The Faithfulness of God

 THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD

I. We Must Tell of God’s Mercies Towards Us

Lam 3:19-23

Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood, and the gall. 20 My soul hath them still in remembrance and is humbled in me. 21 This I recall to my mind; therefore I have hope. 22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

II. Why Must We Declare His Mercies?

A.  Heb 6:13 For when God made a promise to Abraham because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

·         He is a Covenant Keeper

·         He keeps covenant with the faithful 

B.  Covenant - “binding together” or diatheke, “will, testament. A relationship based upon mutual commitments. It typically involves promises and obligations.

·         God is faithful even when we are not faithful 2Tim 2:13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.

 Deu 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.

III. Ask These Questions to Be Positioned for The Mercies of God

A.  Am I “them that love him” in Deu 7:9?

B.  How do you know you love Him?

C.  How is your effort to love Him?

John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (Explain love and belief) 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it. 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.16 And I will pray for the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever. 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

D. Acknowledge the truth

o   Truth reveals the way of the Spirit

o   Truth gives you the right direction

 

Deu 28:1-14 KJV - 1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: 2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. 3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city and blessed shalt thou be in the field. 4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. 5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. 6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. 7 The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.  

IV. Keep the Right Image of God, Untainted by the Enemy

Lev 26:1-13 KJV - 1 Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.  2 Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD. 3 If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; 4 Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.

V. Think How God Thinks & You Will Not Fail

Phl 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

A.  Two Things to Remember

1.  Never doubt Him no matter how it looks – James 1:6-8 because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

2.  God keeps His promises - James 1:12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

May you remain faithful and receive all that God has in store for you to be a blessing to this generation and beyond. Amen. 

Simple Steps To Good Relationships

 

Phil 2: 1-5

Is there any encouragement belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. NLT You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

 

Embrace What Jesus Said Are The Two Greatest Commandments Mat. 22:37-40

 

• Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. 
• And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law [Ten Commandments and the prophets from Isaiah to  Daniel and from Hosea to Malachi].

 

Three Foundational Principles To Have Healthy Relationships

 

Foundation - the lowest load-bearing part of a building, typically below ground level. An underlying basis or principle. The foundation is not the whole of a thing, a building or a relationship but it is ultimately what holds it together. It is the main ingredient.

 

1. Love God - How? John 14:15 If ye love me, keep[obey] my commandments. Take time to get to know him. Create a love relationship opposed to a duty relationship
2. Love Yourself - How? 1Cor. 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? Accept what God says about you.
3. Love Your Neighbor - Mat. 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

 

Christ took an interest in others, mankind. To be like him we must take an interest in the well being of other people. Christ came to seek and save those who were lost. The well being of mankind was so important, that God came in the flesh and allowed Himself to be crucified to redeem mankind. THAT’S LOVE!

 

When we find ourselves treating others in an ill-mannered way what does that say about how we feel about ourselves? 

• Does it say I have to make someone else feel low to make myself feel higher or important?
• Does it say that I may not have a healthy view of myself

Phil 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

 

Questions To Ask Ourselves Before We React Toward Others

1. Would I want someone to treat me this way?
2. Would I mind receiving the same words that I’m giving out?
3. If the roles were reversed would I give the same treatment?

 

Six Steps to Build Healthy Relationships

 

Be Aware of Negativity Bias

Studies show that criticisms often have a greater impact than compliments, and bad news frequently draws more attention than good. The reason for this is that negative events have a greater impact on our brains than positive ones. Psychologists refer to this as the negative bias (also called the negativity bias), and it can have a powerful effect on your behavior, your decisions, and even your relationships.

 

The negative bias is our tendency not only to register negative stimuli more readily but also to dwell on these events. This negativity bias means that we feel the sting of a rebuke more powerfully than we feel the joy of praise.

 

Focus on Ways To Cut People A Break

When it comes to relationships, it is valuable to remember that negative comments usually carry more weight than positive ones. Being aware of our own tendency to fixate on the negative  is important. By understanding this natural human tendency, you can focus on finding ways to cut other people a break and to stop expecting the worst.

 

Eliminate Negative Self-Talk 

Pay attention to the thoughts in your mind. Correct the thoughts in your head with the truth. Stop them in your head before they get in your heart and come out of your mouth. Luke 6:45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

 

Refrain Past Situations 

Evaluate the way you interpret past experiences and events. Without ignoring real danger or pretending that something didn’t happen, give equal balance to the positive side even if it is a lesson learned. Ro 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[fn] have been called according to his purpose.

 

Establish New Patterns

Engage in safe activities that bring you joy or make you feel better afterwards: Hobbies, exercise, reading a book, listening to upbeat music, volunteering or watching a funny movie.

 

Savor Positive Moments

Because it takes more for positive experiences to be remembered, it is important to give extra attention to good things that happen. Where negative things might be quickly transferred and stored in your long-term memory. So when something great happens, take a moment to really focus on it. Celebrate victories even if they seem small. Replay special moments several times in your memory and focus on the wonderful feelings the memory evokes.

 

1 Peter 4:8-10 

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:

 

Hebrews 10:24-25 

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

 

Closing

We can only love others to the degree that we love ourselves, and we only love ourselves to the degree that we know the love of God.

By: Bishop Fredrick and Tijuanna Adetunji 

 

 

LOVE NEVER FAILS

 

1 Cor 13:8

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

     I.         Why Does It Appear As If Love Is Failing Us?

 

   II.         We Must Understand What Love Is – And What Love Is Not

 

To Get Better Result We must 

 

Four Expressions of Love –

1.     Philia – Friendship Love

2.     Storge – Family Love

3.     Eros - Romantic Love – 

4.     Agape - Unconditional Love

 

                  Love Succeeds or Fails At The Juncture of These Two Realities – Eros - Agape

 

Eros Love  --  Romantic -- Sensual Love

 

The Nature of Eros 

 

A.   Is Deceptive It Confuses Lust As Love  

B.     It’s Selfish, And Demanding

C.    It’s Unreliable 

 

 III.         Agape  –  THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

 

1 Cor 13:4-6

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; ⁵ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

 

HOW DO WE LOVE

 

John 13:34 -- A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

 

 

HE SERVED 

 

JN 13:4-5  --  rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. ⁵ After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded

 

 

LOVE IN MARRIAGE

 

1Pt 3:7 – Live With Each Other According to Knowledge - Scratch Where It Itches – Not

5 Basic Needs That Can Divorce Prove Your Marriage 

 

5 Needs of A Wife (Affection, Communication, Honesty, Financial Commitment)

 

5 Needs of A Husband (Sex, Recreational Companionship, Attractiveness, Domestic Support, Respect )  

 

LOVE IN FRIENDSHIP

 

Proverbs 18:24

A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother

 

Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity

 

LOVE IN PARENTING

 

Psalm 103:13

As a father pities his Children so the Lord Pities those who fear him