The Steadfast Love of God

The Lord God Jehovah loves His people, but He delights in obedience.  He is a jealous God and does not want to compete with our idols.  He demands our allegiance to Him alone.  He wants our love and devotion.  Alas, we fail Him miserably, but his love is steadfast, never failing, always seeking to reconcile and restore us to a righteous relationship with Him. 

Let us consider our relationship to our Lord in light of a marriage between a husband and a wife...

I recently heard a radio pastor talking about the concept mentioned in Timothy for bishops and deacons to be the husband of one wife. He believed the passage meant having only one wife at a time.  While he acknowledged that a past divorce will render believing men unfit for certain types of service in the Church, he seemed to imply that God wasn't worried if a previous marriage had failed.  I believe this is grave error.  God never intended for couples to divorce.  The concept of divorce doesn't line up with what Scriptures teach us about Him.  Marriage is a picture of our relationship to Jesus. The issue here isn't about remarriage or divorce and its validity, but about the love of our Lord for His Bride, the believers.  Remember that we have forgiveness from sin, and He forgets our sin from the moment He forgives.  The good news is that He isn't willing to divorce us!  God cherishes our faithfulness to Him!

"Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath a husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.  So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress:  but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God."  Romans 7:1-4

Let us consider His relationship with His chosen people, the Hebrews...

Nor has He given up on His chosen people.  He has not negated His covenant with Israel, but wants them also to come into the Church of believers.  The Old Testament is filled with historical accounts of the Hebrew people who serve as an example to us of His unfailing love and mercy and grace.  We see the beautiful picture of a beloved people who consistently left their God for idols made with men's hands.  Yet they  were forgiven and restored time after time, as they were willing to turn from their sin and obey God.  Our God is longsuffering, not willing for any to perish.  His longing for His chosen ones will be fulfilled in the end times when a remnant will come to faith.  The story is told of Hosea, a prophet commanded by God to marry to a harlot, an adulteress.  This is a literal story that illustrates God's unfailing love despite the sin of His people.

"O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God, for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the Lord:  say unto him, take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously:  so will we render the calves of our lips. Assur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses, neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, ye are our gods:  for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.  I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely:  for mine anger is turned away from him."  Hosea 14:1-4

"I say then, hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Isralite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.  God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew."  Romans 11:1-2a

"Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace." Romans 11:5

Our God is a God of justice.  He chastises those who love Him, purposing to bring them back to Himself when they have strayed.  He is a jealous God and will not let His people go. 

Consider His unfailing love to the whole world...

There are many who seek a different way to enter into the Kingdom of God.  They seek their own way, without thought for Him who died on a cross.  They do not seek after the Lord God Jehovah, but they seek the kingdom.  It is clear that while our Lord is longsuffering, He demands that we enter into fellowship with Him through Jesus. 

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:  no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6

Those who would demand an entrance on their own merits or on the merits of other mere men are rebellious, with no real love for our Lord.  Jesus is not their Savior nor their Lord.  God promises that the wicked will not go unpunished.  Yet, He waits, allowing time for repentance and a turning to Him, for all who will come are welcome if they will come as He commands. 

"For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."  Romans 10:3

Our God is a god of steadfast love. But even the most righteous love wears thin under constant rejection. There will come a day when judgment will be administered as punishment for rejecting Him.  For those who do not want Him will have no part in His kingdom.  We were created for His good pleasure and not our own. 

"The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy."  Psalm 147:11

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"The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy." Psalm 145:8

The Security of a Commitment

"Every way of a man is right in his own eyes:  but the Lord pondereth the hearts." Proverbs 21:2

Have you made a commitment to Jesus?  Do you know that He expects us to submit to His lordship?

Our Lord Jesus Christ calls us to make a commitment to abide under His lordship.  How often we hear of someone who wants to be saved, but is unwilling to turn over control of their life to the Savior.  We call out to Him to be our Savior, but often leave out an important aspect of this covenant; that is the commitment to submit ourselves in obedience to His laws and commands. 

Commitment is a word that is not popular in society today.  We want a life without strings attached.  Many don't want to be bound to any code of honor or creed.  The watchword is freedom with full autonomy.  Going our own way and making our own decisions based on our own standard of behavior is becoming the norm.  Everyone does what is right in their own eyes. 

"For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:  they would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.  Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices." Proverbs 1:29-31

We want the benefits of His forgiveness, grace, and mercy without a personal relationship with Him.  How arrogant of us to think that we can handle our lives better than the one who created us and adopted us into His kingdom.  We have forgotten the caution in Proverbs to trust in Him and not in our own understanding.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."  Proverbs 3:5

Salvation and lordship go together and are not separate issues.  You cannot have one without the other.  Our Lord wants our faith to be in Him.  If we have faith in Him, then we will submit to Him as our Lord and Savior, able to trust His lordship.  Our faith is demonstrated by the works of our love for Him and for others.  It is only from a heart of love and devotion for Him that we can perform works worthy of Him.

When we commit ourselves to Him, He opens the door of our heart and mind to give us understanding and knowledge of Him.  We become secure in the knowledge that we belong to Him forever and no one can remove us from Him.

Think about the benefits we receive when we submit ourselves to the lordship of Jesus:

*My commitment to Jesus keeps me from being double-minded.  I seek the Lord's guidance to avoid making thoughtless and inappropriate  decisions.  I will base my standards on His Word and will not be wishy-washy on issues that are clearly defined as sin in His Word.

*My commitment to Jesus helps me stay on track in obedience to my Lord's commands.  I flee temptation as I am commanded, desiring to please Him by my obedience.  I will maintain a clear conscience, recognizing that I need to confess my sin and seek His forgiveness.

*My commitment to Jesus keeps me from doubting that He will help me in my time of need.  I trust Him to do what seems best for me according to His will. 

It is not a surprise that we struggle with lordship issues.  We are weak, but He is strong and will enable us to overcome the weaknesses of our fleshly desires, if we will commit our lives into His care and keeping.

Placing our trust in Jesus gives us security.  We can know where we stand on important issues, and why we must stand against the false teachings of the world.  When called upon to give a reason for our faith, we will not waiver, for our commitment is certain.

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:  and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" 1 Peter 3:15

“And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.  Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.  And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.  And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.  And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.  And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.  And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 21: 10, 11, 22, 23, 22: 1, 3 – 5 (King James Version) 

"Inspired by great-grandmother's scrapbook, compiled before 1918."

 

I'm Not Ashamed to Own My Lord

By Isaac Watts

 

I’m not ashamed to own my Lord,
Or to defend His cause;
Maintain the honor of His Word,
The glory of His cross.

Jesus, my God! I know His Name,
His Name is all my trust;
Nor will He put my soul to shame,
Nor let my hope be lost.

Firm as His throne His promise stands,
And He can well secure
What I’ve committed to His hands
Till the decisive hour.

Then will He own my worthless name
Before His Father’s face,
And in the new Jerusalem
Appoint my soul a place.

 

 

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If you want to homeschool, but don't know where to find information and need help to get started, check out my new booklet:  Homeschooling:  The Modern Day One Room Schoolhouse. 

To ask questions about homeschooling please contact me!  

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Purchase Christian Homeschool Curriculum and online courses for families who want to teach a Biblical worldview to their children. 

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"Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing."  Psalm 145:16

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THOUGHT PROVOKERS

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Excerpt from "A Radical Change" (Sermon of July 19, 1874) by Charles Spurgeon...

 

"Conversion may be known, next, by this fact, that it changes the whole man.

It changes the principle upon which he lives; he lived for self, now he lives for God.

He did right because he was afraid of punishment if he did wrong, but now he shuns evil because he hates it.

He did right because he hoped to merit heaven, but now no such selfish motive sways him:  he knows that he is saved, and he does right out of gratitude to God.

His objects in life are changed:  he lived for gain or worldly honor; now he lives for the glory of God.

His comforts are changed:  the pleasures of the world and sin are nothing to him; he finds comfort in the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost.

His desires are changed:  that which he once panted and pined for he is now content to do without; and that which he once despised he now longs after as the hart panteth after the water brooks.

His fears are different; he fears man no more, but fears his God.

His hopes are also altered; his expectations fly beyond the stars.

The man has begun a new life."

 

 

Spurgeon, Charles. "A Radical Change." Free Grace Broadcaster 195 (Spring, 2006):  6.

*used by permission

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"He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him:  he also will hear their cry, and will save them."  Psalm 145:19

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RECIPE CORNER

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"And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." I Timothy 6:6  

 

MENU

Click on the links to go to the recipe or scroll down.

Green Breakfast Smoothie

Easy Chicken Crockpot Dinner

No Meat Chili 

 TIP OF THE MONTH

 

"Hear, and understand:  Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man."  Matthew 15:10-11

 

 

* More recipes can be found at Free Recipes or Free Cooking Recipes.

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GREEN BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE 1 ripe banana 1 stalk celery, chopped into 1" pieces 3 Romaine Lettuce leaves, rinsed and torn into medium size pieces 1 Golden Delicious apple, cored, and sliced into 1" pieces 1 cup pineapple juice Place all ingredients into blender.  Start at low speed to begin chopping process.  Turn up to highest speed, and blend until smooth.  Serves 2.

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EASY CHICKEN CROCKPOT DINNER 4 chicken breasts, thawed 1 can stewed tomatoes 1/4 cup frozen spinach 1 onion, diced 1 green pepper, diced 1 tablespoons minced garlic 1/4 cup water 2 cups cooked brown rice Spray inside of crockpot with cooking oil, preferably olive oil. Place chicken, tomatoes, spinach, onion, green pepper, and garlic into crock pot. Pour 1/4 cup water over mix.  Cook on low for approximately 8 hours or until chicken breasts are done.  Serve with brown rice.

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NO MEAT CHILI  16 bean soup beans (1/2 bag), soaked and cooked, with liquid 2 carrots, sliced thin 3 celery stalks, sliced into 1" pieces 1 dinner tablespoon minced garlic 1 small onion, diced 2 cans chopped tomatoes with green chilies 2 cans Mexican chili beans with liquid 2 cans red beans, drained 1 green pepper, diced 1 red pepper, diced Salt to taste 1 teaspoon Vege-sal Seasoning A good sprinkling of chili seasoning mix, but less that ½ the package or to taste 1 ½ cups cooked Basmati rice Spray inside of crockpot with cooking oil, preferably olive oil.  Place all ingredients into crockpot.  Cook on low for approximately 6 hours until vegetables are tender.  Add water if needed during cooking time.

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"The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season." Psalm 145:15

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TIP OF THE MONTH 

DRY SKIN TREATMENT: 

To help remove dry skin and improve circulation, use a body brush. 

Rub a dry, natural bristle brush lightly across skin before showering.  Then shower as usual.  While still wet, stand on a bath mat and smooth a small amount of olive oil or lanolin over your skin.  Then pat skin to dry. 

Caution:  Avoid using too much oil, and never use oil in tub to avoid falls.

 

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Thank you and God bless you!