Sunday

Christmas Day Two Hundred Thirty and Nine

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What do I want for Christmas?

Remember today is the LORD’S Day; if you love the Lord GOD you will be in worship services somewhere where the Word of God is preached.

I want to always remember that no matter how bad I sin, or transgress God’s law; or no matter how bad others sin or transgress God’s law we cannot thwart the word of God, nor avert Him from His plan for our good or His glory.

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against His anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall He speak unto them in His wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure. Yet have I set My king upon My holy hill of Zion.” Psalm 2:1-6 (KJV)

Christmas Day Two Hundred Forty and Six

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want the hopeless, the poor, the orphan, the widow, and every lost soul to know that God loves you; and that He has provided a way that all may come to know Him; and that way is through the cross of Jesus – His death, burial and resurrection.

Thus will I magnify Myself, and sanctify Myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD.” Ezekiel 38:23 (KJV)

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures…” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Christmas Day Two Hundred Fifty and Three

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What do I want for Christmas?

It is the wonderful LORD’S Day once again.  I want to worship God in Spirit and in Truth, that He truly might be glorified in our worship today; and everyday. May my life; the way I walk, the way I talk, be seen as worshiping Him.

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24 (KJV)

Day 260

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What do I want for Christmas?

This being the LORD’S Day this week; I want Christians to realize the power that we have with God in prayer; and that we ought to pray continually, often, diligently, never doubting, full of faith, fervently, and passionately; every day of the week; for the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)

“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:24-26

“Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” Mark 13:33

Day Two Hundred Sixty and Seven

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What do I want for Christmas?

On this LORD’S Day I want the Word of God to come into my heart, my soul, my mind with the power of the Spirit of God; to do the work God has sent it with His Spirit to perform in me and the people who will hear it; and I want us to see what God can do when His redeemed people hear, and yield to His Word and His way and His will.

Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” Philippians 2:14-16 (KJV)

 

Day Two Hundred Seventy and Four

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What do I want for Christmas?

I know that it is Easter Sunday for Christians around the world; however, I want to better understand the love, grace, mercy, and power of God through the cross, burial and resurrection of Jesus; and I want you to know that this same Jesus who was born in a manger came to die for the sins of the world, that He did, was buried, and He arose from the grave; and He is soon returning.  Make sure you are on His side.

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15 (KJV)

“For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:17-19

 

Christmas – Day 281

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What do I want for Christmas?

On this Palm Sunday, remembering the last days in the life of our Savior before His death on the cross, burial, and bodily resurrection; I want to grow more in love with my Lord and Savior, and to appreciate everyday as a day He has given me to celebrate Him.

And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the Mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto Me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, and brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set Him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when He was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.” Matthew 21:1-11 (KJV)

Day Two Hundred Eighty and Eight

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want power with God in praying, and prayer; to pray for a soul to be saved, and they are; to pray for God to show Himself strong and He is; to pray for healing in marriages, and they are.

This is another LORD’S Day; let us pray now and when we are in our houses of worship.

Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25 (KJV)

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

“And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” James 5:15

Day Two Hundred Ninety and Five

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What do I want for Christmas?

On this LORD’S Day I want the peace of God to reign in the hearts of God’s children around the world as we go to our respective churches, and worship the Lord together in Spirit and in Truth.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2 (NKJV)

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”” John 4:23-24

Standing Fast In Liberty

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Points from this mornings sermon (2/28/16).

Galations 5:1 ff

  1.  [When we..] Hold fast, stand pat in the liberty of Jesus Christ (Gal. 5:1-6)
  2. We will walk in love (vv. 7-15).
  3. We will walk bearing the fruit of the Spirit (vv. 16-26).
  4. We will be compassionate toward others (6:1-5)
  5. We will be generous in our Sowing, and God’s blessing in Reaping of the Spirit (vv.  6-10).
  6. We will boast only in the Cross of Jesus Christ, and give Him the glory (vv. 11-15).
  7. We too will bear in our bodies the “marks of the Lord Jesus” (vv. 16-18).

-Tim A. Blankenship

Day Three Hundred and Two

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What do I want for Christmas?

On this LORD’S Day I want my whole life, and every day to be spent in nothing more and nothing less than praising Him, and glorifying the name of Jesus Christ the Son of God, God the Son.

“Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (NKJV)

Day Three Hundred and Nine

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What do I want for Christmas?

On this LORD’S Day I want the presence of the Lord Jesus to be evident in our Church at Shiloah Baptist Church of Jenkins, Missouri; and for the Holy Spirit to move in conviction where it is needed, comfort in the hearts which need comfort, encouragement, and give all boldness and courage to be the witnesses for Him that we ought to be.

Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.” Acts 9:31 (NKJV)

Day Three Hundred and Sixteen

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What do I want for Christmas?

On this, another LORD’S Day, I want the “Meeting House” where I worship and the Church gathers called Shiloah Baptist Church; and all Christ centered, Bible believing, Churches to love the Lord Jesus with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds and with all our strength; to hear the word of God, to pray diligently, and believe without wavering that the answers for the world’s problems is found solely through the cross of Jesus Christ.

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” Proverbs 21:1 (NKJV)

Day Three Hundred Twenty and Three

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What do I want for Christmas?

This being the Lord’s Day February seventh, two thousand sixteen I want for Christians in Jenkins, Missouri; the State of Missouri; the entire U. S. of A. and the world to realize the importance of attending your local Church; and begin today to attend, and share your presence with your brothers and  sisters in Christ.

When Jesus spoke to the Churches, it was to seven local congregations…

“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write…
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write…
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write…
“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write…
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write…
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write…
“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write…
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'” Revelation 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14-22 (NKJV)

Day Three Hundred Thirty

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What Do I Want For Christmas?

On this Lord’s Day of January 31, 2016 I want to join my brothers and sisters in Christ at my local Church to worship, praise, magnify, and remember our Lord’s death until He comes again.  Will you join me; at least by being in your local Church to worship and glorify our God and Savior Jesus Christ – the Son of God and God the Son.

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:19-25 (NKJV)

 

Day Three Hundred Thirty and Seven

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What do I want for Christmas?

This being the Lord’s Day and Christians around the world will be gathering to remember the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and His soon coming:

I want my heart, and your heart to be directed to the Word of God; that our hearts be inclined to His Word, and testimonies, His precepts, and His ordinances; that our hearts be turned away from covetousness, and toward the Lord Himself.

Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way.” Psalm 119:36-37 (NKJV)

Day Three Hundred Forty and Four

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What do I want for Christmas?

Since this is the Lord’s Day, and millions of Christians will be going to their places of worship, and some are choosing to stay home in bed or going to play, or maybe something else:

I want the pastors of churches who have not been preaching the unadulterated word of God, and the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ – His death, burial and resurrection – to begin today preaching it with a heart aflame for Jesus Christ; and that those people who have decided not to attend Bible studies, or church this morning to get up, get dressed and attend worship with an ear ready to hear, a heart ready to receive, and feet and arms ready to do the work of faith for the glory and honor of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” 2 Timothy 4:1-2 (NKJV)
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

What Do I Want For Christmas? Day 351

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want the lotteries in our States and Nation to cease.  They are, in the end a tax on the poverty stricken people of the nation, through the deceit and lust for more.

“And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”” Luke 12:15 (NKJV)

What Do I Want For Christmas? Day 358

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want to be more like Jesus in that I not be a “respecter of persons”, and to learn to be just, and merciful to all no matter their economic, living, health, or cultural situation in the world; to be faithful to the Lord in all situations dealing with them.

“My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.” James 2:1ff

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 (NKJV)

What Do I Want for Christmas? Day 365

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As I said on the previous post on this matter; this may be tedious, but I will do my best to keep it to the point.

What do I want for Christmas?  I want my life to be full of the Spirit of Jesus Christ; which is the Holy Spirit; so that others may see Him in me, and desire to know Him.

I am basing these wants on Scripture such as Psalm 37:4; Mark 11:24; and John 15:7

Living / Walking in the Power of the Spirit

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For the Christian to accomplish any thing for the glory of the Lord, and not for the glory, or boasting of one’s own self; and/or ego; it must be done by the Spirit of God in us.

It is GOD who gets things done. It is God who saves a soul. It is God who opens eyes to His revelation. It is God who gives understanding and wisdom in the ministry of His Word. How did Jesus live?

“And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of Him through all the region round about. And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.” Luke 4:14-15 (KJV)

Following His baptism Jesus was led of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13). He then proceeded to go to the synagogues teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord; which by the way was the Old Testament. There was no New Testament written at that time. He taught them things concerning Himself (Luke 24:27).

In everything Jesus did or said; He did so by the leadership and power of the Holy Spirit of God. He did not move from one place to the other, except by the Spirit. He did not speak a word, except by the Spirit. He did not do any healing without the Spirit of God upon Him.

Hear what Paul the apostle says of the Spirit of God and the Christian,

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galations 5:16

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galations 5:25

This is living as Jesus lived. It is impossible without the Spirit of God in Christ Jesus. Walk in the Spirit; and we will have the Power of the Spirit.

The Children’s Crumbs Under the Table

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There is a need for genuine faith. The faith that trust the Lord, and no one, or nothing else. The faith that a Christian has is not based on assumptions, or myth, but substance and evidence provided us by God Himself (Hebrews 11:1).

The verses we look at today tell us of a Gentile woman who trusted the Lord Jesus, for just the crumbs from the table:

“And from thence He arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but He could not be hid. For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of Him, and came and fell at His feet: the woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought Him that He would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. And she answered and said unto Him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs. And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.” Mark 7:24-30 (KJV)

There are some who think as they read the above verses that Jesus was being cruel. It certainly would not be politically correct in the U. S. of A. today. It is not cruelty; but a test to show that she truly has faith in Him, His word, and His mission.

First of all Jesus had came to the people, the nation of Israel. He in fact was Jewish Himself; was one of them. He was come to redeem the house of Israel. Did she know and understand that? Evidently so.

She was willing to believe the Lord, His word and work, and to receive only the “Crumbs” from the children’s table. You will notice that He spoke words of healing to her. The demon departed from her daughter, and there was a Gentile woman redeemed by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Believe Him. Trust Him; and His Word today.

A Journey of Passion

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This was Jesus’s final journey to the city on the hill. He would not make it again, and He knew it. Yet, He journeyed to the place where He would die.

Would you with joy, and passion go to the place you knew would mean your death? Of course you or I cannot know those things, as He did. We do need to know, though, that every day could be our last. None of us have any assurance of the next day.

Knowing His days on earth were few; Jesus traveled on teaching His disciples, and telling them what death He would die:

“And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify Him: and the third day He shall rise again.” Matthew 20:17-19 (KJV)

We read in other places that He had his mind set on going to Jerusalem (Matthew 16:21; Luke 13:22; 17:11; 18:31; 19:28). Some have called this journey “His Passion”, and I think that to be a good description of His heart and mind.

He came to live for the righteousness, and glory of the Father; and to die for the sins of mankind; to conquer death, sin, hell and the grave. That is what He means when He says, “And the third day He shall rise again”.

His journey in life was to glorify His Father, and to do so through obedience, even unto death. He died for you and me. He carried our sins, and its condemnations away in burial, and left them there; and rose bodily from the grave. He forever lives and saves all who will come to Him.

Humble Yourself Before the King of Heaven

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For the most part chapter four of Daniel is the writing of Nebuchadnezzar, sharing his personal testimony of a tragic, yet humbling, and redeeming time of his life and reign as king of Babylon. He had grown proud and arrogant (4:28-30), and the King of heaven brought him down.

The following are the final words of Nebuchadnezzar in the testimony he shares:

“Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and His ways judgment: and those that walk in pride He is able to abase.” Daniel 4:37 (KJV)

Pride is one of the abominations which God hates (Proverbs 6:16-19); called “a proud look”, and the king of Babylon had it. It is a dangerous thing to try and exalt oneself above the word, and words of God. The LORD had given Nebuchadnezzar warning through a dream of a tree being cut down; but he did not listen to it; he did not fear the word of the LORD.

How about you today? Is there a arrogant, proud mind, and heart where you are saying to yourself; “I am a self-made man. I do not need God.” That is the height of arrogance and pride. Every man and woman needs God, His mercy and His grace. He is offering it to you today through the cross of Jesus Christ His holy Son. Believe Him today. Humble yourself before God, and He will lift you up (Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; 1 Peter 5:5-7).

Humble yourself before God; and He will not need to abase you. Honor the King of Heaven with your life.

When GOD Speaks… Listen

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There use to be a commercial on television of a financial firm called E. F. Hutton where in the midst of noisy crowds or other noises and such, a man would speak and all would get quiet. Then, a voice would say, “When E. F. Hutton speaks, people listen”. I do not know if I got it completely right, but that is close.

As far as I know now, E. F. Hutton’s firm is no longer in existence. The man himself is probably gone from life. You know what? When God the LORD speaks people ought to listen. He is our Creator. He is our salvation. He is our peace. He is our sustenance.

Reading from Ezekiel 24 – 27 I especially noted these three verses:

“I the LORD have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee, saith the Lord GOD.”
“It shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD: and it shall become a spoil to the nations.”
“And I will make thee like the top of a rock: thou shalt be a place to spread nets upon; thou shalt be built no more: for I the LORD have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.” Ezekiel 24:14; 26:5, 14 (KJV)

Again, let me share my journal thoughts with you…

I looked back a few chapters, and found this phrase “…For I the LORD have spoken it…” at least two other times; with 12:25 making a fourth. Though 12:25 does not use the phrase, it is strongly emphasized.

One of the reasons I love God’s Word is that what God says comes to pass just as He said it would. The truth of His Word shows us that He is trustworthy, faithful, and True. He cannot lie.

“I the LORD have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee, saith the Lord GOD.” 24:14

The Lord GOD is everlasting; and His word is forevermore. In You LORD, and in your Word do I trust.

There is no words of man or men that are sure, faithful, trustworthy or true. Let God be true and every man a liar.

What God was speaking above was to a place called Tyrus; warning them of judgment, and destruction. What He speaks concerning grace, peace, and salvation through His Son Jesus is faithful and true as well. Believe His Son today. Trust Him. He died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and bodily arose and is alive forevermore. When GOD speaks… listen.  Thus saith the LORD.