enough; Jesus, after God’s resurrection power, appeared among his followers—to the women first with a command—go and tell the others, and they obeyed. Soon Jesus was seen and heard by his followers—with the scars of war with evil still evident on his hands, side and feet three days later! Yes, His love never quits—never gives up on us!

On and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
One thing remains…
Your love never fails, never gives up
never runs out on me…

In death, In life, I'm confident and
Covered by, the power of Your great love
My debt is paid, there's nothing that
Can separate my heart from Your great love…because
Your love never fails, never gives up
never runs out on me…
(One Thing Remains, Written by Brian Johnson, Christa Black Gifford, Jeremy Riddle)

Psalm 136, The Message

1-3 Thank God! He deserves your thanks.
His love never quits.
Thank the God of all gods,
His love never quits.
Thank the Lord of all lords.
His love never quits.
4-22 Thank the miracle-working God,
His love never quits.
The God whose skill formed the cosmos,
His love never quits.
The God who laid out earth on ocean foundations,
His love never quits.
The God who filled the skies with light,
His love never quits.
The sun to watch over the day,
His love never quits.
Moon and stars as guardians of the night,
His love never quits.

The God who struck down the Egyptian firstborn,
His love never quits.
And rescued Israel from Egypt’s oppression,
His love never quits.
Took Israel in hand with his powerful hand,
His love never quits.
Split the Red Sea right in half,
His love never quits.
Led Israel right through the middle,
His love never quits.
Dumped Pharaoh and his army in the sea,
His love never quits.
The God who marched his people through the desert,
His love never quits.
Smashed huge kingdoms right and left,
His love never quits.
Struck down the famous kings,
His love never quits.
Struck Sihon the Amorite king,
His love never quits.
Struck Og the Bashanite king,
His love never quits.
Then distributed their land as b***y,
His love never quits.
Handed the land over to Israel.
His love never quits.
23-26 God remembered us when we were down,
His love never quits.
Rescued us from the trampling boot,
His love never quits.
Takes care of everyone in time of need.
His love never quits.
Thank God, who did it all!
His love never quits!

Lord, God of all,
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Your love never quits and endures forever. I believe. Let the morning bring word of your unfailing love has been answered. My response is to praise you all day long because I know whom I have believed—The One and Only whose love endures forever. Help me to love like you love us.
In Jesus Name, Amen

A CALL TO WORSHIP!

The following psalm is a salvation-history hymn, led by Levite ministers. The words are chanted and sung in ancient times, with the same heart of worship we all should have in response to all that God has done in, for, and through us—much like the emotion we would have singing “Great is Thy Faithfulness”! God is One and Only One we worship with thanksgiving and praise.

Worship of God is a “no manmade idol zone” of reverence and awe. Idols are not welcomed and are banned from our hearts to the heavens! God is the reason we gather with others to remember all He has done, is doing, and will do in our midst to worship Him with all that is in us. Worship is also personal—a daily discipline in our relationship with God. We come to Him in surrender daily with humbled reverence for our Lord, seeking Him first before beginning our day, because God knows all, is in all, and over all. Only God can lead us to His pleasing, perfect will that will be His best for us. May God lead us daily to all that He has prepared for us! (Romans 12)

The words of the Psalmist are calling Israel to praise the Lord—the one true God: The Lord of all creation, Lord over all the nations, Israel's Redeemer. Today, God’s Holy Spirit speaks through this psalm still—calling us to humble ourselves before Him in grateful praise asking Him for His wisdom, insight, and understanding for this day in which we will rejoice and be glad, for He is our God. Our relationship made holy by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, His Son. Thank you, thank you, thank you God/Jesus/Holy Spirit.

Psalm 135, The Message
1-4 Hallelujah!
Praise the name of God,
praise the works of God.
All you priests on duty in God’s temple,
serving in the sacred halls of our God,
Shout “Hallelujah!” because God’s so good,
sing anthems to his beautiful name.
And why? Because God chose Jacob,
embraced Israel as a prize possession.
5-12 I, too, give witness to the greatness of God,
our Lord, high above all other gods.
He does just as he pleases—
however, wherever, whenever.
He makes the weather—clouds and thunder,
lightning and rain, wind pouring out of the north.
He struck down the Egyptian firstborn,
both human and animal firstborn.
He made Egypt sit up and take notice,
confronted Pharaoh and his servants with miracles.
Yes, he struck down great nations,
he slew mighty kings—
Sihon king of the Amorites, also Og of Bashan—
every last one of the Canaanite kings!
Then he turned their land over to Israel,
a gift of good land to his people.
13-18 God, your name is eternal,
God, you’ll never be out-of-date.
God stands up for his people,
God holds the hands of his people.
The gods of the godless nations are mere trinkets,
made for quick sale in the markets:
Chiseled mouths that can’t talk,
painted eyes that can’t see,
Carved ears that can’t hear—
dead wood! cold metal!
Those who make and trust them
become like them.
19-21 Family of Israel, bless God!
Family of Aaron, bless God!
Family of Levi, bless God!
You who fear God, bless God!
Oh, blessed be God of Zion,
First Citizen of Jerusalem!
Hallelujah!

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

God provided a way for the redemption for sin with the same unconditional, never changing, relentless, compassionate love He gave faithfully to His people down through the ages—just like He still has for each one of us! God’s way to atone for sin was the sacrifice of an unblemished, healthy, first born lamb to represent all sin and then be killed before becoming a burnt offering to the Lord. This system by God was set in place and given to Moses, the leader chosen to lead God’s People them out of Egypt where they were held captive to serve the Pharoah as slaves to freedom in a land God promised to them. They were told to never forget what God had done for them. Therefore most psalms are prayers of lament for sin with praise for God who led them out to freedom from sin. They are reminded to stay away from the worship of anyone or anything but God. No idols for God’s people that have no power to help them in life.

Today, we do not need to offer a lamb, goat, dove, calf, or any other animal for the atonement of our sins. God sent His Son to earth to teach, heal, seek the lost, with a compassion heart driven to retell the story of God and His love with ways to walk with God in freedom from sin. Paul, saved by Jesus, then preached redemption with how to be saved through Jesus: “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Our God sent His One and Only Son to earth to die in our place, taking the punishment we deserve for our sins—all sin, once and for all.
But that’s not all! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

What kind of love is this? The Love of God. We can only know this love by knowing God. Jesus willingly and obediently laid down His life for ours so that we may know God in relationship. To be in a relationship with God, we must come to Jesus, our Advocate to God and repent of our sins in Jesus Name. Jesus took all sin for all mankind upon our shoulders all so we could have full access to God, the Father in relationship with Him.
Jesus is the absolute answer to our sin problem that causes a chasm between God and us. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”—Jesus, John 14:6
This verse is the sum of the Good News Gospel! All theology is explained in these few profound words of truth. Jesus does not teach a way to God, but rather proclaims He is the way to God. Jesus reminds his disciples then (and to us now) that seeing him means seeing the Father, because the Father is in Jesus, and he is in the Father. For those who love and obey him, Jesus promises the Spirit, an "advocate" who will always stand by Christ's people and live in them.

God/Jesus/Holy Spirit—Three-in-One! All praise to the One who is in three persons—Blessed Trinity who saved us and set us free to enjoy a growing, intimate relationship with the God, the Creator of all!
“Holy, holy, holy, to God Almighty
One in Three Persons, Blessed Trinity”

This Truth who is Jesus is why we sing praises to Him who has given all He had as a human on earth in sacrifice so that we who believe can live for eternity—in relationship with God! We need only to believe, really believe that all God says and has done are really real. Do you believe?

I pray now for all reading this right now to stop and consider all that God has done through Jesus to save us from ourselves and our sins with complete forgiveness—"as far as the east is from the west”— “our sins to be remembered no more”!
Remember this chorus as a child? Still true!
Gone, gone, gone, gone
Yes my sins are gone,
Now my soul is free
And in my heart’s a song;
Buried in the deepest sea
Yes, that’s good enough for me–
I shall live eternally
Praise God!
My sins are G-O-N-E gone!

“He [God] will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” ~ Micah 7:19, KJV

Lord,
Great is Your Faithfulness, indeed! I believe and I will always sing of You!
Who would of thought
That long ago, so very far away
A little child would be born
And in a manger laid

And who would have thought
This little child
Was born the King of Kings
The Son of just a carpenter
But for whom the angels sing
And who would have thought
That as He grew
And with other children played
This child with whom
They laughed and sang
Would die for them some day

And who would have thought
This little child
Could make a blind man see
Feed the hungry, make rich the poor
And set the sinner free

Oh, who would have thought
This little child, Was who the prophets said
Would take away the sins of man
And rise up from the dead…
Oh, I believe and I will always sing
This little child
He is the King of Kings

Many years have come and gone
Yet this world remains the same
Empires have been built and fallen
Only time has made a change

Nation against nation
Brother against brother
Men so filled with hatred
Killing one another
And over half the world is starving
While our banner of decency is torn
Debating over disarmament
Killing children before they're born

And fools who march to win the right
To justify their sin
Oh, every nation that has fallen
Has fallen from within
Yet in the midst of this darkness
There is a hope, a light that burns
This little child, the King of Kings
Someday will return

And I believe and I will always sing
This little child is the King
And I believe and I will always sing
This little child
He is the King of kings

And who would have thought
This little child
Is who the prophets said
Will return to judge this world
The living and the dead

Oh, can't you see
That long ago, so very far away
This little child our only hope
Was born a King that day
(This Little Child, by Scott Wesley Brown)

In Jesus Name, for Your Glory, Amen

TO THOSE WHO MINISTER IN HIS NAME

It is forever good and oh so encouraging to the congregation when pastors and leaders (also human and fallible) stands with us to humbly demonstrate their love for God with pure joy in worship before going forward to speak God’s Word. A committed pastor, called and equipped by God, can’t wait to deliver what God has given to them. We see it on their faces and in their body language as they worship. They are excited because they have message full of truth that is helpful to them and will be helpful to us all—and they can’t wait to tell it!

Our pastors’ confidence in God’s Word fills us with confidence as they speak. Their prayers for us, humble us, as they praise and thank God for us. A compassionate pastor’s prayer fills those listening and praying with God’s blessed assurance that we are all His children as we seek Him with all that is in us. When we see Jesus in our leaders, we are reminded of our Hope of living eternally with God because of Jesus, His Son. A trusted pastor knows Jesus personally, seeks justice, loves mercy, and walks humbly with God daily. Want to encourage your pastor in their walk? When you see Jesus in him or her, tell them in affirming ways with love and truth!

A surrendered, committed pastor prays like Jesus prayed for those in His care with pleas for wisdom and Truth. Here are perfect examples from Jesus who knew no sin, filled with compassion for His followers then and later, while giving all glory to God;

“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
Then Jesus Prays for All Believers—
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”—Jesus, John 17:6-26

When elements of Jesus’ prayer are heard from praying, humbled leaders who give all glory to God—they are loved and trusted.
Pause to ponder; So, we learn that pastors pray for those in their care; but do we as fellow sheep, pray for them as they lead us in Jesus Name?

Psalm 134 demonstrates the power of prayer for the leaders chosen by God to serve in the Temple. The call to bless God possibly records a brief exchange between worshipers leaving the temple after the evening service and the Levites who kept watch through the night. The "servants of God" are priests and Levites who ministered in the temple 24/7. Their evening duties included keeping the lampstand lit and the sacrifices burning, as well as guarding the gates.

Commentaries on this chapter tell us that though the people must disperse, the Lord's praise continues at the temple. Lifting the hands has long signified both praise and petition, symbolizing trust that God would fill empty hands with his blessings. What a blessed thought with reminders of God’s provision!

Psalm 134, The Message
A song of ascents.

1-3 Come, bless God,
all you servants of God!
You priests of God, posted to the nightwatch
in God’s shrine,
Lift your praising hands to the Holy Place,
and bless God.
In turn, may God of Zion bless you—
God who made heaven and earth!

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Praise God for our pastors and leaders!
May we never forget to pray for those who are chosen, anointed, and led by God to faithfully lead us!
May God’s love in us guide our prayers for each other!

Lord,
Thank you for pastors and leaders chosen to guide us by Your Holy Spirit to all that is Truth. Thank you for all the hours leaders give daily to hear from you then put your message into words about you so the congregations can understand and take in as food for our souls. May your message first permeate the hearts of those who will speak. May all that is said and done bring you all the glory, honor, and praise! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I thank God for our pastor and all the leaders who work tirelessly so that the world may know you with ways to follow you.
Help us all to love more like you every day.
In Jesus Name, Amen

HOW BEAUTIFUL WHEN WE ALL GET ALONG!

Randy and I raised three children. Daughter, son, daughter, in that order. The son was quiet which we soon learned to watch more closely rather than just listen for trouble when they were playing outside or inside. He thought it great sport to instigate a war between his sisters, then sit back a watch. We laugh about that, now. For the most part they got along with each other and each other’s friends. But when weariness set in or they were “hangry”, their attitudes toward each other, like all young children, would test the limits of all boundaries set by their parents with;
“Mom, she’s breathing on me!” “Again.”
“Dad, she’s on my side on the car; clearly over the imaginary line of my personal space!”
“She took the biggest piece.” “And why are eating this again?”
“He just took his toys and left us with none.”
“She used my towel to clean dry up the spill!”
“He said I was annoying, what does that mean?”
“I’m NOT at maximum comfort in this car.”
“Why do we have to take naps?” “Ugh.” (Parents all know the litany of answers to that one!)

As believing parents we rely on the love of God in us along with His Holy Spirit’s power to parent our children from birth to adult. We don’t always get it right; but we keep trying to learn. By the time they reach adulthood and on their own, we wish sometimes for a do-over because of all the lessons we learned in parenting our children.

Believing parents teach, show and tell examples, and point them ever to what Jesus taught in Scripture so our young children with develop the skills it takes to get along not only with each other but as building blocks of character to relate to others on their journeys in life.

Most times we see the fruits of teaching work beautifully; but there are times that the quarreling tests our abilities to reason. But as I look back, I remember the times when strangers would complement our kids on their behaviors with observing how well they got along with each other. I do know this, they would, to this day as adults, come to the rescue for each other with no hesitation! As adults, they still help each other in all kinds of ways—including moving families from one house to another. Moving is the true test of love and care! As a family, we have all helped each other move, clean, paint, mow, borrow cars when needed, pick up children or drop them off, without a second thought to our own agendas. I thank God for our children and their spouses. I thank God for our grandchildren who have “inherited” the legacy of being helpers, not only within our family but for other families within their communities. I thank God for Jesseca, Samuel, and Carrie. I thank God for Randy who fathered well.

Psalm 133, The Message
A song of ascents. Of David.

1-3 How wonderful, how beautiful,
when brothers and sisters get along!
It’s like costly anointing oil
flowing down head and beard,
Flowing down Aaron’s beard,
flowing down the collar of his priestly robes.
It’s like the dew on Mount Hermon
flowing down the slopes of Zion.
Yes, that’s where God commands the blessing,
ordains eternal life.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Many ask and ponder the big question of all people of all nations— “Why can’t we just get along?” God smiles as He watches the true unity of His children just like a parent sighs contentment and joy when their kids get along. But guess what, it’s not just about pleasing God or each other—it’s the peace that dwells in us when we set aside our own interests for the interests and agendas of others. (Like Jesus demonstrated, Philippians 2)

Where does this peace come from? The Prince of Peace is the Source of all peace. God’s Word teaches;
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” –Apostle Paul to the church then and applicable to us now. Romans 12:18
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” –Paul, Colossians 3:15
“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”—Jesus, The Source of Peace, John 14:25-27
The difference between Biblical peace versus worldly peace:
• Worldly Peace: The world offers peace that depends on good luck, safety, or things going well. It can change or disappear fast when trouble starts.
• Jesus' Peace: His peace is a deep gift inside a person. His peace stays strong even when life is hard, scary, or sad. He is our strength to maintain peace when we debate and disagree with others. Jesus at the center is peace, the Prince of Peace, who maintains our peace when we call on His Name.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 4:7, ESV

Sweet peace, the gift of God’s love, is the strength and wisdom we need to live in peace with each other. We do not have to agree to love each other in Christ Jesus. That is the beauty of surrendering and allowing the peace of Christ to rule our hearts, minds, and souls!

Finally, we must remain faithful to the Lord, and be united in Him. The peace of Christ is meant to unite (not untie or divide) the Body of Christ, acting as an arbiter or governing principle in believers' relationships.

Think about it—God made peace with us with blood of Jesus!
“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” Colossians 1:19-20

THIS is the secret—
“For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.”—Colossians 1:27, NLT
Jesus, the Prince of Peace, lives in us who believe, repent, surrender, and follow in His Name for His Glory!

Lord,
Thank you for your psalms of conviction, correction, comfort, compassion, that compel us to love, honor, trust, and obey you with all that is in us—with the Help and Power of your Holy Spirit living in us! We seek peace, your peace, to rule our hearts always. It is your peace that is the most beautiful of all!
In Jesus Name, Amen

A LEGACY OF PROMISES FULFILLED

The Psalmist asks God to show His favor upon the reigning son of David and on the legacy David founded guided by God. David wanted so desperately to build God a place of worship to God in Zion. If fact, David swore an oath of promise to God that he would secure a dwelling place for the Lord and is remembered in this psalm. The Lord promised that he would secure David's dynasty, most closely associated with his throne. In this way, the Lord's oath responds to David's oath.

Theologically, as most psalms do, we read and remember God’s promises given to David. God’s promises were given to David with the ultimate purpose to save the world. God guided, protected, and provided for any descendant of David who kept the law of God. The "anointed one" includes any of David's children, but it ultimately looks to the great Messiah, who would come from David's line. The Anointed Messiah is Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, the King of kings and Lord of lords!
Hold that thought as we read…

Psalm 132, The Message
A song of ascents.

1-5 O God, remember David,
remember all his troubles!
And remember how he promised God,
made a vow to the Strong God of Jacob,
“I’m not going home,
and I’m not going to bed,
I’m not going to sleep,
not even take time to rest,
Until I find a home for God,
a house for the Strong God of Jacob.”
6-7 Remember how we got the news in Ephrathah,
learned all about it at Jaar Meadows?
We shouted, “Let’s go to the shrine dedication!
Let’s worship at God’s own footstool!”
8-10 Up, God, enjoy your new place of quiet repose,
you and your mighty covenant ark;
Get your priests all dressed up in justice;
prompt your worshipers to sing this prayer:
“Honor your servant David;
don’t disdain your anointed one.”
11-18 God gave David his word,
he won’t back out on this promise:
“One of your sons
I will set on your throne;
If your sons stay true to my Covenant
and learn to live the way I teach them,
Their sons will continue the line—
always a son to sit on your throne.
Yes—I, God, chose Zion,
the place I wanted for my shrine;
This will always be my home;
this is what I want, and I’m here for good.
I’ll shower blessings on the pilgrims who come here,
and give supper to those who arrive hungry;
I’ll dress my priests in salvation clothes;
the holy people will sing their hearts out!
Oh, I’ll make the place radiant for David!
I’ll fill it with light for my anointed!
I’ll dress his enemies in dirty rags,
but I’ll make his crown sparkle with splendor.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

When we read and study God’s Word, we must always remember that most importantly this is God’s Story of Redemption describing His Legacy through His created to demonstrate his traits of unconditional love, mercy, and grace. God’s Word to us is His legacy of who He is with how He faithfully He helps those who call on His Name. In fact, God is faithful even when we are not faithful to Him. David is one of many examples. God will keep His promises.

God’s Word is not a self-help book like the world places on book store shelves, gathering dust with the latest and greatest ways to correct the behaviors that are not working for us in our current environments and situations of life! God’s Word is written by God to tell His story of Truth so that we might believe, repent of our sins, and live Truth. God’s Holy Spirit guides to all Truth when we ask God for wisdom, insight and understand as we read His Word. He is the One with the power to transform us by cleansing our hearts, renewing our minds, refreshing our souls, while restoring the joy of our relationship with Him through Jesus! God/Jesus/Holy Spirit, all God in Three Persons all speak truth to us. Trust in the One who never fails to speak Truth and always keeps His promises to be with us always.

The Word of God is written (as promised) on the hearts of those who believe and trust with surrender to God’s will and purpose. God’s Word is written to be understood by hearts committed to God. We “take to heart” all God says because He cannot lie; He only speaks Truth! God used his prophets, disciples, apostles and other followers to tell who He is with what He desires to do in us because He loves us and wants to have a personal relationship with us! It’s all about God in us, working through us, to be all He created us to be with the bonus of eternal life filled with inexplicable joy and a perfect peace that only He can give to us as gifts of His character and being. God is Spirit who desires to live in us. Invite Him in!

God wants us to be more like Him in all His ways and His ways are perfect, righteous, and holy. We cannot be holy on our own. To be holy we must seek Him for only He is holy. It is God who has the desire to make us holy as we humbly walk with Him. That does not mean we are perfect but all who believe have full access to God who is perfect. We discover that the more we walk and talk with God in a humbled, honest, and growing relationship with Him, the more we see ourselves becoming more like Him in His character. We are transformed day by day by being in His Presence.

From the beginning, even before the Fall of Adam and Eve, God had a Plan to save us. His Legacy of Salvation and Redemption was placed on the shoulders of His Son, Jesus. Jesus willingly obeyed because of His love for all of us.

God desired to demonstrate His character of unconditional love, compassionate mercy, with unending grace to the world and inhabitants He created in person! God’s Plan was to send the Messiah, meaning “one who saves”, as foretold by God’s prophets, into the world to seek the lost to show the Way back to God, the Truth about God, with the extreme gift of Eternal Life with God. This Person was Jesus, God’s One and Only Son, who was sent from glory to earth to represent God as part of Himself, as “God in flesh”. This is how John was inspired to describe this incarnation of God in Jesus, the Person of Truth;
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

“Don’t judge a book by its cover” we hear so often from librarians, or media specialists. We also hear it said when are tempted to judge each other by how we look physically or behave emotionally without getting to know the real person from the inside out. Everyone is created by God with purpose. Read that again. Read it again until we believe it. Look at others with God’s eyes, wondering what God will do in and through them! Be aware, this might change our current way of thinking with assumptions and presumptions!

The Psalmist invites us to think more deliberately about how we cultivate memory of all God has done that leads us to nurture our hope in Jesus who is the Way, Truth, and Life. Both remembering and hope are necessary for those who seek to walk in the way of the Lord.

Lord,
Thank you for these words of truth that nurture our souls for it brings back all the memories of how you work diligently in our lives to make us whole and holy before you. Thank you for convicting us without condemning us, correcting us with your new fresh mercies, comforting us with your compassions that fail not, while compelling us to seek to love and live more like you in every way.
In Jesus Name, Amen