Faith

I just downloaded a piece of software that clocks your computer speed on all levels. It goes deep looking into graphics, ram, processor speed, etc.

As I was thinking about having faith in God, I was reminded about that diagnostic tool. The word of God is our diagnostic for our faith. Where is it? How is it? Can it process through life? Faith in God, Faith in each other, Faith for healing, and our Christian Faith are all described in Scripture. At its core, faith is about trust. Can we trust God? All the way back in the garden this was the inference of the enemy. God cannot be trusted. You shall not surely die. Eve and Adam began that day to question whether or not God could be trusted, and landed humanity into a sin-corrupted world. The Church endeavors to proclaim the reality that God can be trusted. Jesus made some amazing claims about faith. He said to the woman with the issue of blood: “your faith has healed you”. He also said that if you had faith as much as a mustard seed “you can say to the mountain be removed and be cast into the sea”. Paul is recorded as saying “without faith it is impossible to please Him for whoever comes to God must: 1. Believe that He is and 2, Believe that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him. By faith we are saved, he also said, it is the gift of God not of works that no one could boast.

Hebrews says faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. The Bible says MANY things about faith. I searched the Bible in the ESV about faith. Here are the results. You’ll notice that some of them talk about trusting others. You will also notice that our faith in God is through CHRIST! Hallelujah. We have access to the Father through Jesus. I hope you’ll also notice that faith puts our trust in One who can do ANYTHING, can always be TRUSTED, and is able to do MIRACLES.

May the Lord bless your study on Faith.

faith in ESV



Exodus 21:8

If she does not please her master, who has designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has broken faith with her.





Leviticus 5:15

“If anyone commits a breach of faith and sins unintentionally in any of the holy things of the LORD, he shall bring to the LORD as his compensation, a ram without blemish out of the flock, valued in silver shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for a guilt offering.





Leviticus 6:2

“If anyone sins and commits a breach of faith against the LORD by deceiving his neighbor in a matter of deposit or security, or through robbery, or if he has oppressed his neighbor





Numbers 5:6

“Speak to the people of Israel, When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the LORD, and that person realizes his guilt,





Numbers 5:12

“Speak to the people of Israel, If any man’s wife goes astray and breaks faith with him,





Numbers 5:27

And when he has made her drink the water, then, if she has defiled herself and has broken faith with her husband, the water that brings the curse shall enter into her and cause bitter pain, and her womb shall swell, and her thigh shall fall away, and the woman shall become a curse among her people.





Deuteronomy 32:51

because you broke faith with me in the midst of the people of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, and because you did not treat me as holy in the midst of the people of Israel.





Joshua 7:1

But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel.





Joshua 22:16

“Thus says the whole congregation of the LORD, ‘What is this breach of faith that you have committed against the God of Israel in turning away this day from following the LORD by building yourselves an altar this day in rebellion against the LORD?





Joshua 22:20

Did not Achan the son of Zerah break faith in the matter of the devoted things, and wrath fell upon all the congregation of Israel? And he did not perish alone for his iniquity.’ ”





Joshua 22:22

“The Mighty One, God, the LORD! The Mighty One, God, the LORD! He knows; and let Israel itself know! If it was in rebellion or in breach of faith against the LORD, do not spare us today





Joshua 22:31

And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the people of Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is in our midst, because you have not committed this breach of faith against the LORD. Now you have delivered the people of Israel from the hand of the LORD.”





Judges 9:15

And the bramble said to the trees, ‘If in good faith you are anointing me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade, but if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’





Judges 9:16

“Now therefore, if you acted in good faith and integrity when you made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house and have done to him as his deeds deserved—





Judges 9:19

if you then have acted in good faith and integrity with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you.





1 Chronicles 2:7

The son of Carmi: Achan, the troubler of Israel, who broke faith in the matter of the devoted thing;





1 Chronicles 5:25

But they broke faith with the God of their fathers, and whored after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them.





1 Chronicles 9:1

So all Israel was recorded in genealogies, and these are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel. And Judah was taken into exile in Babylon because of their breach of faith.





1 Chronicles 10:13

So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the LORD in that he did not keep the command of the LORD, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance.





Ezra 10:2

And Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, of the sons of Elam, addressed Ezra: “We have broken faith with our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land, but even now there is hope for Israel in spite of this.





Ezra 10:10

And Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have broken faith and married foreign women, and so increased the guilt of Israel.





Job 39:12

Do you have faith in him that he will return your grain and gather it to your threshing floor?





Psalm 106:24

Then they despised the pleasant land, having no faith in his promise.





Psalm 146:6

who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;





Isaiah 7:9

And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.’ ”





Isaiah 26:2

Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in.





Habakkuk 2:4

“Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.





Matthew 6:30

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?





Matthew 8:10

When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.





Matthew 8:26

And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.





Matthew 9:2

And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”





Matthew 9:22

Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.





Matthew 9:29

Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.”





Matthew 14:31

Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”





Matthew 15:28

Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.





Matthew 16:8

But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread?





Matthew 17:20

He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”





Matthew 21:21

And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.





Matthew 21:22

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”





Mark 2:5

And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”





Mark 4:40

He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”





Mark 5:34

And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”





Mark 10:52

And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.





Mark 11:22

And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.





Luke 5:20

And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”





Luke 7:9

When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”





Luke 7:50

And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”





Luke 8:25

He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”





Luke 8:48

And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”





Luke 12:28

But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!





Luke 17:5

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”





Luke 17:6

And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.





Luke 17:19

And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”





Luke 18:8

I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”





Luke 18:42

And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.”





Luke 22:32

but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”





Acts 3:16

And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.





Acts 6:5

And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.





Acts 6:7

And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.





Acts 11:24

for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.





Acts 13:8

But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.





Acts 14:9

He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well,





Acts 14:22

strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.





Acts 14:27

And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.





Acts 15:9

and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.





Acts 16:5

So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.





Acts 20:21

testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.





Acts 24:24

After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.





Acts 26:18

to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’





Acts 27:25

So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.





Romans 1:5

through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,





Romans 1:8

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.





Romans 1:12

that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.





Romans 1:17

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”





Romans 3:22

the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:





Romans 3:25

whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.





Romans 3:26

It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.





Romans 3:27

Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.





Romans 3:28

For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.





Romans 3:30

since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.





Romans 3:31

Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.





Romans 4:5

And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,





Romans 4:9

Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness.





Romans 4:11

He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well,





Romans 4:12

and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.





Romans 4:13

For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.





Romans 4:14

For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.





Romans 4:16

That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,





Romans 4:19

He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb.





Romans 4:20

No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,





Romans 4:22

That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.”





Romans 5:1

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.





Romans 5:2

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.





Romans 9:30

What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith;





Romans 9:32

Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,





Romans 10:6

But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down)





Romans 10:8

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);





Romans 10:17

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.





Romans 11:20

That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.





Romans 12:3

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.





Romans 12:6

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;





Romans 14:1

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.





Romans 14:22

The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.





Romans 14:23

But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.





Romans 16:26

but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—





1 Corinthians 2:5

that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.





1 Corinthians 12:9

to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,





1 Corinthians 13:2

And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.





1 Corinthians 13:13

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.





1 Corinthians 15:14

And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.





1 Corinthians 15:17

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.





1 Corinthians 16:13

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.





2 Corinthians 1:24

Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.





2 Corinthians 4:13

Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak,





2 Corinthians 5:7

for we walk by faith, not by sight.





2 Corinthians 8:7

But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.





2 Corinthians 10:15

We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged,





2 Corinthians 13:5

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!





Galatians 1:23

They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”





Galatians 2:16

yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.





Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the 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 3:2

Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?





Galatians 3:5

Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith—





Galatians 3:7

Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.





Galatians 3:8

And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.”





Galatians 3:9

So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.





Galatians 3:11

Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”





Galatians 3:12

But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.”





Galatians 3:14

so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.





Galatians 3:22

But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.





Galatians 3:23

Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.





Galatians 3:24

So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.





Galatians 3:25

But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,





Galatians 3:26

for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.





Galatians 5:5

For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.





Galatians 5:6

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.





Galatians 6:10

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.





Ephesians 1:15

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,





Ephesians 2:8

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,





Ephesians 3:12

in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.





Ephesians 3:17

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,





Ephesians 4:5

one Lord, one faith, one baptism,





Ephesians 4:13

until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,





Ephesians 6:16

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;





Ephesians 6:23

Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.





Philippians 1:25

Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,





Philippians 1:27

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,





Philippians 2:17

Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.





Philippians 3:9

and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—





Colossians 1:4

since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,





Colossians 1:23

if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.





Colossians 2:5

For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.





Colossians 2:7

rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.





Colossians 2:12

having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.





1 Thessalonians 1:3

remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.





1 Thessalonians 1:8

For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.





1 Thessalonians 3:2

and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith,





1 Thessalonians 3:5

For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.





1 Thessalonians 3:6

But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you—





1 Thessalonians 3:7

for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.





1 Thessalonians 3:10

as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?





1 Thessalonians 5:8

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.





2 Thessalonians 1:3

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.





2 Thessalonians 1:4

Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.





2 Thessalonians 1:11

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,





2 Thessalonians 3:2

and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.





1 Timothy 1:2

To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.





1 Timothy 1:4

nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.





1 Timothy 1:5

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.





1 Timothy 1:14

and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.





1 Timothy 1:19

holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,





1 Timothy 2:7

For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.





1 Timothy 2:15

Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.





1 Timothy 3:9

They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.





1 Timothy 3:13

For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.





1 Timothy 4:1

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,





1 Timothy 4:6

If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.





1 Timothy 4:12

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.





1 Timothy 5:8

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.





1 Timothy 5:12

and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith.





1 Timothy 6:10

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.





1 Timothy 6:11

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.





1 Timothy 6:12

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.





1 Timothy 6:21

for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.





2 Timothy 1:5

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.





2 Timothy 1:13

Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.





2 Timothy 2:18

who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.





2 Timothy 2:22

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.





2 Timothy 3:8

Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.





2 Timothy 3:10

You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,





2 Timothy 3:15

and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.





2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.





Titus 1:1

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,





Titus 1:4

To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.





Titus 1:13

This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,





Titus 2:2

Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.





Titus 2:10

not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.





Titus 3:15

All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.





Philemon 5

because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,





Philemon 6

and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.





Hebrews 4:2

For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.





Hebrews 6:1

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,





Hebrews 6:12

so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.





Hebrews 10:22

let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.





Hebrews 10:38

but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”





Hebrews 10:39

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.





Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.





Hebrews 11:3

By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.





Hebrews 11:4

By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.





Hebrews 11:5

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.





Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.





Hebrews 11:7

By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.





Hebrews 11:8

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.





Hebrews 11:9

By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.





Hebrews 11:11

By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.





Hebrews 11:13

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.





Hebrews 11:17

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son,





Hebrews 11:20

By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau.





Hebrews 11:21

By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.





Hebrews 11:22

By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.





Hebrews 11:23

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.





Hebrews 11:24

By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,





Hebrews 11:27

By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.





Hebrews 11:28

By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.





Hebrews 11:29

By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.





Hebrews 11:30

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.





Hebrews 11:31

By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.





Hebrews 11:33

who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,





Hebrews 11:39

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised,





Hebrews 12:2

looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.





Hebrews 13:7

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.





James 1:3

for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.





James 1:6

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.





James 2:1

My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.





James 2:5

Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?





James 2:14

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?





James 2:17

So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.





James 2:18

But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.





James 2:20

Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?





James 2:22

You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;





James 2:24

You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.





James 2:26

For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.





James 5:15

And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.





1 Peter 1:5

who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.





1 Peter 1:7

so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.





1 Peter 1:9

obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.





1 Peter 1:21

who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.





1 Peter 5:9

Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.





2 Peter 1:1

Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:





2 Peter 1:5

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,





1 John 5:4

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.





Jude 3

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.





Jude 20

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,





Revelation 2:13

“ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.





Revelation 2:19

“ ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.





Revelation 13:10

If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.





Revelation 14:12

Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

Bible Study Tools for 2011

Keeping up to date with the new and different ways to study the Bible is a challenging task as there are so many wide and divergent ways that people go about studying God's word. To keep this as simple as possible let's ask a few questions.

First, are you content to read an actual Bible, or do you prefer to look up things online?

That alone will make a difference in what you should do next. For instance, if your Bible study is restricted to one Bible, then the choice of that Bible is crucial. This is a good place to talk about versions. What's the deal with so many and what's the point? The point of course is to get as much as you can out of Bible study as possible. That is to say, when Paul said to Timothy to study to show yourselves approved, it benefits not only the believer, but also God's Church! Hover over this reference, 2 Timothy 2: 15 and consider the value of study for the believer as well as the purpose of God.

King James Version.

This version has worked well for over 400 years! 2011 marks the 400 year anniversary of this great text. Many of us have a King James memory, as we studied only this version while we were being disciple. The problem is, however, language usage has changed in 400 years and there are some passages that are difficult to negotiate.

New International Version.

This is the most popular and widely used version in the last 30 years. It has found its place into our teaching/preaching and discipleship materials. The NIV illustrates the perpetual challenge that translators face in trying to bring the original text of Hebrew and Greek into modern day language usage. As such, they rely on a method of translation that focuses on the "concept" of Scripture rather than the actual words. The translators in 1979 did a fantastic job of staying faithful to the original text, (KJV only detractors notwithstanding) and this translation has been a blessing to the Church. The problem? The NIV is changing. Several years ago, Zondervan produced the TNIV (today's New International Version) one if its "features" was the removal of gender specific language for God. For example, referring to God as a male was discouraged even when the male personal pronouns were used in the original. This is not good. The future will show those looking for the "original" NIV.

New American Standard

This is a fantastic version that rather than use the "dynamic equivalence" approach of the NIV translators, focused on word for word translation. The faithful work of these scholars has stood the test of time and the NASB still exists as the gold standard of translation work. The problem of course is the readability of the text. This is why it never took hold in church use.

English Standard Version

The ESV is a triumph of biblical scholarship. Focusing on a word for word translation and using the latest in textual analysis tools, the scholars of the ESV have produced an amazing translation that is not only readable but focuses on conveying the word for word standard of the King James and NASB. Consider this from the preface to the ESV to help illustrate my enthusiasm for this version:

We know that no Bible translation is perfect or final; but we also know that God uses imperfect and inadequate things to his honor and praise. So to our triune God and to his people we offer what we have done, with our prayers that it may prove useful, with gratitude for much help given, and with ongoing wonder that our God should ever have entrusted to us so momentous a task.

Soli Deo Gloria!—To God alone be the glory!

New Living Translation

If you remember the Living Bible, then you can appreciate what the New Living Translation has done. This is an amazingly relevant translation that will span the test of time. Many churches have adopted its use rather than the ESV because of its amazing readability. What's the issue? It follows, like the NIV, the dynamic equivalence approach of translation. Personally, I have no problem with this, but you cannot interpret the NIV or the NLT without doing exegesis or word studies on the text.

Holman Christan Standard Bible

This Bible is a direct translation from Broadman and Holman publishers. This publishing house is owned by the Southern Baptist convention. The Assemblies of God has yet to come up with their own version of the Bible, but thankfullythe HCSB is a faithful word for word translation on the lines of the KJV, ESV, and NASB. It has shown up mostly in theme oriented Bibles for children, youth, and professions.

As I continue on, let me simply say that if you study your Bible with paper only. You should invest in a study Bible. My recommendation is the ESV Study Bible. You can find it at www.mardel.com ; sometimes cheaper at www.christianbook.com or the publisher's site itself: www.crossway.com The ESV Study Bible has 20000 notes and resources that are a wonderful introduction to all that is good in Christian Theology. With the purchase of any ESV Bible, they also give you a code where you can search online and find many other resources for FREE.

If you prefer to use online and/or phone Bibles, an amazing world of learning and adventure awaits you.

If you are interested in indepth study of Scripture using your computer, Then allow me to direct you to 4 different options. As you look at these, think of them the way you think of automobiles. You don't need them all, you only need 1. It's poor stewardship to have all of them.

E-Sword. This is free and amazing. If you want to save the most money and get the most value, stop here. www.e-sword.com

The next bang for your buck with an amazing interface and many conservative resources is BibleSoft

The next resource is Wordsearch. It has many features with the ability to expand your library as well as a great interface.

The best….by far….is Logos. It's the same in features and price as the ones already mentioned, but you might prefer the interface or focus of the others. As you add resources, however, it becomes more powerful and more expensive: way more expensive. The people at Logos are committed to the primacy of Scripture and have created ways to search and study the Bible that are not available anywhere else (they simply built a better mouse trap) and they charge $$$$ for it. Logos is available for the PC, MAC, and on the Iphone. They are also developing an Android app. I dare you to ask me about Logos Bible Software J

If you are a mac user then I think your problem is solved with logos, but you also might like accordance

If you are a crazy original language study person and refuse to use logos then you should take a look at Bibleworks

Then there's the question of Phones.

If you have a smartphone. You have the ability to read the Bible, your devotions, do word studies and have a Bible reading plan. The question is what kind of phone do you have? If it's an Iphone, you have a wide array of choices. If you use a blackberry or android based phone you can find a Bible and reading plan for your device at:

www.olivetree.com

My favorite is

www.logos.com instant word studies on your phone….do I need to say more? J

many users like:

www.youversion.com

for a nice dramatic Bible,

www.bible.is

There are MANY others. I've just listed the ones I'm aware of. The amazing thing to me is the ability to customize Bible reading plans. This can be done with the top three Bible software programs and some of the phone apps.

E-Readers

If you use an e-reader like Kindle or Nook then you have to buy the individual Bibles. I'm personally partial to Nook Color as it is IN COLOR, and has the capacity mark up text, attach notes, and keep your place as well as recommend what you read through facebook, and twitter

Finally, there is the question of Bible searching

The hands down most popular online searching interface is Bible Gateway. Using "the cloud" keeps you from having to have the Bible on a device like a desktop, laptop, or smartphone, and meets the needs of most people for Bible searching. My preference is being able to search across several versions, which I'm not sure you can do. Bible Gateway has the most online features it appears.

Bible.logos.com I think has the future in view but no customizable reading plans like Bible Gateway

However you study the Bible does not matter, what matters is whether or not, you are studying Scripture. Technology has obviously made it easier for all of us, the question remains whether or not we will. Consider this great encouragement from a writer of Scripture himself.

2 Peter 1:16–21 (ESV)

Christ's Glory and the Prophetic Word

¹⁶ For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. ¹⁷ For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," ¹⁸ we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. ¹⁹ And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, ²⁰ knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. ²¹ For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

May the Lord bless you as you study His word.

In His Hands

On Wednesday night as we concluded out Bible Study on Daniel, our attention was drawn to Revelation 1: 1-20. In reading through it we discover that John was shown a "revelation" of the future. This was not only John's future, but ours. Similar to the visions of Daniel, for instance in Daniel 12:1-4, Daniel was shown by an angel what would be not only in his future, but also in ours. The book of Revelation is absolutely fascinating. Not as a script to satisfy our selfish curiosity, but as a declaration of a victorious king! There is absolutely nothing like the grand language of Revelation 22:6-21 which illustrates the ultimate and triumphant victory of King Jesus! As we read through chapter one, we noticed that "the One" John saw had a face that John recognized. (Revelation 1:13), it was the Christ that He had known while on the earth, but now, in all His Glory! What is so striking to me about this One among the lampstands was not just His statement in Revelation 1:17-20, but specifically His revelation of the mystery in Revelation 1:20. In the hands of Christ are His Churches! That is His body! With all of heaven opened to the apostle, there stood Jesus with His Church! With His Church in His right hand and in His left, Jesus stands triumphant. Here is the fulfillment of what He said to Peter, "You are Peter, but upon this ROCK I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). If you are having a struggle today or the problems you've been handed refuse to go away month after month and year after year, you can be encouraged through this great declaration, Jesus is building His Church and He has it ALL in His hands.

Outreach Samaritan Style

John 4:7 and John 4:42 are the reference bookends for the story of Jesus and the woman at the well. Jesus deliberately went through Samaria and found this woman who was drawing water from the well. I notice several things in this story that I wanted to highlight. I had the privilege of preaching at Bethel this morning and I was able to use portions of this story to illustrate the truth concerning Isaiah 12:3. I want to describe here more of what I observe from this great interchange between Jesus and the woman at the well that basically says a lot about outreach, even the process of outreach. First, Jesus went out of his way to go to Samaria. That is exactly what we should do if we want others to know the Good News. Second, he engaged her in conversation where she was. She was drawing water from a well, so He asked her to get him a drink of water. The resulting conversation led to her new life. For the believer to see genuine results from outreach, having gone out of his way, we must find a way to talk to them about where they are at right now. She was drawing water, so that's what Jesus spoke to her about. She asked him doctrinal questions. She even challenged him concerning His beliefs. We should likewise be prepared for that. The pluralism of this culture is so ingrained in the minds of people that I've even heard church members say they are not sure if truth is relative or absolute. Oh, it is absolute and the truth is found in Jesus. (John 14:6) ….back to the woman and Jesus. Having answered her questions He took it to another level (John 4:13-14) by letting her know that what He has to share was of eternal value, compared to regular water that had temporal value. This is another area where we can take instruction concerning evangelism, outreach, witnessing, or sharing the Gospel (whatever label you prefer) We have the best news in the world (Romans 5:1, Romans 8:1, Romans 10:9-10) When we talk to others about Christ, we have to find ways that help them understand the grand distinction between following what this world has to offer (which is temporal) and what Jesus has to offer (life everlasting, the abundant life today). What follows in this story is the woman who can't believe what Jesus told her (you are right in saying you don't have a husband, in fact you've had five husbands)! This is the crucial piece that I think we ignore…..The power of God. Unfortunately, too many people think that this was special because Jesus was Jesus and He could do miracles but we can't. Nothing could be further from the truth. It was Jesus who said "Greater works than these shall you do because I go to My Father" (John 14:12-14). In fact, Jesus told the disciples to wait for the promise of the Father before going out to the worldwide ministry He called for in Matthew 28:19-20. God can and will use us as we get the Gospel to those who have never heard and believe that He will provide all the equipment that we need.

From here, the woman at the well began to publish widely what Jesus did for her (John 4:29-30). The Good News of Jesus turned the woman into an evangelist. Here is another point about outreach. Those who put themselves in the place for God to use them (going on an outreach, volunteering for a new ministry, missions) WILL be used by God and those converts turn into evangelists! They have networks that we don't have and they can reach people that we will never reach. The Church must stay focused on outreach to be healthy.

It is not a coincidence that John gives the discourse of Jesus at this point (John 4:35) on the fields being white unto harvest (John 4:34-38). God has not made a mistake! He has entrusted this good news to His Church. We are the ones who must be faithful to the Gospel mandate. He has provided all the resources that we need (Acts 2:4, 10:44-46) to do His work.

What follows in this discourse is absolutely amazing. The Samaritan convert told what God had done for her….the people she told believed it! (John 4:39) and then they began to follow Jesus themselves. Consider THEIR TESTIMONY….

Not the words of Jesus….

Not the words of the Samaritan convert….

The words of those who believed the report of the Samaritan…

So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. ⁴¹ And many more believed ^zbecause of his word. ⁴² They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, ^aand we know that this is indeed ^bthe Savior ^cof the world."

The hearers had moved from confession, to belief, to true knowledge (Romans 8:16) If we dare to do the hard work of outreach we WILL SEE RESULTS.

Those results will produce more results. The good news is, those results will be long-lasting. Jesus told Peter "I will build My Church" (Matthew 16:18)

There is a Church to build! There is a Gospel to preach! The harvest is white, the laborers ARE few….pray for the Lord of the Harvest to thrust workers into His harvest field.(Luke 10:2)

Intentional outreach that brings life and hope to those who have no hope, enable the believer to enjoy what Isaiah could only dream about (Isaiah 12:3)

 

His Love Endures Forever

His Love Endures Forever

There is no one like our God! He loves us! His mercies are new every morning and His faithfulness endures forever! The Psalmists understood the power of giving thanks. As the media and merchants of our land bypass Thanksgiving to focus on the revenue generating season of Christmas, let's remember that the Godly give thanks! It's more than just saying thanks. It's reflecting on the solid reality of what we have in Christ. Consider

Galatians 5:1–15 (ESV)

Christ Has Set Us Free

5 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

² Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. ³ I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. ⁴ You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. ⁵ For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

⁷ You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? ⁸ This persuasion is not from him who calls you. ⁹ A little leaven leavens the whole lump. ¹⁰ I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view than mine, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. ¹¹ But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. ¹² I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

¹³ For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. ¹⁴ For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." ¹⁵ But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

 

This passage reminds us that the alternative to thanksgiving is the unworkable world of legalism. Legalism is NOT BIBLICAL. It's His Grace! It's His Mercy! It's His Favor that has brought us these rich blessings.

Let's Give Thanks!

Do Not Be Grieved

The people of Israel and Judah had done wrong. God warned them time and again through the prophets. They disregarded the instruction of the prophets and found their civilization demolished while they were deported to a foreign country. The Bible tells the truth about people, including the biblical characters. Seventy years later, Ezra is leading the people of God in worship. The festivals and celebrations of Leviticus 23 were being reinstituted. Reflecting on this new day, the people of God began to weep concerning the sin that brought them sorrow. It didn't stop there. The worship leader began to encourage the repentant. Do not be grieved!

How often we find ourselves mourning over the past. The people of God on the other hand, are not limited by their past. In his encouragement to these worshippers, Ezra declared a truth that is magnificent in its scope and encouraging in its declaration:

The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength! Hallelujah! Nehemiah 8:10 declares it so. Thousands of years into their future, the people of God in the 21^st century need to hold on to the truth of Scripture. Do NOT be grieved. Don't let circumstances, trouble, or heartache keep you down. The joy of the Lord is your strength! As the Psalmist so skillfully wrote:

    ⁵    For his anger is but for a moment,

and his favor is for a lifetime.

        Weeping may tarry for the night,

but joy comes with the morning. (Psalm 30:5)

Do not be grieved, the Joy of the Lord is YOUR strength

How to Prosper

It's been 10 years since the turn of the century. Technology continues to advance, the Church is growing around the world, and wars and rumors of wars continue to be a part of everyday life. Today in Church, the message was on "The Practical Teachings of Jesus". The Sermon on the Mt. is a magnificent set of Scriptures which have challenged the Church to live the high standard of Jesus. What is so striking about chapter 6, on which the sermon is based, is that Jesus asks us to do our religious tasks….with the right motives. I don't have any need to re-preach the sermon, yet upon reflection I am being reminded by Scripture that Jesus's definition of prosperity is SO VERY DIFFERENT from ours. Ours is $$ based, there is no question. Jesus said it all in Matthew 6:21 (hint…hold your curser over the Scripture reference will pop up! Cool, huh). The evangelical/Pentecostal wing of Christianity has suffered over the past 30 years concerning what it means to prosper. Just yesterday I saw a chapter title in a book advertisement on how to learn grammar (for students who are studying Hebrew and don't remember their English grammar) that was a play on words….the chapter title? Name it and Claim it! Lol seriously, this book is now available for your purchase at www.zondervan.com

This confusion is due in part to the Church not paying attention to Jesus' definition of prosperity in Matthew 6:21. Prosperity has to do with joy and the abundant life. According to Jesus it means having your eyes on what has eternal value, not temporary value. 400 years before the birth of Jesus, there was someone else who was struggling with the definition of prosperity. Nehemiah had grown up in Persia, the descendent of Jewish parents who were deported from the southern kingdom of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar. Nehemiah 1 records the magnificent prayer that he prayed when God opened up a door of opportunity to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 1:1-11). In the next chapter however, Nehemiah chronicles the trouble that Sanballat, Geshem and Tobiah threw his direction in his lofty task of rebuilding Jerusalem. In the midst of this struggle, Nehemiah records a phrase that gets to our illusive definition. It's not a definition as much as a description. To the threats and accusing questions of his detractors, Nehemiah declares "The God of heaven will make us prosper" (Nehemiah 2:20).

Here is the point. God wants prosperity for His people, as in freedom from guilt, anxiety and worry. Prospering means participating with God in His purposes and discovering the joy of the Lord. We prosper when we set our hearts in the right place and discover the joy of ministry. A lot has changed since 400 BC. One thing has not changed. The God of heaven will make us prosper….as we follow HIS purpose.

Jesus Said to Wait

The disciples learned a lot from Jesus. In fact John said: John 20:30 (ESV)

³⁰ Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; The disciples were able to remember much of what Jesus said and taught because of help from the Holy Spirit. In the book of John, Jesus Himself referred to the person and work of the Holy Spirit after He would ascend back to heaven. (John 16:4-15) What I noticed as I was reading the book of Acts a few years ago intrigued me. Luke records in this book that Jesus gave specific instructions to His disciples, even though He said go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus said to wait. Wait for what? Wait for power. Jesus knew that the disciples would not be able to reach the world without help. He promised to send help, and Help came. Help came in the Person of the Holy Spirit. Here are the words that Lukerecords concerning Jesus' instruction:

⁴ And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; ⁵ for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

So…what's the point? If Jesus told His disciples, who had heard Him teach so much to wait….for the promise of the Father….which He had taught them about….then what are WE WAITING FOR?

Scripturally, if we are going to follow what the Lord said, we should WAIT until we are endued with power from on high. The power of the Holy Spirit is not optional equipment or an upgrade package. It is absolutely essential for ministry. Consider these Scriptures: Acts 2:1-4, 10:44-46, and then consider Matthew 28:19-20. The task of making disciples REQUIRES the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said "Greater works than these shall you do because I go to my Father"…it's now time.

What are you waiting for?

Help with the Beatitudes

The Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes within are quite well known among Christian circles. The problem is, Christians are by and large "ignoring" them. Jesus intended to teach the content of the beatitudes. Matthew 5 says that he "sat down to teach". I see within this passage another problem. There is a respect problem with today's modern Christian. They don't "respect Jesus" like they used to. Maybe its because the information overload has conveyed to us so many options. By default, the Savior of the world has taken a back seat. I had the privilege yesterday of preaching at Bethel in Ft. Worth. At the close of the service, we asked for people to stand in response to the question: "Do you need help with the Beatitudes"….just about everyone stood up. We do need help. We need God's help. That's why He sent the Spirit! In addition, the Jesus's instruction as to salt and light in the passage that follows helps to illustrate WHY we need to pay attention to the Beatitudes. Matthew 5:13-16. As I continued to think about the message, this afternoon and into the night hours, I thought I'd put together some Scriptures that would provide HELP with the Beatitudes. I know I still need help meeting the standard that Jesus put down. I believe the Holy Spirit helps us to live up to that standard. Here are some passages that I have discovered helpful, it's obviously not exhaustive, but should get us started.

Romans 8:1–11

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh …

1 Corinthians 15:20–25

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

Acts 2:36–41

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38 And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation." 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Ephesians 4:29–32

29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Galatians 5:16–26

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, …

Acts 4:23–31

23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, " 'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed'— 27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while …

Revelation 2:1–7

1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 " 'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise …

Revelation 21:1–8

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." 6 And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life …7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. ⁸ But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."

MAY THE Lord RICHLY bless you as you are SALT and LIGHT FOR HIS HOLY PURPOSES!

He Set Himself to Seek God

Back to School time is always exciting because, like the new year, it's a fresh start. Records are kept at school and so we all try to help the students we know have the best circumstances in which to learn. At SAGU, I teach a course entitled "The Ministry of Teaching" in which we try to help students understand the importance of discipleship in the local church. The local Church is, in my humble opinion, the greatest organization on the face of the earth. Jesus inaugurated it when He said: "I will build My Church and the gates of hell will not stand against it" matthew 16:18. For the church to continue, however, there must be discipleship. Discipleship is simply doing all that is necessary for the next generation and new believers to continue in the faith and replicate that in the lives of others. In the Old Testament, King Uzziah was given an amazing opportunity. At the young age of 16, he became king over Israel. That reminds me about schools and opportunities. Sometimes people who get those opportunities are not up to the challenge. Others, however, are ready to do what they were meant to do. With hard work, dedication, and passion, you can exceed many expectations. That's what Uzziah did. The Scripture tells us that Uzziah made a good decision soon after he became king:

2 Chronicles 26:5 (ESV)

⁵ He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.

 

Did you notice the power in that Scripture? His success was tied to his seeking the Lord….

 

It is reminiscent of the words of Jesus:

 

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

 

Success God's way will always be the right way.

 

 

 

Leave It There!

What a concept! What a condition! The privilege of the believer is that he or she knows that they are connected to the One who is more than able to bear all our burdens and concerns. Consider these Scriptures:

Job 13:15     15"^aThough He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I ^bwill argue my ways ¹before Him.

Psalm 55:22     22^aCast ¹your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; ^bHe will never allow •the righteous to ^2cbe shaken.

Psalm 62:8     8^aTrust in Him at all times, O people; ^bPour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.    Selah.

Isaiah 26:3     3"The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect ^apeace, Because he trusts in You.

Isaiah 26:4     4"^aTrust in the Lord forever, For in ¹God the Lord, we have an everlasting ^bRock.

Philippians 4:6 6^aBe anxious for nothing, but in everything by ^bprayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

1 Peter 5:7     7casting all your ^aanxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

 

I'm so glad that ALL our cares and ALL our burdens can be left at the Cross. In 1916, Charles Tindley, an African-American minister wrote the words to this song, may they be a blessing to you today:

If the world from you withhold of its silver and its gold, and you have to get along with meager fare, just remember, in His word, how He feeds the little bird—Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

If your body suffers pain and your health you can't regain, and your soul is almost sinking in despair; Jesus knows the pain you feel; He can save and He can heal—Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

When your enemies assail and your heart begins to fail, don't forget that God in heaven answers prayer; He will make a way for you and will lead you safely thru—Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

When your youthful days are gone and old age is stealing on, and your body bends beneath the weight of care, He will never leave you then; He'll go with you to the end—Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

Chorus: Leave it there, leave it there; take your burden to the Lord and leave it there. If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out—Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

 

LEAVE…..IT…….THERE!

 

Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace : 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1990), 218.

Ignorance is Bliss….Or Is It?

Here is a saying that is believed by many to be true. If you don't know, how can you care? For example, if you are not aware people are saying negative things about you , then it doesn't affect you….thus, ignorance is bliss, or another popular proverb….what you don't know can't hurt you. Is it really true? Really?

No. Ignorance is a very bad thing. Think of all the ways ignorance causes problems. It is used as a tool to avoid responsibility…i.e. "I didn't know that was a rule". It is used to avoid taking on challenges… "I don't know enough to make a decision". It is also used as an excuse to avoid caring for someone else….. "I didn't know he was in the hospital." Not knowing isn't sin, but it provides the opportunity for sin. It is easy for one to "deliberately forget" as Peter might say. 2 Peter 3:5

Jeremiah put it this way. Jeremiah 17:9 (NLT)

⁹ "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,

and desperately wicked.

Who really knows how bad it is?

Perhaps this is one reason David prayed for God to "create within me a Clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me" Psalm 51:10

The Scriptures are full of encouragement to learn, seek, discover and long for truth. In fact, Jesus encouraged the disciples that the Holy Spirit would be a guide into all truth. Wow. The Holy Spirit is a Guide into Truth. (John 16:13) No doubt the early Pentecostals insisted that the only true work of the Spirit would draw attention to Christ. Whoa. That's a whole other blogpost.

The world seems to think Christians are anti-intellectual. Maybe we give them reason to think so way too often. The Bible celebrates wisdom, learning, and the search for truth! I read a Proverb today that prompted this thought. It's Proverbs 19:8.

Whoever gets sense loves his own soul;

he who keeps understanding will discover good.

May the Lord bless all your efforts as you "get sense"

The Bible is God’s Word…Scripture List

The Bible is God's Word. This morning in Church I had the privilege of preaching concerning this topic. You can listen to the message here. The Bible is God's word because the of who the Author is, and the Bible is the word of God because of how people in the Bible used it. I quoted several Scriptures this morning that I wanted to make available to people to study so I thought this would be the best way to do it and since this blog turns references into hyperlinks, I'm happy to present these to you. The main point I have to share is the importance of our personal valuing of God's word. It is HIS word, not ours. It commands respect. I cite these verses to allow them to illustrate to us all how MUCH Jesus relied upon the Scripture, referenced it, taught from it, etc. and how the apostles followed His example. May you be blessed to "study to show yourself approved" and dig deeper into this treasure of God's word.

Mark 12:10
Haven't you read this scripture: " 'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone;
Luke 4:21
and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
John 2:22
After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
John 7:38
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
John 7:42
Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David's family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?"
John 10:35
If he called them 'gods,' to whom the word of God came—and the Scripture cannot be broken—
John 13:18
"I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'


John 17:12
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.
John 19:24
"Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." So this is what the soldiers did.
John 19:28
Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty."
John 19:36
These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken,"
John 19:37
and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."
John 20:9
(They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)
Acts 1:16
and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus—
Acts 8:32
The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
Acts 8:35
Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
Romans 4:3
What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."


Romans 9:17
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."
Romans 10:11
As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
Romans 11:2
God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don't you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel:
Galatians 3:8
The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you."
Galatians 3:16
The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ.
Galatians 3:22
But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
Galatians 4:30
But what does the Scripture say? "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son."
1 Timothy 4:13
Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.
1 Timothy 5:18
For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages."
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
James 2:8
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.
James 2:23
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend.
James 4:5
Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?
James 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
1 Peter 2:6
For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
2 Peter 1:20
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation.

What if they found Noah’s ark and no one cared?

The news yesterday was that they did! It's pretty amazing. They may or may have not, but that's the nature of archaeology. It didn't take even 24 hours for critics to begin dismissing the notion. That is also no surprise. The inference alone is too great:

1. They found Noah's ark

2. Genesis is telling the truth

3. Man IS a sinner and introduced sin into the human race

4. Man needs a Savior

5. God promised to send One.

The problem, however, is the logical inference the other direction:

1. Biblical illiteracy
   
2. Leads to Biblical apathy
   
3. Leads to doubt
   
4. Leads to not believing
   

Today, out of my 1408 friends on facebook, most of whom are Christians, I posted the news about the ark discovery, the link that it has with the Black Sea expedition by Robert Ballard (who found the Titanic) and 3 "liked" it, and 1 commented.

I know that all my friends didn't see the link, and I also know that they are in no way obligated to like or comment on it. One of the by-products of our "always on" culture is that information and its uniqueness by default is subject to skepticism, apathy, and doubt.

It did give me pause…………..

I am growing increasingly concerned that the Christian culture, that is to say even the Evangelical, Charismatic, Pentecostal culture is cultivating a corporate "apathy" about the Bible.

They know where to check all the blocks

They know the way to be saved

They know the right language

But the love of Scripture is missing.

The Bible says:

Romans 10:17 (ESV)

¹⁷ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Even the Psalmist in the Old Testament understood the value of Scripture:

Psalm 119:97 (ESV)

⁹⁷ Oh how I love your law!

It is my meditation all the day.

Maybe I'm an alarmist, but I don't think so. I'm afraid that our:

familiarity with the basic stories of the Bible

poor preparation for church work

dispassionate presentations of Scripture

have worked to take away the value of God's word in the minds of believers.

So where is the hope? The word of God! Peter anticipated these issues while writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit

2 Peter 3:1–5 (ESV)

This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, ² that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, ³ knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. ⁴ They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation." ⁵ For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God,

In fact, he introduced this book with the following declaration on the the wonders of Scripture. 2 Peter 1:16–21 (ESV)

¹⁶ For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. ¹⁷ For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," ¹⁸ we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. ¹⁹ And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, ²⁰ knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. ²¹ For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

The words of Jesus are most important to consider at this point. And then consider what to do about creating a culture where the word of God is valued.

Mark 13:31 (ESV)

³¹ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.